Soccer AM spin-off to be launched as former star announces exciting plans for new show

A Soccer AM spin-off is set to be launched by a former key figure behind the popular original show.

Soccer AM was cancelled by Sky at the end of the 2023/24 season, ending a hugely successful 29-year run that once saw the programme reach a peak Saturday morning viewership of 750,000.

The show hit its height of popularity while Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain were presenting, with Torquay fan Chamberlain spending 22 years on Soccer AM.

Producers decided to cut back several features as time went by, including the Soccerettes and a squad crossbar challenge (who can forget Mido's iconic attempts?)

Remember Mido's infamous Crossbar Challenge attempts at Wigan and Middlesbrough? 😂

This is the REAL story behind them from the man himself @Midoahm! 😲 pic.twitter.com/SF28Lmb5oA

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) October 10, 2019

Now, former producer James 'Rocket' Long has confirmed that the show will be making a return of sorts.

Rocket will front a new show alongside Tom Skinner titled 'Soccer PM', which will essentially be a nostalgia trip across the history of Soccer AM.

But rather than just feature old clips, Rocket wants the show to include interviews with former crew members, presenters and guests, as well as some of the Soccerettes, with the aim of providing a more behind-the-scenes look at what went on back in those days.

Explaining the full premise of the new show to talkSPORT, Rocket - who was 15 when his first involvement with Soccer AM began - said: "This is nothing but a homage to what was a great show.

"This isn't us trying to do the Lockers or have Soccerettes or anything like that. This is just us chatting to the people that were involved, reminiscing about memories and talking about things that maybe happened off camera.

And Skinner - who isn't, despite what you may be thinking, the former Apprentice star - said: "The more archive footage you watch, you realise it stands as a bit of a time capsule. It encapsulates an entire vibe spanning about 10 years."