**Sky Sports Reverses Decision and Plans Revival of Iconic Football Panel Show**
Sky Sports is poised to reintroduce one of its most beloved football talk shows, marking a significant U-turn after initially axing the programme in 2020 due to adjustments in its broadcasting schedule. The forthcoming series, which insiders suggest will adopt a new name, is expected to return with a familiar format ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Football fans can anticipate an official statement from Sky Sports in the coming weeks, as the broadcaster prepares to unveil details of the highly anticipated revival.
The original show, which made its debut in 1999 under the title *Hold the Back Page*, quickly secured a loyal following among football enthusiasts. Initially airing on Friday nights, its format centred around sports journalists diving into the week’s hottest topics and stories. The legendary Jimmy Hill fronted the early incarnation, before relocating to Sunday mornings where the show was reborn as *Sunday Supplement* and firmly established itself as a weekend staple for insightful football discussion.
Following Jimmy Hill’s departure in 2007, hosting duties rotated between the likes of Bill Bradshaw from the *Daily Express*, and Brian Woolnough of the *Daily Star*. Neil Ashton, a well-respected voice in football journalism, later took over as host, offering his own perspective on the big football talking points. The show made headlines again in 2020 when Jacqui Oatley became its first ever female presenter—a progressive move for the football media landscape. Ironically, this same year also witnessed its cancellation, brought about by Sky’s need to adapt to a congested calendar packed with live fixtures after the pandemic’s disruption.
At the time, a spokesperson for Sky Sports explained the reasoning, stating, “The huge volume of live football since the restart and a condensed season that has already begun means we must look at how best to deploy our resources for the benefit of our customers.” The decision disappointed many long-time viewers who had grown accustomed to the panel’s candid analysis and Sunday routine.
Industry sources now report that Sky Sports intends to respect the original spirit of the show in its new incarnation, albeit with a rebranded name and possibly a reimagined presentation. According to reputable publications including the *Daily Mail* and the *Mirror*, the essence of the panel discussion—feature seasoned journalists dissecting the week’s significant stories—is likely to remain intact, continuing the legacy of forthright and knowledgeable debate.
The withdrawal of *Sunday Supplement* from Sky Sports screens in 2020 was part of a wider overhaul at the network. The channel scrapped both *The Debate* and the long-running *Goals on Sunday* later that year. For fans, this marked the end of an era. *Goals on Sunday* had delighted audiences for two decades, with Chris Kamara—former Swindon Town and Brentford midfielder—co-hosting with Ben Shephard. The show’s guest list and banter made it a cult favourite. Well-known presenters like Alex Scott and Laura Woods also lent their talents to the series.
Reflecting on these changes, former Sky Sports figurehead Jeff Stelling, in his autobiography *Saturday Afternoon Fever*, openly questioned the rationale behind removing such programmes. Of particular note was the subsequent shift in Chris Kamara’s role, moving him to cover lower-league fixtures until his eventual departure in 2022. Stelling bafflingly commented, “From out of nowhere, it all began to go wrong for Kammy… Sky axed *Goals on Sunday*, though to this day, I don’t understand why. They certainly had nothing to replace it with.”
The chopping of cherished football shows did not end there. *Soccer AM*, another fixture across 28 years of Saturday mornings, also found itself axed in 2023 as viewership figures declined—a move which sparked sharp criticism from fans and commentators alike.
With the winds seemingly changing at Sky Sports, many hope the return of their esteemed panel discussion show, under whatever new name it takes, will signal renewed investment in original journalism and informed football commentary. Whether the magic and chemistry of the original can be recaptured remains to be seen, but the broadcaster appears optimistic that viewers’ appetite for deep-dive football analysis is far from diminished.
As the build-up to the new Premier League season intensifies, all eyes will be on Sky Sports to see how they balance nostalgia, innovation, and audience expectations in this much anticipated revival.