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Big Jeff treads the boards

A Sky Sports cult hero will be returning to the region next month to take his theatrical bow in a comedy drama.

Gillette Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling, from Hartlepool, will play himself at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle where he is set to reprise his role in Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather.

Having debuted in April 2009 with an appearance in the show that commemorates West Auckland Football Club winning the first world cup in 1909, “Big Jeff”, as he is known to his loyal legion of Sky Sports fans, is looking forward to heading back to his native North East.

He said: “The achievement of West Auckland, a team of miners from County

Durham, was incredible. It’s one of the greatest football stories ever and I was only too happy to get involved again.“

“It’s also a very funny script. I’ve heard people talking enthusiastically about Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather here in London, so it must have made a very good impression.”

Directed by former East Enders star Andrew Lynford, “Alf Ramsey” celebrates the achievement of the West Auckland amateurs who were invited to Turin, Italy, in April 1909 to compete against professional teams from Germany, Italy and Switzerland for the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, the inaugural world cup.

“West” won the cup in 1909 and returned in 1911 when they beat the mighty Juventus 6-1 to retain the trophy.

The play was penned by Tyneside-based Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, who have had previous hit works at the Theatre Royal, including Dusting and Waiting For Gateaux.

Trevor Wood added: “As massive fans of Jeff and the rest of the Soccer Saturday team, Ed and I are delighted he has come on board again.

“His enthusiasm and charisma are infectious. When he appeared during the Durham run there were gasps of surprise from the audience. It was brilliant.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .