Unbelievable Jeff! Stelling appointed honorary president of Hartlepool

Stelling, 60, who hosts Soccer Saturday, replaces outgoing honorary president Peter Mandelson, who was MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004.

"Jeff is the highest-profile Pools fan ever and he's the only person for the job," Pools' chief executive Russ Green told the club's official website.

"His name is synonymous with Hartlepool and he is held in high esteem by everyone in football so we're very proud that he has accepted this role at the club."

Stelling added: "When I was standing on the terraces as a seven-year-old I never dreamt that one day the club would ask me to be honorary president.

"It's sort of an impossible dream really, but it's fantastic and I really appreciate the fact that Russ and the chairman have offered it to me - I am very grateful indeed. "