Former Football Focus presenter Bob Wilson has condemned the BBC’s decision to scrap the beloved show ahead of next season. A fixture in the schedules for generations of supporters, Football Focus first aired as part of Grandstand in 1974.
“I just can’t believe there aren’t people at noon on a Saturday who don’t want to watch a show that sets up the weekend,” Wilson wrote for The Times. “Surely someone else will pick it up as a concept?
“I am really disappointed it has come to this. The BBC has said it will be replaced next season by an interview show about what makes footballers tick. That is crazy.
“People want to be told about the big games of the weekend, the issues, the news of the week, discussion, covering a range of clubs and personalities. Not just one.” The 84-year-old fronted Football Focus for two decades before departing the BBC for ITV in 1994. The former Arsenal goalkeeper said he was “absolutely shocked” by the announcement to axe the programme.
He added: “It will feel different when I next watch Football Focus. It became an institution. And will be missed.”
Wilson’s sentiments were mirrored by former Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, who helmed the show from 2009 until 2021. Posting on X, Walker said: “Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus I loved that show growing up.”
He continued: “The football landscape is constantly changing, and it’s disappointing that there isn’t space for a show that has meant so much to so many people for so many years.”
A BBC press release confirmed that the decision to scrap Football Focus was driven by “changing audience behaviours”. The broadcaster noted that fans are “consuming football content in different ways” and the BBC needed to “respond appropriately”.
In a statement, Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers. This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.”