Chris Kamara has moved to get in early with his tribute to retirement-bound Jeff Stelling ahead of an expected deluge of goodwill.
Stelling will call time on a 31-year career with Sky Sports this weekend when he covers the final day of the Premier League season on Soccer Saturday, a programme he has hosted since 1998.
The presenter, aged 68, had been expected to step aside in 2022 but was talked into staying for another year by Sky - but this time he has insisted there will be no U-turn.
READ MORE: Skeletal Stoke City squad state of play heading into summer transfer window
READ MORE: Stoke City 'very attractive' proposition for summer transfer targets
He has become part of English football culture after dashing through scorelines and results up and down the country and up and down divisions, always ready with a pun at hand. He has used his profile to help raise money and awareness for causes and charities, particularly in a battle to beat prostate cancer.
And he made a popular double act with Kamara, enough to persuade Kamara that he should stay in media rather than return to coaching after a difficult spell as Stoke City manager in 1998.
Kamara wrote on social media: "This Sunday sees the last day at Sky for the best broadcaster I have ever met, Jeff Stelling.
"I am getting my tribute in early because Jeff has been a massive part of my life and I love him to bits. One of the things I do miss is working with the maestro. There will never be another. You are 'Unbelievable Jeff' - and always will be."
Kamara left Sky Sports himself 12 months ago, when he opened up about his battle with speech apraxia.
The former midfielder, who also captained Stoke, now runs the Proper Football podcast alongside Ben Shephard on BBC Sounds.
READ NEXT
How John and Denise Coates predicted gambling revolution to make £9 billion
All 90 Stoke City players since relegation ranked by minutes used
Alex Neil has targets lined up for key roles in major Stoke City transfer makeover
Alex Neil season review on leaving Sunderland, transfers and huge Stoke project
All the latest Stoke City news and transfer gossip