Stan's the man for TV soccer show

Staffordshire former footballer Stan Collymore has been unveiled as the new frontline face of Central Soccer Night after presenter Sarah-Jane Mee decided to quit the Midlands.

Former Villa star Collymore, from Cannock, will take on the role of fronting the programme and show bosses said they were confident he could fill her boots well.

Sarah-Jane is joining Sky News after quitting the Midlands late evening sports programme and will return home to London.

She is also quitting the Heart FM Breakfast show which she has presented for nearly two years but will remain on air until late spring.

She will leave Central next week, paving the way for Collymore, aged 37, to become the presenter by the end of the month.

Central producer Stan Ilic said:"Everyone remembers how wooden Gary Lineker was when he first started but Stan has really surprised me with how well he has done so quickly.

"I always knew he was an intelligent bloke and he's got the personality and presenting ability to carry it off.

"It's not as easy as it looks presenting a TV programme but I really think he can fill Sarah-Jane's boots as well as wearing his own. The viewers like him and the fans do. Even when we started him off at Birmingham City, where I thought he'd need a tin hat, the Blues' fans were great and nothing seems to faze him. He is eager for the challenge."

It is a massive boost for the retired former England International, who was at Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Aston Villa as well as Walsall and Stafford Rangers.

He has appeared on reality shows including The Verdict and The Farm since retiring from football six years ago and featured alongside Hollywood star Sharon Stone in the film sequel Basic Instinct 2 in 2005.

But he has also hit the headlines over the years for controversial aspects of his private life including his involvement with dogging on Cannock Chase.

Sarah-Jane will present her final show on Central News with Bob Warman on Monday and will present the sports section for the rest of the week before leaving the company.

She said she made the decision in a bid to be closer to her family and friends in London.

During her stint in the Midlands the star has also appeared at a number of community events.