Football Focus legend slams 'crazy' BBC axe despite 'woke' backlash from fans

Jack Otway
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:01:55 +0000

Bob Wilson, who fronted Football Focus for two decades between 1974 and 1994, has branded the BBC's decision to scrap the programme "crazy."

The 84-year-old former Arsenal goalkeeper expressed shock and sadness at the axing of what he considers a broadcasting institution after more than half a century on air.

"It has run successfully for 52 years, so goodness me, why are they getting rid of it?" Wilson wrote in the Times.

He described the show as "a huge part of not only my life but also that of many football supporters."

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The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Football Focus will be replaced next season by an interview-based programme exploring what motivates players.

Wilson dismissed this replacement concept, insisting: "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."

Audience numbers for the Saturday programme have fallen sharply in recent years.

Before the Covid pandemic, Football Focus attracted an average of 957,000 viewers, climbing to 1.12 million during the 2020-21 season.

By 2022-23, however, that figure had dropped to just 687,000.

Online reaction to Thursday's announcement was largely unsympathetic, with many accusing the show of becoming overly political.

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"Good - it's been an awful woke joke for years," one user posted on X, while another declared: "Go woke, go broke!"

Former BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has previously claimed the broadcaster sits "top of the woke league."

Alex Scott broke her silence on Thursday with an Instagram statement, revealing she had already decided this would be her final season presenting the show.

"I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too," she wrote.

The former England women's footballer said her plan had been to "move quietly into the next chapter" before circumstances changed.

Scott also acknowledged the transformed media environment, noting that when Football Focus first launched, social media did not exist and podcasts were unknown.

Dan Walker, who presented Football Focus for 12 years before Scott took over in 2021, expressed his dismay at the cancellation.

"Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus," he tweeted.

"I loved that show growing up. I used to watch it every week with my dad and I remember how proud he was when I got the job."

Walker described his time in the presenter's chair as "such a privilege" and praised the production team both on and off screen.

"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," he added.