Caroline Barker v Simon Thomas tape story: How do Geoff Stelling’s replacement candidates compare on Saturday Football?

CHOOSING Geoff Stelling’s successor to host Sky Sport Soccer on Saturday could be the toughest decision in football – off the pitch anyway.

And not just for broadcasting bosses – who will be choosing a new name for a new era in the next few days.

3

SunSport exclusively revealed it only two names, Caroline Barker and Simon Thomas, remained in the running – both respected and experienced.

But they know Stelling was that rare thing in sports and today’s world of social media – a legend who brings thoughts together in a positive way.

Fans love his intelligence, humility, passion and knowledge from the National League to international superstars – a kind of everyman extraordinaire.

So how do Barker and Thomas match up when it comes to keeping a big following Stelling was in custody for 29 years?

Barker, 42, is a sports all-rounder who rose to the top after appearing on local radio.

Thomas, 50, began his broadcasting career in 1999 as Blue Peter presenter before moving to Sky Sports six years later.

Insiders told the Sun he is a slight favourite.

And when he replaces Stelling, few sportscasters will be taking part in more outdoor adventures than the Norwich man.

SPECIAL BET PROMOTION – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS

It reportedly took him three applications to finally land the role of Blue Peter, having previously been a presenter on BBC Children’s and LBC.

And during his six years at the BBC’s flagship children’s programme, he ran the London Marathon twice, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and made more than 40 solo dives with the RAF.

He even ran the 60m at Norwich Union Indoor Athletics against top sprinters Frankie Fredericks and Darren Campbell.

But Thomas topped all that by presenting the late queen with the golden blue pin of Peter.

He appeared on Sky Sports 18 years ago, initially alongside Sky Sports News Georgie Thompson.

Since then, he switched to sports Cricket AM and Ryder Cup coverage.

But he focused on football after becoming Sky’s Football League Live presenter in 2010.

Four years later, the League Cup was presented, and two years later – the Premier League.

3

This means that he is comfortable working with such well-known experts as Graham Souness, Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry.

In contrast, Barker has what might be considered a more orthodox approach.

She worked for BBC Essex and BBC London before appearing on the World Service and Radio 5 live, including at the 2019 Women’s World Cup

And her banter powers soared when she was named Rookie of the Year on 5 Live’s comedy sports show Fighting Talk in 2015.

She now hosts The Totally Football League Show on Sky, as well as other football work for the broadcaster.

And as a die-hard non-League fan, she seems to surpass Thomas in her know-how at all levels of the game, especially as she was director of hometown club Chelmsford City from 2009-2011.

She has reported on netball for the BBC and Sky and has also hosted a darts show.

Now, she’s waiting to see if she can get in the bullpen ahead of Thomas in the race for the role with perhaps the most authority in football.