They brought warmth and entertainment to the weekend's football action before several of them were brutally sacked by Sky Sports - but Soccer Saturday's iconic former line-up have now reunited for a meal.
Taking to social media last night, Chris Kamara shared a touching picture certain to tug on the heartstrings, with most of the classic punditry team sat around a table in what appears to be their first major reunion.
Jeff Stelling, Kamara, Charlie Nicholas, Alan McInally, Phil Thompson, Tony Cottee and Matt Le Tissier all joined in for the group photo - although there was no sign of Paul Merson, who continues to guest on the show.
Soccer Saturday's iconic punditry line-up reunited for a meal (pictured L-R: Jeff Stelling, Chris Kamara, Charlie Nicholas, Alan McInally, Phil Thompson, Tony Cottee and Matt Le Tissier)
The previous crew, after a series of ruthless dismissals, were split up last summer with Sky Sports keen to overhaul their punditry team.
In the number of quickfire decisions, Nicholas, Thompson, Le Tissier and Scott Minto were all let go by the organisation in August 2020. A year on, Cottee - notorious for his goalless draws - followed them out through the exit door.
Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson was announced as the latest member of Soccer Saturday's shake-up last August, while the likes of Karen Carney, Clinton Morrison and Tim Sherwood have regularly featured on the flagship programme.
A gleeful Kamara shared the picture on social media and said 'the boys are back in town'
Cottee (front row, right) joined Nicholas, Thompson and Le Tissier (back row, left to right) in being sacked by the flagship football programme
And in yet another blow to the popular Saturday staple, presenter Stelling has announced he too is stepping away from the show at the end of the season, after over 25 memorable years in the hot seat.
But for one night at least, any lingering frustration was set aside, with seven of the legendary team getting together for a catch-up and a meal.
Kamara, who has also continued working for Sky Sports as a reporter, shared the post on Twitter yesterday evening and captioned it: 'The boys are back in town.'
The presenters were kitted out in sharp suits and jumpers, making the picture a welcome throwback to the hours spent