WHY I'M ROOTING FOR GRETNA'S GOOD DOCTOR AND HIS OLD GRANNY MAY SAYS SKY'S JEFF STELLING

JEFF STELLING will be in Cardiff today to watch the FA Cup Final but his heart will be at Hampden with Kenny Deuchar and Gretna.

The Sky Sports anchorman could fly with confidence into a 50-50 tackle with John Motson if they ever laid down a challenge to find the most knowledgeable presenter in British football.

But Stelling is still kicking himself for mistakenly believing the English showpiece in the Millennium Stadium was taking place on a Sunday afternoon this season.

He was ready to book a flight to Glasgow with a couple of pals and watch Deuchar's Black and Whites in action for the first time today against Hearts.

Instead, he'll be working for the FA when West Ham take on Liverpool, but his mind will frequently stray 500 miles to the north as Rowan Alexander's side bid to write the most unlikely chapter in the history of the Scottish Cup.

Stelling's quick wit, statistical knowledge and machine-gun delivery over six hours on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday has made him the best sports presenter on British television.

He admits to a huge soft spot for Deuchar - or 'the good doctor' as he's known on Soccer Saturday - not to mention his granny, May.

They will not be too far from his thoughts today as the Second Division champions bid to end a remarkable season with success in the Scottish Cup.

Stelling said: "The reason I first became aware of Kenny was down to the fact I was mis-pronouncing his surname so horrendously on the show. I always referred to him as Kenny Deutchar until someone pointed out the error of my ways and, soon after, he went on a goals spree.

"I then found out about his history, including the fact he was a qualified doctor, and it snowballed from there. Kenny wrote to me to tell me his granny May loved the show and watched every Saturday afternoon at home with a glass of orange juice.

"He sent in a picture and asked if I could give her a mention on our New Year show last season, when Gretna were playing Montrose. The good doctor duly scored so I gave his granny a mention and showed her picture and when Kenny doubled his tally I said: 'Good news May, your boy's just done it again.'

"Kenny sent me a really nice letter a couple of weeks later thanking me for making his granny's day and it's not often that happens in football. I loved giving granny May a mention because it makes the whole show so much more human and the only guy with whom I've got a similar rapport is Robbie Savage at Blackburn.

"He told me his gran is also a huge fan of Soccer Saturday and, like Kenny, loves to hear her mentioned. Sometimes guys in the game get a bad press but there's a genuine affection for the show.

"Believe it or not, I've never met Kenny in person although I know he's a lovely approachable guy because we've done several phone interviews with him and he has even shown the Sky cameras around the hospital where he works. I had really hoped to come up to Hampden with a couple of friends to see Kenny and cheer on Gretna in the Final because it's such a fantastic story.

"They have become the favourite second team of many people in the Soccer Saturday team and I was up for spending the day in Glasgow.

"However, I was under the impression the FA Cup Final this weekend was being played on a Sunday when it's actually on the same day as the game at Hampden. I will be on duty in Cardiff working for the FA but I'll be unashamedly looking out for the Gretna score.

"If Kenny could score a goal or two it would be fantastic - and I'll bet you granny May wouldn't half be pleased as well."

Stelling's first love is his hometown team Hartlepool United, where he started his career on the local newspaper before moving into television, working for broadcasters such as GMTV, Eurosport and Channel 4.

He joined BSkyB in 1992 and is now one of the biggest personalities on Sky, who'll be broadcasting the game live from Hampden this afternoon. Stelling is known for his eccentric approach to his homework, which includes spending a couple of mornings a week in Winchester at his local service station, caf? latte in one hand and stats sheet and pen in the other.

He claims it's the perfect place to find peace and quiet away from his young family but knows he's at long odds in the eccentric stakes compared to Brooks Mileson.

He's never met the Gretna owner, who also hails from the north east, but is a huge fan of all he has done for clubs at various levels in British football.

Stelling added: "I understand why Gretna are the envy of so many others because Brooks is such a tremendous guy to have running the club and I know he's supported other teams in the past as well.

"He's a brilliant bloke and although I've never met him, again I've spoken with him on several occasions.

"Gretna is a fairy story with a full list of wonderful characters and I'm absolutely delighted they'll be playing UEFA Cup football next season.

"I'm sure Brooks will be pleased as well - for one thing it will give him the opportunity to stock up on duty free fags.

"It's a pity I can't make the Cup Final but there's always Europe next season. That promises to be another great story."

Taken from the Daily Record