Sky Sports News star leaves after 23 years as Chris Kamara delivers kind message

Veteran football broadcaster Alan Myers has announced his departure from Sky Sports after a remarkable 23-year tenure with the channel.

Myers initially shared news of his impending exit back in May, as the channel continues to ring the changes. During his time at Sky Sports News, he was primarily based in the North West and North East, reporting on clubs such as Manchester City, Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton.

His departure is the latest in what appears to be asignificant shake-up at the broadcasting giant this summer. On June 30, Myers took to social media to bid farewell.

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He posted: "Last day at Sky Sports News today! Always difficult leaving the safety of what you know but change is something to embrace, as they say 'don't lose tomorrow by reaching back for yesterday' it's been a total pleasure working at Sky, now for new challenges as a freelance journalist."

The announcement prompted an outpouring of support, including from Sky Sports and Brentford icon Chris Kamara who commented: "Good luck to you Alan." Before the end of the Premier League season, Myers disclosed on social media his decision to leave Sky.

"After a 23 year association I have decided to leave @SkySportsNews," he said. "The channel has given me so many great moments, some tough days too but most importantly many great friends and colleagues. It's been an absolute privilege to be a part of the journey, and what a journey it was!

"I want to say a huge thank you to all of those that have helped me from when I joined in 2002, right up to today, and there's still a couple of big stories to cover for me in my final weeks.

"SSN has taken me to over 30 countries, World Cup finals, ECL finals and so much more, places as far and wide as Indian to Israel to South Africa, I've been so privileged. So many great stories I've been lucky to work on and people I've been lucky to interview, and of course work with some amazing colleagues #blessed."

His message was accompanied by photographs capturing some of Myers' most memorable moments whilst working for Sky, including an encounter with controversial former Liverpool owner Tom Hicks, reports the Mirror.

He also shared an image of a meeting with legendary boxing promoter Don King, a snap of him reporting well into the evening on transfer deadline day, and one showing him present for Michael Owen's unveiling at Newcastle United in 2005.

Myers now joins a long list of reporters and presenters who have departed Sky in recent times. The ripple effects caused by Soccer Saturday's Jeff Stelling's departure at the conclusion of the 2022/2023 season have persisted, with channel veterans Geoff Shreeves, Martin Tyler and Bianca Westwood all departing in recent years.

Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Greg Whelan and Jaydee Dyer were also impacted. Rob Wotton, senior correspondent Melissa Reddy and presenters Teddy Draper, Paul Gilmour and Jasper Taylor are also departing the broadcaster this summer.

Kamara resigned from his position on Soccer Saturday at the conclusion of the 2021/22 football season, having been a part of the show for 24 years. Despite the significant cuts, Sky has maintained that these are not measures to reduce costs.

A spokesperson for Sky Sports News said: "We've shared proposals with the Sky Sports News team to change how we're structured, aimed at making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences across TV, digital and social. A small number of roles are impacted, and we are now entering a period of consultation with those colleagues."