The original On the Ball was a half hour football round-up segment shown as part of the World of Sport Saturday afternoon sports programming on ITV, preceding the traditional Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off time.
Initially presented by Brian Moore, it was later hosted by Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves.
When World of Sport was discontinued in 1985, On the Ball was replaced by Saint and Greavsie, a stand-alone lunchtime football show hosted by the same presenters.
Saint and Greavsie ended in 1992 when Sky Sports gained the rights to broadcast Premier League football, although ITV lunchtime coverage of football continued with occasional Champions League shows.
On the Ball was revived on ITV from the beginning of the 1998–99 season, presented by Gabby Logan, initially co-presented by Barry Venison.