The Match
The Match
Speechless Media & IMG Media
The Match is a weekly podcast in which broadcaster Dave Farrar talks to someone that he knows about a football match that had a huge impact on their lives, one that has stayed in the memory. There are ex players, managers, and people around football, all of whom have new and amazing stories to tell. Funny and sad, reflective and instructive. Because 90 minutes can last a lifetime.
Episode 10: The day I lost my head
In 2005, David Prutton was a Premier League up and comer. A tough tackling midfielder, but one who’d always managed to stay on the right side of the disciplinary line. And then, one afternoon at St Mary’s in Southampton, he lost it. Two minutes of madness that would shape the rest of his career. In the last episode of Season One, he tells us his story with wit and self-effacing honesty. 
Dec 5, 2017
45 min
Episode 9: Andrea Pirlo and the debut from Hell
Richard Hughes was learning plenty in the most famous youth academy in Italy, at Atalanta. Coach Cesare Prandelli gave him his debut for the senior youth team against Brescia. And in Brescia's ranks was one of Italy's greatest future players, Andrea Pirlo. That was challenge enough, but Richard was to play out of position, at Centre Back. The prospect was, in his words, a nightmare.
Nov 28, 2017
32 min
Episode 8: It's not manque, it's monkey
In 1988, Clive Allen made a surprise move to France to play for Bordeaux. Early in that season, Bordeaux played PSG at the Parc Des Princes and Clive missed a penalty that would have won them the game. The next day he was called in to see the President. This week, it's the story of what happened next.
Nov 21, 2017
43 min
Episode 7: 28 minutes with Andy Sinton
In April 1993, a young Matt Jackson was playing at right back for Everton against QPR. He'd had a good season to that point but always sensed that he didn't really know his position, that he was winging it, that he was guessing what a defender should do. One day this lack of guidance would surely catch up with him. And then it did. On an afternoon at Goodison Park when he came up against the England left winger Andy Sinton.
Nov 14, 2017
36 min
Episode 6: The Memory Man
In September 1995, West Ham United went to Highbury to play Arsenal, and the West Ham midfielder Don Hutchison was furious with his manager Harry Redknapp. The two had argued, communication had broken down, and when Redknapp decided to bring on the 37 year old reserve goalkeeper Les Sealey as a substitute instead of Don, that was the end of the road, and player told manager that he would never play for him again. It would be a compelling story, if it was true. The fact that it isn't makes it even more so.
Nov 7, 2017
38 min
Episode 5: The Freedom of Freetown
In 1993, Leroy Rosenior won his only cap for Sierra Leone. He’d had invitations before, and always said no. This time, though, he went. And came back with stories and memories that have instructed him ever since. This is the story of the red carpet, the witch doctor, the taxi ride, and of course, the match.
Oct 31, 2017
34 min
Episode 4: It was over the line, it was over the line
In 1997, third tier Chesterfield got to the FA Cup semi final. They played Premier League Middlesbrough. And they nearly won. This is the story of how a small club was denied its chance of a dream final by a refereeing decision, and how the then Chesterfield manager John Duncan remembers that day.
Oct 24, 2017
27 min
Episode 3: I Will Not Be Watching
In April 2007, the BBC announced that, for the first time, they would use a female commentator on Match of the Day. And all hell broke loose. This week, Jacqui Oatley tells the story of that day.
Oct 17, 2017
42 min
Episode 2: The Beginning of the End
Danny Higginbotham knew that he was nearing the end of his career when Stoke played Chelsea in 2011, but the serious injury that he suffered at the end of that game all but finished him as a player. He describes the road back, the false starts, the jealousies and the agonies of realising that you've lost the career that you loved. And how the injury made him the person that he is. Stronger and more successful.
Oct 10, 2017
29 min
Episode 1: Fear and Self Loathing at Carrow Road
In his second game in the Premier League, Dean Ashton felt out of his depth and wondered if he belonged. And then something happened that would change the course of his career, and his life.
Oct 3, 2017
33 min
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