
When Football Ruined My Life started back at the beginning of 2023 it was the new podcast about old football. In it, distinguished football journalist Patrick Barclay joined with Colin Shindler, author of the best selling Manchester United Ruined My Life, and the Super Agent Jon Holmes (think Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Tony Woodcock etc.) to talk about football as it used to be in the days befo... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 151 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | FootballSoccerSports | |||

There is an initial resistance by the panel to the question: can you build a team around one player? The instinctive response is one of scorn and derision – I mean how do you build a team around Peter Shilton? But then the World Cup arrived and al... more
This week Jon Holmes, Colin Shindler and Jim White are talking about one particular player – and one manager and one club director and one club chairman and one trade union official and one television executive and one presenter and one analyst and ... more
There are times when the panel like to turn the spotlight on those men who do incalculable good work behind the scenes of a football club but remain largely anonymous. Such a hero is Steve Walsh who for many years has performed the job of Head of Rec... more
In this episode Colin Shindler, Jon Holmes and Andy Hamilton set out to annoy everyone with a discussion of which players from the pre-1992 era – the year when the world of English football changed with the arrival of Sky Sports and the Premier Leagu... more
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In response to the episode on the pathetic spectacle that was the World Cup draw. The phrase in the title means, ‘The ball doesn’t stain’. All of the money grubbing, exploitive, socially destructive, garbage that orbits football doesn’t alter the essence of the game. The game itself is, still, beautiful. It’s the sport that affords its players, many, many of whom come from relatively impoverished backgrounds, the ability to express themselves. That is what we love.
Can’t be supporting apartheid and genocide in 2025, boys. Get rid of that and you’ll have a good pod
The boys talk sense Colin the romantic Jon the reality a great combination The best podcast on football
Gentlemen,
As a football fan in my 30s, I suppose the current landscape of TV, podcast, and radio coverage is largely tailored to my generation and younger audiences. Yet, on the whole, I find much of it lacking. There’s a real dearth of experienced, articulate analysis, with broadcasters seemingly prioritising youthful appeal over quality insight. Ironically, I think many younger fans would actually prefer a higher standard of discussion.
This week, I stumbled upon your podcast, and I have to... more
All of the best pods are simply tremendous conversations and Football Ruined My Life is amongst the best of these. Totally delightful.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #124 | |
Apple Podcasts | #126 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This series centers on football's history and culture, pairing long-time hosts with notable guests to explore past eras, clubs, and personalities. Conversations blend vivid reminiscence with informed analysis, touching on legendary players, managers, and key moments from mid-20th-century football through the pre-Premier League days, then reflecting on how the game evolved. A distinctive aspect is the recurring emphasis on nostalgia tempered by critical memory, plus a rotating panel of respected journalists, historians, entertainers, and former players that adds breadth and warmth to each episode. For potential listeners, the show offers richly told anecdotes, thoughtful context, and lively debates about the game's social and cultural impact... more
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Football Ruined My Life launched 4 years ago and published 151 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Football Ruined My Life include:
1. Steve Walsh
2. Duncan Hamilton
3. Steve Coppell
4. Tony Woodcock
5. Dominic Sandbrook
6. Jim White
7. Michael Crick
8. Jon Spurling
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