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Off the Ball Podcast

BBC Radio Scotland
Scottish Football
Scotland
World Cup
Scotland National Football Team
Comedy
Celtic Football Club
Aberdeen
BBC Radio Scotland
Celtic
Football
Celtic FC
Rangers Football Club
Junior Football
Women's Football
Rangers FC
VAR
Scottish Cup
Motherwell
Hearts
Dundee FC

Scottish football gets a kicking from BBC Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball, presented by Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes50Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Off the Ball Podcast

Latest Episodes

The most petty and ii informed podcast in the world! New Zealand comic Ray O'Leary tells us about his passion for a meal-deal, deaf actor Jamie Rea teaches Tam how to sign, Harthill born and Vegas residing mentalist Colin Cloud dazzles Ray and Tam wi... more

The most petty and ill informed podcast in the world! What is the true story behind Conor Sammon's viral pizza pic? What's it like win a medal at the Commonwealth Games? And can you do better than Hawaiin Giggs for our Pizza Team of the Week?

Tam Co... more

The most petty and ill informed podcast in the world! Which expressions would you ban Stuart and Tam from saying this season? Sean McDonald reveals his Mastermind specialised chosen subject and we get live music from singer Cammy Barnes. All that plu... more

The most petty and ill informed podcast in the world! All the best bits from the weeknd's Off the Ball shows in one place. As we build up to the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina we asked - World Cup 26 - what worked, what didn't; Iconic ph... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Conor Sammon
Retired professional footballer, former clubs include Kilmarnock, Wigan, Derby County, Ireland cap
Former footballer
Episode: Conor Sammon and Commonwealth Gymanst Cammy Lynn
Cammy Lynn
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in pommel horse
Team Scotland/Gymnastics
Episode: Conor Sammon and Commonwealth Gymanst Cammy Lynn
Sean McDonald
Football commentator and media personality
Scottish football media
Episode: Weekend's Football; Suits; Decent Proposals; Scottish Food XI and Terracing Teaser
Cammy Barnes
Musician and performer, also featured as closing act
Musician
Episode: Weekend's Football; Suits; Decent Proposals; Scottish Food XI and Terracing Teaser
Chris Bennett
Hammer thrower, Commonwealth Games participant
British Athletics / Athletics Scotland
Episode: World Cup 2026 - what worked, what didn't; Iconic photographs; Spotted in the strangest place; Commonwealth Games
Zander Murray
Scottish hammer thrower and Commonwealth Games athlete
Athletics Scotland / British Athletics
Episode: World Cup 2026 - what worked, what didn't; Iconic photographs; Spotted in the strangest place; Commonwealth Games
John Gordon Sinclair
Actor and public figure, Scotland supporter
Independent
Episode: World Cup 2026 - what worked, what didn't; Iconic photographs; Spotted in the strangest place; Commonwealth Games
Ged Fitzsimmons
Celtic fan, filmmaker, documentary subject
Celtic-related projects
Episode: World Cup semi-finals; What's in a name; League Cup; Trialists and Terracing Teaser
Darren Brownlie
Actor, performer, football fan
Theatre/TV
Episode: World Cup semi-finals; What's in a name; League Cup; Trialists and Terracing Teaser

Hosts

Stuart Cosgrove
Host of Off the Ball with a long-running presence in Scottish football media
Tam Cowan
Co-host of Off the Ball with extensive experience in Scottish sports media

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 878 ratings
  • The best show on the radio

    Excellent programme and has been for so many years

    I listen to it every week on the podcast as I work in USA thank god for technology!

    Keep it going lads

    Why have the BbC stopped because sounds to the rest of the world !!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Xfferdfytr
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Sax

    even calling it topical now is a stretch and barely any football chat .

    Cowan In particular is well past his sell by date.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katdaz7
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Rubbish

    Not really

    The best sports show around

    Looking forward to the reunification of the Dynamic Duo in the New Year

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TomasT321
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Waste of licence money

    Parochial , unfunny , biased and that’s the good bits

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    max dosage 5
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love it

    The Patter is honking but never miss an episode , don’t know why they cut the length of it though ??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    barry leitch
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests' insights and cross-cultural segments are often highlighted as a strength.
Viewers praise the host banter and deep Scottish football culture knowledge.
Some listeners criticize the show as biased or dated in humor.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#199
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#206
United Arab Emirates/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Weekend's Football; Suits; Decent Proposals; Scottish Food XI and Terracing Teaser
Q: Sean, what's your take on the transfer window and Celtic's spending power this season?
Sean gives a cautious, experience-informed view, suggesting that while money can buy players, the true impact comes from balance, timing, and squad cohesion rather than sheer cash; he notes the need for smart signings and a realistic assessment of the landscape.
World Cup semi-finals; What's in a name; League Cup; Trialists and Terracing Teaser
Q: What makes a great character for a documentary according to Darren Brownlie?
A great character is someone you can connect with, who has flaws and relatability, and who you'd actually want to have a drink with, as that combination makes them compelling on screen.
World Cup 2026 - what worked, what didn't; Iconic photographs; Spotted in the strangest place; Commonwealth Games
Q: What was your favorite game of the World Cup and why?
All panellists cited a mix of dramatic moments and tactical nuances, with Belgium vs Senegal and the Spain-Argentina dynamics standing out for drama, while some preferred matches with unexpected turns or strong defensive displays.
Scotland: Where Are We Now? Your Big Break; What Does Mexico Mean To You? Cat XI and Terracing Teaser
Q: What does Tim Vickery think about England's chances in Mexico at altitude?
He believes altitude is a real factor that requires adaptation, caution with deep-lying defense, and smart, energy-efficient play rather than chasing the game from the off.
Scotland Curacao; Gilmour Out - Fletcher In; Penalty Shootouts; Fictional Houses and Cash XI
Q: Chick, which interview with the late great Jock Stein was the most memorable for you and why?
Chick explains that interviewing Jock Stein was an extraordinary opportunity, recounting the vivid memory of Stein's presence and the impact of those conversations on his career.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Off the Ball Podcast

What is Off the Ball Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two long-running Scottish football voices deliver a lively mix of match analysis, banter, and cultural moments. Regular discussions span Celtic and Hearts chatter, transfer talk, and managerial decisions, interwoven with music guests, comedy banter, and local culture. The show often features guest musicians or actors to broaden appeal, creating a distinctive blend of sport, entertainment, and storytelling that resonates with diaspora audiences and regional loyalties. Its strength lies in the personable host chemistry, accessible banter, and a playfully irreverent take on football culture as it intersects with music and theatre.

Where can I find podcast stats for Off the Ball Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Off the Ball Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Off the Ball Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Off the Ball Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for Off the Ball Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Off the Ball Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Off the Ball Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Off the Ball Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Off the Ball Podcast:

1. Scottish Football Podcast
2. Superscoreboard
3. Open Goal - Football Show
4. The Go Radio Football Show Podcast
5. The Terrace Scottish Football Podcast

How many episodes of Off the Ball Podcast are there?

Off the Ball Podcast launched 17 years ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Off the Ball Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Off the Ball Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Off the Ball Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Off the Ball Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Off the Ball Podcast?

Recent guests on Off the Ball Podcast include:

1. Conor Sammon
2. Cammy Lynn
3. Sean McDonald
4. Cammy Barnes
5. Chris Bennett
6. Zander Murray
7. John Gordon Sinclair
8. Ged Fitzsimmons

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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