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Artwork for Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers

Daily Mail
Football
Premier League
Manchester United
Liverpool
VAR
Chelsea
Soccer AM
Newcastle United
Arsenal
Manchester City
FA Cup
Champions League
Aston Villa
Scottish Football
West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur
Soccer
Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe
Celtic

Whistleblowers is football’s most original new podcast - lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about. Hosted by Gordon Smart, with ex-elite referee Mark Clattenburg and veteran journalist Ian Ladyman, this isn’t another safe roundtable of punditry. It’s football told differently - with insight, authority, and plenty of laughs. From what really goes on in the referee’s room, to... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes96Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

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Artwork for Whistleblowers

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to Whistleblowers! In this week’s bonus ball, Ian Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg, and Special Guest Joel Beya debate their picks for the season’s best - and worst - managerial performances!

Did Andoni Iraola shine brightest? Has Oliver Glasn... more

Welcome back to Whistleblowers! This week, Ian Ladyman takes the reins as he and Mark Clattenburg are joined by friend of the show Joel Beya to relive arguably the greatest game of football in Champions League history, before getting down to brass ta... more

Welcome back to Whistleblowers! In this week’s bumper bonus ball, Mark Clattenburg, Ian Ladyman, and Gordon Smart break down Mark’s appearance at the Sidemen Charity Match to explore just how the football industry is changing, and how much fans value... more

Welcome back to Whistleblowers! In this week’s episode, Mark Clattenburg, Gordon Smart and Ian Ladyman take a deep dive into Liam Rosenior’s explosion after another Chelsea defeat, before asking what is truly going wrong at Leicester as the Foxes fac... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Mark Clattenburg
Former elite football referee
Football officiating (referee)
Episode: Clattenburg: Why I QUIT Refereeing
John Terry
Former England and Chelsea captain, special guest on edition
Chelsea FC / England National Team
Episode: Are Newcastle Fans LOYAL to Eddie Howe?
Lee Dixon
Former Arsenal and England defender
Arsenal Football Club
Episode: Lee Dixon talks Arsenal and the Greatest Era of Football
Dean Windass
Former Hull City striker, guest on episode
Football player (Hull City)
Episode: Who was Dean Windass’ HARDEST Opponent?
Ben Bowman
Tottenham fan and football commentator
Episode: Spurs and West Ham - Football's WORST Managed Derby?
Terry Butcher
Former England footballer known for his iconic play and moments during his career
Episode: Our Best Bits from 2025!
Nick Kyrgios
Professional tennis player known for his controversial play style and media presence
Episode: Our Best Bits from 2025!
Ian Ladyman
Veteran journalist and co-host of Whistleblowers
Episode: Our BIGGEST Football Mistakes
Craig Hope
Football journalist and commentator
The Daily Mail
Episode: Is Jude Bellingham Becoming a Problem for England’s World Cup Hopes?

Hosts

Gordon Smart
Host of Whistleblowers, bringing a blend of humor and insight into football discussions.
Mark Clattenburg
Co-host and former elite referee, offers unique perspectives from his experiences on the pitch.
Ian Ladyman
Co-host and veteran journalist, known for sharp analysis and engaging stories.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 936 ratings
  • Love this!

    It is a really good listen x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ST_ITSmily
    United Kingdom23 days ago
  • Clattenberg is a disgrace

    Anything with that excuse of a referee deserves less then a 1 - mans a walking talking clown

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    pork pie roundabout
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • This pod makes you think and smile.

    Really impressed with Whistleblowers — it’s rare to find a podcast that tackles serious issues in football with such wit and balance. You get honesty, humour and insight in equal measure. Ian Ladyman in particular nails that blend of sharp analysis and dry humour — thoughtful without ever taking it too seriously. Brilliant listen. Just to bring him back down to earth a little - Ian actually reminds me of Jimmy Krankie - everyone knows it’s a short, old person dressed in kids clothes! Keep up the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BanksyM20
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Tedious

    Ian, was part of a great podcast with Chris Sutton but this is really tedious Rory definitely lifts it a bit but as for the ex referee, my God he definitely brings it down

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Flamborough boy
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • What is Whistleblowers? No thanks

    They shouldn't be allowed to change the name of a podcast and delete the old to make the new one appear popular. That just about sums Tim Lovejoy up. Won't be listening and have unsubscribed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MillerLiverpool
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback indicates that there is a mix of sentiment toward the hosts; while some love the dynamic, others express frustration over controversies.
Listeners appreciate the combination of wit and serious football analysis, growing nostalgic about past events in the sport.
The overall response highlights an engaged audience who values insider knowledge and enjoys the humorous tone throughout.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#139
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#221
Australia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#86
Hong Kong/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#97
Indonesia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#107
United Arab Emirates/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#154
South Korea/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is The Special One DESTINED for Newcastle?
Q: Before we let you go, Joel, I'm gonna ask you one question about refereeing. If you could change one rule in football, what would it be?
I would simplify the handball rule to create consistency across leagues, aiming for a unified standard so players and fans know exactly what to expect in every competition.
Clattenburg: "I just bounced off him!"
Q: How did you find the transition from working in football full time on the pitch to life away from the game?
The hosts discuss adjusting to life after top-level football, noting that the biggest shift is losing the daily routine and the adrenaline of match days, but some aspects like staying connected to the game and mentoring younger players provide purpose.
Dean Windass: “That Goal changed my life for good…and for bad”
Q: How is it feeling dealing with your early dementia diagnosis?
Windass describes his current state, managing daily life and laughing about the situation while addressing its seriousness.
Dean Windass: “That Goal changed my life for good…and for bad”
Q: How do you feel knowing that Hull were trying to sell you but equating it with the fact that you were going to keep the club you love afloat?
Windass reflects on the sacrifice he had to make and his pride in helping the club, even when it meant leaving.
Dean Windass: “That Goal changed my life for good…and for bad”
Q: So what's the lesson to a young player that might be listening, suffering disappointment?
Windass emphasizes the importance of making the right choices and not falling into bad habits after facing adversity.

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 Whistleblowers

What is Whistleblowers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on the inner workings of football, offering listeners a unique perspective from individuals intimately involved in the sport. It often explores topics that are typically shrouded in secrecy, like the dynamics in the referee's room, crisis management by clubs, and the real influencers behind the scenes. The hosts engage with personal anecdotes and insights, making the discussions lively and humorous while shedding light on serious subjects that affect the football community. The combination of storytelling and wit not only entertains but educates listeners about the complexity of the football landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for Whistleblowers?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Whistleblowers. 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 Whistleblowers and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Whistleblowers get?

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What are the audience demographics for Whistleblowers?

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How many subscribers and views does Whistleblowers have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Whistleblowers 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 Whistleblowers?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Whistleblowers:

1. Undr The Cosh
2. That Peter Crouch Podcast
3. The Overlap
4. Stick to Football
5. No Tippy Tappy Football with Sam Allardyce

How many episodes of Whistleblowers are there?

Whistleblowers launched 2 years ago and published 96 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 Whistleblowers?

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 Whistleblowers?

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

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Whistleblowers?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Whistleblowers. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Whistleblowers?

Recent guests on Whistleblowers include:

1. Mark Clattenburg
2. John Terry
3. Lee Dixon
4. Dean Windass
5. Ben Bowman
6. Terry Butcher
7. Nick Kyrgios
8. Ian Ladyman

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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