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Artwork for Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers

Daily Mail
Football
Premier League
Manchester United
Liverpool
VAR
Chelsea
Soccer AM
Newcastle United
World Cup
Arsenal
Manchester City
England National Football Team
Champions League
FA Cup
Aston Villa
Scottish Football
West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur
Soccer
Alexander Isak

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes125Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

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Artwork for Whistleblowers

Latest Episodes

Whistleblowers is in America! That’s it, it’s all over…and for one final time during this tournament, Gordon Smart and Mark Clattenburg, alongside special guest Craig Hope, sit down to break down one of the worst matches we’ve seen this tournament - ... more

Whistleblowers is in America! After 5 long weeks, the wait is finally over…no, not us finding out whether Mark is going on strictly…it’s the World Cup Final, and Ian Ladyman, Gordon Smart, and Mark Clattenburg are here to preview the almighty clash b... more

Whistleblowers is in America! Well, it’s all over for the Three Lions…but our three lions are still here to talk about it - Ian Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg, and a slightly smug Gordon Smart take a look back at England’s valiant effort against Messi’ Ar... more

Whistleblowers is in America! In the aftermath of Spain’s DEMOLITION of fan-favourites France, Ian Ladyman - back after his injury - Mark Clattenburg, and Gordon Smart are back to look forward to England’s clash with age old rivals Argentina in the l... 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

Jack Gawne
Football expert
Episode: CRAIG HOPE: This was the GREATEST Ever England Performance on Foreign Soil | Whistleblowers at the World Cup
Olly Holt
Journalist
Episode: CRAIG HOPE: This was the GREATEST Ever England Performance on Foreign Soil | Whistleblowers at the World Cup
Craig Hope
Sports journalist for Daily Mail
Daily Mail
Episode: ENGLAND: Panic Stations or Business as Usual | Whistleblowers at the World Cup
Jack Gaughan
Senior football writer and journalist
Daily Mail
Episode: Ten Years of Pep Guardiola with Jack Gaughan!
Katie Shanahan
Gorgeous, pout and fragrant, noted on the show as a guest
Fox (colleague mentioned)
Episode: Ladyman: Rice must do THIS to become an elite Prem Midfielder!
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?

Hosts

Gordon Smart
Host with a Daily Mail/Whistleblowers footprint; long-running insider persona with broadcast and print background
Mark Clattenburg
Former elite referee; co-host/panelist bringing refereeing insight
Ian Ladyman
Veteran journalist and host/co-host; sports journalist with deep reporting background

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 943 ratings
  • Wrong episode

    World Cup preview loading something about the royal family on my podcasts app 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    £:&):!83!!
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Ooops

    I know Clattenburg moves in higher circles now but this latest episode might be a little too far for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jayjay1745
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • To many adds

    Love this pod it’s great but the advertising is hurting it .

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Me2upoo
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Love this!

    It is a really good listen x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ST_ITSmily
    United Kingdom4 months 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 Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, insightful football analysis with humor.
Lively debates with strong opinions, balanced by wit.
Mix of nostalgia and current football discourse keeps it fresh.
Engaging and accessible, even when discussing complex refereeing rules.
Hosts have great chemistry and inside stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
Netherlands/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#234
South Korea/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#244
Taiwan/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg says pundits are DAMAGING the game
Q: What impact do you think managers and pundits have on grass roots levels of refereeing?
The way referees are talked about at the top levels leaks down to grassroots, creating a culture where young officials fear making decisions, which undermines the entire pipeline of referees and the sport at the community level.
Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg says pundits are DAMAGING the game
Q: How could referees be empowered without replacing human judgment with technology?
One approach is to bring the fourth official up for back-post angles, reduce dependence on VR, and allow the on-field referee to manage play with a clearer, faster process for penalties and fouls, preserving instinct and courage in big calls.
Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg says pundits are DAMAGING the game
Q: What do you think is the core problem with how VAR has changed refereeing?
VAR has shifted focus from a human, instinctive decision-making process to endless micro-scrutiny, which undermines the natural flow of the game and elevates the role of pundits who commentate on every moment rather than the overall spectacle.
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.

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?

A sharp, opinion-driven football discussion hosted by a veteran journalist alongside a former elite referee and industry insider. Episodes mix candid inside-baseball takes on refereeing, tactical identity, and backroom dynamics with lively banter and accessible analysis. Regulars bring long-standing relationships and industry know-how, delivering fresh perspectives on modern football culture, ethics, and decision-making, often interspersed with sponsor reads. The show stands out for its insider access and unabashed character, making complex topics approachable for serious fans and industry watchers alike.

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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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. The Good, The Bad & The Football
2. Undr The Cosh
3. That Peter Crouch Podcast
4. The Managers
5. The Overlap

How many episodes of Whistleblowers are there?

Whistleblowers launched 2 years ago and published 125 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?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Whistleblowers?

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What guests have appeared on Whistleblowers?

Recent guests on Whistleblowers include:

1. Jack Gawne
2. Olly Holt
3. Craig Hope
4. Jack Gaughan
5. Katie Shanahan
6. Mark Clattenburg
7. John Terry
8. Lee Dixon

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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