Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

An England legend, a star of the GB team at London 2012, and part of Arsenal’s historic quadruple-winning side, Anita Asante has done it all. Today, Neetz joins Rachel in the studio for a special Upfront Meets, as they look back on her epic career after finally hanging up her boots at the end of the season. Neetz discusses the toughest forwards she ever came up against, how her nomadic career shap...

After a dramatic climax to the season last weekend, there’s lots to dig into on today’s On The Continent! Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to discuss the stars behind Roma’s European triumph and what comes next for José Mourinho’s fresh-faced squad. We also hail AC Milan’s return to the top of the Series A tree and Zlatan’s inspiring role, and we doff our cap to the mixed fortunes of t...

Ever wondered about the mental demands of being an elite footballer in the burgeoning women's game? To round off this season of Upfront, we're exploring exactly that. Flo sits down with Chloe and two of her Crystal Palace teammates, Shiv Wilson and Leigh Nicol, for a chat about the challenges of competing at the top of the FA Women's Championship and overseas. We also look into the changing influe...

Today, Kate and Jim are joined by one of the most important figures behind the England men's team's recent success - it’s performance coach and author, Owen Eastwood! Owen’s book ‘Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness’ charts the ideas, influences and techniques behind a hugely successful career that’s taken him from the All Blacks rugby team to NATO and now England’s national team, as he lo...

Dotun and Andy are joined by Miguel Delaney to try and answer one of the biggest questions in European football on today's OTC: where will Kylian Mbappé end up next season? We also search for reasons behind a refreshingly enjoyable Europa League season and look ahead to the final weekend of Serie A as the scudetto heads to the San Siro - but which half? Got a question for us? Find us on socials @...

Today’s At The Match comes from one of the most prestigious days in the women’s football calendar: it’s the FA Cup final from Wembley!  Upfront’s Flo and Rachel took in a pulsating game between two of the Women’s Super League’s elite. They also relive their favourite FA Cup memories, including how Rachel came to own an FA Cup winner’s medal, and hear from some familiar voices across the women...

We're here with a bonus episode of Upfront! Today, Rachel looks ahead to this Sunday's FA Cup final alongside three-time winner and England legend, Karen Carney! They discuss some of the key matchups as Chelsea and Manchester City, the WSL's two in-form sides, do battle at Wembley. We also can't help asking Karen about her time working under Emma Hayes and England's chances at the Euros this summe...

Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge for a look at those left in Real Madrid's wake after their impressive season. Barcelona look to be improving under Xavi, while Sevilla and Atlético struggle under the weight of their respective coaches. We also give you the lowdown on the youngsters looking to fill Erling Haaland's boots at Dortmund and discover that one Coppa Italia trophy does not a s...

Flo, Rachel and Chloe are back for the final WSL review of the season, as Chelsea snatch the title from Arsenal's grasp. We recap a dramatic final day and discuss who can view their season as a success. We also roll out the red carpet for our inaugural end of season awards! We'll see you at the Euros! Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @FloydTweet ,  @GirlsontheBall...

Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini are here for a tale of two continental coaches, as a tranquil Carlo Ancelotti made it to another Champions League final while Unai Emery's bluster fizzled out at the penultimate hurdle.  We also preview a fascinating end to the Serie A season as the Milanese jostle for supremacy and we ask how successful the Europa Conference League has been in its inaugural seas...

Last weekend was the penultimate round of matches in the WSL - and the final day in the Championship. Well, it sure didn’t disappoint.  Flo, Rachel and Chloe pick through the drama: from Chelsea’s edgy win against Birmingham City, to Coventry United’s last-gasp winner. Two legends also announce their departure from the WSL and we get the lowdown on Chloe’s end of season knees-up, of course! G...

Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen are working hard for the money on today's continental crusade - much like perennial title winners PSG and Bayern Munich. We ask if the feeling sours with each title win and what can be done to level the playing field. We also recap more midweek chaos, as Madrid's hubris gets them through another game and Villarreal put up a stubborn fight at Anfield. Got a question f...

Flo, Rachel and Chloe revel in the weekend's glorious Champions League chaos, as Barcelona proved they're still the team to beat and Lyon got one over their domestic rivals.  Elsewhere, we ask how Man United can take the next step in the WSL after their Champions League hopes are all but lost yet again and Tracey Crouch's fan-led review raises important questions about the sustainability of w...

Last April, the European Super League crashed into our lives. Andy Brassell and a host of journalists, fans and familiar Ramble voices revisit what happened. In this final episode, we map out the future of European football and the roles of the continent's main protagonists. A range of European football experts outline the current positions of various clubs, while we ask: what is all this for? Hug...

Ahead of their inevitable Ligue Un coronation, Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney wonder what direction PSG should head in next season. Would they swap Mauricio Pochettino for Antonio Conte? We also look over the Simeone Effect on the dark side of Madrid and, a year on from the Super League, ask if the founding clubs will ever be punished and what's next for European football? Got a question for us? F...

Last April, the European Super League crashed into our lives. Andy Brassell and a host of journalists, fans and familiar Ramble voices revisit what happened. In the second episode of our three-part series, we tell the story of how fans in England brought the house of cards crashing down. We hear from leaders of fan groups, supporters and journalists who were at the heart of the protests both in th...

Flo and Rachel are joined by Boxpark Wembley's newest MC Chloe Morgan to look back over the FA Cup semi-finals. Arsenal's lack of composure was exposed by Chelsea yet again, while West Ham put up a stern fight against Man City. We also look into Kenny Shiels' bizarre sexist comments and how we can help eradicate this from the women's game. Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,&nb...

A year ago today, the European Super League crashed into our lives. Andy Brassell and a host of journalists, fans and familiar Ramble voices tell the story of what happened, how supporters fought back, and wonder what the future holds. In the first of three episodes, we trace the long road to April 2021.  From the origins of the Super League in the 80s, to the scarcely believable backroom man...

Andy visits a rejuvenated St James’ Park for a special Friday night under the lights. Mike Ashley’s departure at the end of last year lifted the dark clouds hanging over the city, but the new Saudi ownership has also prompted some difficult conversations. Andy speaks to Emil Franchi - who interviews supporters around the ground every week for Newcastle’s fan magazine, True Faith - about the new, c...

Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini look for the reasons behind two European behemoths' recent inconsistencies as Real Madrid limp on in the Champions League and Bayern's contract troubles loom large. Elsewhere, we wonder if Napoli can sustain a title tilt against both sides of Milan and round up some potential managerial moves come summer. Diego Simeone to Inter, anyone? Got a question for us? Find us...

Flo and Chloe are holding down the fort as Rachel dials in from Belfast ahead of England's game with Northern Ireland - where they'll be led by Leah Williamson! We're here with all the info on the successor to the imperious Steph Houghton. We also look ahead to the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend where Arsenal face Chelsea yet again, before celebrating the 20th birthday of Bend It Like Beckham! Go...

After a full slate of Champions League quarter-finals, there’s so much for Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge to get stuck into! We start with Madrid’s giants. Real righted the wrongs of their away display in Paris, while Atlético fell into old habits at the Etihad – we give the story behind two very contrasting nights. Elsewhere, we explore why Villarreal’s giant-killing maybe wasn’t so unexpected a...

Flo and Chloe are joined by a jubilant Rachel after she witnessed a landmark moment for women's football over in Barcelona. She talks us through the amazing setting for what was a ridiculous Clásico showdown. We also give props to Liverpool after they sealed promotion in style - but how can they establish themselves in the WSL? And, as the Euros draw nearer, we assess Sarina Wiegman's latest squad...

Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen recap more international break business, starting with a look at Italy's failed campaign. Are they just a striker short, or should we look at the wider context? Elsewhere, Zlatan didn't manage to reach what would have probably been his last Big Dance so we ask how Sweden might fare without him. We also look over some of the other contenders for a contentious World Cu...

Chelsea dealt a decisive blow to Arsenal in the title race thanks to some generous Leicester defending at the weekend. Flo, Chloe and Rachel talk through the implications of Arsenal’s postponed North London showdown and both sides’ run-ins until the end of the season. We also discuss Ada Hegerberg’s return after five years away from the Norway set-up and how it will shake-up things at the Euros, j...