Booked and Abandoned

Denis Irwin stood us up. So we found someone actually changing lives through football. Aaron Lawrence runs clubs, builds communities, and proves that grassroots football hits different. Less glory, more guts and infinitely more important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Booked & Abandoned - Season 2, Episode 2 We tried to book Ryan Nelsen. He's still watching Blackburn Rovers highlights. So instead, we got someone who actually returns our calls, national league keeper Brennan Rigby. From New Plymouth Rangers to the mighty Oratia Rebels O35s, Brennan's been there, done that, and saved most of it. We dive into life between the posts, Chatham Cup battles, coachi...

Booked & Abandoned is BACK for Season 2! We tried to book Peter Schmeichel. He's still celebrating 1999. So instead, we got someone who actually returns our calls, former Football Fern and professional keeper Pam Yates. From representing New Zealand to coaching the next generation at Eastern Suburbs, Pam's been there, done that, and saved most of it. We dive into life between the posts, playin...

That’s a wrap on Season 1 of Booked and Abandoned ! A short and sweet finale episode where we look back on our favourite moments, top guests, and the weirdest places this little podcast has taken us. There’s also a cheeky teaser for what’s coming in Season 2 if our guests ever turn up. Huge thanks to @OratiaUnited for giving us a home base to record from, and to Mike Hadnett Photography for lettin...

Paul “Pirate” Rothsay steps in as Paul Gazza steps out (literally… to hospital) This week, we’re joined by the man, the myth, the pants-dropping icon himself - Pirate, aka Paul Rothsay. From gritty street footy in the UK to gale-force games in Dunedin, he’s seen it all. Expect: A four-yard miss that still haunts him Pre-match rituals you’ll wish you could forget A pitch invasion… by his own trouse...

Bryan Robson bailed. But Riccardo Ball? He showed up and showed off. The voice of NZ football joins us this week from The Rock to Sports Nation and now… us. We talk: 18-1 drubbings Life behind the mic A few liver strains And the odd broken toe Hit play, raise a glass, and enjoy the man who actually answered our call . Captain Fantastic who? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

We aimed for Gary Neville. We got ghosted. But in a twist of good fortune, we ended up with someone even better, Goran Paladin! Broadcaster, storyteller, and the brains behind The Un-Used Subs P odcast. He’s chatted to real footballers and worked at RNZ and Sky. He’s got charm, range, and guests that actually reply. Basically, everything we aspire to be. Tune in for stories, banter, and why Goran’...

This week we’re joined by Dirrenesh Thirukumar the clean boots behind The Boot Perspective and First Division . From grassroots to first-teamers at Auckland FC and Auckland City, his gear’s on players who back themselves. We chat ACL injuries, launching a boot brand in NZ, building a league for competitive players, and what it was like playing alongside Alex Pulson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Jonno Ross joins us for a big chat about football community inclusion and what it means to truly live and breathe the game. From his days as a keeper, managing Mt Albert Ponsonby, to writing for Friends of Football, he shares what goes on behind the scenes and why supporter culture matters. He’s also a man known for using an impressive amount of tape and we get into that too. This was our first vi...

Booked and Abandoned flips the script this week as the birthday boy himself, Andrew McKenzie, jumps from host to guest. With Scott joined by special guest-host Brenden Child (yes, our very first guest, we’re sentimental like that), it’s time to unpack the podfather’s origin story. From dodgy keeping to German embassy drama, it’s everything you never knew you needed, including one very Lineker-esqu...

Robbie Graham is on the pod this week, and if you know Auckland football, you know the name. A MAP icon, long-time keeper, captain, and yes, somehow also the penalty taker. We reached out to David Seaman who never replied, but it worked out better because Robbie showed up with stories that genuinely deliver. From saving goals to scoring them, dodgy Europa League trips in Baku, and the real story b...

This week on Booked and Abandoned, we're joined by Max Whitehead — Oratia United's First Team forward, law student, and all-round machine. Max takes us through his footballing journey from Northland FC to the Wellington Phoenix Academy and now leading the line at Oratia. We talk discipline, bodybuilding, balancing a law degree with first-team footy, and what it takes to chase big goals both on and...

From Valencia to Papatoetoe – Kim Beale Joins the Pod. Sir Alex might’ve bottled it, but we’ve upgraded the dugout with grassroots coaching royalty: Kim Beale . From leading Papatoetoe United to shaping young talent through Soccer Plus NZ and the Valencia Foundation Academy, Kim’s building more than just game plans, he’s building futures. We chat about taking kids to Spain for the football experie...

Neil Warnock ghosted us... so we found the Kiwi version – and he brought a lawnmower. Mark O'Donnell has coached half of NZ, managed everyone else, and tells stories like your uncle at the pub (but better). Expect: Ice baths, wild transfers, and tales that probably need a disclaimer. It’s grassroots gold – boots, beers, and all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a couple of weeks off (life, aye?), Booked and Abandoned returns with a cracker of an episode. This week, we’re joined by Stu Roberts - a proper New Zealand football journeyman with over 500 senior games, 100+ goals, and, yes, an appearance at Old Trafford . That Old Trafford . Eat your heart out, Beckham. While David ghosted us again (he’s probably off filming another documentary), Stu show...

We almost landed Jürgen Klopp this week… but instead got someone with more local flavour and he returned our calls. Daniel Eisenhut — new Oratia United head coach — joins us to chat grassroots footy, coaching chaos, and why Auckland rain builds character. Plus: the wildest pre-game ritual yet, risking death for the Warriors, and what we would've asked Klopp (had he not ghosted us). Tune in — the S...

When Paolo Maldini bailed, Stuart Greenaway stepped up – and honestly, we think we got the better deal. A former Northern Ireland U17 international, Stuart brings stories from the pitch, tackles that could split timelines (including one that left his groin with a Harry Potter like scar), and his current work coaching the future stars with Total Football Technique in Auckland. We talk grassroots gl...

In a first for Booked and Abandoned , we welcome our youngest (and sassiest) guest yet—11-year-old Tiago! Join Andrew and his football-mad son for a school break special packed with fun footy chat, trophy issues, goalkeeping fun, and a little Portuguese flair. Perfect for car rides, rainy days, and young fans on holiday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9 of Booked and Abandoned is here! After a week away we’re back at our home ground of Parrs Park, and our guest is none other than Mark Withers—a goal-scoring menace, a defender’s worst nightmare, and a man with stories to match. From local battles to two seasons at Northampton Town, we cover it all… including Big Dunc mysteriously ducking this one. Coincidence? We think not. Hosted on Aca...

We aimed for a Liverpool legend, but—much like a certain slip—he didn’t show. So, we called in a true West Auckland battler: Robby Robinson! Tackles? Flying. Pitches? Dodgy. Ankles? Somehow still attached (just). No slips, no dives—just a rock-solid episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you missed the first leg, well… good luck. This is part two, and context is everything. Diego Maradona was technically unavailable… mostly because we forgot he was no longer with us. Classic admin fail. But don’t worry—we’ve still got a living legend: Steve Cain! From Coventry City FC to top-level management, he’s done it all. Now, as Director of Football at Oratia United FC, he’s shaping NZ’s...

Diego Maradona was technically unavailable… mostly because we forgot he was no longer with us. Classic admin fail. But don’t worry—we’ve got a living legend instead: Steve Cain! From Coventry City FC to top-level management, he’s done it all. Now, as Director of Football at Oratia United FC, he’s shaping NZ’s football future. We dive into his journey—from international management to leading Waitak...

Brazilian Ronaldo was supposed to be here… but much like our five-a-side defensive structure, he vanished without a trace. Enter Monty—a police tournament champion, a goal machine if he doesn't say so himself. We discuss his greatest triumphs, his worst injuries, and the moral dilemma of supporting Manchester United (booo!). Plus, we ponder the true cost of grassroots football—sprained ankles, sha...

Dennis Bergkamp was supposed to be here… but much like our pre-match warm-ups, he never quite got off the ground. Enter Mike Hadnett—footballer, traveller, and the only man we know who can capture the beauty of grassroots football while dodging two-footed challenges. Mike takes us through the chaos of away days in Argentina, the fine line between a strong tackle and a court case, and the unexpecte...

Roy Keane was supposed to be here… but much like our hopes and dreams, he vanished without a trace. Enter Kenny Walker—grassroots hero, airborne acrobat, and survivor of football-induced lung punctures. He takes us on a journey through the highs (bicycle kicks), the lows (not being able to breathe), and the existential crisis of never finding boots that fit. Also, we finally got some proper sound...