The Football Book Club

Football Book Club

Sports EN ↓ 111 episodes

Like your books less Dickens, more Dickov? Football Book Club gets stuck into the true classics of the literary world - footballers’ autobiographies. As recommended by BBC Five Live, The Athletic, The Sunday Times and named one of Esquire's best comedy podcasts around right now. Described as “pretty funny” by Darren Huckerby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

The Football Book Club

Category

Sports

Podcast website

shows.acast.com

Latest episode

Jun 8, 2026

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Episodes

Neil Ruddock's 'Hell Razor' (ft. Kevin Day) 25.04.2022

Joining the Book Club this week is comedian, Crystal Palace fan and co-host of the brilliant Price Of Football podcast, Kevin Day. Kevin chose Neil Ruddock's 1999 classic 'Hell Razor' for the club to read, a book which contains a jellied eel feast with Javier Vargas, Steve Sedgley sticking wine gums up his nostrils, and Alan Sugar secretly recording Neil's phonecalls. Plus Jamie Redknapp, Nietzsch...

How Frank Is Frank Lampard's 'Totally Frank'? 11.04.2022

In 2006, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard released his autobiography 'Totally Frank'. And, sixteen years later, we're finally asking the question on everyone's lips... Just how frank is it? Featuring naked conversations with José Mourinho, his mortal enemy Adrian Mutu, and his true feelings about his West Ham days. Plus Frank Lampard's interview speak in book form and we reveal what's REALLY written o...

Football Book Club: Story Time 28.03.2022

We're taking a week off from reading footballers' autobiographies to bring you a brand new Football Book Club format. Welcome to Football Book Club: Story Time, where each member of the club brings a favourite football-related story - old or new - to the table. This week's stories include a little-known Kevin Keegan signing, Sol Campbell's forgetful moment and a fourth tier Romanian side's novel a...

David Beckham's 'My World' (ft. Steve Bugeja) 14.03.2022

We're joined this week by the brilliant stand-up comedian & writer, Steve Bugeja (Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, Celebability, ITV2's Buffering). Steve wanted to read a book by his idol, David Beckham, so we chose 2001's forgotten classic 'My World'. Featuring Posh and Becks mania, the reason behind the infamous Simeone kick, and so, so many photos. Plus Ole Gunnar Solskjær the entrepreneu...

'You Are A Champion' - Carl Anka on writing with Marcus Rashford 28.02.2022

This week on the podcast we welcome back writer and The Athletic journalist, Carl Anka, to tell us all about writing the massively successful 'You Are A Champion' with Manchester United and England superstar Marcus Rashford. Carl takes us through the writing process step-by-step, including post-match phone calls in the car, going back to Marcus's primary school, unexpected lessons from Memphis Dep...

Robert Earnshaw's 'Earnie' 14.02.2022

This week we're reading probably the smallest book we've ever read, if not the smallest book ever released - Robert Earnshaw's 2012, 103-page novella 'Earnie: My Life At Cardiff City'. Featuring Robbie on the art of goal celebrations, Sam Hammamm making Spencer Prior eat sheep testicles, and yet more Bobby Gould wrestling. Plus Leo Fortune-West's small calves, a school crocodile and James has fina...

Golf Clubs in the Night: A Football Book Club investigation into Bellamy, Riise and a seven iron 31.01.2022

15th February 2007. Liverpool FC travelled to Portugal for a five day training camp. What followed shocked the footballing world. This was the night Craig Bellamy hit John Arne Riise with a seven iron. Although we all THINK we know the full story, for Detective Inspector Jack Bernhardt the events don't add up. And now, he's going to find out EXACTLY what happened, no matter how many different Live...

Andy Gray's 'Gray Matters' (ft. Adam Hurrey of Football Cliches) 17.01.2022

Having already been treated to Andy Gray's 1986 autobiography 'Shades of Gray', it's finally time to read the sequel - 2004's 'Gray Matters'. And joining us to read it is The Athletic editor and host of Football Cliches podcast, Adam Hurrey. A self-confessed 'Andy Gray stan', Adam joins us to discuss embellished anecdotes, bombastic punditry, unnecessary Darius Vassell beef, and the time Andy and...

FOOTBALL BOOK CLUB *CLUB* PREVIEW: Garth Crooks Hiding In A House 03.01.2022

Happy New Year, Book Clubbers! We're enjoying a couple of weeks off from reading books by Garry Monk, so today we're bringing you something slightly different - a preview of what you can expect if you join the Football Book Club *Club*. Members of the club enjoy a bonus episode every other week, much like this one where we watched an episode of noughties, CBBC series 'Hider In The House', in which...

The Football Book Club Christmas Party 20.12.2021

It's (almost) Christmas! Which means Father Buggmas has bought each member of the Book Club an extra-special gift, courtesy of some Book Club favourites. So join us to find out what they all think of their presents, drink A SINGLE beer each, and we remember the time Neil Redfearn made Christmas dinner. Follow us on Twitter! @FootieBookClub Instagram @footballbookclub Join The Football Book Club *C...

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 'Jimmy' (ft. Maisie Adam) 06.12.2021

Joining the Book Club this week is comedian Maisie Adam, star of Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You. A Leeds United superfan, Maisie chose goalscoring legend Jimmy Floyd Hassbelbaink's 2004 book 'Jimmy'. Featuring Jimmy terrorising Chelsea fitness coaches, visiting dolphinariums and explaining the difference between the Brits and the Dutch. Will it help Maisie forgive Jimmy for leaving Unit...

Guillem Balagué's 'Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God (ft. Guillem Balagué) 22.11.2021

Almost a year to the day since Maradona's death, we're joined by the brilliant journalist, author and Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué to discuss his new book 'Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God'. We talk 1986, the church of Maradona and Diego's unlikely friendship with Fidel Castro. Plus Guillem teaches us exactly how he writes a football book from scratch. Follow us on Twitter! @Footie...

Michael Owen Trilogy... Part 4! (Michael Owen's Soccer Skills) 08.11.2021

Just when we thought we were out, Michael pulls us back in! This time with his long-lost, fabled fourth book, 'Michael Owen's Soccer Skills'. Featuring questionable tips, dodgy diagrams and Michael Owen's biggest foe revisited: Goalkeepers. Can we learn to become a professional footballer in the space of an hour? Let's find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Nevin's 'The Accidental Footballer' (ft. Pat Nevin) 25.10.2021

To celebrate the release of his autobiography, the Book Club are joined by ex-Chelsea & Everton star, punditry God and occasional indie DJ Pat Nevin. Join us as we talk writing, football, music, Saddam Hussein, John Parrott, Jorginho the genius, Belle and Sebastian, Duncan Ferguson and, of course, rank the Mike Myers movies. Follow us on Twitter! @FootieBookClub Instagram @footballbookclub Joi...

Vardy vs Rooney Pt. 2 11.10.2021

After an explosive Part 1 where we read Jamie Vardy's 'From Nowhere', the battle draws to a close with Wayne Rooney's 2013 book 'My Decade In The Premier League'. Featuring highlights of Wayne's career - both real and imaginary - Anderson's odd way of learning English and another edition of Wag Watch. Can Wazza beat Vardy? Find out now! Follow us on Twitter! @FootieBookClub Instagram @footballbook...

Vardy vs Rooney Pt. 1 27.09.2021

As the 'Wagatha Christie' trial between Coleen and Rebekah rumbles on, we're turning the tables with the ultimate biography battle - Jamie Vardy's 'From Nowhere' versus Wayne Rooney's 'My Decade in the Premier League'. First up is Jamie's 2017 book, which means skittles vodka, holidays with Ritchie De Laet and the time Jamie was haunted by a goose. Follow us on Twitter! @FootieBookClub Instagram @...

Coming soon! Series 4: The Road To The Road To Persia 13.09.2021

Football Book Club are BACK. Starting Monday September 27th, we're bringing you loads more Book Club action, loads more special guests and, of course, loads more weird and wonderful footballers' autobiographies, culminating in the fabled 'The Road To Persia' by Darius Vassell. See you in a fortnight! Follow us on Twitter! @FootieBookClub Instagram @footballbookclub Join The Football Book Club *Clu...

The Football Book Club End of Season Awards 06.06.2021

Suited and booted, the book club gather for the glitziest night in the footballing autobiography calendar - The Football Book Club End of Season Awards. We're dishing out prizes to the best, worst and weirdest moments of the books we've read this series, with some highlights from the show along the way. So who will win? Owen or Windass? Steven Gerrard or Chris Kamara? Find out now... Follow us on...

Michael Owen Trilogy 3 (Reboot) 30.05.2021

The greatest literary trilogy of our time draws to a close with Michael's genuinely explosive, 2019 book 'Reboot'. Featuring Michael taking shots at Newcastle, England failures and Darius Vassell, Michael's newfound love of swearing, and we finally get some closure on Michael's relationships with Becks, Kevin Keegan and Lara Croft. Follow us on Twitter! @footiebookclub Instagram - @footballbookclu...

Michael Owen Trilogy 2 (Off The Record) 23.05.2021

The Michael Owen trilogy continues, as we read Michael's 2006 book 'Off The Record'. Featuring Kevin Keegan drama, more unexpected Sander Westerveld trivia, and we try to get to the bottom of whether Michael Owen has David Beckham's phone number or not. Follow us on Twitter! @footiebookclub Instagram - @footballbookclub Join The Football Book Club *Club* - www.patreon.com/footballbookclub Hosted o...

Michael Owen Trilogy 1 (In Person) 16.05.2021

This week, Football Book Club embark on their most daunting challenge yet, as they begin their journey into the ultimate literary trilogy - the complete works of Michael Owen. First up, it's 2001's 'In Person' - part picture book, part Q&A - as we get to know the real Michael Owen, including Argentina memories, his love of salmon and just why he hates films so much. Follow us on Twitter! @foot...

Craig Bellamy's 'Goodfella' (ft. The Socially Distant Sports Bar's Steff Garrero) 09.05.2021

Steff Garrero, star of The Socially Distant Sports Bar, joins the book club this week as we read Craig Bellamy's confusingly titled, 2013 book 'Goodfella'. Features Bobby Gould wrestling John Hartson, legal advice from John Fashanu and, yes, that​ golf club incident. Follow us on Twitter! @footiebookclub Instagram - @footballbookclub Join The Football Book Club *Club* - www.patreon.com/footba...

Wider Reading: Andy Crabbe Special 02.05.2021

You might remember 00s football legend Andy Crabbe. Not on the pitch, but because we made him up on the show a few weeks ago. Now we're writing his autobiography and our brilliant listeners have sent countless great ideas in. We'll be bringing you up to speed with the Crabbe story so far PLUS reading the first ever chapter. As well as another listener's moment in time, James saves a newt and an ex...

Dean Windass's 'Deano' (ft. Not The Top 20's George Elek) 25.04.2021

We're joined this week by Not The Top 20 podcast's George Elek, to celebrate the career of a football league legend - Dean Windass. Together we read his 2007 book 'Deano', so expect Neil Warnock drama, Peter Schmeichel yelling at a single bed and Dean's complicated relationship with frozen peas. Follow us on Twitter! @footiebookclub Instagram - @footballbookclub Join The Football Book Club *Club*...

Alan Hansen's 'Strangest Football Injuries' 18.04.2021

A slight tangent from typical autobiographies this week as we read a genre we're all fascinated by - the stocking filler. Much like Danny Baker and Nick Hancock, Liverpool legend Alan Hansen put his name to a lot of these, including 2009's 'Strangest Football Injuries', a bizarre mix of football nostalgia, jellyfish stings and unsettling government statistics. Plus we meet Ken's rival Lallana Del...

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