On The Spot Football Podcast

This week, Johnny McMurray sits down with one of the most influential figures in Northern Ireland futsal. Darius Roohi shares his incredible journey from local football to representing Northern Ireland on the international stage, competing in the UEFA Futsal Champions League, qualifying for the UEFA Futsal Main Round, and playing for Hashtag United in the USA. He explains why futsal is growing so...

This week, Johnny McMurray sits down with one of the most respected figures in Irish League football. From chasing the dream in England with Wolves, Bolton, Swindon and Yeovil, to captaining clubs in the Irish League and now leading from the dugout, Gary Haveron reflects on an incredible football journey. He opens up about the highs and lows of professional football, the importance of family, deal...

This week on the On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor for one of the most open and insightful conversations we’ve had yet. From the future of Irish League football and the push towards professionalism, to VAR, Friday night fixtures, league restructuring, sponsorship, investment and supporter criticism, Gerard tackles the biggest talking points head on...

This week on the On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with Ian Clarke for a fascinating and candid discussion on Glentoran Football Club’s journey over the last 25 years. From supporting the club as a young fan to serving as Media Officer, Director and General Manager, Ian offers a unique insight into some of the biggest moments in the club’s modern history. He discusses financi...

From representing Northern Ireland and spending time at Manchester United as a youngster, to battling injuries, setbacks and the mental side of football — Tom Sloan joins Johnny McMurray for a brilliant and brutally honest conversation ⚽🔥 Tom opens up on academy football, chasing the professional dream, dressing room realities, and the moments that nearly made him walk away from the game altoget...

This week on the On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with Jonny Frazer for one of the funniest and most honest chats yet. From coming through at Linfield, loan spells and Irish League football, to almost starting a new life in Australia, Jonny shares stories from across a career that took plenty of twists and turns. Packed with dressing room stories, football memories and plent...

This week on On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with Adam Harwood for a brilliant conversation covering his football journey from Glenavon to Dundee United, his time in Scottish football, stepping away from playing, and life behind the camera with Glentoran. Adam also opens up on the growth of media in the Irish League, the direction of Glentoran, and whether a return to footb...

For Mental Health Week, Johnny McMurray sits down with Jenny McClure, Danny McClenaghan, Justin Ritchie and Jeffrey Montgomery for a series of honest and powerful conversations around mental health, football, and the impact of both the Walk A Mile In My Boots campaign and the Man On programme ❤️⚽ From personal struggles and recovery journeys to creating safe spaces through football, each guest sh...

This week on the On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with former Celtic, Hibernian, Sunderland and Aberdeen midfielder Dylan McGeouch ⚽From making the controversial move from Celtic to Rangers as a youngster, to sharing the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo and some of the biggest names in world football, Dylan opens up on the highs, pressures, setbacks and realities of life at the...

A massive episode packed with real insight, honest opinions and stories from both on and off the pitch ⚽From winning at the highest level in the Irish League to working behind the scenes to support players across the country, this one dives deep into the realities of football that fans don’t always see 👀No filter, no holding back – just real talk about the game, the pressures, and what it actual...

From West Belfast to Manchester City… this is some journey 👀 Scouted by chance. Living the academy life. Sharing dressing rooms with future stars. Then facing the reality of football when it doesn’t quite go to plan. Chris Ramsey opens up on the highs, the setbacks, and the moments that shaped his career – including what he’d do differently if he had his time again. This one is raw, honest and fu...

A no-nonsense, straight-talking insight into football from a man who’s seen it all ⚽ From developing young players the right way to calling out the mistakes holding them back… Seamus Heath doesn’t hold back in this one. Honest, raw and packed with real knowledge for players, coaches and fans alike 👀 If you care about football development – this is a must listen 🎙️

From chasing the dream in England to returning home and facing the reality of football, Stephen opens up on the pressure, timing and tough transitions that shaped his career. A raw and honest insight into balancing football, life and everything in between 👀 🎧 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and all major platforms 📍 Filmed at Arkmedia Studios 🎥 Produced by Arkmedia

From  Newcastle United  to the Irish League… Guy Bates  joins  Johnny McMurray  on the  On the Spot Football Podcast  — and it’s one not to miss. From academy life and playing abroad, to honest views on how football has changed, this is a brilliant insight into the game. Real stories. Real opinions. No filter. Watch / Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube and all major platforms. 📍 Filmed at Arkm...

James Knowles joins Johnny McMurray on the  On the Spot Football Podcast . From being one of the top young talents with Premier League interest, to his journey through the Irish League, James opens up on big career decisions, criticism, injury setbacks, and the unbelievable moment he missed an Irish Cup Final due to a contract issue — before finally winning it with Dungannon Swifts. A brilliant, h...

Ryan Catney joins Johnny McMurray on the  On the Spot Football Podcast . In this episode, Ryan talks about growing up in West Belfast, moving to England as a teenager, working under Brendan Rodgers, returning home to the Irish League, and being part of Cliftonville’s historic league-winning side. He also opens up about dressing room life, the famous Crusaders leg break, big tackles, red cards, and...

After over a decade in the Irish League,  Calum Birney  joins us just weeks after announcing his retirement. In this powerful and personal episode, Calum reflects on: ⚽ His rise from Knockbreda to Glentoran 🏆 Lifting the 2015 Irish Cup 💥 Battling through injuries that shaped — and shortened — his career 🫀 A heart procedure that almost ended it before it began 👋 Why he finally said goodbye to...

From concrete goalposts on the Shore Road to saving shots in the Premier League… this week’s guest has a story like no other.🧤 Former Southampton goalkeeper Alan Blayney opens up about:⚽️ His surreal debut against Newcastle and THAT save of the season🏥 The life-threatening condition that nearly ended it all🇬🇧 The rollercoaster journey through English football and the Irish League🧠 Battling imp...

PAUL McAREAVEY  – A Linfield legend, Irish League champion, and now the man helping drive Ballymacash Rangers forward. From signing with Swindon Town under Steve McMahon to sharing a pitch with legends and lifting trophy after trophy with Linfield, Paul brings stories from every chapter of his footballing life. He talks about: The highs and heartbreaks of Irish League success The Morgan Day nightm...

Dee opens up about his struggles with mental health, how alcohol and sleeping tablets took hold during his playing days, and why he suddenly walked away from football in his mid-20s. He speaks candidly about the pressures behind the scenes, the lack of mental health support in the game back then, and losing a close friend to suicide — with a powerful message about opening up and helping others. 📍...

🎙️  NOW LIVE: Neil Masters on the On The Spot Football Podcast In this powerful and deeply personal episode, former footballer  Neil Masters  opens up about the highs and lows of his journey — from being offered a dream opportunity by  Harry Redknapp  to facing battles with injury, depression, and life after football. Neil speaks candidly about: His career across the water Mental health struggles...

In one of our most powerful and honest episodes yet, Kieron O’Connor opens up about his life in football, the reality of coaching kids, and the emotional battles he’s faced off the pitch. ⚽ From signing for Celtic to trials at Bolton Wanderers, Kieron shares never-before-heard stories from his early playing days and the heartbreaking moment he learned that a fellow young player had been murdered...

We cover it all ⚽ His Irish League playing & managing days 🎤 Broadcasting stories from BBC Radio Ulster 🏍 His deep connection with the Dunlop family & the road racing world 🇬🇧 Being awarded an MBE for services to sport and the community This is one not to miss — raw stories, strong opinions, and that unmistakable Beckett honesty. 📍  Filmed at Arkmedia Studios | Produced by Arkmedia 🎙  H...

One of the most respected voices in Northern Irish football journalism, Keith Bailie joins  On The Spot  for a brilliant conversation. We chat: ⚽ The evolving Irish League 💰 Financial power & club success 📉 The struggles of big-name clubs in the 2000s 🗞️ What it’s really like covering the game from the press box 👉 Watch now on YouTube 👉 Listen on Spotify & all platforms 🎧 Presented b...

On our  Christmas Special  of the  On The Spot Podcast , we sit down for a festive chat with one of Northern Ireland’s most familiar voices — a man who’s been part of some of the biggest nights at Windsor Park 🎤⚽ From his very first game back in 2008 to becoming the voice of the national stadium, he tells the incredible story of how a football fan from Belfast found himself announcing goals for...