The Famous Sloping Pitch (or Is Football F**ked?)

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss Maradona’s fat, cheating shirt auction, the Champions League semi-finals and Chelsea’s existential crisis.  Nick and Chris are also joined by sports broadcaster, journalist and author of ‘Square Peg, Round Ball’, Ned Boulting. They discuss St. Pauli, George Best, Steven Gerrard's carpet, and watching football with Phil Collins and Rodney Marsh  Ned’s book is...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss quite inevitably Oldham’s relegation, the Champions League, the Merseyside derby ‘controversies’, and PSG’s deflated title win. Nick and Chris are also joined by journalist, author of ‘This is How it Feels’, and Oldham fan, Mike Keegan. They discuss how Mike came to write his book, how the behind the scene story of Oldham’s glory days is as fascinating as wha...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss untimely sackings, Man United’s continuing woes, and a FA cup semi-final round up. Nick and Chris also look through the digital mailbag, wonder what on earth a 'digital mailbag' is, hope it's not what Cybermen are born with, and have a look anyway. They then answer some of your questions, emails and Tweets. If you have a question or thought for Nick and Chris...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss betting sponsorship, Chris’ long lost football comic collection, the Man City v Liverpool games, and a Champions League round-up.  Nick and Chris are also joined by ITV’s Chaser, quizzer and Bolton fan, Jenny Ryan. They discuss Jenny’s Chaser's nickname, her first years as a Bolton fan, being a supporter during the ups and downs, her podcast, ‘Fingers on Buzz...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss some exciting match ball delivery news at the Pizza in a cup Cup, the World Cup draw, and this week’s Champions League action.  Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian, writer, broadcaster and Crystal Palace fan, Kevin Day. Kevin brings his football manifesto to the table. They discuss Crystal Palace’s season, the phenomena of XG (expected goals), industri...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss all the World Cup news, a further instalment of the Man City v Liverpool semi-final travel debacle, Gareth Bale, and England’s week in the friendlies.  Nick and Chris are also joined by writer and broadcaster, Sam Delaney. Nick, Chris and Sam chat about growing up a West Ham fan and sharing a room with his QPR supporting brother, his team’s current form and m...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss Man United’s manager job interview process, Mick Hucknall, a FA cup round up, and the Man City v Liverpool game venue unfairness.  Nick and Chris are also joined by actor and podcaster, David Morrissey. Nick, Chris and David chat about growing up in a split Liverpool/Everton household, football & music, memories of going to his first Liverpool game, and the c...

Nick Hancock, (who comes all the way from a windy Barbados), and Chris England, (back in Streatham), discuss the England team call ups, the sports-washing derby, Chelsea’s continuing saga and Chris catches Nick up on all the rest of the week’s football news.  Nick and Chris are also joined by actor and Leeds fan, Matt Lewis, (in Florida). Nick, Chris and Matt chat about the loss of Bielsa, his Lee...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss World cup qualifiers, the Chelsea club club shop, and Nick being lesser clevering from Chris.  Nick and Chris are also joined by TV and radio journalist and presenter, and Brentford fan, Natalie Sawyer. Nick and Chris and Natalie chat about Brentford beating Oldham, Brentford beating Stoke, Brentford having an amazing new stadium and a bit of erm… Brentford....

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss football’s reaction to the Ukraine crisis. They also look at Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea and the possible new owners. Nick also looks back at his trip to London 50 years ago this week to watch Stoke win the league cup final.  Nick and Chris are also joined by actor, and Sheffield Wednesday fan, Tom Craig. Nick, Chris and Tom discuss swapping cricket for Base...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss how the Ukraine crisis could affect football, historical moments when politics and sport have collided, some Tomelu Tukachel news, more woe at Man United and the renewed possibility of a title battle. Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian, actor, presenter, and Grimsby Town fan, Lloyd Griffith. Nick, Chris and Lloyd chat about when he first started suppo...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss Derby and Middlesborough, fan-owned clubs, Arsenal’s red card record and the demise of the away goal rule.  Nick and Chris are also joined by multi-award-winning, best-selling novelist, and Wolves fan, Mark Billingham. Nick, Chris and Mark chat about Mark making his character Tom Thorne a Spurs fan, how he became a Wolves supporter, Peter Knowles, and Mark’s...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss the demise of Neighbours, Zouma and UK & Ireland’s Euro bid.  Nick and Chris are also joined by TV presenter, podcaster and Chelsea fan, Tim Lovejoy. In our first guest manifesto episode, Nick and Chris speak to Tim about his ideas to improve football. They chat about ‘fan fraud', getting rid of offside, and having more than one ref.  Tim’s new platform can b...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss all the news from the transfer window, music at football grounds, the Africa Cup of Nations, and Don Revie. Nick and Chris are also joined by former England footballer, broadcaster and Everton fan, Sue Smith. Nick, Chris and Sue chat about how her football career started, choosing broadcasting over managing and also the current situation at Everton.  We’re no...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss the Africa Cup of Nations, manager movement, a VAR alternative, and a little bit of Oldham, of course.  Nick and Chris are also joined by sports agent and Leicester City fan, Jon Holmes. Nick, Chris and Jon discuss Jon’s career, advising Lineker, football agents today, the transition between player and broadcaster, and Nick’s interesting use of a sock.  We’re...

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Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss all the action from the third round of the FA cup. Don’t worry though, there is of course some Oldham news too.  Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian, writer, podcaster and actor, Justin Moorhouse. Justin talks honestly with Nick and Chris about how he feels about his team, Manchester United. They also chat about annoying football song chants, Ronaldo a...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss booing, the Tuchel/Lukaku fallout and the Southampton takeover.  Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian and actor, Norman Pace. Nick, Chris and Norman chat about being a games teacher, Les McKeown from the Bay City Rollers and going to see Nottingham Forest with the milk lady.  We’re now on Twitter. Please, please, please follow us @slopingpitch If you ha...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss the post-Christmas matches, Ronaldo’s new statue, player welfare, and rainbows in Qatar. Happy New Year to all our listeners and thanks for listening in 2021.  We’re now on Twitter. Please, please, please follow us @slopingpitch If you have any thoughts, feelings or queries, please feel free to contact us on slopingpitch@gmail.com  See acast.com/privacy for p...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss the Oldham fan ban, more inevitable covid news, a Socios-related update and VAR inconsistencies.  Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian, cricket statistician, BBC TMS broadcaster and Gillingham fan, Andy Zaltzman. Nick, Chris and Andy chat about the amazing time difference between Australia and the UK, his waning/waned support of Gillingham and of course...

In our first ever remote podcast, Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss a possible F1-inspired improvement to football, the inevitable covid issues this week, Newcastle news, and the very odd Champions League draw.  Nick and Chris are also joined by Richard Bevan, the Chief Executive of the League Managers Association. Nick, Chris and Richard chat about what the LMA do, how the role of the manage...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss covid-related business, Jude Bellingham, and a proper actual teaser about a Christmas present. Nick and Chris are also joined by the brilliant broadcaster, and West Bromwich fan, Adrian Chiles. Nick, Chris and Adrian chat about what it’s like to present football on TV, what a great pundit Roy Keane is, and leaves us all with a beautiful sporting quote. We’re...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss Omicron, the Pizza in a cup Cup and the Ballon d’Or.  Nick and Chris are also joined by, well… Gary Lineker. Nick, Chris and Gary chat about Messi, Maradona, the biennial World Cup and Chris’ play ‘An Evening with Gary Lineker.' If you have any thoughts, feelings or queries, please feel free to contact us on slopingpitch@gmail.com  See acast.com/privacy for p...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss Keith Curle, this week’s fan-led review, and Gerrard’s ketchup ban.  Nick and Chris are also joined by comedian, writer, actor, and Arsenal fan, Alan Davies. Nick, Chris and Alan chat about the Gunner's progress this season, Saturday Night Fever and the joy of watching Patrick Vieira play.  If you have any thoughts, feelings or queries, please feel free to co...

Nick Hancock and Chris England discuss England wrapping up their world cup qualifying campaign, bizarre football injuries, and Qatar.  Nick and Chris are also joined by economist and author of ‘More Than a Game’, Mark Gregory. Nick, Chris and Mark chat about how English football is not sustainable in its current state, how we got to where we are, and what can be done.  Mark’s book is available her...