The VERSUS Podcast

The Women’s Super League is proving to be primetime entertainment already this season. With the newly-introduced YouTube live streams already breaking viewership numbers, it’s never been easier to watch the beautiful game. The VERSUS team breaks down why this new strategy from Women’s Professional Leagues is beneficial for both the WSL and the Women’s Championship, and what impact free viewership...

Dave’s love for football is undeniable. The Streatham rapper took his very own Santan Cup to St George’s Park where his family and friends lived the life of professional ballers for one day only. The VERSUS team breaks why the tournament is so influential. From the talent involved to authentic brand collabs between Stone Island and New Balance, this tournament sets the standard for how football sh...

Manchester City midfielder and Ballon d’Or nominee Rodri became one of the most high-profile players to say players could one day go on strike in response to increasing fixtures. We break down how we’ve got to this point and whether it’s likely. We also discuss C.P. Company’s new partnership with Manchester City and look at the rise of sustainable boot brand, Sokito. ‘The Future of Football’ is a...

LABRUM's partnership with Arsenal stands alone in the football-fashion space. After turning Emirates Stadium into a runway for a first-of-its-kind show at LFW, the VERSUS team breaks down the impact of this moment and what other clubs can learn from embracing culture. We also discuss the significance of Jude Bellingham’s YouTube play at a time when sports documentaries are more important than ever...

Football fans are the lifeline of their clubs – but more people than ever before find it difficult to see their team play in person due to ticket price increases. With the 24/25 season well underway and a number of Premier League teams reducing or eliminating concession fares, the VERSUS team breaks down why the big business aspect of football is ruining the spirit of the game. We also look at gro...

As another season comes to a close, the Premier League has just dropped its annual ‘Young Player of the Year Award’ shortlist but with some players now in their fifth or sixth senior season – surely it’s time for the criteria to be refreshed? The VERSUS team breaks down why the PL needs a ‘Rookie of the Year’ style reward for players who have just broken onto the scene. Elsewhere, we look at the s...

The Women’s Super League is braced for one of the greatest season finales in its history. As Manchester City and Chelsea’s tussle for the title goes down to the wire, the VERSUS team breaks down what’s changed in recent years to make the WSL’s competitiveness the envy of every other league in the world. We also take a look at the cultural legacy of ‘The Invincibles’ 20 years on, and give flowers t...

Marcus Rashford has found himself on the receiving end of online abuse on an industrial scale, and this week he finally clapped back. After Rashford said “enough is enough” and put the subject of abuse back on the radar, the VERSUS team looks at how contemporary fan culture has evolved to be so toxic and the role creators like Mark Goldbridge have played in that change. We also break down the rece...

Chelsea vs Barcelona is one of the few matches in football that holds the same weight across both men's and women's senior teams. As Chelsea face their bitter rivals in the second leg of the UWCL in front of a sell out crowd, the VERSUS team breaks down why this tie and moment is so significant for women’s football in Britain and beyond. The team also discuss why we needed Liverpool and Adidas to...

AC Milan just opened a first-of-its-kind experience in European football, unveiling a ‘Front Row Experience’ inspired by the NBA’s history of offering curtsied seats to the most influential faces in culture. The VERSUS team breaks down the strategy behind AC’s move, and why Europe’s biggest teams are taking the lead from US sports when it comes to making their brands more culturally relevant. We a...

Kobbie Mainoo has captured our attention in recent weeks with his dazzling performances but the 18-year-old is now capturing our hearts with his persona. The VERSUS team breaks down why the the Manchester United youngster is so likeable and how he represents football's new frontier of teenage global superstars. We also discuss the ever-increasing tribalism in English women's football in light of J...

Ep. 38: England’s Kit Outrage, Gabriel Moses’ Greatness and Super Fran Kirby Nike’s latest England kit drop received a lot of coverage but the stand-out talking point was an artistic reinterpretation of the St. George’s cross. The Three Lions kit became the target for a morally bankrupt and misguided mob of grifters, career politicians and bigoted media. The VERSUS team breaks down why the outrage...

It’s the month of Ramadan. A time where Muslims around the world abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. But football has not always been the most accommodating to this practice. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team speak with the Founder and CEO of Nujum Sports, Ebadur Rahman about the work he and his team do to help Muslim athletes flourish on and off the pitch. We also...

Sports Brands are an integral part of football. They can make or break kits and also inspire memories for the ages with apparel. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down why heritage brand Reebok’s return to European Football is exciting for the game and what we could expect given their previous campaigns. We also talk about the need for football to be more patient with young talen...

Football has changed in recent years. The search for perfection has meant the game has often lost its pureness. With online conversations on the matter becoming more frequent, it's apparent that the game is in dire need of more pure footballers. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down why Pure Footballers are so special and why some have received hero like adulation. We also talk...

adidas are in the middle of an incredible run right now, with the marketing behind the latest Predator drops showing the rest of the game how to bring football, culture and product together in 2024. The VERSUS team breaks down why the Three Stripes are racing ahead of Nike in football culture right now with the help of elite product marketing, Jude Bellingham, and more. We also discuss the shockin...

Maheta Molango is one of the most influential people in football. A former pro player himself, he now heads up the Professional Footballers’ Association and is responsible for the welfare of players, past and present. Recently, Maheta travelled out to AFCON with the mission of showcasing how important the tournament is. As a former Congo international himself, he’s had first-hand experience of the...

Jordan Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq last summer raised eyebrows, tarnishing his previous allyship and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Only six months after arriving in Saudi Arabia with the proclaimed mission of ‘changing the game’, the former Liverpool player has returned to Europe. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down why Henderson's actions have been dangerous and what...

The time is upon us once again. One of the world’s most important international tournaments is about to begin, with the 34th edition of AFCON being contested by 24 teams in Ivory Coast. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team explains why this tournament is so special, the importance of diaspora stories that come from it, and why negative perceptions of AFCON in Europe need to be changed. We...

Jude Bellingham has once again made the headlines after recently picking up the coveted Golden Boy award. His latest dub arrives following an amazing start to life in Madrid, as well as becoming the latest player inducted into the iconic adidas Predator Hall of Fame. In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down Bellingham's achievements both on and off the pitch, and discusses why the...

Chloe Kelly stole the show at the first ever WSL Manchester Derby at Old Trafford last weekend. While her ability is always clear, the level of shithousery she brought to the occasion is something we need to see more of in women’s football. The VERSUS team breaks down the importance of ‘shithousery’ to the modern game and remembers some of the biggest pantomime villains in recent history. We also...

Emma Hayes is one of the biggest profiles in football. Her dominance with Chelsea and her broadcast punditry have reaffirmed her place amongst footballing royalty. The news of her departure from Chelsea is a legitimate shock. The VERSUS team breaks down the significance of this moment in football as a whole and the importance of Emma to the game. We also look at the week’s other biggest talking po...

The Ballon d'Or is arguably the most prestigious individual award in football. Whilst the award has made strides to become more inclusive, there is still some way to go in ensuring women’s players truly have equal footing at the table. The VERSUS team breaks down why this year’s awards showcased a lack of thought and how this can be fixed moving forwards. We also look at the week’s other biggest t...

Arsenal have a long history of being one of the most progressive clubs in football – but their latest women’s first team squad photo sparked serious conversation online, with not a single Black or minority ethnic player in the frame. The VERSUS team breaks down why this photo caused much discussion online and why it should act as a point to call for more diversity in Women’s football. We also look...

Stormzy and Merky FC have just announced 50 jobs in football for young people from black heritage backgrounds, in the second season of their mission to diversify the industry. The VERSUS team breaks down the significance of this movement and why Stormzy commands real respect. We also look at the week’s other biggest talking points off-pitch, including the WSL being the latest women’s domestic leag...