Show Notes
In this week's episode we look at ringers in the Sunday league, chat about Rooney/Tumblegate and get a dose of cup fever... VAR. XG. Inverted wing backs. The game has well and truly gone. Via his very own podcast, Steve Bracknall, Sunday league assistant manager and viral sensation, is going to get it back. Direct from the dressing room of his team Royal Oak FC, he'll be joined by gaffer Paul Sampson, and physio Bob the Bucket. Each week they'll make sense of all of the week’s footballing news and bring you updates from the Oak... Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds Credits Producer: Ad Ahmed Video Producer/Editor/Artwork: Matt Exton Photography: Rob Nicholson Production Coordinator: Rose Wilcox Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard Background: Royal Oak FC was founded in 1997 in the back room of the Royal Oak pub by Steve Bracknall and Paul Sampson. Despite decades of effort, the team still fights for survival in the fifth tier of the Sheffield Sunday Imperial League. When a viral clip catapulted Steve to fame in 2024, the BBC came calling - and Game’s Gone was born. Hosts of the podcast: Steve Bracknall Assistant manager at Royal Oak FC, Steve Bracknall is to many the lifeblood of the club. Having agreed to front the club in terms of marketing and PR, Steve is the link between the fans and the club. No one cares about the Oak like Steve. Loving husband to Our Nikki and doting father to Our Olivia, come Sunday Steve is transformed into a passionate assistant who would literally die for the cause. He cites man management as his strong point. Paul Sampson First team manager and lifelong friend of Steve Bracknall. Paul originally formed the club with Steve. In recent years his commitment to the club has come under scrutiny especially after buying a time share in Tenerife and going on multiple golfing trips mid-season leaving Steve to hold the fort. He still has the final say over any tactical decisions that are made much to the annoyance of Steve. Bob the Bucket Club physio and general caretaker Bob the Bucket has been with the club for over ten years. No one really knows why and when he joined but he did. General job roles include putting up nets, filling water bottles alongside prevention and rehab of all Oak players.
More from Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast
It's the opposite of cup fever this week, as the lads crash out to Darnall B in the second round of the Sheffield Imperial Trophy. Steve, Paul and Bob pick through the wreckage and respond to goalkeeper Robbie's stinging social media post calling out the management. Will there be consequences for Robbie? Or does he have a point about recruitment? Elsewhere, Matt Wynne has been offered a trial at rivals Barrell FC, the Royal Oak pub is eerily quiet, and the lads debate whether it's finally time to launch a youth academy and a fully fledged women's team. In the wider footballing world, Brighton are floated as unlikely title contenders and the lads controversially rank Yorkshire's clubs by their support from Worst to Best. Michael Carrick, Lisandro Martínez and Gordon Brown all feature in another packed episode of Game's Gone. And don't forget our brand-new series Touchline Shouts, featuring bonus Royal Oak drama and footballing chat with Steve. Episodes are released every Tuesday, only on BBC Sounds. You can also watch the YouTube premiere of each episode on the Game’s Gone channel, every Thursday at 7pm with Bob and Steve in the live chat. Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds Credits Series Producer: Ad Ahmed Video Producer/Editor/Artwork: Janathan Portelli Production Assistant: Lauren Carey Additional Artwork and Social Media: Joe Whittaker and Megan Beattie Photography: Rob Nicholson Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard
Steve Bracknall here, from Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast.
It’s a Game's Gone first as a Premier League cult hero walks into the Royal Oak FC changing room. Sean Dyche (Formerly manager of Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest) joins Steve, Paul and Bob for a grilling on his managerial philosophy, the Oak’s team culture and how to nurture your backroom staff. Sean also talks us through the perfect curry order, the “utter woke nonsense” meme, and his thoughts on the Man City case and appeal. Chippy teas, Kieran Trippier and Kasabian all feature in a packed edition of the podcast that brings football back to its roots. You can also watch the YouTube premiere of each episode on the Game’s Gone channel, every Thursday at 7pm with Bob and Steve in the live chat. Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds Credits Series Producer: Ad Ahmed Video Producer/Editor/Artwork: Matt Exton Production Assistant: Lauren Carey Additional Artwork and Social Media: Joe Whittaker and Megan Beattie Photography: Rob Nicholson Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard
A momentous day for Royal Oak FC as veteran right back Parksey hangs up his boots after a glittering 29-year Sunday League career. A founding member with 742 appearances and more own goals than goals, Parksey's knees have finally called time. Steve is in bits, and he has big plans to mark it: a blue plaque in the Peace Gardens, a retired number two shirt and a third testimonial, with Dion Dublin at centre back and Angry Ginge's Winton United firmly in his sights. Elsewhere, the lads weigh up the state of Man City's appeal, salute England's 7-0 demolition of Croatia, judge whose international farewell was better (Messi's or Ronaldo's), and hear how Steve's streaming career is going after Dele Alli takes the plunge. Plus listener questions on first football loves and pet hates, and a tease of a mystery guest for next week. Jude Bellingham, Alex Scott, Harry Kane and (of course) Sir Bobby Charlton all get a mention in another jam-packed edition. You can also watch the YouTube premiere of each episode on the Game’s Gone channel, every Thursday at 7pm with Bob and Steve in the live chat. Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds Credits Series Producer: Ad Ahmed Video Producer/Editor/Artwork: Matt Exton Production Assistant: Lauren Carey Additional Artwork and Social Media: Joe Whittaker and Megan Beattie Photography: Rob Nicholson Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard
It's been a monumental week in football, as Royal Oak FC have finally won a game! Buoyed by their recent clear-the-air talks and Steve's trip to Turkey, their fortunes are on the up. The only cloud on the horizon is Parksey, who went off at half-time (he's asked for a pro-rata deduction in his subs), while the lads discuss his future role at the club. In the wider football world, the lads drill down into the breaking news that Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. Steve, Paul and Bob take a fan's-eye view of the fallout. Elsewhere, Andy Townsend weighs in on pub toilets, and the lads ponder whose life they'd most like to live as a footballer. Erling Haaland, José Mourinho and Hakan Şükür all feature in another packed edition. You can also watch the YouTube premiere of each episode on the Game’s Gone channel, every Thursday at 7pm with Bob and Steve in the live chat. Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds Credits Series Producer: Ad Ahmed Video Producer/Editor/Artwork: Matt Exton Production Assistant: Lauren Carey Additional Artwork and Social Media: Joe Whittaker and Megan Beattie Photography: Rob Nicholson Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard