The Footie Fool

As a former radio broadcaster, I love podcasts. Listening to various pundits and analysts weigh in on the events of the game is almost as much fun as the actual game itself. Since I walk to work, and am often shackled to a computer during the day, these 6 podcasts help me escape to the pitch at a moments notice.

1. Football Weekly Extra from the fine folks at Guardian Unlimited. A funny, cheeky look at European soccer, focusing on the EPL, but with checkups each week on the other major European leagues. James Richardson, Sean Ingle, Kevin McCarra, and Barry Glendenning host this weekly podcast. Toronto FC fans – check out what they have to say about Danny Dichio and Toronto FC this week (August 16 edition).
2. 606 Football Phone-in from BBC5. As much fun as it is hearing the prognosticators prognosticate, there is something about hearing from the masses that gives you a good perspective on the game. An added bonus is that this program runs 3 days a week, after the footie on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday evenings.
3. The Soccer Show with Nigel Reed and Bob Iarusci. Being a Canadian, I have to have at least one Canadian soccer podcast on the list. Not that this is the only reason this Nigel Reed/Bob Iarusci co-hosted show is on the list. It’s good, and is one of the few places where you can find news on the national teams in the mainstream broadcast media.
4. EPL Talk. Lots of interviews, and recently has been focusing on tv coverage of European soccer in North America, a topic near and dear to my heart. The production quality is good, and the quality of the interviews is excellent. A few weeks ago during the whole Setanta start-up debacle, The Gaffer had Setanta executive Shane O’Rourke on to give a clear picture at what was going on in North America. And you can call in and leave messages and questions, which will appear on future episodes. Good stuff.
5. The Arsenal Podcast. Well, I am a gooner, so it should come as no surprise that the final two are Arsenal podcasts. The first is straight from the horses mouth – the official Arsenal podcast, which is one of the only places in North America where I can hear words straight from Arsene Wenger’s mouth.
6. Arsecast from the makers of Arseblog. It’s fuckin’ excellent. Actually, it’s pretty damn good. Entertaining, occasionally juvenile and some good analysis for Arsenal fans.