Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast With Nick & Dom

Despite us hanging FIFA out to dry with our take on the disgraceful ticketing and other issues around the World Cup in 2026 on our recent Episode 16, here we are, 9 episodes later and we cannot ignore another scandal and another blatant attempt to take the piss out of fans in favour of a desire to MAKE EVEN MORE MONEY.

And this was recorded BEFORE Donald Trump "won" the completely fictitious "FIFA Peace Award", which I am certain we would have caned in this episode had we recorded after the World Cup Draw debacle.

We hate the World Governing Body of the game we love and think that every other fan will have the same opinion.

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom.

We do however start with a celebration of:

• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• Wales
• The Republic of Ireland
• Norway (Dark Horses to Win The World Cup)?
• Curacao
• Cape Verde &
• Haiti

We look at the demise of Italian football at international level and why the FIFA qualification process makes it harder to qualify from Europe than most other regions - and why FIFA seem to love this? Thanks to Pellegrino Riccardi & Mark Mortimer on Linkedin for sharing the following link on this:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pellegrino-riccardi-24425a9_italys-football-collapse-a-leadership-activity-7396152496743661569-HuAF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGZUtIB7fehCgVOGNaPEGmSPZrP2n-4paI

Why attracting 48 teams to the tournament is a great idea for FIFA but why they also don't want ANY of the minnows to progress beyond the initial group stages.

Finally, we also consider final 4 seeding - which is an utter sham and a fix and why CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo is the ONLY player in world football to warrant the execution of a never before used Article 27 of the Governing Body Rules - setting him on probation for a recent red card for violent conduct rather than taking his ban, whereas the bans seem to be remaining in place with a case to answer for two other players in EXACTLY the same situation.

Is this also MONEY related, or just a case of "who you know"?

Whatever, it is, it is yet another disgrace!

We think proper football fans will enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

Inspired by a few recent and a couple of upcoming games - on Episode 24 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we ask whether a game is a genuine derby match or just a rivalry (often bitter, but not technically a derby game).

We consider what we think constitutes a derby, who has one, and who doesn't and why we think that you can have ONLY ONE!

What does this mean for London?

What do non-fans of the London clubs involved think - and does this differ from the fans involved - we would be fascinated to get your opinions.

We discuss why we think Arsenal v Spurs IS a derby but Chelsea v Arsenal is only a rivalry......

Why we don't care about the likes of West Ham v Fulham and a few more, and apart from fans of the two clubs, nobody else does either.

Why do the likes of Boro, Coventry, Bournemouth, Palace, Brighton, Wrexham and a few more not even have a derby - because naming something after a Motorway or A Road doesn't make it one - trust us.

When a derby is played or due to be played between two teams of unequal stature or form, does a bitter rivalry with a different club seem more appealing and does it trump this for the fans of the more "successful" club for interest at that time?

We go international too and discuss some of the more appealing and attractive derbies in world football - and which ones we would love to go to, and why?

What would be on your bucket list by the way?

We think this is an episode that will have you nodding in agreement, tutting in disgust and shouting at your device in equal measure - so if that is the case, let us know with your comments what YOU think. We would LOVE to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

Ignore the episode number reference at the start of the recording- this is definitely Episode 23 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom - after we slipped the extra Episode 20 Rob Edwards Special in - having already recorded this one prior to publishing.......

This is a very special GLOBAL Episode 23 as we have our first ever INTERNATIONAL Guest - Welcome Tommy Walker.

Tommy is a;

• Foreign Reporter in the Southeast Asia
• Podcast Host at Dateline Bangkok
• VP at Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand

......and also a massive Boro fan......

He is very active on social media and on the ground in South East Asia – building and mobilising a growing Boro fan base of ex-pats and locals.

He is currently involved in the Middlesbrough Supporters Clubs in Thailand, Honk Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai & China, but this is NOT an episode about Boro as a club or even Boro as a fanbase.

We have entitled this episode "Supporting Your Club & Rallying Others From Abroad" and it offers a fascinating insight into how to build a local, regional and in Tommy's case, a continental group of like-minded passionate fans who happen to live and work around the globe rather than in the UK - mobilising them so that collectively, everyone can better enjoy a matchday and supporter experience in wherever they may be living, working, or even just passing through.

So please keep listening and watching to what is a fascinating episode - whoever you support, wherever you live or work, or if you have plans to travel abroad during the football season.……

Tommy is a TOP Guest who we know that our growing audience will enjoy.

• How did it all start?
• What were the key elements in building momentum?
• How do you get matchday TV support v the PRemier League coverage?
• How do you mobilise people to be a "part of something"?
• What is a matchday like in South East Asia?
• Why has Tommy initiated such a network of other Supporters Groups?
• What's the plan?

These and many more questions are discussed with a very engaging and articulate guest.

We are sure that whoever you support, you will really enjoy this one. We certainly enjoyed recording it and look forward to meeting Tommy in person over the Christmas break when he is back in the UK.

A Parmo and a pint or two will certainly be on the menu.

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

As we look to finish the last of the 3 Autumn International Breaks (thank goodness) - seeing England qualify with maximum points from a pretty easy group, but with Scotland's fate still unknown at the time of recording & release, we take this opportunity to offer our THIRD "Reflection of the Season So Far" musings on Episode 22 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom.

Don't be confused at the start when we mention Episode 21 - as we snuck in an extra Rob Edwards Special as a different Episode 20 to that originally planned, knocking back a couple of episodes we had already recorded and we don't really do editing.......

This is indeed Episode 22!

So what have we observed and what do we discuss?  We cover some great stuff, including, though not exclusively;

• Boxing Day Fixtures & Ticket Prices
• Scottish Football Is Suddenly Interesting (Well Less Routine Anyway)
• Thomas Tuchel's Relationship With The England Faithful
• Long Throws and Crap Corners
• Arsene Wenger's Proposed New Offside Laws
• More Terrible Refereeing & PGMOL Apology Letters
• Gateshead v Truro & Some Class Acts Around This Fixture
• Swedish Football (Yes, Really)......
• We Celebrate Some Significant Player Shout Outs
• Honorable Mentions Across All 4 English Leagues
• Brazilian or Overseas Single Name Players
• Will Peterborough Ever Employ Darren Ferguson for a 5th Time?
• And Much, Much More.......

We think any fan of the game, from any club, and of any age will really enjoy this episode - we certainly enjoyed recording it.  We also hope that you will have your own views too - please comment or get in touch, we would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

As a counter-balance to the nostalgic trip we took on Episode 19, Nick & Dom discuss some of the things they love about the modern game - and watching a lot of football as we do, it was a little easier than we might have imagined......

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom.

Football has changed a lot in the years we have been watching, and whilst a lot of the change has been detrimental - VAR being a classic example, we cover a list of things that we think are actually worth celebrating.

We cover some great stuff, including, though not exclusively;

• The Mix of New & Old Stadiums Available to Travelling Fans
• Not Smelling of Ciggys After the Game (or Getting Secondary Diseases)
• The Return of Safe Standing
• Unrestricted Views
• The Openness of the Premier League & Championship This Season
• The End of Hooliganism
• The Ease & Availability of Games to Watch From Around The World
• Spotting Other Fans at Railway Stations on Away Trips
• The Variety of Merchandise - Maybe Not The Prices
• No More Astroturf Pitches - Sorry QPR & Luton
• And Much, Much More.......

We think any fan of the modern game will really enjoy this episode - we certainly enjoyed recording it.  We also hope that you will have your own views too - please comment or get in touch, we would love to hear from you - what do love about the modern game?

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

Welcome to a Special Rob Edwards Episode of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom

Parental Control needed for the odd sweary bit……..

As two card-carrying, match-going, long-term Middlesbrough fans this week has been up there with one of the strangest and most annoying in our memory – all because of the actions of one man – Robert Owen Edwards, also known as Rob Edwards or Snakeman!

This is not a podcast episode just about Middlesbrough Football Club, it is a podcast about......

• Integrity
• Trust
• Honour
• Greed
• MONEY
• Decision Making
• Doing The Right Thing
• And Consequences…….

If you are a football fan of ANY Club, consider how you would react to the same situation evolving and unfolding around your Club, your Manager or Head Coach and how you would feel about it.

This is not a rant of an episode, but we hope, a balanced take on something that is or should be (but sadly isn't), at the heart of football – TRUST.

 We hope that we have got the balance right and that you will enjoy it – or at least that it will challenge a perception or two. 

Please feel free to like, share, comment and subscribe to “The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom” for more regular and engaging topics across the football world out every Monday – brought to you by two blokes of a certain age who discuss things that proper fans discuss on the way to games, on the concourse or in the pub.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Feedback welcome, but for this episode in particular, please listen to or watch the episode before forming and sharing your opinions in your comments – we think on this occasion, this is really important.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.  Moving on.......... 

Are you a fan of a certain age, maybe a match-going fan, maybe an armchair fan, but a fan nonetheless?

On Episode 19 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we take you on a trip down memory lane - hankering after some of the things that you just don't see anymore at and around the game.

Thanks also to Author, Daniel Gray who has a number of excellent books published by Bloomsbury that inspired some of our conversation.  Well worth looking up:

1. Black Boots & Football Pinks
2. Saturday 3PM
3. Extra Time

All excellent reads.......

But don't worry if you are a younger viewer or listener, we give you some insights into what football used to be like - and you can decide if you would have liked to experience some of it - or even whether some of it seems believable in 2025.

We cover some great stuff with a smile, including, though not exclusively;

• Streakers, Rattles, Rosettes & Top Hats
• Boot Colours
• Choosing Where to Stand
• The Smell of Matchday
• Bunking In For Free
• Two Up Top - Big Man, Little Man
• Local Owners & Chairmen
• Player Managers
• Goal Celebrations
• Combovers
• The Larger Player
• The Magic Sponge
• The Football Pools & The Pools Panel
• The Shoot Magazine League Ladders
• And Much, Much More.......

We think any fan of any age or vintage will really enjoy this episode - we certainly enjoyed recording this one.

We also hope that you will have your own views too - please comment or get in touch, we would love to hear from you - what do you miss or hanker after?

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

On Episode 18 of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast we have a FIRST.

We have a GUEST, and a very special one at that.  A man so recognisable at Boro and around the whole Championship scene that like Madonna & Pele, he only goes by a single name - welcome to the podcast YUSUF.

This is not a podcast about BORO, it's about a genuine fan evolution to being a season card holder and an active away fan and we hope that any football fan will enjoy this and reflect on their journey to becoming a fan of their own club too.

We cover a fascinating journey - starting with how and why an 8 year old kid living near Wembley came to recognise that a team from Middlesbrough even existed and then, with all of the Greater London options available to start his active follower to supporter to match going fan journey, he still chose a club over 250 miles away?

We cover some great stuff with a really engaging guest including:

• What was the journey from a kid to a match going bloke?
• What does a typical matchday look like - Saturday & Midweek?
• How does he manage so much travel on public transport?
• What does Yusuf most enjoy about being an active Boro fan?
• Where is the most difficult stadium for him to get to for a game?
• Any travel or match day disasters to share?
• Being high profile, dealing with some of the "attention" from other fans
• What Is in a typical Yusuf match day pack-up?

and much more.....

We think any proper fan, especially match-going fans will LOVE this episode and we are delighted that YUSUF has been our very first podcast guest.

We hope that you will enjoy and have your own views too - please comment or get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

As we record this Episode 17 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast With Nick & Dom in the second international break of the season, we have taken another opportunity to share some of our observations, good, bad and hopefully a little funny on the season to date.

Not the BIG clubs, but focusing on a lot of clubs and fans who might not get the airtime elsewhere.....

Some examples include honourable mentions for the likes of - Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Boro, Preston, Stoke, Stevenage, Bradford & Grimsby.

Including........

• Chris Wilder being Chris Wilder AGAIN
• Over-exuberant goal celebrations getting yellow & red cards
• Who is the surprising Premier League midfield destroyer so far?
• The pies at Fratton Park
• Who is having their own goal of the season competition?
• Who do we feel has been THE PL surprise package of the season so far?
• A shout out to the 250,000+ UK grass roots volunteers
• How many of the 21 Watford Managers in the last 10 yrs do we recall?

and a lot more.......

We hope that you will enjoy and have your own views too - please comment or get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

How Bad Do You Have To Be When You Compare Unfavourably to Sepp Blatter?

On this week’s Episode 16 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Not from a footballing perspective - plenty of time for that, but……

• The disgrace of the ticket pricing
• Ticket category bulls**t
• FIFA sticky fingers on re-seller sites
• Why 3 locations - if not just -$$$$$?
• Genuine concerns over safety & security
• Suits & corporates v real fans
• Why we don’t even need FIFA
• Why is Infantino no better, and probably worse than Blatter?

And a lot more……

These charlatans are governing the global sport that we, and millions love. They are drinking from the trough of greed and they don’t give a toss about the fans - not one toss.

An explosive episode that we think real football fans will want to listen to and comment on - so please do.  We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

On this Episode 15 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we discuss TWO issues that are currently being discussed at length.

1. The Proposed Changes to the Championship Playoffs

2. The Saturday 3.00pm TV Blackout

In terms of the proposed Championship Playoff changes, why wouldn't Championship Chairmen vote for an increase in places down to 7th & 8th - but why is that absolutely the WRONG thing to consider?

Even though our club, Boro have been in 7th or 8th twice in the last 5 seasons, the same as Millwall and with Blackburn being there 3 times, why are absolutely and categorically against this proposal?

What do we think would be the outcome and if you finish in 8th with an average of over 18 points a season less than the team in 3rd, is that even fair?

A meaty subject that we both have strong views on.....

In part two, we discuss why a 60+ years old ban on Saturday games at 3.00pm being shown on TV, is no longer fit for purpose and what we think would happen if the ban was lifted.

Do we think it should, or should not be lifted and what do we think of some fans who "might" stop attending live games in person - particularly lower down the pyramid?

Is 2025 the year we should rescind a 1960's moratorium and what do you think? 

We hope that you will enjoy and have your own views too - we would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

On this Episode 14 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we might just be hankering back for a better footballing time.

Discussing a subject suggested by regular listeners, Simon & Michelle Jennison, we look at whether Football Was Better 10-15 Years Ago?

• Has the 2008 - 2010 Pep Tikka Taka Revolution Gone Far Too Far?
• Are Man City Boring to Watch?
• Playing Not To Lose Is NOT Entertaining......
• Is Possession and Pass, Pass, Pass For Stats Sake a Fan Turn Off?
• Were Prime Man Utd & Arsenal a Delight We Long To Have Back?
• Why Are So Many Managers Wedded to a "System"?
• Should Direct Football Be Making a Comeback or Is It Frowned Upon?

Using a number of reference points, we think there is a lot in here to get you feeling a combination of annoyed and frustrated, but also nostalgic & hopeful - after all, we now see the likes of Set Piece Coaches and goals from long throws.

Tony Pulis must be smiling on his sun lounger whilst making spoof TV adverts with Big Sam & Pards!

We hope that you will enjoy and have your own views too - and why not suggest a topic or two like Simon & Michelle have done.

We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

On this Episode 13 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we look at what we describe as the "Murky" World of Multi-Club Ownership. 

This was a subject suggested by regular listener, Steve Atkinson - Thanks Steve.

This is a subject that vexes and annoys many regular football fans, and whilst we are not experts, we do have our own views on what this means for football, how they impact on things like player transfers, sponsorship deals and financial transactions.

There are at least 26 Multi-Club Ownership Groups around the world - ranging from the City Group with 12 clubs, to many Groups with 2 clubs and a lot in between owning between 3 - 8.

It just doesn't FEEL right.

From our first awareness of the model via the Watford / Udinese Pozzo Family ownership - which doesn't seem like a model to aspire to, certainly on the pitch, to the well publicised activities of the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle, to the recent treatment of Crystal Palace by UEFA, the whole thing certainly seems muddy, unfair.

We probably still have more questions than answers, but, we hope that you will enjoy and have your own views too!  Why not share those views with us?

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

On this Episode 12 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we look at the impact of Stadiums on fans, clubs and areas such as attracting players, investment and future growth.

We look at the recent opening of the Hill Dickinson at Everton - how is the fan experience, where does it leave the old Goodison superstitions, match day routines and rituals, and how long does it take to find and embrace new ones?

Are fans getting a better experience or are they just paying higher prices for a "different" experience?

We look at ground openings such as:

• 2025 - Everton – Hill Dickinson

• 2020 - Brentford – The G-Tech

• 2019 - Spurs – The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

• 2016 - West Ham – The London Stadium

• 2011 – Brighton – Amex

• 2006 - Arsenal – The Emirates

• 2003 - Man City – The Etihad

• 1997 – Stadium of Light – Sunderland

• 1995 - Boro – The Riverside Stadium

• 1993 - Millwall – Old Den v New Den

What has been the longer term impact and what will be the legacy of these grounds?

Would some fans rather go back? 

Will The London Stadium EVER feel like "home" to West Ham fans, or indeed a "proper" football ground to everyone else?

We would welcome your views and comments. We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with this YouTube channel too.

The season is back - until the next International Break spoils the momentum!

On this Episode 11 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we take the first (interminable) international break as the opportunity for us to reflect on what we have seen or experienced in the short season to date - much of which has annoyed us.

No spoilers, but fair to say we don't both agree on everything....

A slightly longer episode than most as we have plenty to get our teeth into and hopefully, plenty to get your thoughts going as usual.

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

Do you agree, do you have a view or a comment, do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments.

We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too. 

Now let's get the season back on track!

As we are in the midst of the first international break of the new season, we have recorded and released a special Friday, pre-weekend Episode 10 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast celebrating all things non-league football.

We want to encourage match-going fans in particular who cannot watch their usual Premier League, Championship or even League 1 or 2 game this weekend - to find and go and support your local non-league club.

Same in Scotland.....

We share a few tales and share why these clubs want and need our support and how they are the heart of the communities they serve - so deserve your attention.

Shout outs for;

- Tadcaster Albion

- Thackley FC

- Marine FC

- Bootle FC

- Dorking Wanderers

- Newark Town

- Darlington

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

Do you agree, do you have a view or a comment, do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments.

We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

On this Episode 9 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we we have another single BIG subject - certainly for match-going and all regular football fans like ourselves.

It will already be resonating with some - even this early in the season.

We have gone early and we discuss "The Managerial Merry-Go-Round".

Frank De Boer was sacked after just 3 Premier League games at Crystal Palace a number of seasons ago. As we record this episode, we are only 1, 2, 3 or maybe 4 games into the season, depending on which league your team is is, but....... -

• Will this 3 league game record be broken or even equalled this season?
• What does it say about any club hierachy who pull the trigger very early?
• How would it leave a club's plans and strategy to do it?
• Does it always work?

A clue on the last one - Birmingham City - TWICE......

We also disagree on the relative success or otherwise of a Manager with a longer CV than almost anyone - and why he keeps coming back for more.

Then its on to who we think might already be under pressure and in the crosshairs of either fans, club officials or both.

No spoilers but we we discuss the Premier League, Championship & the SPL and even give a shout out to Morecambe FC - beautifully and recently saved from extinction.

Plenty to get your thoughts going as usual.

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

• Do you agree?
• Do you have a view or a comment?
• Do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments. We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our YouTube channel too.

The season is well and truly underway!

On this Episode 8 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we have a single BIG subject - certainly for match-going and all regular football fans like ourselves.

We discuss "Fixture Scandals".

This has been initiated by the recent announcement from the Spanish Football Federation that they have sanctioned a LEAGUE match between Villareal & Barcelona in Miami in December.

Find out why Nick in particular is RAGING and what we feel this might mean for football fixtures going forward?

We also discuss domestic fixtures and how they are created - certainly without much consideration of the fans!

Midweek games, Thursday night kick offs, Monday Night Football on Sky, why Crystal Palace returned 1,500 tickets for an away game at Villa and much more......

How do German fans deal with matters they don't like and why it might just work better over there than over here.

A real subject for real match going and football watching fans.

Why are we LAST in the considerations?

Plenty to get your thoughts going.

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

• Do you agree?
• Do you have a view or a comment?
• Do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments.  We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with this YouTube channel too.

The season is back and Nick in particular is already on the case on this episode!

On Episode 7 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, as the season kicks in to near full swing, we ask.....

"What Are We Looking Forward To From The New Season"? 

Some fun, some ambitious, some having no chance of coming to fruition and much in between.  We might upset or offend a few supporters of a few clubs, but it is only a bit of fun, and it is only a matter of opinion - so chill your beans before you hit "reply".

• We have a little dig at some deluded fans
• We look at how the 2 domestic cups might shape up
• We look at Sonny leaving Spurs and what that might mean?
• We "predict" where we would like or expect a certain few clubs to finish
• We consider the future of Wayne Rooney
• We want a resolution to a few major issues as soon as possible
• We lay out our hopes for the promoted clubs in the PL
• We lay out our hopes for the Championship promotion race
• We even discuss if Leicester in particular could "do a Luton"?
• Finally, we consider some international hopes for the season

As ever, there is plenty to get your thoughts going. We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

• Do you agree?
• Do you have a view or a comment?
• Do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments. We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with this podcast.  The season is well and truly up & running!

On Episode 6 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom, we were going to discuss two very different, but hopefully interesting subjects for regular football fans, like we ourselves are....

We were going to discuss "What Represents Success to Fans & Clubs - and Is There a Difference? We were then going to discuss "The Fixture List & Sky Fixture Timings", but in the interests of keeping things tight and proper around timings, we decided to just concentrate on the first subject and leave the second one for a future episode.

So, here is your first single subject podcast episode on..... "What Represents Success to Fans & Clubs - And Is There a Difference?

• Are Club & Fan expectations always aligned & what if they are not?
• Who had the better season last season - Spurs or Arsenal & why?
• Finishing 4th and in the CL places v winning a trophy - what wins?
• Why do clubs safely in mid PL table play weakened squads in cups?
• Was Bristol City's playoff hammering by Sheff Utd still progress?
• Would all 3 promoted clubs to the PL take 17th before a ball is kicked?
• Same for Birmingham & Wrexham in particular in the Championship?
• Is success at club level disconnected for the game-going fan in particular?

We also address what we think might represent success at our own clubs in Middlesbrough & Everton in the coming season.

Plenty to get your thoughts going. We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

• Do you agree?
• Do you have a view or a comment?
• Do you have a suggestion for us to tackle in a future episode?

We would welcome your views and comments. We would love to hear from you.....

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with our Podcast.

The season is back!

On this Episode 5, Nick & Dom discuss two very different, but hopefully interesting subjects for regular football fans, like we ourselves are....

In the first half we discuss Ticket Prices

• Why are ticket prices continuing to rise when revenues for big clubs certainly are massive?
• Is a season ticket good value where you support your club?
• How do walk-up supporters feel about the on-the-day pricing?
• What happened to the "£20 is Plenty" initiative & should this be for all home & away fans?
• Are clubs favouring football tourists over local supporters?
• How dare Man Utd charge a debenture to "own" your piece of plastic?
• If you pay more, can you moan more?

Lots to get your teeth into.

The second half is given over to Annoying People in Stadiums

We are not the arbitrators of good style, good behaviour and standards, but come on.....

The behaviour of some fans at home and particularly away games can be appalling and it is usually fuelled by drink and increasingly drugs. #

Whilst this is indeed annoying, and we share some of our own stories of what we have witnessed inside & outside of stadiums over the years, there are plenty of other annoyances that get us riled and annoyed.

• How do you feel about the perennial late arrivers?
• The ones late back after half time?
• Those with a bladder the size of a pea and....
• Those that always leave early to "beat the traffic", whatever the score or state of play on the pitch?
• Is karma just waiting around the corner for them?

Finally, what about the "Gobshite Coach" who shouts the same thing from his seat (and it is ALWAYS a he), 20 times a game......

Is there a place reserved in hell for them?

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

We would welcome your views and comments.

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms - just search: "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom" on whichever platform you normally listen to your podcasts on and we will be there.

Don't forget to give us a nice 5 star rating and a like, and please subscribe and share from your favourite podcast platform too - to help us to grow our audience and also to automatically get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

We also have an open Group on LinkedIn - just search "The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast" on LinkedIn Groups and join for additional content and background information.

Thanks for your support with this podcast.

The season is back!

NICK & DOM

On this Episode 4, Nick & Dom discuss two very different, but hopefully interesting subjects for the average Joe Football Fans, just like us....

In the first half we discuss Technology & Rule Changes and in the second half, supporting the incredible season of PSG without Mbappe, we look at Galacticos - Are They All That?

Part one It's more than a moan about VAR (although why wouldn't we), it's about the origins of technology in football and where we think it should have stopped.

It's a debate around whether the technology itself is to blame, or are the rules like offside and handball in particular, the root of the problem when it comes to annoying and frustrating most fans?

We discuss the overused and misinterpreted "clear & obvious" as well as whether referees are now guilty of re-refereeing games instead of just focusing on incidents.

Lots to get your teeth into in such a thorny subject area.

The second half is given over to the question of - Galacticos, Are They All That?

It comes from a homage to the exploits of PSG this season (accepting that they didn't quite win the new Mickey Mouse FIFA Club World Cup as discussed in Episode 1 of this podcast).

They won the Champion's League for the first time in their history without Mbappe and a recent history that included the likes of Messi & Neymar.

We consider what even constitutes a Galactico and throw a few names around to prove (or disprove) a point or two.

Finally we discuss who would win between a prime Galactico Heavy Real Madrid from 2003 - 2006 and prime Barcelona from 2009 - 2012?  Who would you be backing?

Over to you to see what you think. We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

We would welcome your views and comments.

Please don't forget to like, subscribe and share to help us to grow our audience and also to get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for your support with this podcast.

NICK & DOM

On this very first episode of our brand new podcast, Nick & Dom discuss two big issues.

Merchandise & The FIFA Club World Cup

We had to start with merchandise with the name of the podcast we guess.....  We cover areas such as:

• What does a club identity mean to the shirt designers?
• What do fans like (and dislike) and get very bent out of shape about?
• What piece of apparel really gets on Dom's t*ts, and why?
• Should you EVER have your own name on the back of your shirt?
• WTF is a half & half shirt and how do they even exist?

This and much more under the Merchandise section......

In part two we switch to the recent FIFA Club World Cup and ask......

• Is this just tournament too far?
• Should the usual suspects be given a rest?
• How much do we all actually TRUST FIFA to distribute the revenues?
• Do teams really care (or is it all just about the money)?
• What will it do for Man City & Chelsea as the PL season unfolds?
• Is it a post-season tournament or a pre-season warm up (or neither)?

These are just some of the discussions we have on this thorny issue that seems to divide fans (unless you are Chelsea and have just banked a £100m windfall we guess).

We hope that you like this podcast, and we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover.

We would welcome your views and comments.

Please don't forget to like, subscribe and share to help us to grow our audience and also to get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for your support with this new podcast launch.

On this third episode, Nick & Dom discuss two more current hot topics....

The Americanisation of Football & Fit & Proper  Very different, but very interesting either way.

After the recent FIFA World Club Cup (which we discussed on Episode 1) and with the World Cup 2026 being co-hosted in the USA, we consider......

• Cheerleaders - Warm Up Music & Fire Bombs
• Half Time Shows
• Individually Introducing the Players
• The Half Time Interview
• Foam Fingers
• Hot Dog Vendors
• Beer at Your Seat
• Pricing

Is the World Cup next year going to herald an abomination for us all to endure going forward, or should we embrace trying to be more ra-ra and more like the NFL?

These things and much more discussed in the first half of the podcast.....

In the second half, we turn to a much more serious and damaging subject - well, maybe not as damaging as foam fingers, but the whole subject of Fit & Proper.......

• The plight of Sheffield Wednesday, Hull, Reading and the likes
• How did they happen and how was it allowed?
• FFP v Profit & Sustainability - Is it all smoke & mirrors?
• How do bigger clubs get away with spending £millions?
• Will a new Regulator make any difference?
• Does money and deep pockets for lawyers override compliance?
• Where does this leave fans?

Lots to get your teeth and opinions into.

We hope that you like this podcast, and we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover. We would welcome your views and comments.

Please don't forget to like, subscribe and share to help us to grow our audience and also to get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for your support with this new podcast.

On this second episode, Nick & Dom discuss two current hot topics....

The Transfer Window and Pre-Season

In the first half, we discuss things such as:

• Is a fixed window really the best way of operating a transfer market?
• Was it better before the two fixed windows, and if so, why?
• How much power do Agents now have?
• Why does the window drive pressure and panic buying?
• Who are the winners and losers?
• What about loans?

This and much more to get football fans thinking and discussing amongst themselves.

In the second half, we turn to the Pre-Season, discussing areas such as:

• Do pre-season friendlies tell us ANYTHING?
• Minutes on the grass v running and cycling up hills?
• The health responsibilities of a modern day footballer
• Global brand awareness v burnout - who is responsible?
• Our best ever pre-season memory (clue, it is hard to recall)
• Our view on pre-season predictions.......

Plenty to get you thinking about your own teams' pre-season and what it might mean for the season ahead - if anything.

We hope that you like this podcast, we hope that it gets YOU thinking about YOUR views on the subjects we cover. We would welcome your views and comments.

Don't forget to like and subscribe to help us to grow our audience and also to get your fix of The Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast every week as we progress through the 2025/26 season, and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for your support with this newish podcast launch.