Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 bring 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. Every Thursday they'll make sense of all of the week’s footballing news and bring you updates from the Oak...

In the first episode we'll chat about the international break, Firestick Dean (who is not in any way connected with Royal Oak FC), and death row meals.

Marching on, together as one. Steve.

Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is performed and written 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 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.

Steve Bracknall - the self-proclaimed saviour of grassroots football - takes a weekly deep dive into the murky world of the modern game whilst desperately trying to hold his ramshackle Sunday league team together. According to Steve Bracknall, the introduction of VAR, billion-pound TV deals and inverted wing backs are all a product of a game that doesn’t represent the average football fan anymore. Seen through the eyes of the Sunday league assistant manager, ‘Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast’, attempts to make sense of the beautiful game and recapture the hearts and minds of the people it claims to represent.

Sharp, witty, and unapologetically honest, Bracknall’s weekly rants are for anyone who longs for the days when football made sense. Set against the backdrop of a muddied changing room, and alongside first team manager Paul Sampson and club “physio” Bob the bucket, Bracknall relates the problems experienced by the likes of Pep Guardiola to that of his own in the Sheffield Sunday Imperial league. All the while the trio try to navigate the multitude of BBC editorial guidelines in an effort not to get “cancelled”. Game’s Gone has all the drama of the Premier League but on a bargain basement budget. It has ego, rivalry, corruption, and financial mismanagement - but instead of being played out in front of an 80,000-seater stadium, it unfolds in a mud-covered Sunday league changing rooms via a weekly BBC podcast.

Will Noel Gallagher make an appearance on today's episode? We chat about the rise of tiny shin pads and moan about the cost of watching football on TV. We find out who the lad's dream dinner party guests are.

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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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.

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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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.

In this week's episode we travel down to London to chat with Robbie Williams, breakdown our reactions to the World Cup draw and go time travelling...

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. Every episode 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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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.

In this week's episode Steve skives off work to grill Angry Ginge, we bring you news of a thriller at the Oak and have a Christmas knees up...

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 on a mission to save the beautiful game...

Direct from the dressing room of his team Royal Oak FC, he'll be joined by gaffer Paul Sampson, and physio Bob the Bucket. Every episode 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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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 timeshare 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.

In this special bonus episode of Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, we hear an extended version of the talk between Robbie Williams (Popstar and Port Vale FC fan) and Steve Bracknall (viral sensation and Assistant Manager of the Royal Oak FC).

With the aid of Paul Sampson and Bob The Bucket, they delve into the question of who's hardest, discuss mavericks and their favourite singalongs.

Bombing On. Together as One.

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 Additional Editing: Will Gibson Smith 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

If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this interview there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline

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.

In this week's episode the team head to the red carpet at the BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards in Manchester, Bob gives his annual Christmas quiz and Steve takes us through his year as a viral sensation...

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 on a mission to save the beautiful game...

Direct from the dressing room of his team Royal Oak FC, he'll be joined by gaffer Paul Sampson, and physio Bob the Bucket. Every episode 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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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 Additional Editing: Jason Allen 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 timeshare 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.

In this special bonus episode of Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, we hear an extended version of the talk between Angry Ginge (King of the Jungle and Manchester United fan) and Steve Bracknall (viral sensation and Assistant Manager of the Royal Oak FC) as they talk Soccer Aid, the I'm A Celeb jungle and Baller League.

Bombing 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 Additional Editing: Jason Allen Photography: Rob Nicholson 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.

In this week's episode Steve makes a pitch for the vacant Man United job, the team set some transfer targets, dream of winning the lottery and look at all the latest football news involving West Ham, Mikel Arteta, Enzo Fernandez, Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.

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 on a mission to save the beautiful game...

Direct from the dressing room of his team Royal Oak FC, he'll be joined by gaffer Paul Sampson, and physio Bob the Bucket. Every episode 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 steve@bbc.co.uk 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 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 timeshare 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.