VAR Madness at Anfield, Bracknall Rips Into Rugby ‘Lads' & Bob’s Valentine’s Crush!

This week we explore the VAR madness in the blockbuster game between Liverpool and Manchester City, the Oak continue their 'dialogue' with the Imperial League and Bob has a secret admirer...

In sporting news, there’s chat about the Six Nations after Paul’s trip to Twickers with a load of rugby ‘lads' in blue jeans and brown shoes, they weigh in on the Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard debate, Super Bowl halftime shows and Steve appoints himself as an Olympic ambassador.

Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Paul Scholes all feature in another packed edition as the lads continue their mission to save our beautiful game...

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 will bring it back.

Direct from the dressing room of his team, Royal Oak FC, Steve is joined by gaffer Paul Sampson and physio Bob the Bucket. Every episode, they’ll make sense of all 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: Joe Whittaker and Jack Whiteside 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.