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Football Ruined My Life

Football Ruined My Life

By: Colin Shindler Jon Holmes Paul Kobrak (and the late Patrick Barclay)
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About this listen

 When Football Ruined My Life started back at the beginning of 2023 it was the new podcast about old football. In it, distinguished football journalist Patrick Barclay joined with Colin Shindler, author of the best selling Manchester United Ruined My Life, and the Super Agent Jon Holmes (think Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Tony Woodcock etc.) to talk about football as it used to be in the days before the invention of the Premier League. For over 80 weekly episodes, the podcast viewed those days fondly - though not uncritically - in comparison to today's game, which it views critically though not unfondly. And it welcomed everyone who wants to remember Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton, Brian Clough and Bill Shankly and the days when you went to a Football League ground to watch your football and didn't wait for it to arrive on television. After the tragic and untimely death of Paddy Barclay in February 2025, Football Ruined My Life took a break to consider how (and if) to carry on. In May 2025 it has returned, with a panel of stars to make irregular appearances to join the regulars, Jon Holmes and Colin Shindler. These now include writer and producer Andy Hamilton, television executive Jimmy Mulville, the sports journalist and columnist for the Daily Telegraph Jim White and stand-up comedian Omid Djalili. But the feel and raison d'être of Football Ruined My Life remains the same. Still nostalgic? Yes. Still well informed? Certainly. But above all, it continues to glory in the football of our youth when the game seemed charmingly innocent, full of skillful, good hearted, kindly men like Norman Hunter, Ron Harris and Peter Storey. Join us every week for a romp through the 1960s, 70s, 80s and beyond that will warm you like a cup of scalding hot Bovril. Produced by Paul Kobrak. Contact the team at footballruinedmylife@gmail.comColin Shindler, Jon Holmes, Paul Kobrak Football (American) Football (Soccer)
Episodes
  • 99. Leaving Grounds

    99. Leaving Grounds
    Jul 25 2025
    Prompted by reports of the last men’s game to be played by Everton at Goodison Park, the panel discuss the emotions that fans feel when they leave their traditional home for pastures new – the nostalgia for times past and the excitement mixed with some trepidation at what lies ahead. Jon and Colin have experienced this sensation as Filbert Street and Maine Road closed their doors for the last time and now the Old Evertonian Jimmy Mulville joins them to discuss this particular phenomenon. As football grounds modernise it is an emotion likely to be shared by the majority of football supporters across the land. Football is a game heavily influenced by tradition. How does a new ground manage the emotional response of supporters to a new stadium? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • 98. 1985

    98. 1985
    Jul 18 2025
    Was 1985 English football’s darkest year? There could be a number of nominations for this much coveted title but 1985 contained the tragedies of Heysel Stadium and the Bradford City fire. Weeks before these events the sixth round FA Cup replay between Luton Town and Millwall degenerated into a shocking riot. The average attendance at a Division One match in 1972 had been over 30,000. By 1985 that had slumped to just 18,374. No British team had qualified for the Euros in France in 1984 so no British television channel bothered to cover it, so low was the interest in the game. Football in 1985 said the Sunday Times was a slum sport played in slum stadiums and increasingly watched by slum people. Jim White, Colin Shindler and Jon Holmes discuss whether or not that withering verdict was justified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • 97. The One With David Pleat

    97. The One With David Pleat
    Jul 11 2025
    David Pleat has been in football so long that most supporters have forgotten that he started out as a player for Nottingham Forest, Luton and Shrewsbury Towns, Exeter City and Peterborough United. He has been a sensible pundit on radio and television for many years following a successful managerial career at Luton Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Nuneaton Borough. David has now published his very interesting autobiography Just One More Goal which reveals just how dramatically the game has changed since he began his life in football when Harold Macmillan was still the Prime Minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
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It is a treat to be able to hear the great Patrick Barclay again. Such a lovely man a great football journalist.

Remembering Patrick

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Could've and should've been interesting but spoiled by the guests just wanting to out name drop each other. An opportunity missed

The Lovies Episode

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