On The Spot Football Podcast

From refereeing in the Irish League at 16 to walking out alongside Maradona at the World Cup, this is not your average football story. In this episode of the On The Spot Football Podcast, Johnny McMurray sits down with Alan Snoddy, the legendary Northern Irish referee who has seen it all – from the Dub, to the World Stage. We talk: • Starting out young & learning the hard way • Refereeing Linfield v Glentoran in front of 15,000 fans • Handling sectarian tensions on the pitch • His World Cup moments – yes, including THAT Diego Maradona match • Why VAR is both a blessing and a curse • The future of refereeing in Northern Ireland • Ref advice, abuse, and what he’d change to save the game • And… the truth behind how he kept his moustache intact through it all A fascinating insight for fans, players, coaches, and future referees. Full interview now live on all major platforms Presented by Johnny McMurray Produced by Arkmedia and filmed at Arkmedia Studios Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.

Johnny McMurray is joined by broadcaster, presenter, ex-player and media trailblazer Nicola McCarthy, the first female guest on the podcast — and what an incredible conversation it is. From playing football as a kid with the boys, to presenting for Manchester City during their Premier League glory days, to paving the way for women in sports media, Nicola shares it all.We talk:✅ The rise of women’s football in Northern Ireland✅ Playing with and against legends like Marissa Callaghan & Julie Nelson✅ Behind-the-scenes with Aguero, De Bruyne, Tevez & Kompany✅ Sacrifices of being a working mum in elite sport✅ Her passion for the future of the game — and what’s next…It’s funny, emotional, inspiring, and full of stories you won’t want to miss.

From Mid-Ulster to the Premiership: The Untold StoryThe next guest on On The Spot Football Podcast is one of Northern Irish football's most fascinating figures.⚽ The JourneyStarted coaching at 16 in a community centreTook Warrenpoint Town from Mid-Ulster League to the PremiershipKept a small regional club at the top level for 7 out of 10 yearsManaged Cliftonville and Newry City💼 The BusinessmanSuccessful entrepreneur who balanced boardroom and dugoutOne of the few managers who understood both sides of the coin💪 The SurvivorFought throat and neck cancer while managingMade the toughest decision: choosing life over football🔥 "Players were on £50 a week at Cliftonville competing in Europe"😤 "I had no training facilities, no warm-up gear, and no manager's office at Newry"⚖️ "The relegation injustice at Warrenpoint - we took it to court"👥 "We treat players like players. We should treat them like people"🎯 "The problem with Irish League football? We've missed the people part of it"This isn't just a football story. It's about survival, ambition, making impossible decisions, and what it really takes to succeed with nothing.Now live on all podcast platformsHosted by Johnny McMurray

Join host Johnny McMurray this Friday as he sits down with retired referee Lee Tavinder for an incredibly candid and powerful conversation.What We Cover: From Player to Referee - Lee's transition from a player to working alongside Premier League officials like Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor Moving to Northern Ireland - Why Lee left England's refereeing pathway to build a career in the Irish League Inside the Whistle - The reality of refereeing in the Irish League, from dealing with managers to building relationships with players The Josh Carson Incident - Lee's honest admission on social media about a controversial red card decision and the unexpected fallout Mental Health Matters - An incredibly raw and honest discussion about Lee's personal battles with anxiety, depression, and two suicide attempts Finding Hope - How football became both an escape and a support system, and why speaking up can save livesWhy You Need to Listen:This isn't just another refereeing interview. It's a deeply human story about struggle, resilience, and the power of honesty. Lee opens up about topics many still find difficult to discuss, offering hope to anyone facing similar battles.Out now on all podcast platforms Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | All major platformsIf you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for support. You are not alone.

In this honest and heartfelt episode, Matthew Clarke reflects on life in football — from glory days at Linfield to a fresh new chapter at Ballymena United.We cover:⚽ Winning silverware at Linfield – league titles, cup wins & unforgettable comebacks💬 The devastating loss of teammate Michael Newberry – and how it deeply impacted him🔁 Making the move to Ballymena United – why it felt like the right time, and how he’s enjoying his football again🧠 Pressure, mental health, and learning to love the game on and off the pitch📆 From his debut to where he is now – this episode is packed with insight, emotion & inspirationDon’t miss this powerful conversation.📺 Watch on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more🔗 Link in bio

In this powerful and honest conversation, Wesley Lamont opens up about his remarkable journey through the Irish League – a career that started late but left a lasting legacy.🧤 From making his Irish League debut at 26 to becoming a mainstay at Linfield, Wesley shares:Why he never looked past the next game at Windsor ParkHis strong connection with Linfield and why he turned down GlentoranHis time at Coleraine and the heartbreak of missing out on the leagueWhat changed his mindset as a playerThe Irish Cup Final moment he’ll never forgetAdvice he gives young players: “It’s never over…”A few surprises along the way 👀💬 Real stories. Real lessons. Pure passion.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.

This week on the On The Spot Football Podcast, we sit down with Chris Curran – Cliftonville legend and fan favourite.From kicking a ball in the back streets to lifting the Irish Cup, Chris opens up like never before:⚽ His journey into football🇾🇪 Growing up a Manchester United fan🏆 Life at Cliftonville and working with Jim Magilton🧠 The mental side of knowing when to walk away🎤 And his decision to retire after going out on a high💥 This one is raw, honest and full of emotion. You don’t want to miss it.📍 Now streaming on all platforms – YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more

From ball boy at Cliftonville to Vice President of FIFA – this episode is full of stories you won’t hear anywhere else.🏟️ Cliftonville memories, managing through The Troubles⚽ Winning titles, tough decisions, the Gold Cup glory🌍 Building Northern Irish football from the ground up🕰️ The infamous FIFA watch story… and the truth behind it🧠 Plus, his powerful mission to raise funds for Alzheimer’s and dementia supportAnd yes… the big brown coat makes an appearance 😂This is football history. This is legacy. This is heart.📺 Watch now on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon – all platforms📍 Link in bio

“From the Building Site to the Boardroom”From the building site to the boardroom, Chris Selwood is a man not afraid to get his hands dirty. In this powerful and eye-opening episode, the Ballymena United chairman opens up like never before.🔵 How he went from ball boy to boardroom💼 Running businesses while steering Ballymena through its toughest times🏗️ Rebuilding the club from the ground up – literally⚽ Appointing Jim Ervin, fighting for investment, and surviving relegation🏟️ Future hopes for the Showgrounds💬 Honest views on fans, funding, and the challenges of modern Irish League football❤️ Doing it all for the love of the club, not a penny in returnA must-watch for any Irish League supporter. One of our most detailed, honest and passionate conversations yet!

From chasing the dream in England to the emotional crash of coming home, Joe McDonnell shares his powerful, honest, and emotional story.🎧 Why didn’t he “make it”?💬 “I wasn’t good enough — and I’m not ashamed to say it.”🧠 The mental health struggles no one talks about⚽ The pressure of being a young footballer🏡 The return home, identity loss & finding purpose againThis one is raw, real, and unmissable.

We’re throwing it back to the mid-70s with John Garrett – one of the youngest ever to debut for Linfield, and a Ballymena legend.From jumping fences to watch games at the Showgrounds as a kid…To captaining Northern Ireland under-18s…To going toe-to-toe with George Best, Johan Cruyff & Benfica under the lights…John’s career is packed with unforgettable stories, raw emotion, honesty, and laughs you won’t want to miss.⚽️ Linfield debut at 16🏆 20+ major trophies💙 Playing for his boyhood club Ballymena🇬🇧 Turning down Arsenal🎯 The goal that silenced his hometown😢 Career-ending injury at 30🙌 Brotherhood, banter & legacyThis one is storytelling at its finest.John Garrett – footballer, leader, character.🎧 Live on all platforms👉 Follow & subscribe so you don’t miss it!

From GoPro to Goalposts – Marty McDevitt joins the pod!He’s gone viral for diving saves, dodgy mistakes, and pure authenticity. With over 350K followers across platforms, Marty is Northern Ireland’s grassroots goalkeeper turned social media sensation.We talk:🧤 Playing amateur football with a passion📱 Growing a huge online audience (even through the hate)😂 Camera stares, crazy comments & goalkeeping blunders⚽ The reality behind the GoPro💬 Real talk on confidence, criticism & mental health👊 And why he’s just getting started…An honest, funny, inspiring episode with someone who’s built it all from the ground up.🎧 Available on all platforms – YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon👉 Follow @onthespotfootballpodcast for more!

This week’s guest: Niall Currie – Irish League character, former keeper, and now Portadown gaffer with plenty to say!From boots out the window stories to managing on half a pitch, Niall opens up on:⚽️ His wild journey from Bangor to Glenavon🎯 Why he regrets not signing for Linfield🧤 Memories as a young keeper in the Irish League🚨 The harsh reality of part-time vs full-time football🏗️ The funding frustrations at Portadown🧠 Honest talk about pressure, mental health, and the grind of modern management🔥 And of course – hair dye, flares, and Boom Boom Room nights out 😂It’s raw, it’s real, it’s full of passion.One of our most honest conversations yet.

The full conversation with Andrew Waterworth is now streaming on all platforms!From goals and glory to the emotional moment he stepped away from the game, Andrew opens up about the highs, the pressure, and the decision to hang up his boots.A raw, honest, and inspiring episode you don’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & YouTube.

Here’s what we get into:⚽ From advertising to the Irish League – becoming Larne’s GM💡 Building the “Aspire to Inspire” vision👟 Viral moments: Nike “Just Did It” billboard & “Lions vs Sheep” Irish Cup campaign🙌 Launching Larne Ladies, school flag comps & buying the drum to spark fan culture🏟️ The Inver Park transformation & installing the 3G pitch📺 Media moments: Rangers friendly, Sky Sports features & more✈️ LA stories, a private jet to Cheltenham & full-time football chaos📑 Player fees, matchday madness & running a club🤝 Working alongside Kenny Bruce – driven, generous & demanding✂️ Why he stepped away – and the now infamous barber chair fallout❤️ Candid chat on grief, therapy & his late brother, Stephen ClementsThis one’s full of mischief, momentum, and meaning – don’t miss it.

🎙 WE ARE NOW LIVE!Episode  🎧 featuring Paddy McNally is officially out now on the On the Spot Football Podcast!From the streets of the Markets to Celtic Park, Irish League highs and lows, life-changing injuries, mental battles, and walking away from football on his own terms – Paddy tells it all in a brutally honest and powerful chat with host Johnny McMurray.You don’t want to miss this one.📺 Watch now on YouTube🔊 Stream it on all major podcast platforms👇 Let us know what you think in the comments!

🎙️ Now Live – Sean Ward on The On The Spot Football PodcastGlentoran, Linfield, Crusaders, Glenavon — few players have had such a decorated Irish League career across so many top clubs.In this episode, Sean Ward opens up about:⚽️ His favourite teammates🏟️ The dressing room differences💬 Who he enjoyed playing for more — Linfield or Glentoran?💪 And how senior players shaped his mindset from day one.It’s honest, reflective, and full of brilliant behind-the-scenes stories from a 20+ year career.

20 years in the game. From Glentoran to Crusaders, from heartbreaks to heroics, and one unforgettable surprise retirement party… 👀🥃David McClelland joins On the Spot this week in an episode packed with unbelievable stories from the Irish League, coaching tales from Europe, and plenty of laughs from behind the scenes.🧤 Coaching Elliott Morris🛫 Turning down Japan for an Irish Cup semi🏆 That night against Wolves💥 Nearly pulling Johnny off before that winner at Windsor😱 Saving a man’s life before a European away trip!Whether you’re a keeper, a coach, or just love a bit of football craic – you won’t want to miss this one.

We sit down with Linfield legend and Irish League icon Michael Gault!From clean sweeps to classroom chats, U20s coaching to European nights – Michael brings honesty, humour, and a few absolute belters. Expect stories from his Linfield glory days, memories of David Jeffrey, behind-the-scenes coaching insight, and even a bit of classroom chaos! 🎒⚽This episode is packed – and you definitely don’t want to miss it.📍 Streaming Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & YouTube

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Clarke, one of Northern Ireland’s leading football commentators, to talk about:✅ Breaking into sports media✅ Building a career without playing at the top level✅ Working with co-commentators and football legends✅ The pressures and prep behind live commentary✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from the Irish League and international games✅ Lessons from Jackie Fullerton & moreIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to make it in football media – this is a must-listen. 🔊🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.