Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast

This week we delve into the latest news around our Imperial League Cup quarter final as the game has been moved to a neutral venue; Wynney's cup-tie controversy and The Nags Head coming into form.In footballing news, the team chat about a miserable Sheffield Derby day, Arteta's stress levels, compare James Milner's record number of appearances to Parksey's and discuss whether Oliver Glasner needs to go now...Virgil Van Dijk, John Terry and Pep Guardiola are all discussed 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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

This week we take a trip to the draw of the Imperial League Cup as the Royal Oak will play bitter rivals The Nags Head. Steve breaks down his tactical approach and how he plans on creating a cauldron of intimidation...In sporting news, the lads chat EFL playoff expansion, Thomas Tuchel's England contract, the Winter Olympics and Forest's managerial merry go round...Harry Kane, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney are all discussed 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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

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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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.

The fallout from Wynney’s defection to Nags Head continues, with Steve filing a complaint to the Imperial League and imposing firestick sanctions.In football news, the lads share their Champions League predictions, debate whether Wrexham’s playoff push is truly a fairytale, and react to Ian Holloway’s latest rant — asking the question: has he gone Full Metal Bracknall?Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Maradona 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 week's episode Steve, Paul and Bob deal with the fallout of Wynney moving to their biggest rivals, ask if Arsenal are bottling it and dispense advice to their young selves.The chaps give their verdict on who will win the SPL between Rangers, Celtic and Hearts.They also look at all the latest involving footballers such as Bruno Fernandes, Jude Bellingham, Matheus Cunha and Cole Palmer.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, 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 week's episode Steve, Paul and Bob are in crisis management mode as it all kicks off at the Oak, discuss the fallout from the Afcon final and polish their boots...They also touch on Mo Salah, Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Pep Guardiola.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, 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: Ad AhmedVideo Producer/Editor/Artwork: Matt ExtonAdditional Editing: Joe Whittaker and Jack WhitesidePhotography: Rob NicholsonExecutive Producer: Dino SofosCommissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie MiddletonAssistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve TrenchardBackground: 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 week's episode the team enjoy the magic of the FA Cup, split the G, take a wrecking ball to Stockley Park and ponder the all important question - Messi or Ronaldo?They also touch on Michael Carrick's appointment as Manchester United's caretaker head coach and Big Kirk signing for Royal Oak.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, 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackgroundRoyal 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.Meet The HostsSteve 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 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: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 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardIf you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this interview there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionlineBackground: 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 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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 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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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.

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 7831997Marching 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 SoundsCreditsProducer: 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 TrenchardBackground: 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.

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 SoundsCredits: 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 TrenchardBackground: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.