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© Andrew Mckenzie
Description
Booked and Abandoned is your ultimate grassroots football podcast, where hosts Andrew and Scott explore the untold stories of the beautiful game at its rawest and most relatable level.
When aiming for football legends like David Beckham leads to being ghosted harder than a Sunday league goalkeeper during a penalty shootout, Andrew and Scott turn their attention to the unsung heroes of the pitch—players with more passion than trophies, more grit than glamour, and just the right amount of banter.
With dodgy pitches, dramatic half-time oranges, and tales that range from laugh-out-loud funny to genuinely touching, "Booked and Abandoned" brings you the grassroots football experience in all its unfiltered glory.
This podcast celebrates the love of the game, one story at a time. So grab a cuppa, lace up your boots, and join us for a hilarious, heartfelt, and totally un-Premier League ride.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 Episodes
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Zećira Mušović couldn’t make it… so we called up. National League and Western Springs keeper Amberley Hollis joins us to talk late position switches, injury, Golden Gloves, and the real pressures of the women’s game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Boxing Day listen for the space between leftovers and kickarounds.Roy D’Souza goes deeper on life in the I-League, adapting to football in New Zealand, and the habits that separate good players from consistent ones.An honest football chat, fuelled by ELYTE Hydration Powder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
David Silva couldn’t make it… so we called his biggest fan.Roy D’Souza joins us to talk street football in Mumbai, the move to NZ, coaching, youth development, and his new youth-led 3v3 street football festival RD Street.Enjoy the first half of this two part episode. Real stories. No hype. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie Carragher bailed… but we upgraded. Brendon “Biffo” Coe jumps on the pod to chat a lifetime at Manurewa AFC - playing, coaching, battling the over-40s, and being a massive part of the club’s heartbeat.Grassroots stories, club culture, big laughs… plus our first episode backed by Elyte Hydration PowderHit play and enjoy a proper Rewa legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you loved the first half… you’re going to really enjoy the second half.Stu Greenaway is back as we dive deeper into the world of youth development, from academies around NZ to the awesome work he is doing at Total Football Technique.More insights, more honesty, more Stu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stu Greenway is back and lock in for the first half.Our first-ever returning guest joins us in the first half of a huge catch-up: First Division drama, UK academy insights, NZ football truths, fitness journeys and more.Stay tune for the second half which lands next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leeds legend Tony Currie ghosted us… so we called in an Oratia icon. With 295 first-team appearances, years in the Over-35s and time in the dugout, Kevin Langsdale has lived every part of Parrs Park.We chat career highs, grassroots chaos, false teeth and what makes a true club man.Hit play and enjoy one of Oratia’s finest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eric Cantona didn’t return our calls. So we found his replacement Richard Dunn who has only been playing since 2019, but the ex–rugby league bruiser already has a trophy cabinet most Sunday leaguers can only dream of. He might not fly-kick like Eric, but he definitely knows how to put in a tackle and he’s proving that late starters can still make serious impact in the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Denis Irwin stood us up. So we found someone actually changing lives through football.Aaron Lawrence runs clubs, builds communities, and proves that grassroots football hits different. Less glory, more guts and infinitely more important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Booked & Abandoned - Season 2, Episode 2We tried to book Ryan Nelsen. He's still watching Blackburn Rovers highlights. So instead, we got someone who actually returns our calls, national league keeper Brennan Rigby.From New Plymouth Rangers to the mighty Oratia Rebels O35s, Brennan's been there, done that, and saved most of it. We dive into life between the posts, Chatham Cup battles, coaching at Lynn Avon United, and being in the wrong position… both in football and anatomically.Season 2, Episode 2 - same podcast, with better guests than we deserve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Booked & Abandoned is BACK for Season 2!We tried to book Peter Schmeichel. He's still celebrating 1999. So instead, we got someone who actually returns our calls, former Football Fern and professional keeper Pam Yates. From representing New Zealand to coaching the next generation at Eastern Suburbs, Pam's been there, done that, and saved most of it. We dive into life between the posts, playing abroad, the evolution of women's football in NZ, and the saves that still keep her up at night.Season 2, Episode 1 - same podcast, with better guests than we deserve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
That’s a wrap on Season 1 of Booked and Abandoned!A short and sweet finale episode where we look back on our favourite moments, top guests, and the weirdest places this little podcast has taken us. There’s also a cheeky teaser for what’s coming in Season 2 if our guests ever turn up.Huge thanks to @OratiaUnited for giving us a home base to record from, and to Mike Hadnett Photography for letting us borrow so many stunning snaps along the way.And most importantly, thanks to every single guest who gave up their time. Whether you joined us in our “studio” or welcomed us into your homes, if not for you this would not have been possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Paul “Pirate” Rothsay steps in as Paul Gazza steps out (literally… to hospital)This week, we’re joined by the man, the myth, the pants-dropping icon himself - Pirate, aka Paul Rothsay. From gritty street footy in the UK to gale-force games in Dunedin, he’s seen it all.Expect:A four-yard miss that still haunts himPre-match rituals you’ll wish you could forgetA pitch invasion… by his own trousers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bryan Robson bailed. But Riccardo Ball? He showed up and showed off. The voice of NZ football joins us this week from The Rock to Sports Nation and now… us.We talk:18-1 drubbingsLife behind the micA few liver strainsAnd the odd broken toeHit play, raise a glass, and enjoy the man who actually answered our call.Captain Fantastic who? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We aimed for Gary Neville. We got ghosted. But in a twist of good fortune, we ended up with someone even better, Goran Paladin! Broadcaster, storyteller, and the brains behind The Un-Used Subs Podcast. He’s chatted to real footballers and worked at RNZ and Sky. He’s got charm, range, and guests that actually reply. Basically, everything we aspire to be. Tune in for stories, banter, and why Goran’s the podcaster we’d be if we had our lives together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by Dirrenesh Thirukumar the clean boots behind The Boot Perspective and First Division. From grassroots to first-teamers at Auckland FC and Auckland City, his gear’s on players who back themselves. We chat ACL injuries, launching a boot brand in NZ, building a league for competitive players, and what it was like playing alongside Alex Pulson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jonno Ross joins us for a big chat about football community inclusion and what it means to truly live and breathe the game. From his days as a keeper, managing Mt Albert Ponsonby, to writing for Friends of Football, he shares what goes on behind the scenes and why supporter culture matters.He’s also a man known for using an impressive amount of tape and we get into that too.This was our first virtual episode so the audio’s not perfect but stick with it for a great conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Booked and Abandoned flips the script this week as the birthday boy himself, Andrew McKenzie, jumps from host to guest. With Scott joined by special guest-host Brenden Child (yes, our very first guest, we’re sentimental like that), it’s time to unpack the podfather’s origin story.From dodgy keeping to German embassy drama, it’s everything you never knew you needed, including one very Lineker-esque moment we definitely didn’t plan.Get stuck in. It’s Andrew’s party and he’ll overshare if he wants to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Robbie Graham is on the pod this week, and if you know Auckland football, you know the name. A MAP icon, long-time keeper, captain, and yes, somehow also the penalty taker.We reached out to David Seaman who never replied, but it worked out better because Robbie showed up with stories that genuinely deliver.From saving goals to scoring them, dodgy Europa League trips in Baku, and the real story behind NZ’s win over Bahrain, it’s all here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Booked and Abandoned, we're joined by Max Whitehead — Oratia United's First Team forward, law student, and all-round machine.Max takes us through his footballing journey from Northland FC to the Wellington Phoenix Academy and now leading the line at Oratia. We talk discipline, bodybuilding, balancing a law degree with first-team footy, and what it takes to chase big goals both on and off the pitch.This isn’t someone playing with a balloon in his sock — Max is the real deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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