The big one is almost here. Steve, Paul and Bob are in full match mode as they count down to the blockbuster clash with the Nags Head – running through preparations, plans, programme notes and giving a look at training. Plus, voicenotes arrive from some very surprising places…
Watch it live: Royal Oak vs Nags Head — 5th April, Easter Sunday, 2pm BST, right here on the Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast YouTube channel. You can also listen via the BBC Sounds app on Sports Extra 3 and BBC Radio Sheffield.
In wider football news, the lads bid farewell to Mo Salah, discuss Real Madrid’s rehab methods, and debate plans for the World Cup.
Salah, Mbappé and Ronaldo all feature in another packed edition as the lads continue their mission to save our beautiful game.
0:00 Coming up
0:37 Royal Oak v Nags Head Background
3:27 How’s Steve feeling ahead of the match?
3:52 Match-day schedule
9:29 Steve thinks Parksey should play
11:04 Training check-in
13:30 Messages of support
15:46 How to watch and listen
16:42 Mohamed Salah Liverpool exit
18:06 Senegal housery
18:42 Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury misdiagnosis
20:08 England fan Andy Milne sells second home for World Cup trip
23:04 Cup quarter-finals chant
24:06 Team rules night before the game
26:30 Why haven’t Nikki and Olivia been to an Oak game?
28:09 Brian Marshall voicenote
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, chants and voice notes to [email protected] 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
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.
Meet The Hosts
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.
Video Source
