Steve Bracknall’s Royal Oak face arch‑rivals the Nags Head in the 2026 Sheffield Imperial Cup quarter‑finals.
The fixture, which has been billed as the biggest Sunday League football match in history, will be played on Easter Sunday at Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club.
Watch live at 2pm BST on Sunday 5 April, via 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.
BBC Radio Sheffield’s Adam Oxley and Lee Turnbull will provide full commentary.
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.
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