Shrovetide Football: The Craziest Football Match in England?

In this episode of The Sideline Social, I’m heading to Ashbourne, Derbyshire, to explore one of the strangest football traditions in England — Shrovetide Football.

I’ll be looking at where this centuries-old tradition came from, the rivalry between the Up’ards and Down’ards, the unique Shrovetide ball, how you actually score, and why authorities once tried to stop the game.

But the biggest question I’ll be asking is: why has Shrovetide survived for so long? And could this chaotic, community-driven tradition actually tell us something about what football is really about?

Football beyond the final whistle. ⚽

Why Do Football Rivalries Become So Personal?

Why does beating one particular team feel so much more important than any other game?

In this episode of The Sideline Social, I explore what makes football rivalries so intense and why they can become such a huge part of a club’s identity. From geography and local pride to history, family, bragging rights and unforgettable moments, I look at why some rivalries mean so much to supporters.

I also look at how social media has changed football rivalries, where the line between rivalry and hatred should be drawn, and whether football needs rivalry to be at its best.

Plus, From the Stands, where I hear your thoughts and experiences of football rivalries.

What if football had never been brought to our screens?

In this episode of What If?, we imagine a world where TV broadcasting never existed. How would football clubs survive? Would matchday experiences be bigger? Would players be as famous? And could the modern football industry we know today even exist?

From finances and fan culture to transfers, sponsorships and the global reach of the game, let’s explore how different football could look without television.

Football beyond the final whistle.

The World Cup Is Not For Sale

Should football’s biggest tournament ever involve private investors?

In this episode of The Sideline Social, I dive into one of the most controversial proposals in modern football. I explore FIFA’s attempt to bring private investment into the World Cup, why it sparked fierce criticism from UEFA and across the football world, and why many believe the World Cup should never become a commercial asset.

As always, I also head From the Stands to answer your questions and react to your opinions on one of the biggest debates in football today.

Football Beyond the Final Whistle. ⚽

Has football lost its identity?

In this episode of The Sideline Social, I explore one of the biggest questions in modern football. From rising ticket prices and VAR to television schedules, club ownership and the changing matchday experience, I discuss whether football is moving away from what made so many of us fall in love with the game.

As always, I also hear from you in From the Stands, where I react to your thoughts and opinions on whether football is still for the fans.

Football Beyond the Final Whistle. ⚽

Football is about so much more than the result. It’s about the memories, the traditions, the people we share it with, and the moments that stay with us long after the final whistle.

In the very first episode of A Fan’s View, I sit down with a fellow football supporter to hear their story. We chat about how they fell in love with their club, their first matches, unforgettable memories, away days, family traditions and what supporting their team truly means to them.

I also introduce From the Stands, where I share and react to your stories and opinions from Instagram and X, because this podcast is all about bringing football fans into the conversation.

Whether you’ve supported your club for a lifetime or you’re just beginning your football journey, I hope this episode reminds you why being a football fan is about so much more than what happens on the pitch.

Love it or hate it, VAR has become one of the biggest talking points in modern football. Every weekend it seems to dominate the headlines, spark debates between fans, and leave us asking the same question… has it actually made the game better?

In this episode of The Sideline Social, we dive into one of football’s most controversial topics. We discuss why VAR was introduced, whether it’s achieved what it set out to do, and how it’s changed the way we watch and experience football. From marginal offside decisions and lengthy reviews to the emotion of celebrating a goal, we explore both sides of the debate and ask whether the game has lost something along the way.

We also share our thoughts on how VAR could be improved, whether the offside law needs changing, and feature your opinions in our brand-new From the Stands segment, where we discuss responses from football fans across Instagram and X.

Whether you’re firmly in the Keep VAR camp or think it should be scrapped altogether, this episode is packed with discussion, debate and football conversation.

Why do we support our football clubs?

It’s a question every football fan has an answer to, but one we rarely stop to think about.

Whether it was a family tradition, your local club, a memorable first match, or a player who inspired you, every supporter has a story. In this episode of The Sideline Social, I explore the moments and memories that shape our football loyalties and why supporting a club becomes part of who we are.

From generations of family support to the emotions of matchday, I discuss what makes the bond between fans and their clubs so unique, why loyalty is such a big part of football culture, and whether it’s ever possible to change the team you support.

So, why do you support your club?