Non-League Lounge
60 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago -A weekly podcast discussing the insanity of non-league football with fans and players across the country.
Hosted by Tom Scotson and Andy Ainsworth.
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Episodes
Graham Heathcote Part Two
August 30, 2021 20:43 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MBPredominantly focusing on 'Cotes's managerial career, we talked about managing on a shoestring budget, bust-ups with opposition managers and the highs and lows of non league football. Thank you for supporting and listening to the Non-League Lounge over the past 18 months. We can't promise we'll be back, but we'll try. Setting up this channel has allowed us to meet extraordinary guests, learn new skills, educate listeners on non-league football and, above all, have a laugh.
Graham Heathcote Part One | Ex Altrincham FC manager & legend
August 26, 2021 17:35 - 56 minutes - 52 MBThere is no better way to finish this podcast series than chat with the ex-Altrincham legend and manager, Graham Heathcote. In the first episode of two, Graham gave Tom the low down of his playing career in football, a few exclusive stories to the podcast, a number of his footballing regrets and so much more.
Mike Wain | SilkRadio Presenter
August 10, 2021 17:07 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBSilkRadio Broadcaster and former non-league manager Mike Wain talked about his time covering the lower leagues as both an insider and an outsider. He gave young budding coaches, managers and presenters tips to break into the world of non-league and league football.
John Flanagan | Ex Curzon Ashton boss
July 20, 2021 15:44 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBLong-time former Curzon Ashton gaffer John Flanagan gave a no-holds-barred interview in the studio, talking earnestly about the highs and lows of his stint in charge of 'the Nash'. Flanagan also discussed his playing career and his time as manager of Winsford Town.
Mike Lennon | Ex Newcastle Town, Nantwich and Hednesford striker
July 07, 2021 15:12 - 1 hour - 101 MBAfter an extensive career in non-league, bagging over 300 goals in the process, Mike Lennon had a whole host of stories to keep us entertained. We talked about the highs and lows of football, as well as whether he regretted not playing at a higher level during his career. Another must listen!
Liam Watson | Southport manager
June 30, 2021 15:35 - 1 hour - 133 MBLiam Watson, Southport's current and most successful manager, was in the studio to discuss his career in non-league football. We talked about his managerial ups and downs, how the pandemic affected the lower leagues, and his future as a manager.
Adam Lakeland | Farsley Celtic manager
May 25, 2021 08:55 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBWe're back in the studio after six long months! Next up: Farsley boss Adam Lakeland. Although he never made it into professional football, Lakeland has been a coach for over 20 years. During this time he has coached Curzon Ashton and managed Northwich Victoria and Farsley Celtic.
Scott Ruscoe | Former TNS manager
May 18, 2021 14:01 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBFormer TNS manager - as well as Newton, Chester, and TNS player - was on the podcast to talk about his passion for non-league and his European experiences as a player.
Paul Groves | Gloucester City manager
May 10, 2021 19:59 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBThe current Gloucester City manager - and former Grimsby Town legend and football league veteran - was interviewed by Tom and Andy for this week's episode. We discussed his opinions on the termination of the National League North back in February, his managerial aspirations and the future for Gloucester City.
Paul Hughes | Hayes and Yeading United manager
May 04, 2021 14:23 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBFormer Chelsea, Southampton, Luton Town player and now Hayes and Yeading manager spoke to Tom about his career in both the league and non-league. He's broken club records at Hayes and intends to bring the club back to 'where they belong' - in the conference.
Lee Attenborough | Loughborough Dynamo manager
April 13, 2021 14:33 - 1 hour - 67.5 MBLee Attenborough, the current manager of Loughborough Dynamo's, spoke candidly about his career as a player and manager in non-league football. While playing in step four for a fair few years, we mainly discussed his career as a manager in the lower leagues.
Lee Bircham | Hemel Hempstead manager
March 23, 2021 14:57 - 46 minutes - 43 MBThe current Hemel Hempstead manager and former Bovingdon and Berkhamstead gaffer spoke Tom about his managerial highlights.
Paul Cox | Kettering Town Manager
March 16, 2021 17:35 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBFormer Eastwood Town, Mansfield FC, Torquay United, Barrow, Guiseley and the now Kettering Town manager was interviewed by Tom on his illustrious career in non-league football.
Luke Tuffs | Ashford Town Manager
March 01, 2021 17:49 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBTuffs is one of the most exciting young managers in non-league football. He's set club records at Hartley Witney, turned fortunes around at Knaphill FC, and is now the current gaffer at Asford Town. And as the first, and only, openly gay manager in football we talked about the prejudice, and support, he has encountered.
Danny Robinson | Hungerford Town Manager
February 22, 2021 20:12 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBSince starting management at the mere age of 21, Danny has picked up 12 trophies in 14 years, including the prestigious FA Vase with Thatcham Town in 2018. In his short career he's gone from strength to strength, and is one of the most exciting young prospects in non-league.
Matt Gray | Sutton United Manager
February 16, 2021 13:29 - 52 minutes - 72.1 MBAfter playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Cardiff City, Hayes and Havant and Waterlooville, Gray's playing career was curtailed by injury. At a young age he then became assistant manager for Crawley and Aldershot, before taking the reins at Sutton United in 2019. Now a hot managerial prospect with a team very much on the up, we caught up with the U's gaffer to talk about his team's chances of reaching the play-offs.
Steve Baker | Harrow Borough Manager
February 09, 2021 12:31 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWarning: this is an interview with the Harrow borough manager, NOT the right honourable member for Wycombe. We focused on what it's like to be a manager at non-league level, the struggles involved in lower league management, and the antics Steve got up to in a past life as a former player himself.
Craig Elliott | Boston United Manager
February 01, 2021 18:37 - 42 minutes - 58.3 MBBefore taking over the reins at Boston United in 2017, Elliott managed Shaw Lane, Ossett Town, Pontefract Collieries and Kellingley Welfare. With an abundance of experience in non-league, Craig had many interesting stories to tell.
Wimborne Town | Chairman, Club Sec, and Manager
January 26, 2021 09:47 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBAs football fans know all too well, every league in England was suspended in March 2020 due to outbreak of coronavirus. With Tom to discuss some of the problems that smaller non-league clubs have faced in the past year was the Wimborne club secretary, Wayne Jones; their Chairman, Tony Grant; and the Magpies' manager, James Stokoe.
Dave Anderson | Non League Football Show Co-host
January 19, 2021 16:40 - 1 hour - 91.4 MBCo-host of the Non League Football Show, and former Enfield, AFC Wimbledon, Harrow Borough manager, Dave Anderson, was interviewed by Andy and Tom on Zoom. With over three decades of non-league management, Dave had an abundance of fascinating stories.
Dean Brennan | Wealdstone Manager
January 12, 2021 17:56 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBDespite being south of 40, our next guest has a wealth of experience within non-league football - both as a player and a coach. He's managed Wealdstone Town, Hemel Hempstead, Billericay Town and Kingstonian. As a player he's played for a whole host of clubs - with notable mentions coming from Halesowen, AFC Wimbledon, Stevenage Borough and Hitchin Town. Another really insightful listen from a player that really knows the non-league game.
Have A Very Perry Christmas | Kyle Perry
December 22, 2020 15:02 - 1 hour - 142 MBSince 2004, Perry has played for a whole host of clubs, most of them residing in non-league. In this Christmas bumper issue, Perry shared the highs and lows of his career, as well as a few funny stories at the end. Merry Christmas, and enjoy!
Mick McGraa | Vauxhall Motors Special
December 15, 2020 12:42 - 47 minutes - 66.3 MBHaving amassed 82 points by March 2020, won 27 out of a possible 31 league games, and recorded 20 consecutive away victories, Vauxhall Motors were denied promotion in March 2020, after the FA null and voided all leagues below step two in non-league. Mick McGraa came on the Non-League Lounge to vent his frustrations, as well as discuss his time at The Motors and his former playing career.
Chorley and Marine Media Special
December 08, 2020 12:13 - 29 minutes - 41 MBWe spoke to the social media manager of Marine, Tom Clarke, and avid Chorley fan and journalist, Richard Scott, about their clubs phenomenal success in the FA Cup this season.
Nathan Buddle | Spennymoor Town
November 24, 2020 14:57 - 50 minutes - 69.4 MBSpennymoor centre-back and former Blyth, Gateshead and Hartlepool man was interviewed by Tom and Andy. We also designated a 'social media' section to this podcast, where we read out comments and gags directed at our guest from the North East. An interesting and humorous listen from a player who has an impressive number of FA Cup scalps and league trophies under his belt.
Nathan Ashmore | Boreham Wood
November 17, 2020 13:11 - 1 hour - 90.2 MBLockdown 2.0 shut us out of the studio. But instead of stopping us in our tracks, we decided to hop on the broadband and venture down south. Nathan Ashmore was a towering figure on the podcast as well as a colossus in the box. He had plenty of stories for you from his time at Havant and Waterlooville, Gosport Borough, Ebbsfleet and Boreham Wood.
Mr Tickle | Pilkington Manager
November 10, 2020 13:46 - 59 minutes - 81.6 MBFormer Leigh RMI, Witton, Leek, Nantwich left-back and now Pilkington manager was our guest this week. We spoke about the mental health crisis in football and the difficulty for footballers to find a level they are satisfied with in non-league. A few corking stories were thrown in for good measure too!
Once, Twice, Four Times Retired! | Russell Saunders
November 03, 2020 14:38 - 1 hour - 85.4 MBFormer Wigan, Chorley, Altrincham, Hyde and now Prestwich Heys keeper was interviewed by the non-league lounge. Some great stories in here from renowned players such as Jimmy Bullard.
Man of the North West | Michael Welch
October 27, 2020 14:52 - 1 hour - 130 MBFormer Macclesfield, Northwich, Accrington and Altrincham Centre-Back talked to us about his playing career in non-league football. Great stories of holidays but also the misery of playing at clubs in financial ruin. Another funny and interesting episode.
Don't Know What You're Doing | Alex Kirkley | Referee Special
October 13, 2020 13:27 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MBFormer non-league Referee Alex Kirkley was in the studio to discuss his experience as an officiator of the lower leagues. We discussed abuse, big games and much more. A few stories that weren't necessarily non-league related were added in for good measure too. Enjoy!
Ready, Steady, Cooke! | Brad Cooke Atherton Collieries
October 06, 2020 12:26 - 55 minutes - 77.3 MBAtherton Colls Manager Brad Cooke was in the studio talking about his career in non-league and the future for his management career. He's played under iconic management such as Bernard and Jono, Michael Clegg and Steve Wilkes.
Steve Wilkes Northwich Victoria | Part Two | Management
September 29, 2020 12:46 - 56 minutes - 78.1 MBIt gets better and better! Some cracking stories from Wilkes' long-stint in non-league management.
Steve Wilkes Northwich Victoria | Part One
September 22, 2020 15:15 - 44 minutes - 61 MBIn the first of this new two-parter we welcomed Northwich Victoria manager Steve Wilkes. In the first episode we discussed Steve's playing career at Wigan Athletic, Preston North End, EVV Eindhoven, Southport, Morecambe, Bamber Bridge and Darwen. From bust-ups with Sam Allardyce to being hung on coat hangers, it's a corker of an episode!
Neil Sorvel | Altrincham Assistant Manager
September 15, 2020 09:38 - 43 minutes - 59.8 MBAfter two promotions in three seasons, the Robins are clearly getting something right behind the scenes. Tom had a chat with Neil Sorvel, Altrincham Assistant Manager, on how himself and Phil Parkinson have achieved this success. We also discussed Neil's former playing career in both league and non-league football.
England's Number 1 | Stuart Coburn Part 2
September 01, 2020 17:54 - 51 minutes - 71.6 MBMore great stories and laughs in the second episode of our two-part special with non-league legend Stuart Coburn.
England's Number 1 | Stuart Coburn Part 1
August 25, 2020 17:57 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBIn our first two-parter, we spoke to the legendary Stuart Coburn. Altrincham FC's longest serving player proved a fascinating listen!
Islands In The Stream
August 11, 2020 17:45 - 43 minutes - 60.2 MBIn February FC Isle Of Man had their proposal accepted to join the North West Counties League. They will join fellow islanders Guernsey and Jersey in the non-league pyramid. To talk about this seismic moment for non-league football we welcomed the teams director, Paul Jones, and the clubs gaffer, Chris Bass.
Paul Phillips | Matlock Town Manager
August 04, 2020 14:16 - 1 hour - 87 MBThis week we entertained Matlcok Town manager Paul Phillips. Philo is a non-league legend, who after having played for Droylsden, Stalybridge Celtic and Marine, he then went on to manage Ashton United and Buxton. In January 2020, however, he took over the reins at Matlock Town.
The Dootson Special
July 28, 2020 15:45 - 1 hour - 117 MBWe've interviewed another goalkeeper! And yes, Craig Dootson was on fine form. The non-league veteran discussed his past life as a goalkeeper for several iconic non-league teams including Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde, Leigh RMI and Kendal Town. It's a right laugh this one!
KitKats or York(ies)? | York City Play-Off Special
July 21, 2020 14:30 - 31 minutes - 44.2 MBAnother play-off special! Ahead of York City and Altrincham FC's big semi-final, we caught up with Dan Simmonite, York City's Press and Media Officer. Good laugh this one and, of course, very topical!
Reservoir Hogs | Chester FC Play-Off Special
July 16, 2020 15:14 - 42 minutes - 58.1 MBCalm before the storm. We had a laugh with Chester FC fans ahead of their trip to Altrincham this Sunday. Get listening now!
Deasy (Like Sunday Morning)
July 07, 2020 12:16 - 1 hour - 108 MBIn our 18th episode we welcomed former Barrow, Gateshead and Altrincham goalkeeper, Tim Deasy. Deasy gave an honest compendium of his past life as a shot-stopper in non-league football. The interview had everything; it was emotional, thoughtful and funny. So sit back and enjoy!
Non-League Killed The Radio Star | Brian Flynn
June 30, 2020 15:04 - 56 minutes - 77.8 MBTom and Andy have interviewed players, managers, fans, and a chairman. But until this week, we had never interviewed a commentator. It was therefore an honour to welcome Brian Flynn- Altrincham FC's Media and Press Officer- into the studio to discuss his experience of following non-league football. Brian has over five decades' worth of memories, both from the gantry and the terraces- which ranged from the introspective to the inane!
All Clegged Up
June 23, 2020 15:51 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBAfter three torturous months, we are finally back in the studio. First up was Ashton United Manager, Micheal Clegg. The former Atherton Collieries and now Ashton United manager has, to date, enjoyed an illustrious career in management. At Coles, he won three promotions in five seasons. Moreover, after he was pinched by Ashton in 2019, 'The Robins' have seen a revival in form. The man himself gave us in-depth and insightful analysis into what it's like to be a manager in non-league footba...
'Coach House Decadence'
June 16, 2020 16:26 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBHaving achieved the ninth largest attendance in non-league football this season, with an equally reputable atmosphere to go with it, Dulwich Hamlet have become a club difficult to ignore. Inquisitive on how they were put on this pedestal, we wanted to hear from a fan who had witnessed their journey. Ben, the clubs social media guru, gave us his account from behind the scenes. This included FA Cup drama, away day nonsense and an unforgettable trip to 'Coach House Decadence'.
Right On Tyne
June 09, 2020 14:15 - 50 minutes - 70.3 MBIn our 14th episode, we welcomed three lads from County Durham. After having entertained three blokes from the North East, some could compare the nature of this episode to Geordie Shore. One disclaimer, however, is that our guests were far less attractive in comparison to those on the reality television programme. Manuel, Chris and Gary- who are co-commentators for the Mariners- have witnessed the unassailable rise of Shields over the past few years. Success on the field reflects the ascen...
Torquays Voting For Christmas
June 02, 2020 12:57 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBIn this weeks episode we talk to the most plastic 'northerner' we have ever met: Kyle Milne Cameron. Having been exiled from Newcastle (his homeland) at the start of his career, Cameron subsequently made the long and laborious march down to sunny Torquay. Having recently signed a contract extension in what are uncertain times for many, Cameron gave his views on how the Devonshire club can progress and how non-league can get itself out of this quagmire.
Slowly But Chorley
May 26, 2020 13:43 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBChorley goalkeeper and Lancashire lad Matt Urwin gave us a laugh! As usual, stories ranged from the conventional to, quite frankly, the absurd. Especially, that Jose Mourinho one... Nevertheless, Matt gave a very eloquent account of his journey: from a frustrated number two in league football to Chorley's main man in non-league. Our 12th episode is not one to be missed.
It's Grim Up North
May 19, 2020 11:04 - 40 minutes - 56.4 MBSutton United and Barrow. Greater London and Cumbria. North and South. Chalk and Cheese. Few things seemingly bind these two clubs. Both teams, however, have enjoyed successes on shoestring budgets within the last few years. We picked a fan from each club to talk about their best days following their club and the miracles that are being worked at their respective teams.
Jennings The Journeyman
May 12, 2020 15:33 - 33 minutes - 46.3 MBTake a deep breath- this is quite a mouthful. Jennings previously played for Macclesfield Town, Altrincham, Kettering, Cambridge United, Forest Green, Mansfield, Cheltenham and Morecambe. But now he’s a fans favourite at Wrexham, where he is extremely content. Amongst other things the non-league veteran told us about his big FA Cup game at Stamford Bridge, how he deals with abuse from fans and what he loves about lower-league footy!