Playmaker
208 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThe Playmaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the beautiful game.
Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.
If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise and get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Chloe50 for membership for just £50 per year.
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Episodes
Ep 141: Bielsa the Messiah
March 09, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 11.8 MBLeeds fans worshipped Marcelo Bielsa. Did he deserve their adoration? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 140: Chelsea’s farewell to Abramovich
March 08, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13.5 MBChelsea owner Roman Abramovich is selling up. Their fans love what he’s done for their club, but should they be considering the bigger picture? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 139: Lies, damned lies and statistics
March 07, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13.7 MBPep Guardiola thinks football is becoming too obsessed with statistics. Is he right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 138: Football's most outdated rule?
March 04, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 8.09 MBAston Villa's Matty Cash was booked for removing his shirt to show support for a Polish teammate in Ukraine. Is it time to rethink one of football's most outdated rules? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 137: Pay win for US women’s team
March 03, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13.6 MBMegan Rapinoe and the US women’s team have finally won their equal pay dispute and will receive the same as the men’s national team. But what does it mean for the wider world of women’s football? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 136: World football tackles Russia
March 02, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.2 MBFIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian teams from their competitions on Monday. But only after first announcing much softer sanctions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 135: Abramovich steps back from Chelsea
March 01, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 14.4 MBUnder political pressure over links he’s believed to have to Vladimir Putin, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has put the club in the care of its trustees. But what does the gesture really mean? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 134: Football and the metaverse
February 28, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBThe emergence and drive to create the metaverse means the sky’s the limit for tech companies – so how will the world of football fit into it? Click here to find out more about the event Tortoise is holding about the metaverse - https://www.tortoisemedia.com/thinkin/what-is-the-metaverse/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 133: UEFA’s Russia problem
February 25, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 13.9 MBThe Champions League final is due to be held in Russia, so UEFA has a decision to make. Does it allow it to go ahead in St Petersburg, as the host nation invades Ukraine, or not? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 132: Wilderball
February 24, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 6.78 MBMiddlesbrough fans are going wild for manager Chris Wilder after he turned their fortunes round since taking over in November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 131: Les Ferdinand’s Rooney Rule
February 23, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 7.37 MBQPR sporting director and ex-player Les Ferdinand has been campaigning for years about the lack of black coaches in English football. Is America’s Rooney Rule the answer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 130: From a dust pitch to Anfield
February 22, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 8.51 MBLuis Diaz is making the headlines as Liverpool’s latest star signing. But his background is far from what you would expect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 129: The Réal Kylian Mbappé
February 21, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 5.65 MBThe French superstar and the out-of-sorts Spanish giants seem made for each other Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 128: Thoroughly modern Max
February 18, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 8.85 MBNot many Premier League players have had a five years like Max Kilman – and now he’s on the verge of an England call-up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 127: Harry Maguire's pressing problem
February 17, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 7.42 MBHarry Maguire has made some high profile mistakes for Manchester United recently, despite excellent performances for England. What’s gone wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 126: The Y-word
February 16, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 10.1 MBTottenham has asked its fans to stop using the Y-word, saying "it is time to move on" from associating the offensive term with the club. Some supporters have ignored the plea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 125: Dele Alli’s Rolls Royce
February 15, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 7.75 MBEverton’s new signing has been criticised for his choice of car and clothes before he had even kicked a ball for his new side. Does what a player wears, or drives, really matter? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 124: Understanding Maradona
February 14, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 12.1 MBDiego Maradona, infamous for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, was a complex character. It is only after his death that people are really starting to understand one of the greatest players football has ever seen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 123: West Ham’s mixed messages
February 11, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 11.6 MBThe public were appalled by Kurt Zouma’s cruelty towards his cat. So why, when West Ham had condemned his behaviour, did they allow him to play immediately after the video had emerged? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 122: Adrian Clifton finds hope
February 10, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 12.4 MBBoreham Wood’s FA Cup fairytale is not just a sporting success. For midfielder Adrian Clifton it is personal too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 121: The serenity of Kalidou Koulibaly
February 09, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 16.1 MBKalidou Koulibaly says he values serenity over most things. After turning down a chance to play for France and several top European clubs, his poise paid off when he lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal last weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 120: A Manchester disaster
February 08, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.4 MB64 years ago, a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed in Munich killing 23 people. It is a tragedy that unites both of the city’s teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 119: Val McDermid vs. Raith Rovers
February 07, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.1 MBWhen Raith Rovers signed David Goowillie, a man found by a civil court to be a rapist, it was met with vocal opposition from high-profile fan Val McDermid. His signing was eventually reversed, but had the damage already been done? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 118: Captain, leader, legend, NFT salesman
February 04, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 20.9 MBThe worlds of football and NFTs have collided since John Terry helped launch his own collection. Some are sceptical of his plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 117: Ramsey to Rangers
February 03, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 13.9 MBWales international Aaron Ramsey has signed for Rangers. But are their fans right to be excited about his arrival when he was plagued by injuries at Juventus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 116: Christian Eriksen returns
February 02, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 14.1 MBAfter suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen has signed for Brentford. But is it safe for him to play? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 115: Beckham’s Miami challenge
February 01, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 16.8 MBDavid Beckham has faced an uphill battle with his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami. Can he turn it around? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 114: Female footballers' maternity victory
January 31, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 17.4 MBThe FA has agreed that professional women’s footballers should get maternity cover as standard. But why did it take so long? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 113: Newcastle feel the heat
January 28, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 18.8 MBNewcastle United flew for ‘warm weather’ training this week, but how long can manager Eddie Howe duck accusations of ‘sportswashing’ by the club's Saudi owners? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 112: Rising disorder
January 27, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MBDisorder increased after fans returned to matches. There are hopes it will naturally subside. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 111: The AFCON tragedy
January 26, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.5 MBA crush outside the stadium where Cameroon were playing Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations has left eight people dead. What do we know about what happened? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 110: The loan sharks
January 25, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 9.75 MBThe rules on loaning players are about to change. What problem are FIFA trying to deal with? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 109: Shashoua's no sheep
January 24, 2022 02:00 - 5 minutes - 13 MBMoving from a Premier League club to the Spanish second division seems like a very big drop. But it's not that simple. The story of Samuel Shashoua shows why playing abroad could be a golden ticket for young footballers starting out... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 108: Fantasyland
January 21, 2022 02:00 - 7 minutes - 16.8 MBFantasy Premier League has attracted 8.9million players this season. A new study suggests this could be having a bad effect... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 107: Fantasyland
January 21, 2022 02:00 - 7 minutes - 16.8 MBFantasy Premier League has attracted 8.9million players this season. A new study suggests this could be having a bad effect... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Ep 107: Football's strangest journey
January 20, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 11.4 MBHow does a boy from Peru, now a podcast host in the States, become a passionate Aston Villa fan? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 106: Alder-what?
January 19, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 6.59 MBThe Aldershot manager Mark Molesley has given "the greatest ever football interview" - a surrealist masterpiece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 105: The one and only James Ward-Prowse
January 18, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13.7 MBJames Ward-Prowse has now scored the second-most direct free-kick goals in Premier League history - his route to get there has involved some tricky decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 104: Derby Direct?
January 17, 2022 02:00 - 5 minutes - 12.6 MBFormer Newcastle owner Mike 'SportsDirect' Ashley is said to be preparing a £50m offer to buy Derby County. Will it be a bargain, or bust? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 103: From LinkedIn to the AFCON
January 14, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 6.99 MBIn 2018, Roberto Lopes ignored a message on social media thinking it could be spam. That error almost cost him a chance to play at the African Cup of Nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 102: That border isn't funny any more
January 13, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 12.3 MBChester FC's ground is partly in England, partly in Wales. With different Covid rules in the two countries that's turning into a real headache. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 101: Watching a star being born
January 12, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.6 MBDusan Vlahovic is the most sought-after striker in European football. Chloe Beresford was there to see him make his breakthrough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 100: Big hearts
January 11, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 6.94 MBEven before the pandemic, Midlothian in Scotland had high levels of child poverty. In lockdown, Heart of Midlothian F.C. stepped in to help. https://www.tortoisemedia.com/audio/a-finding-of-rape/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 99: China's forgotten dream
January 10, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13.6 MBFive years ago, six Premier League clubs had Chinese owners. Now there's only one left. What's changed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 98: The indomitable Phil Jones
January 07, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 11.8 MBFew players have suffered more abuse or worse luck with injuries than Manchester United's Phil Jones. But he endures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 97: Managing the truth
January 06, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 14.1 MBChelsea's Romelu Lukaku had to apologise for saying he'd like to go back to Inter Milan one day. Is this an example of how clubs are trying to control every word their players speak? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 96: Welfare warfare
January 05, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 15.8 MBWhen managers play the 'player welfare' card, are they being thoughtful or cynical? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022: Predictions
January 04, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 106 MBWhat do we think will happen on and off the pitch in 2022? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
'Tis the season to be...playing football
December 17, 2021 05:00 - 4 minutes - 4.55 MBWe're not going to start feeling too sorry for professional footballers. But if there's any moment in the year when they deserve a tiny bit of sympathy, it's Christmas and New Year when the league schedule can be punishing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 93: Merry Kitmas
December 16, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 13 MBChildren whose families can't afford a football kit for them to play in often feel left out. What can be done? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.