Football Ruined My Life

Football Ruined My Life

Jon Holmes, Patrick Barclay, Colin Shindler, Paul Kobrak

When Football Ruined My Life started back at the beginning of 2023 it was the new podcast about old football.

In it, distinguished football journalist Patrick Barclay joined with Colin Shindler, author of the best selling Manchester United Ruined My Life, and the Super Agent Jon Holmes (think Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Tony Woodcock etc.) to talk about football as it used to be in the days before the invention of the Premier League.

For over 80 weekly episodes, the podcast viewed those days fondly - though not uncritically - in comparison to today's game, which it views critically though not unfondly. And it welcomed everyone who wants to remember Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton, Brian Clough and Bill Shankly and the days when you went to a Football League ground to watch your football and didn't wait for it to arrive on television.

After the tragic and untimely death of Paddy Barclay in February 2025, Football Ruined My Life took a break to consider how (and if) to carry on.

In May 2025 it has returned, with a panel of stars to make irregular appearances to join the regulars, Jon Holmes and Colin Shindler. These now include writer and producer Andy Hamilton, television executive Jimmy Mulville, the sports journalist and columnist for the Daily Telegraph Jim White and stand-up comedian Omid Djalili.

But the feel and raison d'être of Football Ruined My Life remains the same. Still nostalgic? Yes. Still well informed? Certainly. But above all, it continues to glory in the football of our youth when the game seemed charmingly innocent, full of skillful, good hearted, kindly men like Norman Hunter, Ron Harris and Peter Storey.

Join us every week for a romp through the 1960s, 70s, 80s and beyond that will warm you like a cup of scalding hot Bovril.

Produced by Paul Kobrak.

Contact the team at [email protected]

Where can you listen?

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Episodes

Questions & Answers

How many episodes are there of Football Ruined My Life?

There are 89 episodes avaiable of Football Ruined My Life.

What is Football Ruined My Life about?

We have categorized Football Ruined My Life as:

  • Sports
  • Football
  • Soccer

Where can you listen to Football Ruined My Life?

Football Ruined My Life is available, among others places, on:

  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podtail
  • Google Podcasts

When did Football Ruined My Life start?

The first episode of Football Ruined My Life that we have available was released 1 February 2023.

Who creates the podcast Football Ruined My Life?

Football Ruined My Life is produced and created by Jon Holmes, Patrick Barclay, Colin Shindler, Paul Kobrak.