TSFFS S3 E17

In the pre-show show, Frank revealed that he now identifies as grass…the green, green grass of ganja variety, as he's passively inhaled far too much for his own health. There's a subliminal message in his revelation.

AJ didn't help, as he turned up late with a new hair rinse more dangerous to the eye than looking directly at a solar eclipse. Studio guest Richard Brodie isn't sure if it's a good idea to have him in the dugout this weekend, but with the dark nights closing in, it was agreed that he might be a good substitute for floodlights should it get too dark at Edgehill!

We start the show with our usual round-up of non-league football in the North West. We also take a look at Marine's success in the FA Cup after beating Hartlepool 2-0. They will now face Bradford City at Valley Parade in the First Round Proper.

It's the funny season when chairmen get a little bit twitchy and managers lose their jobs. Normally, when this happens, it's down to results, but at Southport the narrative is a little bit different, as Mark Duffy's tenure came to an abrupt end following revelations that his X account had allegedly expressed support for far-right figure Tommy Robinson. The question is: can you ever be forgiven in these circumstances, and is this the end of the line for his career in football management?

We also take a look at illegal approaches, following alleged revelations that Darragh MacAnthony, the chairman of Peterborough United, approached Robbie Savage before he formally approached Dale Vince at Forest Green Rovers. We pose the question: is the seven-day notice of approach, particularly at our level, an antiquated ruling, given the fact that players and managers often tout themselves anyway?

We also touch on the subject of overseas sports investment brokers who try to set up billionaires with football clubs. It happened to Skelmersdale United once upon a time. Which clubs do you think would benefit from investment that could propel them into the big time? How about Bury for starters?

We finish the episode by looking at the Liverpool Premier League, Skelmersdale United's big win over City of Liverpool, and all the other results around the league. We continue with our usual predictions and expert analysis of the NWCFL.

And to give the show greater gravitas, we get a bird's-eye perspective from "The Gate Crasher, Richard Brodie" as he gives his thoughts as an ex-professional footballer turned manager.

All this and more.

TSFFS S3 EP 16

In this week's show, we take a peek at non-league and amateur football right across the North West. Mind you, Skem manager Richard Brodie interrupts us once again!

We look at all the movers and shakers in the FA Vase before crossing over to this weekend's fixtures in the FA Cup. We take a look at Bury, who face Harrogate Town at home, and Marine, who take a trip to Hartlepool United. The winners will go into the draw for the First Round Proper on Monday.

Managers have been coming and going lately, and some are under pressure despite having only recently started. Mark Duffy has lost his Sporting Director at Southport and, after Saturday's defeat, they dropped into the relegation zone. Mark has gone on record saying that finding solutions will not be a "quick fix". It's been 22 years since they were plying their trade at Step Three of the NLS, with some supporters believing that's where they are heading once again. Can money fix the situation, and does anyone have any to give?

In Controversial Corner, we discuss football cuisine, ask whether the FA Vase competition should be nationalised earlier, and consider a super play-off between all the feeder leagues to decide promotion to the NLS.

We also discuss the shady side of football: clubs that aren't viable and American investment, which is slowly getting a grip on non-league football.

We finish off with talk about Skelmersdale United and the Liverpool Premier League. We give you all our predictions and expert analysis.

All this and more.