Welcome to Episode 26 of the Half & Half Scarf Football Podcast with Nick & Dom.

As match going football fans, we like to consider some of the more interesting subjects around world football and hope that they engage and entertain our audience - as well as creating discussion and debate.

There are plenty of podcasts that analyse games (some endlessly) - but we like to think we "observe" the game and share our thoughts - and that you enjoy our approach too.

On this episode, after another short initial rant about the ticket prices at the disgraceful FIFA World Cup 2026, we look at a fascinating area of football success in Spain and if or how that success could, might, or may never translate to any English team. That success is Athletic Club of Bilbao, one of only three teams NEVER to have been relegated from the top flight in Spain - you can probably guess the other two......

A team in Canada are trying to replicate that success - only recruiting and developing players from their own region - in Athletic Club's case, the Basque Region of Spain, in Canada, the French speaking Quebec region.

• Will it Work?
• What Are The Regional & Club Implications?
• What Would be the Impact on Academy & Youth Development?
• How Long Would It Take To Develop Resilience Like Athletic Club?
• Could a Club Hold It's Nerve Long Enough?

We also discuss which English League One club we think might be an ideal testbed to try to replicate the model in the English pyramid - League One being the highest level we think could even consider this approach.

We think proper football fans will enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.

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