The Speaking Frankly Football Show

TSFFS S2 EP41 We are joined by Skelmersdale United Manager Andy Barlow as we review all the north-west winners and losers. After 1,330 games in management, Ramsbottom United Manager Steve Wilkes has decided to retire. We pay tribute to him. We also examine a few controversial issues, including Dorking Wanderers, who have sold a stake in their club to a US investor. And in the final part of the show, we host our non-league quiz of the week.

TSFFS S2 EP40 This week on our show, we give a round-up of the NWCFL. With titles decided and relegation issues sorted, we review the play-off semi-final results and look ahead to the finals. We cover all the non-league clubs in our area. Prescot have been relegated. Lower Breck and Runcorn Linnets are out of the play-offs, but Bury achieve their second consecutive promotion win. We discuss the controversial corner. Portishead Town have been relegated from the Southern League after failing their ground grading, all after finishing second in the Southern League Division One South. Some believe they've been unfairly treated, but deadlines are strict. Now, the chairman and several directors have decided to leave the club. Has the club expanded too quickly? Simon Heaton has left his role as manager of Abbey Hey following a cut to the club's budget. What's the future for a club that narrowly avoided relegation? City of Liverpool are currently without a home, and no new ground has been announced yet. Meanwhile, rumours of a breakaway team named FC Community have surfaced. Is this the end for COL? We also take a look at Skelmersdale United and finish the show with our prediction for the weekend. All that and more.

TSFFS S2 E39 We kick off with the pre-show, discussing all sorts of nonsense as usual. Then we move on to the important matters. NWCFL Round: Top spot and relegation issues are sorted. The play-offs are on the horizon. We glide around the National League North & The Northern Premier League, highlighting clubs in the north west making their mark. In our "Controversial Corner', we examine gambling addiction, which is widespread among football circles, and ask if clubs could do more to protect those affected at the non-league level. Following the Mark Harris incident, FC United co-owner and supporter Jonathan Allsopp questions: Is the Northern Premier League fit for purpose? He believes laws on financial fair play are selective. We all know it's tricky to police, but everyone is aware that creative accounting has been part of semi-professional football since its early days. It's a contentious issue without doubt, but is Jonathan's frustration because, like many FCUM supporters, they see a vendetta against their club? King's Lynn have been fined an enormous £10k following their 'Sprinkler-Gate' scandal in February. They've avoided a points deduction, but can they appeal and get the fine reduced? We also discuss Gary Neville being verbally attacked on his way to a concert, Leicester City's demise, and the expansion of Liverpool County Premier League, with Formby expected to play Skelmersdale United. How bizarre will that be? Skelmersdale United is playing an away game at the ground they once called home, against a team from Formby playing in Skem. You couldn't make it up, could you? All this and more.

TSFFS S2 EP38 On this week's show. We have our usual roundup of football in the NWCFL as the season rapidly draws to a close. We take a look at local football in the National League North and the Northern Premier League. Bury could win the NPL West this weekend in front of a bumper crowd at Gigg Lane. They could replace Prescot Cables, who are on the brink of relegation from the NPL Premier Division. We reminisce about our recent visit to Clitheroe, a day out at a quintessential non-league football club. We revisit the demise of the NPL League Chairman, who was dismissed following an alleged unsavoury email to an FC United supporter. In the second part of the show, we speak to Litherland Remyca Manager, Steve Scott, who has taken the club from what looked like odds-on relegation to within touching distance of safety since his arrival in January. They face Burscough at home, and if Pilks lose, a win will see Scotty pulling off an escape akin to Houdini. In the final part of the show, we provide our predictions and expert analysis as usual All this and more.