The Speaking Frankly Football Show

Frank Hughes & AJ Vergette

TSFFS S3 EP 15

OCT 8, 2026142 MIN

Description

TSFFS S3 EP15 We explore non-league football in the North West once again. The final team from the North West Counties bowed out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night. Trafford will feel unlucky, as they were winning the match at home on Saturday until Essa Janneh scored a late equaliser in the 90th minute. 1,092 people watched the game at Shawe View against Atherton Collieries. However, the replay was a different story, as they lost 3-0. Marine beat Warrington Town to set up an exciting away tie at Hartlepool United in the final qualifying round. Bury will face Harrogate Town at Gigg Lane. Mark Duffy has been announced as the new manager of Southport FC, with some supporters calling it a "cheap and easy appointment." Owners Kieran Malone and David Cunningham have been open about their investment in the club and said their priority was financial sustainability. However, they have also been honest that they don't have unlimited funds. With so many sporting giants in the region, we ask whether a consortium could be formed to take control of Southport and eventually re-establish them in the Football League. Are the rumours unfounded, or could figures like Tommy Fleetwood, Tony Bellew, Duncan Ferguson, and Steven Gerrard pool their resources and have a go? It would be fantastic if they did. Grant Shenton has left Avro to take a vacancy at Radcliffe, while Jon Macken has been sacked at Stalybridge. Bootle's impressive run continues as they sit top of the NPL West with a perfect record. Prescot are in second place and performing well after last season's relegation. In "controversial corner," we examine post-match footage of a fight that broke out after Maghull's exit from the Edward Case Cup on Tuesday night. Cammell Laird won the tie on penalties. Maghull was previously involved in similar trouble during last season's play-off final against Droylsden. Droylsden FC were punished after being found guilty of three charges, fined £710, and subjected to two match ground closures. A third match closure was suspended for 12 months. An official statement claimed Maghull's players were "assaulted by members of the public." The footage doesn't look good regardless of the circumstances, and the repercussions could significantly impact the hosting club financially. We review Skelmersdale United's latest results and also take a broader look at the Liverpool Premier League. We also dispel rumours that one of our hosts attempted to profit from a merger with Skelmersdale Town. Finally, we share our usual predictions and expert analysis at the end of the show. All that and more.