Straight From The Off welcomes James Barrigan to the Podcast. James started out as youth with Liverpool FC and was later picked up by Wigan Athletic after impressing for his school side Archbishop Beck and the Liverpool Schoolboys. He tells us about the highs of playing against Man United reserves and the lows of being released. James went on to win the FA Sunday Cup with Sunday league side Campfield FC and also played against Tottenham Hotspur for Marine in the FA Cup, facing up against...

Straight From The Off welcomes Paul Smith to the Podcast. Smigger was an old strike partner of mine and one hell of a striker. Paul has played for teams that include Eden Vale, Bootle, The Warby & BRNESC, but his main love will always be REMYCA United (Litherland Remyca) who he has represented for 27 years. He tells us about riding a pink bike to footy as a youngster and the looks he got from his team mates. Paul looks back at a horrific injury he suffered after a player told him he...

Straight From The Off welcomes Jack Mano to the Podcast. Jack has played for teams that include, Melling Victoria, The Parky, Bootle, AFC Bull, Waterloo Dock and Oyster. He tells us about playing for Kirkby schoolboys, the Knowlsey squad in Dallas and signing for Bolton as a youngster. Jack looks back at saving another palyers life by carrying out CPR after a game. He tells us his favourite saves, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times....

An episode with a twist! Due to late cancellation of this weeks guest, rather than have a blank week I decided to try and build a perfect amateur footballer, like I ask my guests to do each week! and with no time to think or prep it wasn't easy let me tell you!

Straight From The Off welcomes Andy ‘The Bruce’ Green to the Podcast. The former South Liverpool & Altrincham goalscorer tells us his story from being a teenager with Bootle to playing pro football in Belgium. Andy was a natural goalscorer for Liverpool County FA side and took that into the adult game scoring for fun for The Saucer and South Liverpool. He Tells us how how was involved in memorable FA Cup ties for Knowsley United and how he faced a Spurs team featuring Jurgen Klinsman in...

Straight From The Off welcomes Michael Ball to the podcast. Michael was a massive Evertonian growing up and always hoped that one day he could play for his boyhood team, but in his early years playing football it was Liverpool that he learned his trade. Michael jumped at the chance to sign for Everton just before going to Lilleshall, Englands national school. During his pro career Michael also played for Scottish giants Rangers and legendary Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. He had spells at Man City...

Straight From The Off welcomes Ray Wilkinson to the Podcast. The former Lobster & Fantail goalscorer tells us his story from being on trial at Liverpool with a certain Kenny Dalglish and having a conversation with Bill Shankly about leaving Liverpool, to scoring goals for Wigan Athletic. Ray was a natural goalscorer for Kirkby boys and took that into the adult game scoring the winning goal in the FA Sunday Cup final for Fantail. He Tells us how how he became a manager and about the glory...

Straight From The Off welcomes Joseph Roberts to the Podcast. Joe has played for teams that include Mainliners, Keyways, Britannia, Sandon, South Sefton Borough and his main two sides Waterloo Dock and Seymour. He tells us about playing for Sefton schoolboys and signing for Wigan as a YTS. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times. Episode 73 is brought to you by: Geassroots Footy Creative

Straight From The Off welcomes Terence Brown to the Podcast. Terence was a goal scoring sensation in amateur football, a striker who started out with Byrom FC and eventually joined Britannia FC after being released by Wrexham. He tells us and his winning goal in the Ken Gillies cup final which started a run of trophies for the Brit, and all about his hat-trick in the Premier Cup Final vs Sandon in what he describes as the biggest game of his life. He tells us about the mental side of the game...

Straight From The Off Dale Jennings to the Podcast. The former Tranmere Rovers and Bayern Munich player tells us his story. After being released from Liverpools academy as a teenager Dale wasn’t sure if he would remain in the game at all. Tranmere was his last chance and he hit the ground running, playing for the first team at just 17 years of age. He impressed that much that the mighty Bayern Munich signed him for a fee that could potentially rise to 1.8m. After struggling with injury and...

Straight From The Off welcomes Michael Branch to the podcast. Michael went from supporting Everton to playing up front for the club. He started out playing for local club Aigburth Peoples Hall and represented Liverpool Schoolboys before going to Englands national school at Lilleshall. Michael played for Everton in the Premier League and tells us what it was like to pull on the royal blue shirt. He also played for Man City, Wolves, Bradford and Reading amongst others. He tells us why he felt...

Straight From The Off welcomes Anthony Smith to the Podcast. Ant’ has taken up nearly every role possible within amateur football, and continues working at the County FA trying develope grassroots football within the City. Anthony played for teams that include ‘Little’ Red Rum, Dengo United, Heswall, Abbey Road Vets. He tells us about trips abroad playing football and coaching in the USA and managing his beloved Dengo. Anthony tells us why the Liverpool Business Houses and the Liverpool...

Straight From The Off welcomes Graeme ‘Basher’ Porter to the Podcast. Bash was one of the stand out players at his age group playing for Merton Villa when his father was manager. He was selected to play for Bootle Boys ‘B’ team but not deemed good enough for the ‘A’ Team. After working on his game and impressing during matches he was selected to play for Sefton Boys and it was at that level he excelled and was asked to go for a trial at Leeds United. During that trial Basher scored a...

Straight From The Off welcomes Allen Weston to the Podcast. 'Weso' has been a fan favourite at centre half for all the teams he has played for over the years. He was integral in the success in Campfield's National Cup winning side of 2015 and their unbeaten league winning campaign. Allen played for teams including Priory Villa, East Villa reserves, Richmond Raith Rovers, The Liver, Before moving into the semi pro ranks with AFC Liverpool, City Of Liverpool and Northwich Victoria. Allen played...

Straight From The Off welcomes Ben Garrity to the Podcast. After representing Liverpool County FA sides at various ages Ben attracted interest from Chester FC. He would then return to the amatuer scene and play for Red Rum and Warbreck FC in the Liverpool County Premier League. After impressing with those sides, Ben moved to up and coming team Lower Breck FC. Lower Beck won an unpresidented quadruple with Ben at the heart of midfield and also went the season unbeaten. Again, Ben caught the...

Straight From The Off welcomes Josh Quarless to the Podcast. Josh is currently in red hot form at his new club City of Liverpool FC after joining recently from Burscough. He started out playing for his fathers team as child and after impressing he was given trials at various professional clubs. When no solid offers came, Josh lost heart in the game and stopped playing for a short while before being enticed back into football by his friends. After playing for Stoneycroft in the Liverpool...

Straight From The Off welcomes Ryan Jones to the Podcast. Ryan is regarded by many as one of the finest Goalkeepers the city has produced, winning multiple trophies with Sunday league giants Campfield FC. Ryan has played for teams that include, Kingsley, Pineapple, AFC Liverpool and Bootle amongst others. Ryan had a spell in the professional game with Leeds United and also spent a few seasons over in America. He tells us what it was like going on trial at various clubs and what it’s like to...

Straight From The Off welcomes John Aldridge to the Podcast. John needs no introduction to football fans of the city, but he tells us how it all came about. From school football in Garston were he lived, to lifting the League title and FA Cup for his beloved Liverpool FC. ‘Aldo’ played for Blue Union, Garston Woodcutters, Cheshire Lines and South Liverpool before moving on to the pro game with Newport County. It was from there that he caught the eye of Jim Smith at Oxford and made his way to...

Straight From The Off welcomes David Jennings to the Podcast. Jenno was a tough tackling midfield general with a touch of class and later on in his career dropped back in to centre half and won more trophies in doing so. Jenno has played for teams that include Redrock, The Pilot, Royal Seaforth, Sandon, Seymour and JOB amongst others. Whilst playing for Royal Seaforth they lost 9 finals in a row before landing the Challenge Cup. He tells us how his battle with cancer effectively ended his...

Straight From The Off welcomes Lee Cooper to the Podcast. Lee was a striker that has a real eye for goal and has been a thorn in the side of many a defender throughout his career. Lee has played for teams that include Prescot Cables, Stockbridge Village, St Dominics, Burscough & Barrow amongst others. While playing mainly for the Canada of a Sunday after joining from Thithebarn. He tells a great story about collecting his wages when on loan! and the trials and tribulations of non league...

Straight From The Off welcomes Jamie Menagh to the Podcast. After representing Liverpool Schoolboys at various ages and playing for Everton as a youngster Jamie continued to impress in the amateur game and got picked up by Blackpool were he would sign a pro contract. He would later move to Stoke under Tony Pulis and after an interesting conversation with Mark Hughes he moved on. He played for teams like Chester, Marine, Witton Albion and Stockport whilst also playing in the amateur ranks for...

Straight From The Off welcomes Tommy Boden to the Podcast. Tommy was a commanding centre back who could also play football. He was a two footed player that enjoyed spells at Holy Name, Orry’s, Saltbox, The Warby, The View, The John’s, JOB and Kennelwood. He tells us about his winner for The Warby in a Cup Final at Burscough, about losing two Premier Cup finals with The View and JOB before finally winning the trophy. His Saturday teams include a spell at Wrexham, then playing for the likes of...

Straight From The Off welcomes Martin Ryman to the Podcast. The South Liverpool FC manager of 20 years tells us his story, from not really playing football in school to joining South Liverpool in the Norris Green League and later the great Almithak side as well as having trials with a few clubs. He Tells us about his time at South Liverpool as a player and where he eventually became manager and won an astonishing amount of silverwear in the time since he has been in charge which includes the...

Straight From The Off welcomes James Olsen to the Podcast. Jay was one of the stand out players at his age group playing for Merton Villa and was snapped up by Everton. He then moved onto Liverpool were he would turn Pro. Jay tells us what it was like playing for Liverpool and how he had to move on when John Aldridge wanted him at Tranmere Rovers. Whilst at Tranmere Rovers during pre season, Jay had terrible luck in a training incident that resulted in broken bones in his neck and a large...

Straight From The Off welcomes Mark Phillips to the Podcast. Mark is nothing short of a legend for the mighty Britannia where he captained the team during their golden period. He tells us of his battles against Sandon and Croxteth Legion, how his he came to play for Britannia, which is something he always wanted to do. His spell in the Welsh leagues and being assistant manager at Runcorn. The Treble season with The Brit in which they lifted trophies at Villa Park and Anfield. He talks about...