Straight From The Off Michael Watson

Straight From The Off welcomes Imad Ali to the podcast. Imad has created a phenomenon within Liverpool with his ‘World In One City’ tournament which showcases the talents of some amazing players and Countries from around the globe that now call Liverpool their home. With the help of his friends and family Imad has captured the spirit of the nations involved and brought a festival of football to those fortunate enough to play or watch. He tells us about his upbringing in Toxteth and his Yemeni roots which he is so proud of. He tells us how he got into management at a young age and the famous suit he used to wear to games. He tells us the idea behind World In One City and now being part of the Pineapple coaching staff.

Episode 104 is brought to you by: 14 Bar & Grill which is a rooftop restaurant located in Bootle. Serving all home made delicious food that caters for everyone. You can book via their website www.14barandgrill.co.uk

Straight From The Off welcomes Dean Astbury to the Podcast. Dean was latecomer to organised football and didn’t play for a team until 16yrs of age. After beig asked by two of his mates to start playing he decided to have a go. What most people don’t know about Dean is that he had been his father’s full time carer from 16-17yrs old. Dean’s Dad Freddie was born with Thalidomide in the late 1950’s, so life was not easy groung up. Dean burst on the scene banging goals in for Sunday league title challengers The Western Approaches FC and later signed for their fierce rivals Oyster Martyrs where he won every trophy possible. He also played for Waterloo Dock, Marine and Skelmersdale. He talks about his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

Episode 103 is brought to you by: Impressions Health & Support rehabilition service based in West Derby, Liverpool.

Straight From The Off welcomes Howard Gayle to the Podcast. Howard goes down in history as Liverpool Football Clubs first black player, but there is much more to his story than that. From St Teresas in Norris Green to lifting the European Cup for his beloved Liverpool FC in Paris. Howie played for West Derby, East Villa and The Belmont playing in the amateur scene before getting a trial at LFC, which he initially turned down! He tells us about that famous night in Munich, also playing for Birmingham, Sunderland and Blackburn and and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.
Episode 102 is brought to you by: The Mez Foundation
Instagram: mez_foundation_16

Straight From The Off welcomes Dylan Williams to the podcast. Dylan has coached some of the finest talent that the City of Liverpool has ever seen whilst coaching and managing the Liverpool School Boys football team for many years. He gives us an insight into the process of selecting the teams and tells us how the landscape seemed to change once the profesional teams brought in the academy system. He tells us of the great success the teams have had over the years with National Cup wins at Highbury and the heartbreak of losing out. Dylan was also a P.E teacher at Archbishop Beck & Alsop High School’s and could play a bit himself. He tells us how he got into coaching and what he thinks makes a good coach. He even picks us a all time schoolboy XI that he coached!

Episode 101 is brought to you by: Alex Duffin in memory of the legend that is Dave Wiggins.

Episode 100!

Straight From The Off welcomes Francis Jeffers to the podcast. Franny is a Croxteth lad who realised his dream of playing for his beloved Everton FC in the Premier League. He started out playing for local teams in the Scotland road league before signing for local amateur legend Alan Egerton who managed Blessed Sacrement FC in the famous Walton & Kirkdale league. Franny already had a taste of the glory days as a schoolboy playing at Wembley for his primary school team St Swithens. Franny was a goal machine and it wasn’t long before the clubs came calling. He was invited in to Everton where he would remain into his professional career. Fran represented England at every level even scoring on his debut vs Australia. He held a goal scoring record for the under 21s with Alan Shearer that has only recently been broken. When Arsenal came calling looking for that ‘Fox in the box’ He tells us why he felt he had to leave Everton in an 8m pound move. But did he regret it!? He tells us all about the players he played with and against and throughout his career.

Episode 100 is brought to you by: 4Corners combat Gym and 4Corners Cafe.

Straight From The Off welcomes Jonjoe Kenny to the podcast. Jonjoe is a Kirkdake lad who realised his dream of playing for his beloved Everton FC in the Prenier League. He started out playing for local team Custy’s in the Scotland Road JFL and he was selected for Liverpool schoolboys alongside his good pal Jordan Rossiter. He was invited in to Everton where he would remain into his professional career. Jonjoe represted England at every level up to U21s, even winning the 2017 Under 20 World Cup. Jonjoe had loan spells at Wigan, Oxford, Shalke04 and Celtic whilst at Everton as he tried to impress each new manager. He tells us why he felt he had to leave Everton to help his career, and why Hertha Berlin where the club for him. He tells us all about the players he played with and against and throughout his career so far.

Episode 99 is brought to you by: Alps Scaffolding