Barndoors and Banjos

We're delving into our bootbags to look at some of the most iconic football boots of the past. The mundials, the kings, the mercurials? They're all there. And a few more to boot (pun intended). But did we miss any? Make sure to let us know! Enjoy!

Yeah, you can talk about kits. You can even talk about boots. But what about hairstyles? Football has seen them all. In today's episode, we look at some of the best and some of the worst that have ever graced a football pitch. Did we miss any? Enjoy and, remember, you can watch the episodes now on YouTube - https://youtu.be/s46k5Uo_UfQ

James and James pick their favourite kits of the 1980s. Hummel made a huge impact in this decade, but how many of their kits feature in this episode? And which do you think should have featured? Tune in to find out and enjoy more nonsense from Barndoors and Banjos. And please subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the latest episodes.

You've probably had this discussion with your mates before. You've definitely heard the pundits discuss it. Now it's our turn. Gerrard vs Lampard vs Scholes - who was the best midfielder of the three? We've tried to take an objective look at it, but we all have our favourites. Who comes out on top? Tune in and find out. Enjoy.

Most football fans love to chat and often argue about who was the greatest ever. And we're no different. But which players would be part of that discussion? Well, despite the many brilliant players that have entertained us, for simplicity, we've narrowed the search down to three players; Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Enjoy.

James and James pick their favourite kits of the 1970s. There were a few absolute crackers from that era (and one or two stinkers). But which feature in the episode? And which do you think should have featured? Tune in to find out and enjoy more nonsense from Barndoors and Banjos or watch the episode on YouTube.

James and James pick their favourite 3 kits of their lifetimes. Expect Southampton, Fulham and Roma to appear... but which kits are top? Tune in to find out, or watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/l37RBMzZwEg

James and James chat about the best 'Inhos' to play the beautiful game. But who is the best? And what does 'inho' mean? Tune and to find out and enjoy more nonsense from Barndoors and Banjos. And, if you want to put faces to our voices, check us out on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BarndoorsBanjos

In this episode Jameses 1 and 2 take a look at a few players of past World Cups that enjoyed glory, but only fleetingly. Every so often the planets align and, for one glorious tournament only, some players end up achieving something really special.  But who are we talking about? Tune in and find out.  

The guys have picked their teams of the decade for the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s, but which of those teams is the best? In this episode James & James pick the winning team from a mini knockout tournament to decide which of the decades rules the roost. Will it be the brilliance of Messi and the 10s team that wins? Or will Van Basten and the 90s triumph? Tune in and find out.

In this episode Jameses 1 and 2 take a look at a few players of the Premier League era that enjoyed glory, but only fleetingly. Every so often the planets align and, for one glorious season only, some players end up achieving something really special.  But who are we talking about? Tune in and find out.  

The boys are back with another debate. This time it's the team of the decade for the 2010s. Xavi? Iniesta? Messi? Ronaldo? They've got to be shoe-ins, right? But what about the rest of the team? Tune in to find out and let us know your picks on Twitter @BarndoorsBanjos.

In this decade, we had the emergence of Mourinho, the renaissance of AC Milan on the European stage, and one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Champion's League final. And towards the end we got the rise of Barcelona, Pep and Messi... The lads argue a little with some of the picks, but who would make your team of the decade for the 2000s? Enjoy!

Picking a best 11 from those that have excelled at World Cups is no mean feat, so who gets in James 1 and 2's squad? Banks? Cafu? Der Kaiser? Peter Andre? For their answers, and all the nonsense you want, tune in and listen today.

In this episode we continue the discussion on football club ownership - what it looks like now - what's right and wrong with it - and what it should look like in the future. There's a tiny bit of disagreement - but who's right? Tune in and let us know. Get involved in the discussion by emailing us at barndoorsbanjos@gmail.com or on Twitter @BarndoorsBanjos

Scholes vs Gerrard vs Lampard, fixing football, fixing VAR, Messi vs Ronaldo - there are some subjects that everyone has an opinion on in football, and football club ownership is one of them. In this episode Jameses 1 and 2 tackle a big one and share their (contrasting) thoughts on this matter. Who's right? Who's talking nonsense? Tune in and let us know your thoughts too.

Picking an all-time England 11 is probably impossible. But James & James are going to have a go anyway. Who gets in? Surely Bobby Charlton? But what about Wayne Rooney? Michael Owen? Dave Beasant? Tune in and find out. And tell us why we're wrong over on Twitter @BarndoorsBanjos! Enjoy!

We're back in dreamland as we discuss who makes it into the team of the 1990s. Manchester dominance in the Premier League, the arrival of Arsene in London, and the Golden Period of Italian club football in Serie A made the 90s a decade many remember with fondness. But who is going to make it into these teams? Maldini, surely? Roberto Carlos, surely not? The only way to know is to tune in and find out (and hear evidence of James 1's obvious love of reality popstar tv shows). Enjoy!

It's the 30th year of the Premier League (at time of recording), so what better to do than pick our all-time Premier League 11s?  With every football fan probably picking a different 11 for this, there was always going to be a difference of opinion between the Jameses, but who picked the better side? Tune in and find out. And let us know who'd make your all-time Premier League 11!

It's fantasy time again as the guys try to pick a team of the decade for the 1980s. With Merseyside dominating in England, and the emergence of Serie A as the premier destination for the world's best players, the 80s was a decade to remember. But who is going to make it? Maradona, surely? Van Basten? Gullit? And who is going to (unfairly) miss out? Tune in and find out. And let us know who would make your 1980s team of the decade!

Today the Jameses are picking their Champion's League 11 (also including the European Cup). And it's a difficult one. Both teams feature some of the greatest players to ever play the game, but who gets it right, and who gets it wrong? Tune in to hear their picks. And let us know who you would pick in your Champion's League 11. Enjoy!

Total football, Germany efficiency and Brazilian flair were all hallmarks of some of the great teams and players of the 1970s - but who gets into our team of the decade? (And by "our", we mean James 1's team...) This team is flush with World Cup and European trophies, but do you agree with us? Disagree? Let us know - and let us know your picks too! Enjoy!

Welcome to part two of Fixing Football. We all love the beautiful game, but it's far from perfect. In this episode it's supporter representation, agents and the international tournaments (among others) that James and James have a go at "fixing".  Tune in and let us know what we got wrong (and if we got anything right!). And let us know what you would do to fix football. Enjoy!

We've all done it after a few beers down the pub - discussed how we would fix football. There's a lot to love about the beautiful game, but a lot that could be fixed, too.  So we picked some of the main issues as we see them, and had a bit of a chat about it all. But do we agree or disagree on the main topics? Here in part one we look at governance, financial fair play, salary caps, current levels of competitiveness and more...  So, tune in and let us know if you agree with us, if we're just speaking nonsense, and what YOU would do to fix football.

In this most frivolous of episodes, the guys discuss who would get into their s***thouse starting 11. The wind-up merchants, the thugs, the guys who'll do whatever it takes to get into the heads of the opposition, annoy them, and win at all costs. Lets face it, we all love watching a bit of it, but which players did/do it well enough to make it into these teams? Tune in and find out! And let us know who we missed out...

We're back on the Tournamental fun bus! And this time we're visiting the World Cup in South Africa back in 2010. A World Cup known for... not just the football (if it's known for the football at all, to be frank). Who were the favourites? Who won? How badly did England do and, most importantly, how good was the mascot? Tune in and enjoy!

The boys are back on the Tournamental bus and in this episode they're reminiscing about Euro 2008. Or "the one England didn't get to". As usual they'll be looking at the favourites, the outsiders, the home nations (if needed) and some pointless facts and stats. As well as the mascot. Enjoy!

Welcome back to Barndoors and Banjos. In this episode the guys are back with The Foreign Legion, this time taking a look at players that have arrived from the African continent. There's been a rich seam of talent from Africa that's played in England from around the mid 1990s, but who has had the biggest impact? Tune in and find out.

The guys jump back into 'The Foreign Legion' series this episode, with a focus on South America – hence Sublime Samba. The English game has had an interesting relationship with South America. It's taken a while to work, but when it has it has been spectacular. But who's had the biggest impact? Tune in and find out.

In this episode, we're focusing on our friends from some of the bigger footballing nations of Europe (Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium). *It's nothing to do with politics, it's just football. So, tune in and hear who we think had the biggest impact on the Premier League from across the English Channel and beyond.

In this episode, we're focusing on the man who makes it all happen from the confines of the touchline – the gaffer, the boss-man. There's been no shortage of managerial legends in the game, so who makes the team for James 1 and 2? Tune in to find out. Enjoy!

In this episode, Jameses 1 & 2 focus on the "Young Guns" – namely the players that came to our shores as very young men – and made an unbelievable impact on the British game. But who features? And who do you think should have made the cut? Tune in and then join in the conversation on Twitter to let us know why we're right or wrong with our picks.

In this episode, the guys are focusing on those north of these shores in Scandanavia. Often seen as a ‘safe bet' by managers in the late 1980's and 90s, our friends from this part of the world provided a staple diet of overseas players during this period and through to the present day. But who features in the episode? Tune in to find out. And remember to share your favourite Scandinavian players with us on Twitter. Enjoy!

In this episode, the guys are focusing on those players closest to home - the Celts. Those of you with a keen eye for historical detail in your football will be fully aware the Scots, especially, dominated the successful English club sides from the early days of the Football League right through until the 1990s.  So, it's no surprise the likes of Dalglish, Souness and Hansen get a mention. But who are the Welsh, Irish and Northern Irish representatives? Tune in to find out.

It's time to chat about the engine room, the box to box beasts, the heartbeat of every football time - the men in the middle of the park. The guys discuss the evolution of the position, whether it still exists anymore and, as normal, their favourite players to have played in it. But who is your first pick? Let us know on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos). Enjoy!

In the latest episode of the 'My First Pick' series, James and James take a look at one of the most important positions on the pitch and pick their favourite goalkeepers. But it proves a little difficult for one of them... Enjoy the episode and remember to share your picks with us on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos).

In today's episode the guys are picking their favourite full backs - another position that's evolved a fair amount over the years. According to James 2 there's only one pick. But who is he talking about? Enjoy the episode and remember to share your picks with us on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos)!

In this episode, the guys take a look at the unsung heroes of the team - the holding midfielders. A position that's become far more important in recent times, James 1 & 2 discuss how the role has evolved and their favourite players to have protected the back four (or 3). But who is your favourite? Let us know on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos) and we'll continue the discussion there. Enjoy!

In this episode the guys focus on the hatchet men. Those players who never take a backward step and have been known to be *slightly* late with a tackle... Were they just thugs or could they play as well? Find out who they pick and share yours with the guys on Twitter - @BarndoorsBanjos. Enjoy!

In this episode James 1 and 2 are picking their favourite centre backs. Not the most glamorous of positions on the pitch, but an important one that's evolved quite a bit over the years and seen some iconic players playing in it. But who makes their team? And who makes yours? Let us know your first picks on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos) and enjoy the episode!

Join James & James as they take another walk down memory lane and recount the events of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. From World Cup first timers and dodgy England performances (what's new?) to that stamp and that headbutt - the guys cover a lot. And James 2 gets to talk about mascots again... Enjoy and remember to share your memories with us on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos).

In this episode, the guys pick their favourite wingers - the wizards of the dribble. We've all got fond memories of the great wingers of our lifetimes - there are few players who can get fans off their seats like winger tearing down the pitch a full speed - but who gets picked by James and James? Tune in to find out. And tell us who your picks would be on Twitter, too (@BarndoorsBanjos).

In this episode, James & James pick their favourite number 10s - the position that has probably seen more evolution than any other on the pitch. From the Trequartistas of Serie A, to the effortless swagger of the number 10s of the Premier League, the position has been graced by some of the football's greatest ever players. But who gets picked? Listen and find out. Who would be on the back of your shirt if you had to pick a number 10? Let us know and enjoy the episode!

In this episode, James & James are picking their favourite strikers. Like every episode in the 'My First Pick' series, this is entirely subjective. It's heart over head. Emotion over statistics (although sometimes it's both!). So, join the guys as they make the case for each of their picks. Do you agree? Disagree? Who would be your first pick? Let us know on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos) and enjoy!

In this episode of My First Pick, James and James share their choices for the those artisans of the green baize - the playmakers.  Everyone loves a playmaker, but do the guys agree with their picks? And who would your choices be if you had to make your own 'My First Pick' team? Enjoy!

In this episode the guys head to Portugal for a tournament of upsets and the beginning of England's 'Golden Generation'. There's nostalgia in the air as James & James remember Greek heroics, Ronaldo's tears and the emergence of a young and supremely talented Wayne Rooney. And Latvia's debut on the international football scene too, of course... Enjoy!

In this episode, James and James talk to Aaron Gourley - the Owner and Editor of FC Business Magazine.  Topics of discussion include Sunderland AFC (and that Netflix documentary), the doomed Super League idea, financial fair play, the "Top 6", football club ownership structures, and running a football business magazine. Yep. We definitely packed a lot into this one. Enjoy!

In this episode the guys take a look back at the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea. They discuss the favourites, the shocks (controversies??), and the inevitable home nation disappointments. Join both James 1 and 2 for another walk down memory lane. Enjoy!

In this episode the guys look back at one of their favourite tournaments - Euro 2000! But why do they remember it so fondly? How badly did England do? And who won the whole thing? Tune in to find out!

The guys are back for the final of the Keith Hackett mini episodes. And in this one, they discuss what football can learn from other sports. From letting referees show their personalities more to better communication with the fans, Keith shares a few of his fixes for football that have been influenced by other sports. Enjoy!

In the second of three mini episodes, Keith Hackett rejoins James & James for a discussion on rule changes in football. Which rules baffle the boys? How can they be improved? What would Keith do to immediately change the game for the better? Tune in to find out, and make sure you share your ideal rule changes with us on Twitter (@BarndoorsBanjos).