Elis James' Feast Of Football

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Elis James chews over the week's football in the company of former Wales internationals Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts.

BBC Radio Wales


    • Jul 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 438 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Elis James' Feast Of Football

    Wales at Euro 2025: England send Wales home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025 17:52


    Wales are out of Euro 2025 after a 6-1 defeat to England in St Gallen, leaving them bottom of Group D with no points from their three games. Former Wales players turned BBC Sport Wales pundits Kath Morgan and Helen Ward join Carl to share their post-match thoughts and reflections on Wales at Euro 2025 before the BBC Wales and Wales teams head home from Switzerland.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Kayleigh Barton, Sophie Ingle and Esther Morgan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2025 28:55


    Wales squad members Kayleigh Barton, Sophie Ingle and Esther Morgan join Carl Roberts, Helen Ward and Nia Jones to look ahead to Wales' final group game against England.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Quiet day at the training ground

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 13:26


    11 hours after getting back to the Wales team hotel, Wales players Lois Joel and Ella Powell have their lie-ins curtailed to speak to the media at an eerily quiet training base in Weinfelden. The rest of the squad are back at the team hotel to recover from a 4-1 defeat to France in St Gallen. Even the Feast of Football pundits have been given the morning off but Carl spoke to Powell and Joel who have both made a tournament debut for Wales at Euro 2025.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Wales v France midnight reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 22:01


    France beat Wales 4-1 to all but dump Wales out of Euro 2025, but history was made as Jess Fishlock scored the Wales women's first ever goal in a major international tournament. Add to that Sophie Ingle's Euro debut after 10 months out injured and a second Euro defeat doesn't seem so negative. Former Wales internationals Kath Morgan and Helen Ward join Carl in the BBC Wales Sport team hotel for a late night / early morning pod - and we hear from Sophie Ingle, Esther Morgan and Kayleigh Barton.

    Wales at Euro 2025: France v Wales press conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 15:02


    A scare for the Wales squad as their team bus is involved in a collision on the way to Arena St Gallen ahead of their training session the day before they face France. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James speak to the media after hearing of the incident on the way to the stadium in a separate car. Thankfully all involved are ok, and Carl is joined by a trio of former Wales internationals, Kath Morgan, Gwennan Harries and Owain Tudur Jones in the stands at the stadium to look ahead to the game and react to the press conference.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Rachel Rowe, Gemma Evans and Lily Woodham

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 25:42


    Carl Roberts is joined on the sofa by former Wales internationals Gwennan Harries and Nia Jones to reflect on the defeat to Netherlands and look ahead to facing France on Wednesday. Wales squad members Gemma Evans and Rachel Rowe join to chat about their sticker book progress and Lily Woodham teaches Carl what a grill is.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Wales 0-3 Netherlands

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2025 18:14


    Wales women have finally played their first game at a major international tournament, losing 3-0 to the Netherlands. Carl is joined by former Wales players and now BBC Wales Sport pundits Kath Morgan and Helen Ward at the Allmend Stadion in Lucerne for a post final whistle chat. We'll also hear from three of the Wales squad on how they look back on a disappointing result on a monumental day for Welsh football.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Stadium tour

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 14:54


    History is made as Wales women's football team hold their first ever press conference at a major international football tournament - and former Wales captain and BBC Wales pundit Kath Morgan instigated a round of applause. Another former Wales player and BBC Wales pundit Helen Ward joins Carl and Kath pitch side at the Allmend Arena ahead of the press conference, before we hear from Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James ahead of Wales v The Netherlands at Euro 2025.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Ceri Holland, Rhiannon Roberts and Josie Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025 33:20


    Carl Roberts, Helen Ward and Nia Jones catch up with three members of the Wales squad - and try a bit of golf - at the team hotel in Switzerland.

    Wales at Euro 2025: the pundits have arrived

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 14:45


    On day 1 of Euro 2025 Carl is at the golf club at the team hotel with Nia Jones and Helen Ward who are fresh off the plane in Switzerland. They tell us who they are looking forward to seeing at the Euros and listen to their former teammate Kayleigh Barton tell Catrin Heledd she would love to be Wales coach one day. Before that though she is concentrating on playing at the Euros, while some of the other players have shared plans for a post Euro 2025 party - in Ibiza. We'll try and arrange a Feast of Football Ibiza special.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Lawn Mowers, ACLs and Best Singers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 14:58


    As storm clouds gather over Wales' Euro 2025 HQ, Rachel Rowe sits down with Carl to discuss her journey from being a civil servant and prison officer to a professional footballer. The 32-year-old midfielder has already enhanced her reputation as a versatile member of the squad by helping the ground staff to the cut the grass on the training pitch - using lawn mowers shipped over by the Football Association of Wales. Catrin Heledd and Michael Pearlman have also been busy interviewing other members of the squad, with some updates on Gemma Evans' teeth and Elise Hughes' knee.

    Wales at Euro 2025: Inside The Training Ground

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 16:28


    Wales have arrived in Switzerland for Euro 2025 and the Feast of Football podcast has been given an exclusive tour of the facilities at the training HQ in the town of Weinfelden - including the press buffet. Carl Roberts speaks to forward Carrie Jones about her first impressions of the training base and the raucous welcome from some local schoolchildren. BBC Wales sport presenter Catrin Heledd has been to the team hotel for a squad photoshoot and joins BBC Wales' reporter Michael Pearlman to round up day one for Rhian Wilkinson's squad at Euro 2025.

    Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 21:00


    Carl Roberts is joined by Wales internationals Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd at Wales' pre-Euro 2025 training camp in Portugal. The pair give an insight into Wales' preparations for their opening game against Netherlands next week and Sophie discusses her recovery from an ACL injury and how she is ready to play a part in Rhian Wilkinson's side.

    Belgium 4-3 Wales: The Verdict

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 52:28


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes reflect on a wild night in Brussels that led to Craig Bellamy's first defeat as Wales coach. Despite battling back from 3-0 down with goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson, Wales ultimately left the Belgian capital empty handed. Was it a missed opportunity to take points off the group favourites, or was Bellamy right to keep pushing for a win?And with no end in sight to Cardiff City's managerial hunt, how much of an impact will the continuing uncertainty have on their pre-seasons plans?

    Wales 3-0 Liechtenstein: The Verdict

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2025 23:42


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Nathan Blake react to Wales' comfortable win World Cup qualifying win over Liechtenstein and look ahead to the far tougher test away to Belgium.

    Craig Bellamy interview: Losing sleep but not 'weighed down'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 11:10


    "How can that be heavy when you have such pride and desire in the game you love."If Craig Bellamy was feeling any pressure before the two World Cup qualifiers, he wasn't showing it. In conversation with Carl Roberts, he admitted to having a "restless night" before Friday's home game with group minnows Liechtenstein, but wasn't "weighed down" by the task ahead. And the excitement would only build, he said, as attention would then switch to the far tougher trip to face group favourites Belgium on Monday.

    Inside the Wales Camp: David Brooks, Ben Cabango & Jay Dasilva

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 25:59


    Carl Roberts, Sam Vokes and Joe Ledley chat to Wales players David Brooks, Ben Cabango and Jay Dasilva before their two World Cup 2026 qualifying matches at home to Liechtenstein and away to Belgium.

    Inside the Wales Camp: Lily Woodham, Lois Joel & Ella Powell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 27:54


    Carl Roberts, Kath Morgan and Nathan Blake visit the Wales training base to chat to some of the players before the final Nations League games against Denmark and Italy.

    Kpakio earns surprise Wales call up

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 50:08


    Cardiff City's 18-year-old right-back Ronan Kpakio was the surprise name in Wales' squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium at the beginning of next week. Manager Craig Bellamy didn't hold back in his praise for Kpakio, who has only six senior appearances to his name, during the media conference in Cardiff to announce the squad. Carl and Daf were in attendance at St Fagans National Museum of History as Bellamy enthused about the qualify of other youngsters also coming through the ranks, and welcomed the return of the influential pair of Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson.

    The Mehmet Dalman interview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 38:21


    In this special episode, we hear from Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman in his first interview since the club's relegation to League One. He tells our reporter Dafydd Pritchard how the board will appoint a new manager as they seek to bounce straight back to the Championship, and how much the personal abuse from a section of Cardiff fans has affected him.Dafydd then joins Carl to discuss some of the points raised by Dalman and whether his answers will appease the disgruntled fans.

    Bad Breaks & End of Season Awards

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 54:45


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes (still reeling from a freak and extremely painful broken arm) reflect on the final weekend of the season, and consider where each club's priorities lie over the summer weeks. They also pick the players to have made their team of the season chosen from the four Welsh EFL clubs and share their nominations for the Feast of Football end of season awards.

    Part 1: Mickey Thomas on Wrexham; Part 2: Cardiff hit 'rock bottom' & Swansea opt for Sheehan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 64:16


    Part One: Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas reflects on the club's latest promotion and the pivotal role he played at the start of the incredible journey under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Thomas was centre stage at the Cae Ras alongside the charismatic owners as they celebrated an unprecedented third promotion in a row. The 70-year-old also pays tribute to his friend Mike Peters, the lead singer of The Alarm and huge football fan, who died this week.Part Two: Carl, Iwan and Sam ponder what next for Cardiff City after their relegation to League One. Did the troubled club need to hit "rock bottom" to instigate some of the operational changes many have demanded for such a long time? And is Alan Sheehan the correct man to bring stability and success to Swansea City?

    So you're saying there's still a chance?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 51:12


    And suddenly Cardiff City have just two games to save themselves from relegation to League One. Manager Omer Riza paid the price for a run of one win in 13 with the sack, leaving local hero Aaron Ramsey the unenviable task of trying to save the Bluebirds. He was close to securing a precious win in his first game in charge, but a wonder strike from Oxford's Cameron Brannagan ended that. So it leaves Cardiff needing to win their final two games of the season to stand a chance of staying up... and Iwan and Sam aren't ready to give up hope just yet.No such worries for Swansea, who have surged clear of relegation trouble with a record-breaking run of wins. Has Alan Sheehan done enough to warrant the manager's job on a full-time basis?And the battle between Wrexham and Wycombe for second place in League One took another twist over Easter, much to Sam's annoyance! But at least he felt the love from the Burnley faithful on the long journey back from Bolton.

    A make or break Easter weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 57:12


    Carl Roberts is joined by Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes to look ahead to a make or break Easter weekend as Cardiff look to stay up and Wrexham look to join them in the Championship.

    Cardiff's 'must win' game & Wrexham can't shake off Wycombe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 56:33


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes assess the importance of Cardiff's next game after two away draws keeps them in the Championship relegation zone. Can they afford not to beat fellow strugglers Stoke City at home on Saturday?Wycombe closed the gap on Wrexham by winning their game in hand, but for the first time this season, Phil Parkinson's side know their fate is now in their own hands.There's huge praise for Rhian Wilkinson's Wales side after impressive performances and results in the Nations League, but Craig Bellamy's no shirt-swopping policy raises a few eyebrows.

    "The one about Carol"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 30:04


    Carl Roberts, Nathan Blake and Nia Jones are joined by Wales players Laura O'Sullivan, Gemma Evans and Rhiannon Roberts.

    wales carl roberts nia jones nathan blake
    Cardiff's critical situation, Wilkinson's rallying call and Parkinson fuming

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 55:32


    It's well and truly the "business end of the season" and the clichés are out in force. The race between Wrexham and Wycombe for second place and automatic promotion remains too tight to call as both sides drop points against relegation-threatened opposition. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson felt crucial decisions went against them against Cambridge, while Sam still can't believe none of Wycombe's 33 shots found the net against Shrewsbury. Shooting practice this week?It's situation critical at Cardiff after the Bluebirds drop more points from a winning position by drawing with Sheffield Wednesday at home. For the first time this season, Iwan questions if they have enough to avoid relegation to League One.And with Wales women back in Nations League action, Carl again somehow manages to centre the discussion around food.

    Brooks salvages dramatic Skopje draw

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 29:13


    Carl Roberts is joined by Iwan Roberts and Nia Jones to reflect on Wales' World Cup qualifying draw in North Macedonia. David Brooks' equaliser with effectively the last kick of the game kept manager Craig Bellamy's unbeaten run intact.

    Wales win World Cup qualifying opener

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 29:21


    Former internationals Nathan Blake and Danny Gabbidon join Carl Roberts to dissect Wales' win over Kazakhstan and consider how manager Craig Bellamy will set up the team for the away match against North Macedonia.

    Inside the Wales camp: Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore & Liam Cullen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 23:47


    Carl Roberts, Joe Ledley and Nia Jones chat about Wales' upcoming World Cup Qualifiers v Kazakhstan and North Macedonia with Wales players Liam Cullen, Kieffer Moore and Brennan Johnson.

    Fresh Ramsey blow leaves Cardiff in 'serious trouble'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 58:29


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes consider the impact of Aaron Ramsey's latest injury setback on Cardiff and Wales. And Joe Ledley drops in for a quick chat.

    Wrexham's away form, Sheehan's audition and Newport's response

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 56:20


    The battle between Wrexham and Wycombe for second place in League One shows no signs of abating as the Reds compensate for some dropped points at home with a fourth successive away win. With Wycombe's lead now cut to two points, the anticipation grows still further for the huge match between both clubs at Adams Park on March 15. Carl does his best to delve into Wycombe's tactics and formation, but Sam remains tight-lipped.Cardiff unexpectedly broke Burnley's remarkable clean-sheet streak, while Alan Sheehan continues to steady the Swansea ship during his audition for the manager's job. And how will Newport approach the final weeks of the season without the threat of relegation or any realistic hope of making the play-offs?

    James Chester

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 73:44


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes are joined by Sam's former Wales teammate James Chester. James talks to us about his decision to hang up his boots recently, his 18-year career, and his time with Wales including Euro 2016. Carl, Iwan and Sam also preview the weekend's football.

    Wales come from behind to secure a superb draw with Sweden

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 21:09


    Carl Roberts is joined by former Wales internationals Helen Ward and Kath Morgan at the Stok Racecourse after Wales came from behind to secure a superb 1-1 draw at home to Sweden in the Nations League. We also hear from Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson.

    Italy v Wales review

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 26:52


    Catrin Heledd sits in for Carl Roberts this week and is joined by former Wales internationals Nia Jones and Nathan Blake to reflect on Wales' 1-0 defeat to Italy and look ahead to Rhian Wilkinson's side hosting Sweden in Wrexham on Tuesday.

    Swansea seek 10th manager in nine years

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 56:12


    Who next for Swansea City after the dismissal of manager Luke Williams? And what needs to change at the club to end the cycle of managerial instability? Despite the obvious shortcomings, Sam believes the job remains an attractive one for ambitious managers, while Iwan hopes the club will turn to one of their own to offer guidance.The shock news from Swansea has taken the spotlight away from Cardiff, but another draw on Saturday means the Bluebirds still haven't given themselves any breathing space from the bottom three. And Wrexham have suddenly lost their spark at home, much to the delight of Sam and his Wycombe team-mates.

    Inside the Wales camp: Lilly Woodham, Elise Hughes and Josie Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 27:22


    Carl Roberts, Katie Owen and Nathan Blake chat with Wales players Lilly Woodham, Elise Hughes and Josie Green as they embark on their League A Nations League campaign.

    Eligibility rules, Newport's revival and a dream Man Utd debut

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 53:43


    Should five years' residency make a player eligible to play international football for that country? It's allowed under Fifa rules, but historically Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland have agreed not to take advantage of it. The Football Association of Wales, though, have been testing the waters to see if there is appetite for change. As it transpires, there isn't. And Iwan and Sam are in complete agreement with that.They also agree that Newport County deserve great credit for giving their season a completely different complexion with four successive wins, but a lacklustre start at Portsmouth by Cardiff comes under criticism.And Iwan takes great pleasure in returning to his Gwynedd roots with this week's pick of the week.

    Swansea fans seek answers, Cardiff ship seven and Wrexham spend big

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 55:36


    A hugely contrasting January transfer window for the four Welsh EFL clubs provides plenty of taking points. Swansea's lack of signings has prompted concern from the Supporters Trust, with Iwan also critical of how the club dealt with the departure of captain Matt Grimes to Coventry. Cardiff's activity - particularly in signing highly-rated Leicester youngster Will Alves - helped to mask the seven-goal mauling at Leeds as crucial league games await this month. Wrexham showed their intent with a flurry of high-profile forward signings, and celebrated with a dance lesson from a Hollywood star. Newport gave themselves much needed-breathing space with two crucial wins, and bolstered the threadbare squad.Sam gives an update on his coaching status at Wycombe with the arrival of a new manager, and welcomes the club's decision to hold onto key players for the League One title push. And who will fill Harry Wilson's boots as the Wales' World Cup qualifying campaign draws nearer?

    Swansea's grim form continues

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 57:14


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes focus on Swansea City's alarming form and the shock departure of captain Matt Grimes.

    Derby review and Sam's new coaching role

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 55:21


    Carl, Iwan and Sam dissect Cardiff's thumping win over Swansea in the south Wales derby. And after Sam's unexpected call into the Wycombe interim coaching team, he reveals the array of emotions that accompanied their late win over Mansfield.

    Derby preview & Sam's lucky pants

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 42:25


    Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes look ahead to Saturday's south Wales derby between Cardiff City and Swansea City. And it's all change at Wycombe as manager Matt Bloomfield leaves for Luton, just as Sam's prolonged injury absence finally comes to an end - the lucky pants were all set..!

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