On The Continent

Eight days to go until the Euros, people! England will kick off their campaign against France on July 5th, so today Chloe and Rachel are putting themselves in Sazzy Wiegs' shoes once more: we're picking our final England starting XI!What's changed? Why do we think – even without Millie Bright – that England have the perfect centre-half combo? And who's in that number 10 role? Plus, Chloe is buzzing for England's first ever meeting with the Reggae Girlz and London City Lionesses are already splashing the cash in the WSL...Join the Official Upfront Euro 2025 Fantasy League here!Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we continue to close in on the Euros, we've got some questions. Like... are other countries having squad drama too? It turns out, yes!Chloe and Rachel catch up over the latest international news, including some big calls in France, a big tweet in Spain, and a big f**k up with the kit in Wales.Plus, Swiss football writer Craig King joins us to give the lowdown on the host's preparations – and there's big news from the WSL! It's official: the league will be expanding to 14 teams.Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And breathe. It's all been kicking off in the Upfront WhatsApp group this past week - from Fran Kirby's retirement, to Millie Bright's shock announcement, to the actual bloomin' Euros squad itself! Chloe and Rachel are ready to react to it all.They explain why Millie Bright should tell the haters to do one – while Clo is very excited about Michelle Agyemang's inclusion. But Rach has concerns about England's midfield...Elsewhere, Ireland waved goodbye to a legend last week too in Louise Quinn! Clo explains how a dressing room adapts to the departure of a big personality. Plus, we give our honest thoughts on Robert Vilahamn's sacking – and why it took Spurs so long to make their decision.Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're joined by an absolute legend of the English game.Steph Houghton remains one of the best defenders of all time and played over 120 times for England, captaining the Lionesses at two World Cups and a Euros.She has just finished the UEFA A Licence course - the highest qualification a coach can receive - which qualifies her to coach in the WSL!Will we be seeing her in the dugout soon? Rachel sat down with Steph to ask her about the future, her coaching philosophy and who her dream backroom staff would be!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe's just about got the glitter off from Mighty Hoopla to chat all things international football! England put on a clinic against Portugal ahead of Sarina Wiegman unveiling her Euros squad on Thursday. Where does hat-trick hero Aggie Beever-Jones sit in the attacking pecking order? And if Lauren James is fit and back in the squad, who's going to miss out?Plus, Wales and Scotland suffer Nations League relegation, in part due to a dodgy refereeing decision and a sloppy performance respectively. There's hope for both Ireland and Northern Ireland tonight though, and the co-hosts for the 2031 World Cup have revealed themselves! It is weird that FIFA and the other co-hosts have said nothing yet, but there we are…Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're joined by one of England's exciting next generation and a rising star in the WSL: it's Brighton's Maisie Symonds!Rach caught up with Maisie from her seaside home (and, really, it couldn't be any closer to the sea) to look back on Brighton's season, which saw Dario Vidošić make an instant impact and some brilliant home form before a tougher second half of the campaign. She also reveals what it was like to be named in the Lionesses' squad for the first time back in March and get THAT phone call from Sarina Wiegman.Plus, Maisie explains why she wants to play World Sevens Football one day and we find out what post-season for a football-obsessed professional player really looks like...Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you hadn't heard, Arsenal wrote themselves into the history books on Saturday by beating Barcelona to win the Champions League. And now's your chance to relive it!Rachel and Chloe met outside the José Alvalade Stadium after the full time whistle to reflect on their feelings after an extraordinary 90 minutes. But before that, Rachel gives you a flavour of the build-up to the game and the atmosphere inside the stadium as things unfolded...Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've got two SEISMIC bits of football news to get stuck into today! First up, despite coming into the game as the unfancied underdogs, Arsenal put in a performance for the ages and won the Champions League! Rachel and Chloe discuss their own experiences of Saturday's final and praise a phenomenal effort from Renée Slegers and her players.Then, our preview of England's upcoming Nations League fixtures gets interrupted by the shocking news that Mary Earps has retired from the Lionesses with immediate effect! We wonder how this will affect the side's preparation for the Euros and what may have prompted such an immediate decision from the legendary keeper. Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here we go, people! Whether you're an Arsenal fan jumping on a flight to Lisbon or you're a neutral who's just ready for a huge Champions League final, Chloe and Rach have got you covered.We look back on Arsenal's route to the final and Barcelona's various demolitions, before looking ahead to the key battles on Saturday. Can Mariona Caldentey make the difference? Will Renée Slegers make a huge call and change her defence? And just how many Super Bocks are going to be flying around?Plus, we give our big predictions. Come join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rach dials in from Portugal to catch up with Clo about the FA Cup final, where Chelsea flexed their dominance for one last time this season. Some BIG names rocked up to Wembley - and surprise, surprise, Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn't one of them… We also get our teeth stuck into some rather weird Marc Skinner quotes (sorry Marc) before weighing up Man United's chances at the World Sevens tournament, which kicks off tomorrow! Plus, we discuss the worrying news that Blackburn Rovers could be withdrawing from the WSL2. Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who was our player of the season? Who was our manager of the season? And - most importantly of all - what was our WTF moment of the season?! And yes, there were a fair few to pick from…The iconic Upfront Awards are back. Join Chloe and Rachel to relive a hugely entertaining season of WSL football!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And just like that, the 2024/25 WSL season comes to a close! Clo and Rach are here to reflect on the final weekend and discuss this season's winners and losers. Chelsea (obviously) managed to pull off another invicible campaign and Arsenal beat Man United 4-3 at the Emirates to hold on to second place! Plus, how did Aston Villa finish sixth after flirting SO closely with relegation at the end of March? And the manager merry-go-round strikes again at Crystal Palace… Come for a bumper end-of-season edition, stay for Rach's Taylor Swift singalong!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us today is someone who's been instrumental in reshaping and driving the women's game forward in England: Kelly Simmons OBE! From putting the WSL on the map to championing investment in grassroots pathways - and everything in between - Kelly's 30-year career at the FA has been nothing short of extraordinary. Kelly reflects on her journey, the highs and lows along the way and whether she'd do anything differently if she was starting out again. Plus, she gives her thoughts on why WSL relegation shouldn't - and probably won't - be scrapped, tells us why the exclusion of the women's game from the Independent Football Regulator is a huge missed opportunity and gives her take on the FA's controversial decision to ban transgender women from playing women's football. Kelly is speaking at a Fair Game conference later this month. For more details and to get tickets, click here.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First things first… in case you missed it, Rach got an assist in the WSL this weekend! But in other news, Chelsea clinched their sixth straight WSL title with two games to spare, on a random Wednesday night at Leigh Sports Village of all places! But can they go the whole season unbeaten? Clo and Rach dive into just that. Elsewhere, the Manchester Derby lived up to its name as United bagged themselves a place in the Champions League next season - surely Jim Ratcliffe knows about that, right?! Plus, London City Lionesses have become the WSL newbies after their spicy final-day match against Birmingham City. But will they be able to stay up?Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Merseyside Derby this weekend! Which naturally means Clo and Rach have roped in Everton (and Ireland) number one, Courtney Brosnan! Courtney takes us inside Everton's injury-hit season, the impact of fresh investment at the club, and what Brian Sørenson is building with this team. Elsewhere, she and Clo obviously get into the nitty-gritty of what it really takes to be a goalkeeper at this level, while Rach of course gets the lowdown on all things Ireland! And yes, Courtney does reveal what it's like coming up against international teammates in a huge club fixture like this...Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rach joins Chloe from an airport lounge in France, fresh from witnessing a true Arsenal masterclass on Sunday. Their hugely impressive comeback against Lyon means they've reached the Champions League final for the first time in 18 years! Arsenal's Renée-ssance really is in full effect…Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered another semi-final exit to Barcelona but Rach tells us why their performance on Sunday was an improvement on that bruising first-leg. Plus, it was heartbreak at the weekend for Crystal Palace - and of course Clo - as their 7-1 defeat to West Ham confirmed their relegation from the WSL.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clo and Rach are back in the studio after a frustrating weekend of Champions League football for both Arsenal and Chelsea. Can either of them turn it around in the second legs? Clo reckons it's close to impossible for Chelsea, but Rach has cooked up a strategy that might just work. Let's just say the word “Tetris” springs to mind… Elsewhere, all this European drama has distracted us from a spicy WSL weekend, which saw Tottenham come so close to picking up their first league win since January. Why are they having such a weird season after showing such promise last year? And is Robert Vilahamn really in trouble? Clo and Rach get stuck into just that.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rach is here with a very special episode all the way from Canada, jetting over there for the launch of the brand-new Northern Super League! Ahead of the historic opening match between Calgary Wild and Vancouver Rise last night, she found time to sit down with Calgary's head coach and former Leicester City manager, Lydia Bedford. Lydia opens up about the challenges of relocating to a new country - during such a difficult time in her personal life - and shares the powerful way she managed to gel her squad in just a matter of weeks. And more importantly, Lydia reveals how she and her dog Baxter have been adapting to life in Canada! It involves some tabogganing... After that, we hear from Canadian sports journalist and friend of the pod Har Johal who joins Rach to react to this first-ever NSL match and explain what this brand-new league really means for Canada Soccer. Come and join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First things first, if you haven't seen that Phallon Tullis-Joyce save… where have you been this weekend?! Don't worry though, Clo and Rach are here to fill you in... Manchester United are heading back to Wembley to defend their FA Cup crown - cue Clo's celebrations - but can they get past Chelsea? Rach reckons this could be Chelsea's best-ever chance at winning the quadruple. We also discuss Marc Skinner's contract extension at United and why Man City are crying out for a summer rebuild. Should Nick Cushing stay on permanently? Clo and Rach aren't on the same page about this one... Plus, Canada's first-ever women's professional soccer league kicks off tomorrow (about time!) and Rach is flying out for the opener… because why wouldn't she be?! We dive into all the details of this brand new division! Come and join us.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Agyemang… WOW. Just wow. She had a night she will never forget, but England suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat in Belgium. Rach can hear the alarm bells ringing already - but don't panic, her and Chloe are very much on hand to bring the calm that's needed in this special post-match reaction pod! Plus, it's safe to say Sazzy Wiegs has a selection headache to contend with ahead of Euro 2025, so we thought we'd help her out. We've picked our starting XI for that tough opener against France. Who's in? And who's out? Come and find out! Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lionesses put in a five star performance against Belgium on Friday… this obviously means they're going to win the Euros now, right?! Rach reveals the player that impressed her the most while Clo tries to work out - once and for all - who's starting in goal at the Euros. We also turn our attention to Ireland - who put four past Greece - and then to Wales, who Clo reckons are like the Crystal Palace of the WSL. Plus, are Scotland out of their depth in League A? And how can Northern Ireland be more consistent? Oh, and then we address the biggest news of all… the 2035 World Cup looks like it's coming to the UK!! But wait a second, Manchester United's new stadium could be part of the tournament? Er, what? Manchester United?Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For over a decade, Adrian Jacob has helped shape Chelsea into one of the most successful and dominant teams in the game. Today, he sits down with Rach to take us inside that journey - from what it was like working with Emma Hayes to some of the club's biggest moments. He also gives his take on accusations that Chelsea have ‘spent' their way to success and explains why it's up to other clubs to catch up. But Adrian's next project is just as ambitious: World Sevens Football - the new, women's seven-a-side tournament launching next month. He breaks down what his role as Head of Football actually involves, explains why this competition could be a game changer, and addresses concerns about its potential impact on player loading, calendar congestion and whether it could widen financial gaps in the game.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's April Fool's Day! Which means Clo obviously had to play a (not so) little joke on Rach… Once Rach has finally recovered, we dive into Aston Villa's massive comeback against Liverpool. Does this win mean Villa are safe from relegation? And is a fifth-place finish for Liverpool this season still achievable? Elsewhere, West Ham nicking a point against Chelsea - at Kingsmeadow - wasn't on our bingo cards, but we are HERE for it! Clo and Rach give West Ham's Shekiera Martinez her very well-earned flowers. Plus, we size up the Lionesses' game against Belgium this Friday!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, episode three of the Man City and Chelsea quadrilogy did not disappoint! Chloe praises Kerolin and Khiara Keating's performances and Rach tells us why Chelsea deserved to win this time round. Then, we look ahead to the fourth and final showdown this Thursday in the Champions League! Elsewhere, Leicester pulled off a potentially season-saving performance against Brighton and Rach explains just how bad the pitch was for the Real Madrid vs Arsenal game last week — she definitely needed her cagoule for that one... Plus, we weigh in on the new World Sevens Football taking place in less than two months. Will it just make the rich clubs even richer?Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City go head-to-head in a huge National League Cup final clash! So who better to give us the down-low on it than a true England and Arsenal Legend, Anita Asante? Anita reflects on her Arsenal days — where she in fact won this trophy twice — explains why greater visibility for National League teams is so important and shares her thoughts on the controversial proposals to freeze relegation from the WSL. Plus, she reveals the biggest lesson she learned playing under Emma Hayes and discusses her experience stepping into coaching! Come and join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea finally ended their League Cup final curse. This time around, the only cursed thing was the pitch at Pride Park.Chloe and Rachel look back on a huge day for Chelsea and Sonia Bompastor. But will Man City be better prepared for their next meeting? And the one after that, and the one after that…Plus, Liverpool upset Manchester United as Olivia Smith lights up Anfield in a performance Rach thinks was reminiscent of peak LJ. And while the title race might be sewn up, the battle for relegation is well and truly alive.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool pulled off the closest thing to a cupset this weekend! Rach is here to tell us why Arsenal's performance felt like a throwback to their early-season struggles under Jonas Eidevall… Meanwhile, over at Man United, things are looking far worse off the pitch than on it. Chloe and Rach discuss Geyse's situation and how it speaks to the club's wider issues. And then… a bombshell drops! We react to the news — in real-time — that Man City have parted ways with Gareth Taylor right before their League Cup final against Chelsea this weekend. Talk about timing, ey?!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Rach in the studio today is one of the most influential figures in British sport—Baroness Sue Campbell! The driving force behind the transformation of women's football in England, Sue's influence on the game has been instrumental, and her career is nothing short of extraordinary. Sue reminisces about Euro 2022—and the role she played in England's journey to success—reveals the three key priorities she set upon joining the FA, where she later became the director of women's football, and shares the powerful words from her father that kept her going during her toughest moments. Plus, Sue discusses the handover of the WSL and Championship to the WPLL, and we get a glimpse into her brand-new book, The Game Changer, which is out today! Come and join us.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brighton did a little bit of a dirty on Chelsea at the weekend as they held the league leaders to a draw. So with Chelsea's lead now at five points, is the title race back on?! Clo reckons there's a cool draft coming through that slightly ajar door… Meanwhile, the WSL managerial merry-go-round has been in full swing after Liverpool parted ways with Matt Beard. Then just 24 hours later, Crystal Palace followed suit by sacking Laura Kaminski! Clo's obviously here with some sage advice: “Don't go into management, kids!” Plus, we weigh in on the leaked WPLL proposals to scrap relegation in the WSL and discuss why it's caused just a bit of a stir…Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe's travelled down to East Dulwich to catch up with none other than Mary Phillip! Mary walks us through her hugely successful England days, from the “surreal” moment she got called-up, to being roommates with another England icon, Rachel Yankey. Mary also discusses her trophy-laden club career, reveals what it truly meant to be the first Black woman to captain the Lionesses - something she only discovered 15 years later - and opens up about how she juggled her love of football with motherhood. Now making history with Peckham Town in the men's game, Mary discusses the lack of diversity amongst female coaches, shares the challenges she's faced in her coaching career and explains what it meant to become the first female manager to win silverware in the men's game. Plus, Chloe (obviously) does her best to convince Mary to return to women's football…Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe's back from Miami and joins Rach in the studio - sadly with no piña colada in hand - to break down England's underwhelming, but not disastrous, 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Nations League opener. Elsewhere, Carla Ward got her first - albeit scrappy - win with Ireland so Rach is of course buzzing about that, and then we look to Scotland who didn't quite kickstart their new era in the same fashion. Plus, just last week, Luis Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso after the 2023 World Cup final without her consent. We unpack why that case and all the publicity around Hermoso points to much wider societal issues.Didn't catch last week's episode with Ireland and Man United defender Aoife Mannion? Listen here. Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International football is back tomorrow! Which means we've roped in Republic of Ireland defender Aoife Mannion to tell us all about her Ireland journey after debuting for the Girls in Green two years ago this month.Aoife opens up about overcoming setbacks throughout her career - after suffering two ACL injuries - and reveals what it's like to play with an underdog mentality in the Ireland squad.Elsewhere, Aoife shares how deflating it was to fall short of Euro 2025 and lose Eileen Gleeson and Colin Healy soon after. Plus, she explains what new challenges are ahead with the exciting arrival of Carla Ward. Come join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe's still living it up in Miami, but fear not: today, Rachel is joined by certified commentary royalty as she gets stuck into the latest news with BBC Sport's Robyn Cowen!We chat about a disappointing North London Derby, where Spurs showed they've gone backwards since last season and Arsenal turned on the style in front of 56,784 Chloe Kelly stans. Elsewhere, Chelsea snatched yet another victory from the jaws of looming defeat and we look ahead to some crucial Nations League fixtures for Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses.Plus, Rachel quizzes Robyn about the art of commentary and her own journey, from stumbling into local radio to delivering one of the most iconic lines in English sporting history, when England emerged victorious at Euro 2022.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We'd like to start by thanking Mary Fowler for saving us all - but especially one very cold Rach - from extra-time against Arsenal last week. Her and Clo react to Man City getting through to the League Cup final to face, you guessed it… Chelsea! Elsewhere, the FA Cup delivered some serious squeaky bum time moments this weekend and we also give our thoughts on whether ‘B Teams' in the lower tiers are actually a good idea. Plus, Sazzy Weegs has announced her England squad for the Nations League games later this month, and of course people are talking about Chloe Kelly being ‘dropped'. We're here to throw water on that fire and revel in Keets getting her call-up!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a rather chaotic week for Manchester City… First with Chloe Kelly's turbulent exit and then with that seven-goal thriller against Arsenal! Chloe and Rachel are here to react to it all! Plus, Everton opened the floodgates against one of the meanest defences in the league, Chelsea have signed none other than Keira Walsh and Rach explains which teams have had a great window and who could've done more.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would it really be a London derby if there wasn't some last minute drama?! We give our takes on the penalty decision that gave Chelsea yet another three points and react to Katie McCabe seeing red. Elsewhere, Viv Miedema's back doing GOAT things and we have Sonny B's bare ankles in our thoughts and prayers. Plus - much to Chloe's excitement - Naomi Girma has made the move to Chelsea for a record $1.1m transfer fee. So how did they announce her, you ask? By parading her in front of the Arsenal bench in the pouring rain, of course. Welcome to London, Naomi.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WSL is back from the winter break! And that Manchester derby was certainly worth the wait. Clo and Rach are once again full of praise for Ella Toone after her hat-trick and we wonder whether it's crunch time for Gareth Taylor. Elsewhere, Liverpool put in a sharp display against Brighton to take all three points - but Matt Beard's on a revenge mission against the PGMOL. And THIS time, he has videos... Plus, we caught up with Irish journalist Kathleen McNamee to discuss friend of the pod Carla Ward's new job as the Republic of Ireland Head Coach!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe and Rachel are back together in the studio! And there's nothing like a whole bunch of postponements to get us kicked off for 2025, is there?!Besides that though, there were some very exciting returns in the FA Cup – we give our takes on Ella Toone, Viv Miedema and LJ's returns, plus how the FA Cup can be made more competitive after another upset-less weekend.We also react to Jonas Eidevall's tell-all interview (and do a surprisingly good Jonas impersonation) and there's the latest transfer news from WSL land!Didn't catch last week's episode with Maggie Murphy? Listen here.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with our first episode of 2025! Chloe sits down with Maggie Murphy to unpack some of the big headlines set to shape women's football in 2025: from Barclays' renewed sponsorship deal to the record five-year TV broadcasting deal. Elsewhere, Maggie explains why Brighton's proposed women's stadium would be a game-changer, discusses whether the Championship should actually be rebranded as the ‘WSL2' and looks at what impact Euro 2025 could have on the growth of the game. Plus, should we be worried about WSL attendances? Join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a year 2024 has been in the WSL and beyond. Today, we're wrapping it up in style with our very own ‘Upfront Wrapped'. Join Chloe and Rachel as they relive their most-watched footballing moments of 2024 and reveal their ‘Top Artists', ‘Biggest Hits' and ‘Watching Characters' — spoiler, that last category is a real good'un!We also find out your New Year's Resolutions for women's football in 2025 and throw in some serious (and not so serious) suggestions of our own… Happy New Year, Upfront gang!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our final episode before Christmas! And Rach has got her special Christmas hat on – not that Chloe is particularly appreciative…Elsewhere, Chloe might have been busy tending to her sourdough but it was a hell of a WSL weekend. Chelsea dropped points and then – oh no – Man City only got done by Everton, didn't they?We take a look across the table for our bumper mid-season review and try to work out what's been going down at Aston Villa. Where better to start than LinkedIn…Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe and Rach are here to round up another goalicious weekend in the WSL, as Chelsea won again - despite a sloppy display against a decent-looking Brighton - and Aston Villa's lack of consistency might put Robert de Pauw's job at risk. Plus, has Renée Slegers done enough to earn the Arsenal job full-time?We also look ahead to the fourth round of the FA Cup as the WSL sides barge in and threaten to spoil the party and Chloe brings tales of her own 12-hour FA Cup coach trips, where she'd usually just end up on the bench. Ouch.Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whatever happens tonight in Ireland vs Wales, history will be made. And whatever happens, Rach will be watching it through her fingers!Chloe, on the other hand, jubilantly hails the renaissance of Mary Earps on today's episode after England kept out Emma Hayes' energetic, young US side. What did Saggy Weegs learn from an eventful 0-0?Plus, Brazil can't do friendlies and Scotland can't turn up for the big occasion. Will tonight in Helsinki be the night that all changes?Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wait is nearly over: the Lionesses take on Emma Hayes' USA in just TWO days! We ponder on the problems Sarina Wiegman could use this friendly to address and Rach explains why there will be plenty of catastrophising if England lose. Elsewhere, we discuss Emma Hayes' USWNT reign so far - and her pint-pulling skills, of course - and Chloe explains why Hayes will arrive at Wembley with revenge on her mind! Plus, we reveal our score predictions! And spoiler: Rach may well be sitting on the fence once again…Follow us on X, Bluesky, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.