Between The Lines with Melissa Reddy Stak

When we look back at perhaps the most challenging season in English football history, we probably won't remember the goals or the games. This was the campaign of meaningful action, of meaningful change.
On our final episode of the season, we take another look at some of the biggest stories we've covered over the last year and hear from expert voices, to see what progress has been made. From tackling social media abuse to head injury protocols and the policing of fans in light of the recent protests, this season's off-field developments may be the catalyst in football's quest for a fair and sustainable future. 
Thank you for joining us on this season of Between The Lines. Enjoy the Euros and we'll see you next season!
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Football may have undergone its most seismic shift ever over the last few weeks. The threat of European Super League finally materialised and had evaporated just two days later, blown up in a blaze of fury from an unrivalled unity of football stakeholders.
In its wake, the debate around football club ownership has spread across all corners of the game. Who owns the game's biggest clubs? How did they get here? And what are their motivations behind owning what should be a representations of their communities?
We speak to two men who are experts on modern football governance; Joshua Robinson, author of 'The Club', talks us through the modern history of Premier League club ownership and the culprits behind the Super League. At the other end of the spectrum, Exeter City chairman Julian Tagg explains the benefits - and drawbacks - of their fan ownership model.
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In March 2019, Leigh Nicol - then playing for Charlton Athletic - was made aware that her iCloud had been hacked and some intimate footage had been shared online. In an instant, her life was shredded and she struggled to see how she could piece it back together. 
Leigh joins us on Between The Lines to discuss her gradual journey towards recovery. From contemplating suicide and leaving her bed only to be sick, to the help she received from her family and the Charlton staff, Leigh hopes that sharing her story will prompt other discussions of mental health in football. It is something that isn't spoken about enough – join us as, with Leigh now serving as an inspiration and an example, we shine a light in football's darkest corner.
If you've been affected by anything we've discussed in today's episode, help is available. Visit checkpointorg.com to find resources available in your area.
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For ages, women in football have accepted the unacceptable: sexual and verbal harassment, constant questioning of their abilities, their work cut down by accusations of having intimate relationships with players and managers, not feeling safe in their surroundings and being passed up for opportunities. 
Prompted by an article in The Independent sharing my personal experiences, the wall of silence was shattered with so many women sharing their stories. Soccer Sunday’s Bianca Westwood was one of them and she walks us through her reality, which makes for uncomfortable but important listening. 
Dotted throughout this raw and long overdue of Between The Lines are the voices of other women in the industry painting a picture of their experiences. No more silence, no more women feeling like we don’t belong in football.
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What was it like to be the first signing of the Roman Abrahomovic era at Chelsea? How much can playing under such contrasting managers - Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Brendan Rodgers, Mark Hughes, Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson - affect how you function in your position? How did the role of a fullback evolve during his near two decades in the game?
Glen Johnson joins us to answer all these questions and drop a whole load of knowledge along the way – ever wondered what’s it like to fundamentally disagree with a manager and have them shout at you for a whole half during a match? Well, listen on to find out!
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Remember a time when VAR was being pushed for to reduce the time spent talking about refereeing decisions? The technology is in, but the focus on the officials has never been greater, taking the spotlight away from the football itself and leading to death threats for the men with the whistle. 
In this episode, former Premier League ref Mark Halsey describes the horrific abuse his family was subjected to, but he also admits the standard of officiating in the top-flight needs to improve. He argues that VAR conversations should be made public, a view shared by Peter Walton and Ref Support’s Martin Cassidy. 
We discuss every issue surrounding officials in detail, from the problematic handball and offside laws to where the blame lies for a drop in England’s refereeing level.
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