BladesPod - The Sheffield United Podcast

Ben Meakin
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Podcast by Ben Meakin

  1. 27/08/2025

    The Last Episode

    Bit dramatic? I was hoping to say this after a playoff final win rather than the current mess, but I’ve decided to call time on the podcast. It’s something I’ve been weighing up for a while and, to be honest, it’s an acknowledgement that my heart’s just not in it quite as much as it used to be. Which, if I’m being blunt, you may have noticed at points last season. I started BladesPod eight years ago, which seems a long time to do anything really. My goal was to be something a little more “considered” than eg Praise or Grumble football phone-in style content, with fairly chill takes rather than clickbaity sensationalism. I hope that BladesPod has lived up to that in the main, but I’m now at a stage of life where United aren’t at the front of my mind anywhere near as much. Rather than put out something a bit rubbish or half-hearted, I think it’s just time to hang up the mic. I’ve hugely, hugely enjoyed my time recording and putting these podcasts out there, and the (generally!) good-natured feedback they’ve generated, even when it’s a difference of opinion. Above all it’s through this podcast that I’ve made some genuine friendships and met a load of people I don’t believe I’d ever have crossed paths with otherwise. As the pod’s lifetime has overlapped with me becoming a parent – not to mention living through a global pandemic – I can’t overstate how useful it’s been for my own mental health. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s ever taken the time to record with me – Anna, Dave, Hal, and all the guest fans of other teams who I’ve ever had on, back when I had a bit more enthusiasm. To Jay, without whom I don’t think I’d have carried on going for this long: a man who was my gateway into football analytics as well as giving the enthusiasm and self-belief that we were doing something worth ours’ and other people’s time. It’s been awesome to see him find an amazing career in the game he devoted so much of his spare time to – one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever encountered. And of course, a huge thanks to Andrew – someone I’d never met or even spoken to before we recorded an episode together for the first time, and now probably a person I speak to more often than anyone who doesn’t share my surname. An absolute pleasure to record all those episodes with you – six years! – and the one thing that’s made me put off finishing the podcast for the last year or two. A legend of the Lane. Finally, a thank you to anyone who’s ever listened to the pod or otherwise interacted with me on social media etc. It was only because there appeared to be any audience for this at all that I kept doing it beyond the first amateurish episode. I really do appreciate that that audience continued right up to this day, and I hope you got at least some enjoyment out of the pod during its run. I’ll still be writing about Sheffield United Women on my newsletter WOMEN OF STEEL (http://womenofsteel.substack.com), and hopefully will keep writing about the men’s team for the Pinch and anywhere else that will accept a few words from me when they come to mind. But for now, that’s all folks. Thanks again for listening to us. UTB, Ben

    55 min

  2. 13/08/2025

    Rube Awakening - Bristol City Recap

    Ben and Andrew's new season enthusiasm was burst quite abruptly by an almost farcically-clinical Bristol City on Saturday, but we discuss the fallout and the bright spots here as well as a need to gerronwi'it in the transfer market, the Anel Ahmedhodzic sale, and tonight's league cup game with Birmingham City. Thanks for listening and UTB!

    36 min

  3. 31/07/2025

    Getting Back In The Game

    After a summer sabbatical, Ben and Andrew look ahead to the 2025/26 season and get their heads back in the game ahead of the new campaign. We discuss the general feeling towards it all kicking off, Ruben Selles as manager, Vini Souza's departure, and players we're expecting a breakout season from. We're back, and we're ready for it all over again. Thanks for listening and UTB!

    57 min

  4. 17/06/2025

    Wilder Out (Again)

    Ben and Andrew react to today's news that Chris Wilder has been sacked as manager of Sheffield United. We discuss why it might have happened, what we think of the timing, and whether we think it's the right decision, plus look back on Wilder's legacy and what a new man could mean for the club going forward. As always, thanks for listening and UTB! === Women of Steel, a free newsletter about Sheffield United Women: http://womenofsteel.substack.com Who Remembers, Andrew (and Liam)'s UK nostalgia podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507764/episodes

    1h 12m

  5. 07/06/2025

    14 Days Later...

    Ben and Andrew emerge from under their respective rocks and remove their fingers from their respective ears to acknowledge that a playoff final took place two weeks ago. We do our best not to discuss that in any particular detail and instead appraise how we're feeling about United heading into the off-season and another year in the Championship. Thanks for your patience and for listening! Ben's newsletter on Sheffield United Women can be found at WOMEN OF STEEL: http://womenofsteel.substack.com Andrew and Leeroy's rebranded nostalgia podcast WHO REMEMBERS: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507764

    47 min

  6. 20/05/2025

    Blades v Sunderland Playoff Final Preview

    The time for talking is almost over, but until then Ben and Andrew blurt out some nervously-excited / excitedly-nervous thoughts ahead of United's 5th attempt to win a playoff final. Does Sunderland's form matter? Do our two league meetings have any significance? Can we keep our cool? How much of a difference will Wilder make? All this and more covered in an amount of detail greater than zero. Thanks for listening and for one last time this season, UTB!

    37 min

  7. 15/05/2025

    Kieffer Sunderland - Bristol City Second Leg Recap

    Ben and Andrew savour a smooth semi-final victory for the Blades, who repeat the scoreline of the first leg and beat Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate. We discuss a brilliant atmosphere and a memorable George Baldock moment, the great position the squad is in, how we're feeling heading to Wembley to face Sunderland, and the farce around the delayed kickoff announcement. Back with a preview of the match itself next week, in the meantime thanks for listening and UTB!

    39 min

  8. 10/05/2025

    Forgot About 'Dre - Bristol City First Leg Recap

    Ben and Andrew have a brief but giddy review of United's fantastic 3-0 win over Bristol City in the first leg of the playoff semi-finals, as Callum O'Hare and forgotten man Andre Brooks give the Blades a healthy cushion following Harrison Burrows' first half penalty. We talk about two big refereeing decisions, wily Wilder, the value of Kieffer Moore and a few other odds and ends ahead of Monday's second leg. Thanks for listening and UTB!

    38 min
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4.9
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289 Ratings

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Podcast by Ben Meakin

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