22 episodes

Joe Wilkinson has always wanted a professional footballer to be his mate. Step forward Patrick Bamford, who has signed up to this podcast to work out if the pair really can become true friends. Joe is a lifelong Gillingham supporter and wants to discover what it takes to play the game at the highest level because you can't support a friend without understanding what they've gone through and the challenges they face. Pat has agreed to answer any question that Joe thinks of so they will cover plenty of ground and you get to hear insight and stories from inside the dressing room at a professional football club as the two hosts get to know each other by spending time together recording this podcast.

My Mate's A Footballer BBC Radio 5 Live

    • Sport
    • 4.7 • 278 Ratings

Joe Wilkinson has always wanted a professional footballer to be his mate. Step forward Patrick Bamford, who has signed up to this podcast to work out if the pair really can become true friends. Joe is a lifelong Gillingham supporter and wants to discover what it takes to play the game at the highest level because you can't support a friend without understanding what they've gone through and the challenges they face. Pat has agreed to answer any question that Joe thinks of so they will cover plenty of ground and you get to hear insight and stories from inside the dressing room at a professional football club as the two hosts get to know each other by spending time together recording this podcast.

    How Do Footballers And Managers Deal With Pressure?

    How Do Footballers And Managers Deal With Pressure?

    After a brief hiatus, Joe and Pat are reunited to discuss pressure and the birth of Pat’s second child. The work/life balance of a football manager is assessed as Jürgen Klopp looks to take time away from the game and Pat discusses Kalvin Phillips' time at West Ham.

    • 38 min
    Is Joe Wilkinson Actually Good at Taking Free Kicks?

    Is Joe Wilkinson Actually Good at Taking Free Kicks?

    Joe has regretted mentioning this ever since the first episode of the podcast, but now let’s all find out whether Joe Wilkinson could actually become a set-piece specialist. You’ll hear how he embraces getting into the full kit, trying to play mind games with the Leeds United goalkeeper who he’s about to face and Patrick reveals the surprise for Joe that he believes will become the ideal motivator as he attempts to score 5 free kicks past Karl Darlow.

    • 29 min
    Joe and Patrick Finally Meet at Leeds’ Training Ground

    Joe and Patrick Finally Meet at Leeds’ Training Ground

    After recording almost an entire series of a pod together, Joe and Patrick finally meet in the flesh at the Leeds training ground where the stage is set for Joe to take a free kick. First though, he gets free rein to wander around the building speaking to whoever he bumps into and asking the kit man questions like: “What do you mean you melted everyone’s trainers?”

    • 28 min
    Your Questions Answered - Part Two

    Your Questions Answered - Part Two

    Pat gets grilled on his recent handball, VAR and developing the ‘dark arts’ of football in another episode where Joe puts some of your questions to him. Rotherham fans can treat this as a confessional whilst everyone else can enjoy this final episode before Joe has to take a free kick at the Leeds’ training ground, and it’s fair to say he’s still quite stressed about it.

    • 34 min
    Your Questions Answered (Plus Erling Haaland's Lovely Lips)

    Your Questions Answered (Plus Erling Haaland's Lovely Lips)

    After receiving hundreds of messages, Patrick and Joe open the floor to your questions. For some reason Patrick's agreed to answer anything Joe asks on behalf of the listeners, so expect the hosts to tackle such burning and contentious issues as “what’s your favourite dinosaur?”. We also discover what non-footballing things players think about when they're on the pitch, and how Patrick really feels about his FIFA avatar.

    • 37 min
    What Does ‘Style of Play’ Actually Mean?

    What Does ‘Style of Play’ Actually Mean?

    What's the difference between a press and a counter-press? Route one and possession football? Counter-attacking and parking the bus? Patrick nobly attempts to explain these football tactics to a bemused Joe.
    We also learn what style Patrick most enjoys playing and watching, how managers prepare tactically in the week before a game, and how Marco Bielsa could predict exactly how every match would play out.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
278 Ratings

278 Ratings

rockstar5001 ,

Different take on footballers life

Great series! Joe is a typical fan and interested in everything off the pitch
Bamford is smart and honest and holds his own with a clever comedian
Hope they continue this series

David Short ,

One of my favourite podcasts

Well done to Joe and Pat a brilliant show (can’t believe you hadn’t publicised this podcast on Chatabix Joe)
Happy to say I am now all caught up and eagerly await the next ep

Andy123457fgs ,

Amazing pod

Genuinely one of the most heart warming and interesting sports podcasts that I have listened to. Top quality and what a lovely couple of blokes they seem to be!

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