The Luke Alfred Show Luke Alfred

A Foul-Mouthed Parrot and The British Lions 1974 Tour of South Africa.In this episode, we delve into the fascinating and often brutal story of the 1974 British Lions tour of South Africa. Buckle up for tales of:A swearing parrot named Piet who heckled the Lions at their hotel breakfast. (Listen for this amusing anecdote at the beginning of the episode)The "Boks" (South African national team) being outmuscled in the scrums by the well-drilled Lions.Lions coach Willie John McBride's leadership ...

A Charismatic Leader Transforms Borussia Dortmund and LiverpoolI dive into the remarkable career of Jürgen Klopp, a manager who wasn't just a superb tactician, but never lost sight of the human touch.From Humble Beginnings to the Brink of RuinWe start with Borussia Dortmund, a club on the verge of financial collapse. Before Klopp's arrival, the team endured a string of uninspiring managers and disappointing results.Enter Klopp, the "Normal One"Despite limited success at Mainz 05, Klopp's pote...

Exploring the Unconventional: From Marrow-Tossing to Nail-Bending.In the vast landscape of sports journalism, there's often a gravitational pull towards the grandeur of major events and superstar athletes. Yet, there's a hidden world waiting to be discovered in the sidelines, in the quirky, the obscure, and the borderline absurd sports that defy conventional classification.Join me on a journey beyond the mainstream as we venture into the realms of nominal sports and pastimes that blur the lin...

Breaking Barriers: Roger Bannister and the Four-Minute Mile.Step back in time to May 6, 1954, when history was made on the Iffley Road track in Oxford. Join me as I delve into the captivating story of Roger Bannister's legendary assault on the four-minute mile barrier, a feat that captured the world's imagination and forever changed the landscape of athletics.I transport you to post-World War II Britain, a time of austerity and limited resources. Against this backdrop, I explore the societal ...

United Rugby Championship: Season 3 - The Drama Heats Up!Forget Netflix, this is real-life drama unfolding! The United Rugby Championship's final stretch is packed with nail-biting contests as South African teams fight for a place in the playoffs.The Fallen Champions: The Stormers, victors of Season 1, haven't quite repeated their dominance. They're a powerful team at home, racking up points and tries at Loftus Versfeld. However, their away record is patchy, with losses to Edinburgh and Leins...

In this episode, I take us on a trip down memory lane, exploring my life as a South African boy, with a love for cricket, during the 1970s and early 1980s.We delve into the joy of playing barefoot on the Wanderers outfield, the thrill of watching heroes like Graeme Pollock and Kevin McKenzie in action, and the camaraderie of lunchtime games on the Wanderers outfield.I'll tell you about Ajax Amsterdam, and their iconic thick red stripe and exotic European allure. It explores the imaginative wo...