🎙️ Welcome to The Socially Distant Sports Bar – Sparky’s Thighs

Elis James (Elis & John, Oh, What A Time), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), and Steff Garrero are back with a thigh-slappingly good episode filled with rugby legends, iconic football moments, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. In Episode 248: Sparky’s Thighs, the lads dive into the career of Welsh football great Mark Hughes, plus a whole lot more.

✨ What’s in This Week’s Episode?

This week, you’ll hear about:

• The magic and power of Mark Hughes in Welsh football history
• NFL’s behind-the-scenes action with Rich Russo
• Rugby brilliance from France v Wales 1987
• The rise (and fall) of Freddy Adu, the original football prodigy
• Hidden gems like Gypsy Jem Mace and Olympic rugby triumphs

If you love a mix of sports history, quirky stories, and gut-busting banter, this episode is for you!

🗓 Episode Schedule

• Part 1: Out Wednesday
• Part 2: Out Friday

💡 Can’t wait? Subscribe to WONDERY+ to hear both parts ad-free and early, every Tuesday!

🚀 Why Choose WONDERY+?

• Early access: Be the first to hear Parts 1 and 2 every Tuesday.
• Ad-free listening: All the stories, none of the interruptions.

💡 Why Join Patreon?

• Support the pod directly!
• Unlock exclusive perks like:
• 30 minutes of bonus content every week
• Gift a Patreon membership to your mates!
• Access to iconic extras like Hoffi Pod and Michael Owen’s Movie Club

🎥 Bonus Podcasts for Patreon Members:

• Michael Owen’s Movie Club: Hilarious reviews of sports classics.
• Hoffi Pod: The lads’ favorite non-sports clips, revisited.

👉 Join the £8 or £10 Patreon tiers today and unlock everything!

🎉 THIS WEEK’S SHOW – Don’t Miss It!

PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY):

• Mike: Rich Russo and the NFL production truck – Watch here
• Elis: France v Wales, 1987 – Watch here
• Steff: Freddy Adu, football’s young prodigy – Watch here and here

PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY):

• Elis’ Documentary: Legends of Welsh Sport: Mark Hughes – Watch here
• Mike’s Book Recommendation: Gypsy Jem Mace by Jeremy Poolman – Get it here

PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE):

• Mike: Sushila Meena’s inspiring story – Watch here
• Elis: Mark Delaney’s unforgettable Cardiff v Chester moment in 1998 – Watch here
• Steff: Dupont winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens – Watch here

📺 TV Suggestions for More from Mike and Elis:

• Mike’s Throwback Special: Watch on BBC iPlayer
• Elis’ Derwydd Special: Watch here

✨ Get ready for another unforgettable episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar! 🎉

💡 Patreon keeps us going

👉 Join here for bonus podcasts every week, Hoffi Pod, Michael Owen’s Movie Club, and early access to live shows.

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🎟️ And Tour 2026 tickets are on sale now: distantpod.com/live

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