3 In The Middle Podcast

Chris Lumsdon and Mark “Skip” Boyd are joined once again by former Carlisle United kitman and Burnley team driver Andy “Bus Head” Horn for an episode packed with football debates, behind-the-scenes stories and plenty of nonsense.

The lads discuss England’s chances of overcoming Lionel Messi and winning the World Cup, Jude Bellingham’s fiery mentality and the controversial decision to leave Phil Foden and Cole Palmer out of the squad.

Attention then turns to Newcastle United as they debate the possible departures of Bruno Guimarães and other leading players, the extraordinary money now being spent on transfers and whether the club could be heading into serious trouble.

There’s also reaction to Roy Keane’s latest criticism of Erling Haaland’s dad, along with stories about Carlisle United’s kits, the devastating floods at Brunton Park and Bus Head driving the team coach through a city left in darkness.

Bus Head also reveals the brilliant story behind Foxy’s missing mascot head including the moment he drove past Carlisle’s training session wearing it while John Ward addressed the players.

Also featuring:

• Can England defeat Messi and win the World Cup?
• Jude Bellingham’s winning mentality
• Leaving Phil Foden and Cole Palmer at home
• Newcastle United’s transfer problems
• Roy Keane versus Erling Haaland’s dad
• Carlisle United’s rare prototype shirts
• Memories of the Brunton Park floods
• The Foxy mascot-head prank
• Who Am I?
• The lads’ favourite football shirts
• Skip’s famous free kick
• Bus Head’s 27mph journey to watch Carlisle  

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Bus Head returns
02:55 Skip’s controversial Crocs
04:48 Sponsored by Criffel View Private Hire
05:07 Dylan signs for Gretna
06:20 Is a curry Indian or Chinese?
10:42 Carlisle United’s new kits
11:36 Rare Carlisle shirts and the Brunton Park floods
14:55 Driving through Carlisle after the floods
16:39 Can Carlisle dominate the National League?
18:27 Jude Bellingham’s mentality
20:08 An incredible 100-mile charity challenge
20:49 The football injury everyone used to have
22:08 Can England win the World Cup?
23:39 England preparing to face Messi
24:18 Leaving Foden and Palmer at home
24:50 Are Newcastle United in serious trouble?
25:45 Football’s extraordinary transfer fees
26:23 Newcastle’s remarkable Miley family
28:31 Roy Keane versus Haaland’s dad
29:48 Footballers’ favourite television programmes
32:43 The Foxy mascot-head prank
35:01 Who Am I?
39:32 The lads’ favourite career clips
41:48 Their favourite football shirts
45:52 Bus Head’s 27mph journey to watch Carlisle
49:00 Away-day food and dressing-room stories
56:44 England match predictions
57:55 Final thoughts  

Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly episodes featuring former professionals Chris Lumsdon and Mark “Skip” Boyd, current player Dylan McGeouch and special guests from across football.

#3InTheMiddle #England #NewcastleUnited #JudeBellingham #CarlisleUnited #FootballPodcast

This week World Cup fever continues to grow as the lads review the epic battle of England v Mexico at the Azteca, a stadium that Dylan has played in and he gives us first hand experience of how that altitude really affects you. 

Plenty of other talking points from the tournament including Bellingham, the Trump saga and of course the infamous Harry Kane post match interview which runs the risk of being his World Cup legacy. 

As always, plenty of other stuff discussed from the strength of hotel beer on holiday, away game pre match hotel stories and Dylan's time at Sunderland.

We also learn which of our hosts loves to settle down and watch Gossip Girl over everything else and which one has a slight link to The Gameshow Killer story from Netflix.  

This week the lads continue with their World Cup coverage and rank recent England greats and Scotland's efforts as Lummy's England shirt looks like going into the last 32 unwashed.

Stories include former Sunderland player Asamoah Gyan and his Music Man inspiring the Mackem's to a 5-1 defeat against the Toon, an ex pro getting papped in only his club issued shoes after a night out and find out which host was Mr February in a topless club calendar. 

Also includes a review of Carlisle's latest signings and the one they think has a bit about him to be a huge success for the Blues. 

Chris Lumsdon, Mark “Skip” Boyd and Dylan McGeouch return for another episode packed with World Cup debates, dressing-room stories and more unbelievable tales from their playing careers.

The lads revisit football’s biggest argument following another Lionel Messi masterclass: is there really still a debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? They compare Messi’s natural genius with Ronaldo’s relentless dedication before selecting the England team they believe can win the World Cup.

They also debate whether expanding the tournament to 48 teams has damaged its quality, discuss Scotland’s encouraging start and ask how many Scottish players would make England’s starting XI.

Skip recalls the goalkeeper who left professional football to become WWE wrestler Hugo Knox, while Dylan reveals what Scott Brown was really like on a night out. There are also stories involving Bryan Robson, John Collins, Kevin Ball and some of football’s most naturally gifted athletes.

Lummy then shares a wild Newcastle nightclub story involving Patrick Kluivert, before the lads remember the day Michael Owen arrived at St James’ Park and Newcastle supporters were still more excited about the return of Nobby Solano.

Plus, the lads describe the nerves surrounding their professional debuts, from Lummy’s sleepless night before facing Wolves to Skip being substituted during a nightmare first appearance for Port Vale and Dylan preparing for his first Celtic start.

Also featuring:

• Lummy turning down the opportunity to represent England C
• The strangest Championship Manager cheat code
• Footballers who were physically built differently
• The goalkeeper who became a WWE wrestler
• Scott Brown’s unforgettable nights out
• John McGinn’s unusual secret weapon
• Russell Martin’s latest managerial opportunity
• Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
• England’s strongest World Cup starting XI
• Should the World Cup have expanded to 48 teams?
• Who Am I?
• The ultimate 38-game Premier League team
• The nerves before making your professional debut
• Patrick Kluivert’s wild Newcastle nightclub story
• Michael Owen, Nobby Solano and Graeme Souness at Newcastle
• England and Scotland World Cup predictions

This episode is sponsored by Tony Masters Coaching.

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Follow Tony Masters Coaching and send the word “BUILT” for more information. Quote “3 In The Middle” to receive 30% off selected coaching plans.

Follow 3 In The Middle for weekly football conversations featuring former professionals Chris Lumsdon and Mark “Skip” Boyd, current player Dylan McGeouch and guests from across the game.

After a recent run of guest episodes the lads are back together as a three and straight back to what they do best.

Expect stories around which England player slept in the overhead luggage compartment on the flight after a Euro 96 game, World Cup preview and find out which ex Newcastle United player Skip still can't find anything positive to say about and his reasons which include an earring and a pint of P*ss.

Throw in a few reader's stories about anonymous ex players antics and 'the great curry debate' and you've got an episode full of laughs and banter. 

Former Carlisle United and Norwich City striker Grant Holt joins Chris Lumsdon and Mark “Skip” Boyd to discuss a defining summer at Brunton Park.

The lads assess Carlisle’s failure to win promotion, the departure of Mark Hughes and whether the manager or the players should carry the greatest responsibility for another season in the National League.

Attention then turns to Rob Elliott. After transforming Gateshead’s fortunes, can he establish a clear identity at Carlisle and finally get this talented squad promoted? Grant explains why there can be no more talk of long-term projects and why returning to the Football League must be the immediate priority.

Grant also delivers an honest assessment of Carlisle’s infrastructure, academy and recruitment. He questions how a club capable of attracting 16,000 supporters still lacks an elite training facility and why more former professionals from across Cumbria aren’t being used to develop the next generation.

The lads also debate football’s growing obsession with statistics. Grant draws on his experience as a West Ham scout to explain why impressive numbers can be misleading and why watching a player in person remains essential.

Also featuring:

• Should Carlisle have achieved more last season?
• Why Mark Hughes decided to leave
• How much responsibility belongs to the players?
• Rob Elliott’s remarkable work at Gateshead
• Why Carlisle must win promotion next season
• The dangers of constantly changing footballing philosophies
• Carlisle’s lack of training infrastructure
• Why the academy should be producing more players
• Using former professionals to develop young talent
• How statistics can mislead clubs during recruitment
• What Grant learned while scouting for West Ham
• Why Carlisle supporters value effort above everything else
• Tony Hopper’s special memorial weekend

Follow 3 In The Middle for honest football conversations with former professionals, current players and special guests from across the game.

In this episode the lads sit down with former Norwich City captain and Premier League striker Grant Holt to explore one of football's most inspiring journeys.

Grant reflects on his unconventional path through non-league football, balancing work and ambition, overcoming setbacks, and proving that determination can outweigh talent alone.

From early mornings and factory shifts to packed stadiums and Premier League goals, Grant shares the lessons he learned over a career that saw him play across all five of England's professional leagues and come close to an England call up. 

Find out how close he was to his England dream, his favourite manager to play for and the one regret in his career, the club he never got to pull on the shirt for despite four near opportunities. 

An inspirational career and a lesson in never giving up on your dream, one definitely not to be missed. 

#3InTheMiddle #GrantHolt #NorwichCity #FootballPodcast #CUFC

Carlisle United legend Neil “Dolly” Dalton returns with more unbelievable stories from his career as a football physio.

Dolly recalls the chaotic final months of Roddy Collins’ time at Carlisle, including the boxing ring he attempted to build at the training ground—and how certain players found themselves sparring with the manager when he wanted them out of the club.

He explains how Paul Simpson transformed Carlisle United, rebuilt the dressing room and led the club back into the Football League. There are also stories about Karl Hawley, Michael Bridges and the players who helped revive their careers at Brunton Park.

Dolly discusses working under Neil McDonald, reveals why he eventually walked away from Carlisle and looks back on the opportunities he rejected at Wolves, Charlton and Aberdeen because the timing wasn’t right for his family.

He also shares memories from Aberdeen and Celtic, including meeting Scott Brown and discovering that an embarrassing Secret Santa present had remained on display long after he left.

Then comes one of the most extraordinary injuries Dolly ever treated—a footballer who required emergency surgery after suffering an extremely painful accident away from the pitch. The club then had to invent a completely different injury for the local newspaper!

Dolly also answers viewers’ questions about the best managers he worked with, the toughest players to treat and the reality of handling serious injuries inside professional football.

The episode concludes with an emotional tribute to former Carlisle United and Workington midfielder Tony Hopper, who sadly passed away after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Also featuring:

• Roddy Collins’ unfinished boxing ring
• Players being made to spar with the manager
• How Paul Simpson transformed Carlisle United
• Michael Bridges rebuilding his career
• Old-school Carlisle dressing-room pranks
• What Neil McDonald was really like
• Why Dolly left Carlisle United
• Turning down Wolves, Charlton and Aberdeen
• Working at Aberdeen and Celtic
• Meeting Scott Brown
• Dolly’s most embarrassing Secret Santa present
• The worst injuries he treated as a physio
• A football injury the newspapers couldn’t be told about
• The best managers Dolly worked with
• Old-school hairdryer treatments
• Remembering Tony Hopper

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Roddy Collins, Paul Simpson and Carlisle’s survival
01:04 Carlisle’s extravagant cup-final trip
02:22 Roddy Collins builds a boxing ring
03:22 The manager who sparred with his players
04:08 How Paul Simpson transformed Carlisle United
05:18 Building Carlisle’s promotion-winning team
07:52 Michael Bridges rebuilds his career
09:18 Carlisle’s wildest dressing-room pranks
11:57 What Neil McDonald was really like
15:59 Why Dolly decided to leave Carlisle
16:54 Turning down Wolves, Charlton and Aberdeen
18:31 Life behind the scenes at Aberdeen
19:07 Dolly’s embarrassing Secret Santa present
21:11 Working at Celtic and meeting Scott Brown
22:24 Dolly answers the viewers’ questions
23:06 Wembley and his biggest football matches
23:39 The most difficult players to treat
25:37 The worst injuries Dolly ever witnessed
27:39 A footballer’s extremely painful accident
29:25 The best managers Dolly worked with
32:08 Football’s most brutal hairdryer treatments
36:25 Remembering Tony Hopper
38:08 Final stories and messages

Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly episodes featuring former professionals Chris Lumsdon and Skip Boyd, current player Dylan McGeouch and special guests from across football.

#3InTheMiddle #NeilDalton #CarlisleUnited #ScottBrown #FootballPodcast

Sponsored by Warwick Road Bed Centre.

Carlisle United’s legendary former physio Neil “Dolly” Dalton joins the lads for more incredible stories from over 1,200 matches in professional football.

Dolly reveals how he went from apprentice footballer to becoming Carlisle’s head physio at just 22, recalls the unforgettable Jimmy Glass goal that saved the club and explains what really happened when Vinnie Jones pulled on a shirt for Carlisle.

There are also brilliant stories involving Nigel Pearson’s secret “Bright Eyes,” Roddy Collins’ midweek drinking sessions, chaotic trips to Dublin and the reality of helping injured footballers through the most difficult periods of their careers.

Expect honest football stories, dressing-room secrets and plenty of nonsense from an era of the game that will never be repeated.

Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly football conversations with former professionals, current players and special guests from across the game. 🎙️⚽

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Neil “Dolly” Dalton returns
00:35 Sponsored by Warwick Road Bed Centre
01:39 Carlisle’s promotion-winning season
03:22 An incredible generation of young players
04:40 The player who rejected Sir Alex Ferguson
07:56 The wild apprentice trip to Holland
10:32 How Dolly became a football physio
13:30 Becoming Carlisle’s head physio at just 22
14:03 Managing huge dressing-room characters
15:20 Promotions, relegations and Wembley
17:17 The brutal reality of football contracts
18:25 Friday afternoons with the “bomb squad”
19:06 Why injured footballers shouldn’t be punished
20:50 The mental impact of a serious injury
23:42 Protecting players after a heavy night out
26:06 Nigel Pearson’s secret “Bright Eyes” trick
29:00 The unforgettable Jimmy Glass miracle
31:35 Inside the dressing room after survival
33:02 How Roddy Collins got the Carlisle job
35:01 Roddy’s midweek drinking sessions
36:12 Carlisle’s chaotic trips to Dublin
37:19 A night out with Vinnie Jones
37:50 Vinnie Jones plays for Carlisle
38:53 Christmas Day training after several drinks
40:47 The incredible story of Roddy’s missing Mercedes

#3InTheMiddle #CarlisleUnited #NeilDalton #VinnieJones #JimmyGlass #FootballPodcast

Former Carlisle United midfielder Graeme Anthony joins Chris Lumsdon, Skip Boyd and Dylan McGeouch for an episode packed with old-school football stories, honest opinions and an important tribute to Tony Hopper.

Graeme looks back on leaving home at 15 to join Sheffield United, cleaning the boots of Premier League players and sharing a dressing room with stars including Vinnie Jones and Brian Deane.

He reveals what reserve-team football was really like, recalls a brilliant prank involving Dwight Yorke and discusses working under legendary managers such as Dave Bassett and Howard Kendall.

The lads also debate whether modern academies are coaching the individuality out of young players, share more outrageous football night-out stories and discuss the latest situation at Carlisle United.

Most importantly, Graeme shares his memories of former Carlisle United and Workington midfielder Tony Hopper, who passed away after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Tony’s memorial weekend takes place on 30 and 31 May, with a special match in Penrith at 2pm on Sunday 31 May featuring former Carlisle United, Workington and Penrith players.

Also featuring:

• Vinnie Jones and Sheffield United stories
• The Dwight Yorke dressing-room prank
• Why modern football academies could be broken
• Wayne Rooney and the loss of street footballers
• Carlisle United’s managerial situation
• Who Am I?
• What’s the Crack?
• Youth-team jobs and old-school coaching
• Tony Hopper memories and memorial weekend

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Dylan’s food intervention
01:12 Introducing Graeme Anthony
02:37 Remembering Tony Hopper
03:35 Football Manager legends and cheat codes
06:24 The Sunderland trip that went badly wrong
10:27 Graeme’s journey into professional football
13:21 Life as a Premier League apprentice
18:22 Nearly walking away from Sheffield United
19:16 Graeme’s brilliant Dwight Yorke prank
20:05 What Martin Keown was really like
23:04 Swindon, Plymouth and an uncertain future
24:11 Carlisle United’s retained list
28:02 Carlisle’s managerial situation
33:13 Who Am I?
38:13 Billy Whitehurst and Vinnie Jones stories
40:34 How Graeme joined Carlisle United
43:53 The incredible Jimmy Glass survival story
46:07 Whiskey before Carlisle’s biggest match
49:52 Celebrating Carlisle’s great escape
52:25 Moving to Barrow and Workington
57:57 The nerves before making your professional debut
59:56 Is the football academy system broken?
1:04:20 Old-school youth-team managers
1:08:16 Footballers’ nightmare digs stories
1:13:54 The most annoying football anthem
1:16:03 What’s the Crack?
1:16:10 What went wrong at Carlisle United?
1:24:40 Tony Hopper’s MND story and memorial weekend
1:32:31 Final message from Graeme

Subscribe to 3 In The Middle for weekly episodes featuring former professionals Chris Lumsdon and Skip Boyd, current player Dylan McGeouch and special guests from across football.

#3InTheMiddle #GraemeAnthony #CarlisleUnited #VinnieJones #FootballPodcast