Hospital Ball

Steve Watson made his pro debut for Newcastle and achieved the record of being their youngest ever debutant aged just 16, a record that still stands. That was the start of a journey that saw him play over 550 career games for Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday. Here Steve reflects on his playing career including looking back at many iconic Premier League and Champions League games before bringing the conversation round to his managerial career where he is the current York City manager and bidding to lead the club out of the National League North. Steve looks back on his time at the club so far and his thoughts on the near miss for promotion in 19/20 where the club lost in the play-offs having missed out narrowly due to PPG. 

This episode was recorded by Keith Lea, conducted by Dan Tait and edited by James Charters. The episode is sponsored by Russ Hoban/Derwent Reds and if you enjoy it please consider donating to our charity, justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio. 

The final section of the live event with Richard Brodie was dedicated to a supporters Q&A. Overall, the event raised nearly £300 for York Hospital Radio and the podcast has raised over £1200 during the past year. We have recently been nominated as a finalist in the Football Content Awards (Charitable campaign section), please consider voting before September 24th via this link Vote for us

Please note the opinions of any guest on Hospital Ball may not necessarily reflect the opinions of York Hospital Radio.  

Richard Brodie was a huge favourite with York City fans and remains our most downloaded episode of the podcast. Following his initial interview Richard said there were many more stories to tell and thus we organised an opportunity to tell them via a live event at Haxby Sports Bar. After several cancellations due to covid, Richard Brodie live took place on Sunday 25th July, 2021.

Interview conducted on stage by Dan Tait, produced on the night by Keith Lea and edited by James Charters. This event did contain some explicit language. 

Providing the warm up for the main event, inspirational and passionate supporter Michael Miles entertained the audience with anecdotes of how he created the popular cult fanzine Y Front including how it developed into a twitter feed and a podcast. Michael also discusses mental health and the amazing art collaboration with local artist Sue Clayton.  

Click here to buy the fanzine or products discussed in interview

Please note the live event contains explicit language. 

Barry Parker provided the soundtrack for many York City fans over many years as Radio York's first main commentator at Bootham Crescent. His quirky, unique style endeared him to supporters who heard him describe the highs and lows of York City in the 90s and 00s including winning at Old Trafford and Wembley. 

This episode is sponsored by City Cruises, was produced and edited by James Charters and the interview was conducted by Dan Tait.

This interview is the last in the current regular series which if you have enjoyed, may feel able to donate to our charity via justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio 

Not only does David Ward commentate on every York City game for Radio York, he is also a life long supporter of the club. Here David speaks about how his support grew alongside his media career, how he keeps his passion in check when broadcasting and his chemistry with regular summariser Iain Dunn. 

This episode is sponsored by City Cruises, was conducted by Dan Tait, produced and edited by James Charters. 

If you enjoy the podcast please consider donating via justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio 

Round table style discussion with Dan Tait, Mark Debnam, Ben Robinson and James Brown looking ahead to the new National League North season. Items on the agenda include the new stadium, new signings and those all important predictions. Held at Hospital Ball HQ/Dan's back garden, presented by Chris Morgan, recorded by Keith Lea and edited by James Charters. If you enjoy any of these podcasts then please consider donating via justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio 

'Not just talent' is the name of the blog created by this weeks guest, Jonathan Smith, strongly suggesting that you need more than that to succeed as a professional footballer. In this interview Jonathan outlines the sacrifices, the hard work and dedication that made him a success at Forest Green Rovers, York City, Swindon Town and Luton Town to name just four of the clubs he has represented over a 16 year career. 

This podcast is sponsored by City Cruises and was conducted by Dan Tait, edited and produced by James Charters. If you enjoy these podcasts please consider donating via https://www.justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio 

When Michael Coulson signed for York City in the summer of 2012, the club was on the crest of a wave having won promotion but four years later, Michael's last season, they were spiralling back into non-league. During that time period Michael was a real fan favourite from his all-action displays and penchant for wonder goals and here he speaks about his time at Bootham Crescent as well as his wider career with Barnsley, Grimsby, St Johnstone and two spells with his home-town club, Scarborough. 

This episode is sponsored by the Derwent Reds, a York City supporters group. The interview was conducted by Dan Tait, edited and produced by James Charters. If you enjoy the podcasts then please consider donating via justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio  

When York City were facing a second successive relegation in the 99/00 season that would have seen them drop out of the football league, manager Terry Dolan turned to Alan Fettis, a goalkeeper he originally brought over from Northern Ireland for Hull City. Fettis himself, was frustrated with lack of opportunities at Blackburn Rovers, and the signing proved to be an inspired move as Fettis kept 8 clean sheets in 13 games as the Minster men clawed their way to safety. The next two seasons saw Alan pick up Player of the Year at Bootham Crescent and here he speaks about his full career which included 25 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring twice outfield for Hull City and his eventual coaching career with Manchester United. 

This episode is sponsored by club historian and author Paul Bowser, has been conducted by Dan Tait and edited/produced by James Charters. If you enjoy the podcasts please consider donating to our registered charity via justgiving.com/yorkhospitalradio.