LIFEJACKET

This week on The Boot Room, we have Ally McCoist, and the stories come thick and fast!

Fenners sits down with the former Rangers, Sunderland and Scotland striker, and newly crowned SJA Pundit of the Year, to revisit the boots and moments that shaped his career, starting with an old pair of leather Gola junior boots from the late 60's that he recently rediscovered while clearing out his mum’s loft.

From Asics and Mizuno's to Umbro, Hummel and Adidas World Cups, each pair brings another story, and with Ally, every story comes with detail. Old pitches, weather conditions, travelling, teammates, dressing rooms… it all comes flooding back.

There are plenty of laughs along the way too. Stories from his early days at Sunderland, sealing survival against Manchester City before heading straight to Magaluf with the squad, tales of players believing certain boots had to be lucky, and a memorable sponsorship shoot with Hummel that left him looking, according to Fenners, somewhere between a footballer and Andre Agassi, with Ally insisting the lads thought he’d been capped for the Danish handball team.

There’s also the story of a centre-back marking him so closely during a hailstorm that he ended up in hospital with mild hypothermia by full time… while Ally barely moved.

As always, it’s not just about the boots. Between the stories, the memories and the chemistry between two people who clearly love football, this feels less like an interview and more like two mates reminiscing.

Funny, nostalgic and full of detail, this is The Boot Room at its best.

LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

From youth football to Anfield nights, this week on The Boot Room it’s Jamie Redknapp.

Fenners sits down with the former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton midfielder to look back on the boots and moments that shaped his career. From early days around AFC Bournemouth to playing at the top level.

There are plenty of stories from growing up around the game. From taking care of his boots properly, baths with his boots and socks to mould them to stuffing them with newspaper to learning the ropes as a young pro being a boot boy for senior players.

Redknapp's collection includes iconic Adidas silhouettes like Predators and Copa Mundials, to older classics like the Mizuno Professional...which were a late arrival. He also reflects on the prestige of Pantofola d’Oro, a boot that everyone knew you had a bit about you if you had them on.

There’s honesty as well. Frustrations with injuries, moments with England, including his one international goal, and reflections on a career that never quite went uninterrupted.

As always, it’s not just about the boots. It’s the stories around them. Ending with a final question from Fenners bringing it back to the simple idea of where and in what you’d want to play if you had one more chance.

LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

Welcome to The Shoe. A new LIFEJACKET series exploring the stories behind the most iconic trainers.For Episode 1, Fenners heads to Manor Place, the home of Palace to sit down with Baggys TV frontman and lifelong Nike collector, Red.With Palace having just released their limited edition Nike Air Max 95, Manor Place seems like the perfect place for this episode. Red sits down with Fenners and talks through his personal starting eleven of Air Max pairs, a mix of classics, grails and everyday favourites that have shaped his journey as a collector. From flipping trainers in college to creating his own streetwear brand.Each pair comes with its own story, from standout releases to the kind of trainers that stay in rotation, giving a broader look at why the Air Max line continues to hold its place in sneaker culture.Filmed inside Palace’s London HQ, this is about more than just one release. It’s about collecting, taste and the connection people build with the shoes they wear.LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

From Lithuania to the EFL and everywhere in between, this week on The Boot Room Fenners sits down with Adebayo Akinfenwa.One of football’s most recognisable characters looks back on a career that took him across countless clubs, countries and cultures. From early days with FK Atlantas to spells at Swansea, Northampton, Wycombe and Wimbledon among many others.The boots tell the story, from his superstition around black boots to the colourful pairs that became part of his identity with each one tied to a different chapter of an unusually varied journey through the game.There are plenty of laughs along the way. Stories from playing in Lithuania and trying to adjust to the conditions, moments from dressing rooms up and down the leagues, and reflections on how he became an unlikely cult figure, from his physical presence on the pitch to his rise through FIFA and online culture alongside KSI.But there’s also honesty. Akinfenwa speaks about the challenges he faced, including experiences with racism during his career, and how he navigated those moments while continuing to push forward. And, of course, there’s the story of Steven Gerrard. A late free kick that denied him the chance to play at Anfield, with a quick “sorry big man” before curling it over the wall.Funny, open and full of character, this is The Boot Room at its most real. A career told through boots, moments and everything in between.LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

Filmed at the West Ham United ground ahead of Soccer Aid, this episode sees Chris O'Dowd step into The Boot Room for his debut.A lifelong Liverpool fan, Chris looks back on the players and moments that shaped his love for the game, including watching Steve McManaman and memories of John Aldridge at the 1994 World Cup.Preparing for his first Soccer Aid appearance, he talks about getting ready for the challenge as a Goalkeeper, practising with his kids and hoping to pick up a few tips from Edwin van der Sar before stepping out.With a custom pair of boots created by Pro:Direct Soccer featuring the date of the match and the Irish flag, the conversation also touches on what Soccer Aid represents. In support of UNICEF, the event brings together football and entertainment to raise money for children around the world — something Chris speaks about with real appreciation.There’s also a message of encouragement from Jason McAteer ahead of his debut, adding to the occasion as matchday gets closer.LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

Filmed at the West Ham United ground ahead of Soccer Aid, this episode sees Simon Neil step into The Boot Room for his debut.

A lifelong Rangers fan, Simon looks back on growing up around the game, idolising Ally McCoist and watching players like Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup at Ibrox. From his first pair of Lotto boots, inspired by the iconic Dutch side of ’88, to the reality of stepping out at Soccer Aid, football has always been a constant.

Fresh off a European tour with Biffy Clyro, and with Australia still to come, Simon realises he has a less-than-ideal preparation for the game, but the meaning behind it is clear. Soccer Aid, in support of UNICEF, brings together football and entertainment to raise money for children around the world, something Simon speaks about with real passion.

There’s also a message of encouragement from Kris Boyd ahead of his debut, a reminder of just how much the occasion means.

LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

Filmed at the London Stadium ahead of Soccer Aid 2026, we had the amazing opportunity to film with some of this years players for a special series of The Boot Room. The first episode sees Nikolaj Coster-Waldau step into The Boot Room for his debut.A lifelong Leeds United fan, Nikolaj shares how his support for the club began, alongside his thoughts on their current situation and what might lie ahead this season, as well as who might be going down...From his first pair of plasticky Gola boots to preparing to walk out at Soccer Aid, the conversation moves between football memories and the reality of stepping onto the pitch for a cause that means a lot to him. Soccer Aid, held in aid of UNICEF, brings together celebrities and footballers to raise money for children around the world, something Nikolaj speaks about with real appreciation.There’s also a moment of encouragement from Robbie Keane, as he prepares for his debut. Even with a few nerves still very much in place.LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

Filmed in Liverpool to mark the opening of Pro:Direct Soccer’s new store, this week on The Boot Room it’s Steven Gerrard.

Fenners sits down with one of Liverpool’s greatest ever captains to revisit the boots and moments that defined his career. From early breakthroughs to the biggest nights on the world stage.

From iconic adidas silhouettes to the boots worn during defining spells with Liverpool and England, Gerrard reflects on the moments that shaped his legacy. The unforgettable night in Istanbul, coming back from 3–0 down to win the Champions League, and lifting the FA Cup in Cardiff.

Filmed on-site at the new Pro:Direct Soccer store in Liverpool, the episode brings things back to where it all started, a city and a club that defined his career, while looking back at the games, goals and mentality that made him one of the game’s greats.

As always on The Boot Room, it’s not just about the boots, it's more about the stories they carry. Honest reflections, defining moments and a closer look at the career behind the highlights.

LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

In episode 9 of The Rail, Fenners is joined by singer-songwriter JP Cooper , who brings in his current starting eleven. A line-up shaped by years on the road, personal taste, and a clear appreciation for craftsmanship.The selection features pieces from C.P. Company, Private White V.C., YMC and more, blending heritage workwear with modern staples. JP talks about his love for fashion, spending time searching out vintage shops in new cities, and earlier days of picking up random pieces from charity shops with mates and heading out in outfits that probably made more sense at the time.As well as a standout moment involving a visit to a Nigel Cabourn show, a conversation about overalls that led to JP being gifted an unreleased piece that never made it into production.Away from the jackets, music naturally takes centre stage. Known for tracks like September Song and his collaboration with Jonas Blue, JP reflects on his journey as an artist and the release of his latest album Just A Few Folk. The conversation touches on creativity, evolution and what it means to keep things personal in an industry that rarely stands still.What’s making your current starting eleven? Could you narrow it down to just one jacket?LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.

From factory rejects to Puma Kings and World Cups, this week on The Boot Room it’s Sean Dyche.

In this episode, Fenners sits down with Dyche to revisit the boots that took him from youth football at Ise Lodge through spells at Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Millwall and Northampton, each pair tied to a different stage of the journey.

From early days wearing Patrick juniors, to later years in Adidas and Nike classics, the conversation quickly moves beyond the boots themselves. Dyche reflects on the old-school game, apprenticeships, cleaning senior players’ boots, and the camaraderie that came with it, and why he thinks some of that has been lost.

There’s plenty of classic Dyche along the way. Thoughts on modern football trends (including the now-infamous hole-in-the-sock debate), a take on the current media landscape and clickbait culture, and a few stories that underline just how much the game has changed.

Away from football, he also talks about his love of music. From seeing Prince live, twice, to enjoying the atmosphere of huge shows, regardless of genre and how those moments sit alongside his career in the game.

Honest, dry and full of perspective, this is Dyche as you’d expect. Straight-talking, reflective and never short of an opinion.

LIFEJACKET. Conversation keeps us afloat.