Former Newport County captain Mark O'Brien joins Simon Davies and Iwan Roberts to look ahead to a huge FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Rodney Parade. The Irishman also recalls his own giant-killing Cup exploits against Leicester City and Middlesbrough, and his last-minute goal that saved Newport from relegation to the Football League. He also reveals the difficulties he faced after being forced to retire aged 27 because of a heart issue, and how it's changed his outlook on life.

Episode 288: Man Utd are coming to Newport

Elis James chews over the week's football with Iwan Roberts and guests

Sports

A no thrills team-bonding camping trip to Sweden, scoring from 68 yards and almost missing playing in the League Cup final after being stuck in traffic - some of the career highlights former Cardiff City captain and manager Mark Hudson shares with Elis James and Iwan Roberts.

Episode 301: Mark Hudson

In 2008, Neil Roberts was captain of the Wrexham side relegated from the Football League. His first spell with his hometown club a decade earlier was far more successful, playing in the third tier of English football. That's where Wrexham will be playing next season after the revival under owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continues at great pace after a second successive promotion last Saturday.  Roberts describes the "life changing" effect the famous duo have had on the lives of so many people, and the positive impact of the football club can be felt throughout the community. He also reveals what prompted him to leave his influential role at Manchester City and how he's been revitalised by his new enterprise in the heart of Wrexham. If you are affected by any of the issues in this podcast, you can find details of organisations that can help via the BBC Action Line. https://bbc.in/3UnR9ux

Episode 300: Neil Roberts

Barry Horne was 22-years-old when he first joined the professional ranks. A few months later, the chemistry graduate was the goal-scoring hero in arguably Wrexham's greatest result when they knocked Portuguese giants Porto out of the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup in 1984. Horne went on to play for Portsmouth and then alongside the likes of Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier at Southampton.  A dream move followed to Everton, the club he supported as a boy growing up in Flintshire, scoring a crucial goal to avoid relegation in 1994 and then winning the FA Cup the following season. And with 59 caps for Wales, including being captain of the side that came agonisingly close to 1994 World Cup qualification, Horne certainly has no regrets about swapping the chemistry lab for the football field.

Episode 299: Barry Horne

Carl Roberts and Iwan Roberts are joined by Wales' record goalscorer Helen Ward to preview new manager Rhian Wilkinson's first game in charge of Wales. Wales play Croatia at the Racecourse in their first Women's Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday. We also talk Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham.

Episode 298: A new era

Simon Davies is joined by former Wales internationals Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts to pick the bones out of Wales' Euro 2024 play-off final penalty shootout loss to Poland. Also, reaction to the news that Wales manager Rob Page will remain in charge.

Episode 288: Man Utd are coming to Newport

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