Straight From The Off

Straight From The Off welcomes Ray Wilkinson to the Podcast. The former Lobster & Fantail goalscorer tells us his story from being on trial at Liverpool with a certain Kenny Dalglish and having a conversation with Bill Shankly about leaving Liverpool, to scoring goals for Wigan Athletic. Ray was a natural goalscorer for Kirkby boys and took that into the adult game scoring the winning goal in the FA Sunday Cup final for Fantail. He Tells us how how he became a manager and about the glory and despair that goes with that role. He tells us about his favourite games, goals and all about the lads he has managed and came up against throughout those times.

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Straight From The Off welcomes Joseph Roberts to the Podcast. Joe has played for teams that include Mainliners, Keyways, Britannia, Sandon, South Sefton Borough and his main two sides Waterloo Dock and Seymour. He tells us about playing for Sefton schoolboys and signing for Wigan as a YTS. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

Episode 73 is brought to you by: Geassroots Footy Creative

Straight From The Off welcomes Terence Brown to the Podcast. Terence was a goal scoring sensation in amateur football, a striker who started out with Byrom FC and eventually joined Britannia FC after being released by Wrexham. He tells us and his winning goal in the Ken Gillies cup final which started a run of trophies for the Brit, and all about his hat-trick in the Premier Cup Final vs Sandon in what he describes as the biggest game of his life. He tells us about the mental side of the game and how he thinks it can be improved and the plans he has for coaching going forwards. He talks about his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

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Straight From The Off Dale Jennings to the Podcast. The former Tranmere Rovers and Bayern Munich player tells us his story. After being released from Liverpools academy as a teenager Dale wasn’t sure if he would remain in the game at all. Tranmere was his last chance and he hit the ground running, playing for the first team at just 17 years of age. He impressed that much that the mighty Bayern Munich signed him for a fee that could potentially rise to 1.8m. After struggling with injury and the way of life in Germany Dale came back to England and had spells with Barnsley and MK Dons amongst others. He then dropped back into the amateur and semi pro game having great success with Kensington Fields FC. He Tells us about his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

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Straight From The Off welcomes Michael Branch to the podcast. Michael went from supporting Everton to playing up front for the club. He started out playing for local club Aigburth Peoples Hall and represented Liverpool Schoolboys before going to Englands national school at Lilleshall. Michael played for Everton in the Premier League and tells us what it was like to pull on the royal blue shirt. He also played for Man City, Wolves, Bradford and Reading amongst others. He tells us why he felt enormous pressure as a local teenager playing for his boyhood club, about his time in prison and what the future now holds. He tells us all about the players he played with and against and throughout his career.

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Straight From The Off welcomes Anthony Smith to the Podcast. Ant’ has taken up nearly every role possible within amateur football, and continues working at the County FA trying develope grassroots football within the City. Anthony played for teams that include ‘Little’ Red Rum, Dengo United, Heswall, Abbey Road Vets. He tells us about trips abroad playing football and coaching in the USA and managing his beloved Dengo. Anthony tells us why the Liverpool Business Houses and the Liverpool Sunday League had to merge. We discuss the referee shortage that grassroots finds itself in. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

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Straight From The Off welcomes Graeme ‘Basher’ Porter to the Podcast. Bash was one of the stand out players at his age group playing for Merton Villa when his father was manager. He was selected to play for Bootle Boys ‘B’ team but not deemed good enough for the ‘A’ Team. After working on his game and impressing during matches he was selected to play for Sefton Boys and it was at that level he excelled and was asked to go for a trial at Leeds United. During that trial Basher scored a hat-trick and was asked to join the club permanently. After a year YTS Graeme signed a 4 year pro deal and was brought onto the pitch at Elland Road to sign his contract in front of the fans before a home premier league match vs Everton. Basher tells us what it was like being a scouser in Leeds and what lead to his controversial sacking! He tells us about life after pro football and playing with his mates at a very good level of amateur football and how hard it was. He talks about all the other teams he has played for, the coaching of his sons team, his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against and coached throughout those times.

Episode 68: Luduso Activewear who have partnered up with SFTO pod for 2022. Check out their brilliant range of clothing at www.luduso.co.uk

Straight From The Off welcomes Allen Weston to the Podcast. 'Weso' has been a fan favourite at centre half for all the teams he has played for over the years. He was integral in the success in Campfield's National Cup winning side of 2015 and their unbeaten league winning campaign. Allen played for teams including Priory Villa, East Villa reserves, Richmond Raith Rovers, The Liver, Before moving into the semi pro ranks with AFC Liverpool, City Of Liverpool and Northwich Victoria. Allen played in the first City Of Liverpool season with great success, fans had a banner and a song about him! He now coaches his son’s football team, Aintree Ajax. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

Episode 67 is brought to you by: Project Futsal @Projectfut5al

Straight From The Off welcomes Ben Garrity to the Podcast. After representing Liverpool County FA sides at various ages Ben attracted interest from Chester FC. He would then return to the amatuer scene and play for Red Rum and Warbreck FC in the Liverpool County Premier League. After impressing with those sides, Ben moved to up and coming team Lower Breck FC. Lower Beck won an unpresidented quadruple with Ben at the heart of midfield and also went the season unbeaten. Again, Ben caught the eye of other sides and Warrington Town was his next destination. Ben adjusted to the step up very well and it wasn’t long until the pro clubs were watching. A move to the football league with Blackpool FC saw Ben realise his dream of being a Pro footballer. Ben explains his love for his Sunday league side Oyster and how difficult it was to leave amateur football when signing a contract with Warrington. Ben now plays for Port Vale after a season long loan spell at Oldham Athletic. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

Episode 66 is brought to you by: One Central Communications

Straight From The Off welcomes Josh Quarless to the Podcast. Josh is currently in red hot form at his new club City of Liverpool FC after joining recently from Burscough. He started out playing for his fathers team as child and after impressing he was given trials at various professional clubs. When no solid offers came, Josh lost heart in the game and stopped playing for a short while before being enticed back into football by his friends. After playing for Stoneycroft in the Liverpool County league he had a spell with Sefton and then earned a move to the semi pro secene with Burscough FC. Josh also has a huge love for Sunday football and ‘his’ team inparticular Dovecote FC who play in the ultra competitive Liverpool Business Houses Premier Legue. He tells us his favourite goals, games and all about the lads he shared a pitch with and played against throughout those times.

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