🚻⚽ This week’s Half Time Oranges Podcast gets real about grassroots football facilities — and it all kicked off from one fiery listener question on our Facebook page!

Richard’s on a mission after hearing the stories:👉 Kids travelling 40 minutes to play… with no toilets in sight.👉 Girls’ teams still lacking basic facilities in 2025.👉 Clubs trying their best — but battling uphill.

It’s honest, funny, and a bit outrageous — but it’s a chat that every coach, parent and player needs to hear.

🎙️ Tune in now on Spotify and join the debate!💬 What do YOU think — is it right we still expect kids to go without proper facilities?

#HalfTimeOrangesPodcast #GrassrootsFootball #GirlsFootball #FootballCommunity #GameChanger #FootballChat #SportsPodcast

This week Richard and Marc welcome Alan Ostler – the man who has worked tirelessly to restore ladies’ football a village team.

Alan shares the journey of building a team from nothing, the highs and lows of grassroots football, and the very real struggles of recruiting players to keep the women’s game alive.

It’s an honest conversation about determination, community spirit, and the passion it takes to make football happen when the odds are against you.

🎧 Listen to “Starting from Scratch” now on Spotify 👉

This week Richard and Marc tackle two of the biggest issues in grassroots football:

⚽ Safeguarding and welfare – Hannah in Liverpool asks how clubs can do more to keep players safe and supported.

⚽ Respect for referees – what the FA’s Respect Campaign really means at pitch level, and how we can all play our part.

It’s honest, no-nonsense chat straight from the touchline.

🎧 Listen to “Safeguarding the Game” now on Spotify 👉

Grassroots football is full of passion, but it’s also facing a growing challenge: rising costs. In this episode, Richard and Marc dig into what it really takes to keep local clubs running — from pitch fees to kit costs — and ask the big question: Is football still affordable for everyone?

💬 Listener questions from Callum and Chloe spark a proper debate, and things get personal when Richard says:
“Marc has a thick skin.”
(Ref life isn’t for the faint-hearted — especially when the sideline gets spicy! 😅)

Expect honest chat, real stories, and a few laughs as the lads explore the money side of the grassroots game.

📲 Tune in now and join the conversation:

#HalfTimeOranges #ShowMeTheMoney #GrassrootsFootball #RefereeLife #DeanshangerColts #FootballPodcast #SupportLocalClubs

This week, Richard puts Marc under the spotlight — grilling him about his refereeing, his FA Cup involvement, and whether he actually enjoys being shouted at every weekend! 😅

💬 Big shoutout to Megan from Derby and Lucy Evans for sending in this week’s brilliant questions:

• ​Megan asks: What are the best qualities of a grassroots referee? Thick skin, Knowledge or Fitness
• ​Lucy wants to know: If you could change one law of the game, what would it be?Spoiler: Marc’s had enough of throw-ins. Seriously.

And yes, Richard still insists:“Marc has a thick skin.”(You’d need one to ref grassroots football and still love the game!)

📲 Tune in now for banter, insight, and a few controversial opinions:

#HalfTimeOranges #LawAndOrder #GrassrootsFootball #RefereeLife #FARef #ThrowInsAreCancelled #FootballPodcast #DeanshangerColts #ShoutoutToListeners

"For the love of the game, not the lure of the trophy."

This week: 💬 Richard’s got something he needs to get off his chest...

📊 The boys dive into how leagues grade teams based on results to help every player find the right level

🏟️ And they ask: What makes a BIG CLUB? Is it the badge, the facilities, or the pull for parents?

It’s honest, insightful, and full of the usual laughs and grassroots gold.

Tune in now and join the conversation!

#BetterLateThanNever #GrassrootsFootball #YouthFootball #BigClubs #FootballPodcast #CoachingChat

In this episode, Richard & Marc:

• Break down the highs and lows of the summer tournament circuit 🏆
• Answer some brilliant listener questions 💬
• Share their personal stories of how they got into football and their journey into coaching 👟

It’s real, relatable, and packed with grassroots insight.
Whether you're pitch-side every weekend or just love the game, this one’s for you.

#BetterLateThanNever #GrassrootsFootball #CoachingJourney #YouthFootball #FootballPodcast

🎙️ The Half Time Oranges Podcast – Season 2, Episode 2 🍊🔥

We’re back with the boys and things are heating up fast! ☀️
Marc’s already in holiday mode now that the Year 11s have wrapped up their GCSEs, but Richard’s brought the 🔥 with more burning questions from our ever-growing band of listeners.

🏆 What does “good” look like for club presentations?
⚽ Rob asks: “Our new coach says attitude and commitment matter more than just skill – is that fair?”
😬 Adam wants to know: “Why does the chairman’s son always start and never get subbed?”

Both Richard and Marc have worn the chairman’s hat – did their own kids get the spotlight? Will Marc jump back on the fence? Will the lads end up talking about Academies again?

🎧 All will be revealed in this new episode – don’t miss it!

#HalfTimeOranges #GrassrootsFootball #YouthSport #FootballPodcast #Season2 #ClubPolitics #ChairmansSon #AttitudeOverSkill

🎙️ The Half Time Oranges Podcast is BACK! 🍊⚽Season 2 kicks off with a fiery debate in our opener:

Listener Matt asks:"Is training 4 times a week plus gym sessions too much for U9s?"Are grassroots coaches turning kids into mini academy players?

👀 Marc finally climbs off the fence, Richard shares what this means for parents, and the conversation gets heated.

💬 Got thoughts? Questions? We want to hear from you!🎧 Tune in now — available wherever you get your podcasts.

#HalfTimeOranges #GrassrootsFootball #YouthDevelopment #FootballPodcast #Season2 #OffTheFence

🍊⚽ Series One Finale!

It’s Episode 13 of The Half Time Oranges Podcast — and what a journey it’s been!

Richard and Marc are back for the final episode of the series, and this one’s packed with heart, humour, and a healthy debate.

🎧 Richard gives a big shoutout to the grassroots heroes — the volunteers, coaches, and parents who make the game happen every week.

🙌 Marc turns the mic and gives Richard the credit he deserves for everything he does for the club.

🧠 Then it’s onto this week’s big question from Liam in Coventry:

"What’s more important at U10 — tactical awareness or technical ability?"

The fellas don’t hold back as they dig into what really matters at this crucial stage of development.

🎙️ Don’t miss the final whistle of Series One — it’s a cracker!

#HalfTimeOranges #GrassrootsFootball #PodcastFinale #YouthFootball #TacticalVsTechnical #ThankYouVolunteers #BurnoutOrBreakthrough