The shortcomings of the English football team is a mystery that has brought pain to the home of the beautiful game, whilst providing unlimited comedic pleasure to those benefiting from the export, for over half of a century. The most lucrative league in the world, a noughties team that looked more like a World XI on paper than a national team and even some of the world's biggest names in management have failed to answer the ongoing question. Why do England always fall short?

Following the heartbreaking exit in Italia 90 which was followed by a disastrous 1994 campaign in which England failed to achieve World Cup qualification, pained England lover and comedian Rob Sprackling had had enough. Over the next seven years, together with writing partner John Smith, Sprackling assessed the reasons as to why the Three Lions were forever destined to mediocrity.

The iconic character Mike Bassett is a personification of their findings. A film that deals with more than the game of football itself, Bassett satirically portrays the the role of English society in their inability to repeat their famous feat of 1966. A patriot who refuses to change his ways, the cornered Bassett bites off much more than he can chew and his time as England boss did not just ring true in 2001, but proved prophetic to anything related to English football in the pre-Southgate era. 

As creator of one of UK comedies most quotable film characters of modern times, Rob Sprackling offers fascinating insight into not only Bassett, but also the film industry as a whole. Episode 56 sees the screenwriter sit down with The Michael Anthony Show to discuss his career, life and future. A true man of comedy, Sprackling's views make for great listening.

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Listen to the 55th episode of The Michael Anthony Show now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and more as this weeks show examines the flaws in how we judge others, Ireland's relationship with Guinness and the co-hosts motives in his romantic past.

The positive impacts that Jonah Lomu and David Beckham had on their respective sports is also questioned, as the latest competition winner is announced. In the first of two episodes this week, a teaser for Episode 56 is also provided.

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Gay parenting and prostitution are discussed in the 54th Episode of The Michael Anthony Show, as well as a variety of other topics.

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Episode 53: Via Hillsborough, Please (ft Andy Nicholson)Starting with three Sheffield kids who had one guitar between them, Arctic Monkeys rise to becoming the most culturally significant British band of their era was not just unlikely but also uniquely fascinating. Having played as bassist in the creation of the 2006 classic 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not', which remains the fastest selling debut album in UK history, Andy Nicholson joins Episode 53 of The Michael Anthony Show in an open and insightful appearance. Nicholson, who is back making music under the sobriquet 'Goldteeth', sheds light on the origins of the rock band which he formed with childhood friends Alex Turner and Matt Helders and for the first time goes into detail regarding his abrupt departure from the four piece just before the release of their iconic second album, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'.The diehard Sheffield United Fan discusses regrets, mental health, fame, the state of modern music and his hopes for the future in a discussion that will grip any music lover. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.Links on the page @themichaelanthonyshow.Subscribe/Review.

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Episode 52 of The Michael Anthony Show offers a take on the role of Irish culture in their World Cup failures, the motives behind marathon participants and the concept of celebrating Halloween amongst a variety other topics.Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud.Links on the page of @themichaelanthonyshow.

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Leading figure in the Irish Muslim community, Dr. Ali Selim, joins episode 51 of The Michael Anthony Show for an honest an informative discussion. Selim displays nothing but openness as he discusses the concept of Religion, the treatment of women in Islam, his views of homosexuality and the ever discussed concept of Islamic extremism. Selim also touches on the comments that saw him lose his post in Trinity College as well as a variety of other topics. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud.Links to all three in the bio of @themichaelanthonyshow.

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This weeks episode discusses Manchester United, the morality of Islam v Western society, co-hosts health problems, Greta Thunberg and more.Available Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud.Links to all three on page. Rate/Share/Review

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Knowing from a young age that she was destined for fame, Kerry Katona's life has been predictably unpredictable. With stability absent from the Warrington natives foster home hopping childhood, Katona's need to grow up quickly had both its pros and cons. This freedom that allowed her to be making £500 a night as a teenage lap dancer also led to a reliance on recreational drugs that lingered for years, but her fearless ambition to be self sufficient and escape soon paid off. Katona was noticed by Andy McCluskey and soon cast as an original member of the pop girl group, Atomic Kitten, in 1998.The band's mainstream success would turn the future Queen of the Jungle's life upside down and she soon began to realise that the rise to fame exceeded the reality. Numerous failed marriages, daily appearances in the intrusive British tabloids, countless controversies both true and false and a dormant music career began to be what the by now "reality star" became associated with in the decade that followed, compounded by the fact that she was struggling with bipolar in an era that saw a lack of education surround the topic of mental health.With Katona though, the fight is never over. Having seen levels of betrayal that seem unimaginable, the 'Whole Again' singer had run out of shoulders to lean on. The constant pillar however, was her children. Repeatedly falling short in her quest for identity, the answer was closer than Katona ever thought. Kerry Katona is a Mother.In episode 48 of The Michael Anthony Show, Katona holds nothing back as she honestly opens up on the good, bad and utterly ridiculous aspects of her thirty eight year old life. Still not without her occasional bump in the road, Kerry Katona remains a figure of resentment, adoration and intrigue to the general public. As opposed to reading about her life though clickbait/sensationalist headlines, we wanted to hear Kerry tell us about Kerry. It didn't disappoint.Episode available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.Follow and Listen through the links in the bio of @themichaelanthonyshow.

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Episode 47: An Estonian DogA lively Michael Anthony Show this week, as topics discussed include if people should drink, generational gaps, the reason for the existence of racism and societies attitude towards mental health.Football is also discussed as is the possible return of the Friday Four.A teaser for next weeks guests episode is also on show.Available now on Apple Podcast, Spotify and SoundCloud. All in the bio @themichaelanthonyshow.Rate and Follow.

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