The NPL Show | The official Northern Premier League podcast

Bury boss Anthony Johnson is the guest on the final episode of the 2025/26 season of the NPL Show.

Jonno's esteemed non-league managerial career had another chapter added to it this season, as he joined boyhood club Bury to help them win the NPL West Division and earn promotion into Step 3.

With successful stints at Ramsbottom United, Salford City, Chester, Spennymoor Town and Radcliffe before that, there's plenty to uncover.

Sam chats with Jonno about which of his seven promotions means the most to him, if the Class of 92 documentary shaped his career in any way, and parting ways with managerial partner Bernard Morley to join Bury in February - a job he feels is the "pinnacle" of his career, among more.

A massive thank you to everyone who has come on the NPL Show this season and to those who have tuned in throughout the year, too.

The NPL play-off finals are upon us, following a hectic end to the season and an even more action-packed semi-final slate.

Host Sam Armitage chats with Rylands' Neil Reynolds, Bradford (Park Avenue)'s Craig Elliott, Belper Town's Lee Attenborough, Racing Club Warwick's Chris Knott and Avro's Grant Shenton to get their thoughts ahead of the biggest games of their season this coming weekend.

Bootle boss Alan Morgan joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his time in management, which saw him take charge of Europa League qualifying games in Sweden and assist Neil Young at Marine as they took on Tottenham in that famous FA Cup matchup.

Now, at the Berry Street Garage Stadium, his Bootle side can squeeze into the West Division play-offs on the final day, when it looked a far-fetched dream just a couple of weeks ago.

Sam previews that final day and also runs down how we got here after a hectic penultimate weekend of action.

Carlton Town striker Ash Chambers joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his career, from making his senior debut aged just 15 at Leicester, a record which still stands today, playing for England in a U17 World Cup and how he almost fell out of football before joining York City in 2011.

He also speaks on the title race in the NPL Midlands Division, in which his Carlton side are neck and neck with Anstey Nomads heading into the final two games of the campaign.

Sam also chats about yet another entertaining week across the NPL before previewing a big penultimate weekend of action.

Runcorn Linnets manager Michael Ellison joins Sam Armitage to chat about his managerial journey, which has seen him back at Linnets nearly six years on from his first stint there.

In between that, he had stints at City of Liverpool and Widnes, the latter of which he won the NPL West with last year, before their withdrawal from the league. Ellison talks about how that Widnes team was able to get promoted on a modest budget and the frustrations surrounding their situation afterwards.

Now, he's back where it all started, looking to secure a personal back-to-back promotion to Step 3 with Runcorn.

Sam also looks back on an action-packed Easter weekend, and previews the third-from-final weekend of the campaign.

Dunston manager Jon McDonald joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his time in management - the last five years of which have been spent at Dunston as both assistant and first-team boss.

He's watched on as his side was beaten on penalties in back-to-back East Division play-off finals, and he's hoping to lead them to a third consecutive one this year (but with a different outcome this time!)

Dunston have a massive play-off six-pointer against Bradford (Park Avenue) this Easter weekend, and Sam previews that, plus the other big games across the busiest week of the campaign.

Morpeth Town manager Craig Lynch joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his time through football, which started as a six-year-old in the Sunderland academy, seeing him managed through an ACL injury by Roy Keane and given his Premier League debut by Steve Bruce.

He talks about the injuries which ended his career at just 24, but the opportunities in coaching and management that came immediately after.

Now at Morpeth, he's battling to keep them afloat in Step 3 ahead of a crucial six-game run-in.

Blyth Spartans boss Marc Nash joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his career in management, from taking North Shields to the NPL and being the man at the helm when they were demoted due to ground restrictions, to then almost leading Newcastle Blue Star to back-to-back promotions.

Now, he's at Blyth, managing the senior side along with the academy team and looking to stop a third successive relegation to Step 5.

Sam also runs down the past week's games, as two sides secured play-off positions in Step 4, and previews this upcoming week, where Redcar Athletic could secure the East Division title.

Vauxhall Motors manager Danny Holmes joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his time as a pro, from coming through at his boyhood club, Tranmere, to then returning two years after he was released and time in Wales before and after.

He also outlines the goals (or lack of them) for Motors as we head into the final stages of the NPL West campaign

Accrington Stanley's all-time EFL appearance maker and current Clitheroe manager Sean McConville joins Sam Armitage to chat all about his storied professional career, which included a League Two title win and solid third-tier years at Accrington.

He also discusses his relationship with legendary Stanley manager John Coleman and what he takes from him as he heads into management with the NPL West Division side.

Sam also chats about the past week's matchups, while previewing the weekend's action