The Women’s Super League is braced for one of the greatest season finales in its history.

As Manchester City and Chelsea’s tussle for the title goes down to the wire, the VERSUS team breaks down what’s changed in recent years to make the WSL’s competitiveness the envy of every other league in the world.

We also take a look at the cultural legacy of ‘The Invincibles’ 20 years on, and give flowers to another great of the game in Karen Carney.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)

Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)

Marcus Rashford has found himself on the receiving end of online abuse on an industrial scale, and this week he finally clapped back.

After Rashford said “enough is enough” and put the subject of abuse back on the radar, the VERSUS team looks at how contemporary fan culture has evolved to be so toxic and the role creators like Mark Goldbridge have played in that change.

We also break down the recent moves to finally address the ACL injury epidemic in women’s football, and reflect on the cultural impact from one of African football’s true modern greats: Yaya Touré.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)

Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)

Chelsea vs Barcelona is one of the few matches in football that holds the same weight across both men's and women's senior teams.

As Chelsea face their bitter rivals in the second leg of the UWCL in front of a sell out crowd, the VERSUS team breaks down why this tie and moment is so significant for women’s football in Britain and beyond.

The team also discuss why we needed Liverpool and Adidas to rekindle their relationship following a new deal between the two, the varying viewpoints around the scrapping of FA Cup replays and Hall of Fame inductee Andy Cole gets inducted into the VERSUS Hall of Game.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)

Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)

AC Milan just opened a first-of-its-kind experience in European football, unveiling a ‘Front Row Experience’ inspired by the NBA’s history of offering curtsied seats to the most influential faces in culture.

The VERSUS team breaks down the strategy behind AC’s move, and why Europe’s biggest teams are taking the lead from US sports when it comes to making their brands more culturally relevant.

We also look at Dele Alli’s appearance on Monday Night Football should be celebrated, the importance of players being their authentic selves in public, and the deeper message behind Dominic Solanke’s all-timer season.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)


Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)

Kobbie Mainoo has captured our attention in recent weeks with his dazzling performances but the 18-year-old is now capturing our hearts with his persona.

The VERSUS team breaks down why the the Manchester United youngster is so likeable and how he represents football's new frontier of teenage global superstars.

We also discuss the ever-increasing tribalism in English women's football in light of Jonas Eidevall's victory over Emma Hayes in the Continental Cup final, as well as explaining why now, is the right time for Nike to bring back the iconic T90.

'The Future of the Football' is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Host:


Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Cast:


Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)


Corey Pellatt(@CoreyPellatt)

Ep. 38: England’s Kit Outrage, Gabriel Moses’ Greatness and Super Fran Kirby

Nike’s latest England kit drop received a lot of coverage but the stand-out talking point was an artistic reinterpretation of the St. George’s cross. The Three Lions kit became the target for a morally bankrupt and misguided mob of grifters, career politicians and bigoted media.

The VERSUS team breaks down why the outrage about the kit design is not only toxic within football, but showcases a plethora of other serious issues within the game relating to various forms of discrimination.

We also discuss how Gabriel Moses continues to create iconic moments in football via his lens, and we give flowers to a true modern great in the game: Super Fran Kirby.

'The Future of the Football' is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Host:

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Cast:

Amie Cripps (@AmiLouCri)

Corey Pellatt(@CoreyPellatt)

It’s the month of Ramadan. A time where Muslims around the world abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. But football has not always been the most accommodating to this practice.

In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team speak with the Founder and CEO of Nujum Sports, Ebadur Rahman about the work he and his team do to help Muslim athletes flourish on and off the pitch.

We also talk about football’s relationship with Ramadan, the work being done to improve the sport as a safe space for Muslims and what the future holds for the next generation of Muslim ballers.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Ebadur Rahman (@EbsRahman)

Nujum Sports (@nujumsports)

Sports Brands are an integral part of football. They can make or break kits and also inspire memories for the ages with apparel.

In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down why heritage brand Reebok’s return to European Football is exciting for the game and what we could expect given their previous campaigns.

We also talk about the need for football to be more patient with young talents in the game, A brand new VERSUS shoot with UK music legend Ghetts, and we hail up a true legend of the game in Jay-Jay Okocha.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Morgan Allann (@morganallann)

Football has changed in recent years. The search for perfection has meant the game has often lost its pureness. With online conversations on the matter becoming more frequent, it's apparent that the game is in dire need of more pure footballers.

In this week's TFOF episode, the VERSUS team breaks down why Pure Footballers are so special and why some have received hero like adulation.

We also talk about the negatives that come from constantly comparing players against each other, recap our very own Mayowa Quadri's trip to AFCON and also hail up Racheal Kundananji on making history within the world of football.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

adidas are in the middle of an incredible run right now, with the marketing behind the latest Predator drops showing the rest of the game how to bring football, culture and product together in 2024.

The VERSUS team breaks down why the Three Stripes are racing ahead of Nike in football culture right now with the help of elite product marketing, Jude Bellingham, and more. We also discuss the shocking lack of women's coaches at every level of the game, and put Ross Barkley's revenge tour with Luton Town under the spotlight.

'The Future of the Football' is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.

Host: Corey Pellatt

Guests: Amie Cripps, Ahmed Shooble, Johnny Kay