In this episode, Middlesbrough F.C. superfan and author Rob Fletcher picks his favourite eleven players to have ever graced the Riverside Stadium. Having just recently launched his latest book "1992: The Birth of Modern Football", Rob has spent many hours reflecting on the significance that year has had on football as we know it today; but it also acts as a marker for the selection process behind his Boro Ultimate XI, as Rob delves deep into the reams of genuinely quality footballers the Teesside club have had in the Premier League era. Included in it are examples of the players and the transfers that revolutionised top tier English football in the mid-90s, and we chat about the sliding doors moment that could have changed the fortunes of Middlesbrough football club forever. Brazilian flair, Spanish excellence, German hairstyles and Italian petulance, Rob's side epitomises all that was great about the dynamic and intoxicating feeling surrounding Middlesbrough, and football in general, throughout those definitive decades.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ultimatexipodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Ultimate_XI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Beng_Miller⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wataboi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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Fulham die-hard, podcast veteran and friend of the show Sammy James is my next wonderful guest on Ultimate XI. As co-host for over 500 episodes of the Fulhamish podcast, the award-winning favourite of Cottagers fans everywhere, Sammy is just the man to take the reins at Craven Cottage and guide his Ultimate XI side to glory. As he navigates through the years, Sammy evaluates some of the players in his side that made their names in the Fulham squads of the last two or so decades, an up-and-down period that includes teams that dreamt of European glory and dominated the Championship. We also reminisce about the simpler times when Fulham joined the Premier League in the early 2000s, when football club owners were millionaires and not billionaires, and Championship Manager addictions caused us both to follow the fortunes of random clubs. What results is a fantastic conversation producing an excellent side of Premier League stalwarts that includes, bizarrely, the answers to not one but two classic football trivia questions.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ultimatexipodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Ultimate_XI⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Beng_Miller⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

(Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wataboi⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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I'm joined this week by the incredible Ali Woods, Old Trafford season-ticket holder and viral comedy sensation. As one of the UK's best-loved Instagram and TikTok funnymen, as well as an effortlessly classy stand-up, Ali's comedy shorts are unbeatable. Picking his Ultimate Man Utd XI, though, is no laughing matter - clearly a lot of thought has gone into Ali's side as we talk through some of the big names of the Fergie and Post-Fergie era that define his selections. Come for the golden memories, stay for the dubious impressions of United heroes.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠ultimatexipodcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@Ultimate_XI⁠⁠⁠

Host twitter ⁠⁠⁠@Beng_Miller⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

(Music by ⁠⁠⁠Wataboi⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠)

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Joining me on the podcast this week is the cardigan wearing comedian and Chelsea fan Michael Odewale. He may be a BTEC Philosopher, but he certainly makes the grade when it comes to picking a classic Chelsea Ultimate XI, featuring some of the best players to have ever graced the Premier League. Morals are questioned, medically necessary headwear is discussed, and a Christmas dinner hosted by one of Stamford Bridge's loveliest Italian imports is imagined as Michael selects a team that is hard as nails from back to front, but also comes through with a lot of flair and plenty of goals.

Website: ⁠⁠ultimatexipodcast.com⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: ⁠⁠@Ultimate_XI⁠⁠

Host twitter ⁠⁠@Beng_Miller⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

(Music by ⁠⁠Wataboi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠)

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Join me as I speak with comedian and commentator Sapphire McIntosh as she talked about her love of Liverpool F.C. and the players that make up her Ultimate XI. Born in Leeds, living in London, at her auntie's house for the miracle of Istanbul, Sapphire has a great blend of nostalgic and current names in her side, and with a footballing background herself is best placed to demote Jurgen Klopp to assistant manager and take over at Anfield for this episode at least. Some predictions are made that could shock Liverpool fans and have Kyle Walker's lawyers sweating furiously, whilst I try to entice Sapphire with some hypothetical scenarios that would mean Steven Gerrard can hang a Premier League winner's medal alongside his other accolades.

Get in touch with the podcast - Website: ultimatexipodcast.com Email: [email protected] Show twitter: @Ultimate_XI. Host twitter @Beng_Miller. YouTube (Music by Wataboi from Pixabay)

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Next up on the Ultimate XI manager merry-go-round is podcast OG and award-winning author, screenwriter and producer Giles Paley-Phillips. As co-host of a podcast that takes a deep look at facing up to moments of adversity, being in the dugout of his beloved Crystal Palace for Ultimate XI was never going to phase Giles who brings to life an Eagles side in his own image and one that ticks all the right boxes. Club legends, obscure fan favourites, flair and grit, moustaches and baldness all combine expertly to make up a team any fan can appreciate. Giles' side also contains some superb examples of that great English football tradition, the affectionate but mildly offensive nickname.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ultimatexipodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: @Ultimate_XI.

Host twitter @Beng_Miller.

YouTube

(Music by Wataboi from Pixabay)

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Comedy maestro and Arsenal die-hard Dane Baptiste is my guest this week picking his Gunners Ultimate XI. As a South-East London boy, Dane's side features some of the local heroes that made Arsenal a force to be reckoned with throughout the 80s, 90s and 2000s, as well as a touch of the continental flair that become synonymous with the Wenger era. One of the most attacking sides I think we've heard on the podcast but a team that complements itself nicely, despite one Highbury legend playing slightly out of position; and, in an Ultimate XI first, listen out as Dane attempts to replicate the attention to detail pioneered by Arsene Wenger as he selects a direct AND an indirect free-kick taker.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ultimatexipodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: @Ultimate_XI.

Host twitter @Beng_Miller.

YouTube

(Music by Wataboi from Pixabay)

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This time, on Ultimate XI - one of the most celebrated names in comedy and Lancashire lad Tez Ilyas find himself in the Blackburn Rovers dressing room and selects his all-time favourite players to wear the historic blue and white shirt. What follows is one of the most balanced sides we've ever had as Tez vehemently imposes upon himself a very strict formation and selection policy. Depite that, there is some lovely chat about holding midfielders, hard-as-nails centre backs and the best looking Rovers player Tez has ever witnessed. With the memory of Blackburn's title-winning team just about still lingering, listen as Tez attempts to blend the medalled heroes of the 90s with the talent of Rovers' solid noughties Premier League sides.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ultimatexipodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: @Ultimate_XI.

Host twitter @Beng_Miller.

YouTube

(Music by Wataboi from Pixabay)

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An iconic voice of talkSPORT, stand-up supremo and champion of lower league football, my guest this week is Devon's finest Charlie Baker who joins us to glide effortlessly through his favourite ever Torquay United players. Our first foray outside of the professional divisions for Ultimate XI serves up some brilliant chat and features a host of well-known names that you may be surprised to learn have graced the pitch at Plainmoor. Sprinkled delightfully across the team are also some of the rich characters and their stories that epitomise the National League, giving us both the opportunity to gush over the sights, smells and memories that you can only get from the drama of non-league football. Goal-laden it is not, but Charlie Baker's Torquay United Ultimate XI is certainly one for the history books.

Charlie is going on tour in the first half of 2023 - visit charliebakercomedy.com for more info and tickets.

Get in touch with the podcast -

Website: ultimatexipodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Show twitter: @Ultimate_XI.

Host twitter @Beng_Miller.

YouTube

(Music by Wataboi from Pixabay)

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