Best Frances Butt Podcasts (2025)

1
Emile Heskey: 5-1 in Munich, Michael Owen’s Final & FA Cup Semi-Finals 47:05

20d ago47:05

47:05

Premier League legend and former England striker Emile Heskey joins Joe and Ash in the studio to talk all things FA Cup, Liverpool, England — and more. He talks about Aston Villa’s FA Cup hopes, the impact of Unai Emery, and reflects on his own Cup memories — from Leicester’s late-90s success under Martin O’Neill to battles with some legendary cent…

1
Shaun Wright-Phillips: Stopping Ronaldo, Mystic Mourinho and a brawl with Gattuso. 55:36

2M ago55:36

55:36

Joe and Ash are back in the studio with a former teammate who lit up the Premier League with his explosive, direct style. Former Chelsea, Manchester City, and QPR winger Shaun Wright-Phillips joins the lads for the latest episode of Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic? Shaun reveals how Mourinho’s tactical genius played out in real time with his…

1
Drogba’s big studs, Micah’s grunt, and having Gareth Southgate as your Godfather | Could It Be Magic Ep4 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

Joe Cole and Ashley Cole and former England defender Joleon Lescott discuss team-mates and opponents from their careers: what was the weird noise Micah Richards used to make when he was running? Who was the biggest target for heavy tackles at Manchester City? And why were Didier Drogba's studs a problem? They look ahead to the FA Cup 5th round with…

1
“Man Utd is what happens when you have dysfunction” | Could It Be Magic Ep3 54:08

3M ago54:08

54:08

Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are back to preview the FA Cup 4th round in Football's Greatest: Could It Be Magic? Nottingham Forest and England legend Stuart Pearce is their guest and they discuss his former club’s brilliant season so far. Also on the show: Which players at a top club aren’t running enough? Should Trent Alexander-Arnold stay at Liverpoo…

1
Teddy Sheringham: Sir Alex's fines, Ange's future & losing the 'Gerrard Final' 48:59

4M ago48:59

48:59

Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are back with episode 2 of Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic? and this time they’re focussing on one of the best weekends in the football calendar - the FA Cup 3rd round. Former Tottenham, Manchester United, West Ham and England striker Teddy Sheringham is with them and reflects on his win with United in 1999 and the H…

1
Wem-ber-lee, annoying Drogba and being put off by Mick Jagger | Could It Be Magic Episode 1 48:30

6M ago48:30

48:30

Ashley Cole has won the FA Cup more than any other footballer ever. 7 (SEVEN) times. Only a handful of clubs have won it more than he has, and he played for two of them. Oh, and he was also the best left back in the world. Ask CR7. Joe Cole was probably the first footballer to be known nationwide before he’d even kicked a ball professionally. A bal…

1
Introducing... Football's Greatest: Could It Be Magic? 1:31

6M ago1:31

1:31

Welcome to Football's Greatest: Could It Be Magic - a new podcast with Carling, the official beer of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women's FA Cup. Join Joe Cole and Ashley Cole ahead of every round of the FA Cup this season to relive the greatest moments from years gone by and follow this season's story with special guests. The first episode drops …

1
Next Generation | "We'd never seen anyone like Cristiano Ronaldo" 51:04

6M ago51:04

51:04

In the final episode of the series, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes look at some of the key players in the later years of the Fergie era. They remember the first time they came up against Cristiano Ronaldo and why he used to frustrate his team-mates, how Scholesey helped persuade Wayne Rooney to sign and why it all kicked off between Patrice Evra and s…

1
Leaders | "Forget the manager, I’m getting it off Roy! " 37:31

7M ago37:31

37:31

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are back and this week they’re discussing captains: Keane, Robson, Bruce, Cantona, Adams and Shearer are some of the names that come up in the chat: Who was the best skipper they played under? What did they make of David Beckham being named England captain? And who used to say “Bring your jeans” before a team-bonding ses…

1
European Nights | "When he got the ball, Zidane was a genius" 39:58

7M ago39:58

39:58

This week's episode focusses on European nights: the teams, the players, the fights and the freezing cold nights away from home. The lads discuss why they loved playing in Europe and reflect on some of the players they lined up against including Zidane, Messi, Del Piero, Seedorf and R9: What was it like to have Messi running directly at you? Which …

1
95-96: Our First Title | "That's it, we're dead. Everyone's gonna hate us." 41:23

7M ago41:23

41:23

This week Nicky and Paul are taking you back to 1995-96: the season of Cantona's return, grey kits, Keegan's rant and, of course, "You'll never win anything with kids". Nicky and Paul recall their reactions when they heard Hughes, Ince and Kanchelskis had been sold and how they felt after getting well beaten at Aston Villa on the opening day. They …

1
The Class of 92 | “If you got the balls wrong they’d annihilate you” 39:53

7M ago39:53

39:53

Paul and Nicky take us back to their early days as young kids trying to make it at Manchester United. They discuss whether they like the ‘Class of 92’ tag, how hard it was to make it as a young pro and what they thought of their team-mates: which player is like Benjamin Button? Who was discovered by the dad of a famous actor? And who did they consi…

1
Rivalries | "He's got his finger in my mouth, trying to rip my mouth open" 42:16

7M ago42:16

42:16

Battles. Clashes. Red cards. Respect. This week Nicky and Paul are talking about rivalries. They look back on their biggest games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Leeds and Chelsea, take us inside the tunnels at Anfield, Highbury and Elland Road and recall what it was like to play against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Dav…

1
Fergie Time | “If you let them beat you with those white suits on, don't come back.” 38:19

8M ago38:19

38:19

It’s episode two of Football’s Greatest Eras with Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes and this week they’re talking about the man who had a transformative effect on their lives - Sir Alex Ferguson. Nicky and Paul tell us what it was like to be managed, motivated, developed and - yes - rollicked by the great man. They also bring up a ton of memories such as…

1
The '99 Champions League Final 38:56

8M ago38:56

38:56

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are here to take you inside one of the most dominant periods of English football. You can expect stories about the trophies, the rivalries, the hairdryer and their team-mates throughout the series as they get candid about their time at Manchester United. Welcome to Football's Greatest Eras and where else to start but wit…

1
Introducing: Football's Greatest Eras with Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes 1:21

8M ago1:21

1:21

Football's Greatest Eras is a new podcast with Manchester United legends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes. The pair - two Manchester lads themselves - were part of one of the most successful teams ever seen in English football, working under arguably the greatest manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson. Nicky and Paul take you deep inside the United dres…

1
Best of... Greatest Matches 17:12

9M ago17:12

17:12

Great matches. Magic moments. Wonderful memories.In the latest compilation of some of the best bits from Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling, our guests remember some of the biggest games from their careers.James Milner talks about Liverpool’s epic comeback to beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg in 2019. He reveals Jurge…

1
Best of... Greatest Regrets 17:12

9M ago17:12

17:12

Big moves that don’t happen. Being left out of a match day squad. Hearing you’re not good enough. Football is full of regrets and in this latest compilation episode of Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling, we hear some of our guests’ biggest ones from their careers.Former Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer explains how a move to Arsenal fell apart i…

1
Best of... Premier League Legends 18:02

9M ago18:02

18:02

This week’s best bits is all about some of the Premier League legends who have been discussed over the course of the Football’s Greatest series.Paul Merson recalls what it was like to play with Ian Wright, what made him such a great goalscorer and how he could also handle himself, including in the players lounge after.Joleon Lescott talks about wha…

1
Best of...the Greatest Fall Outs 19:49

10M ago19:49

19:49

Football’s Greatest continues to bring you some of the best moments from the series so far. This episode focusses on the some of our favourite stories we've heard about disagreements and rivalries.Glenn Hoddle reminisces about David Beckham’s red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, gives his thoughts on how their relationship was handled …

1
Best of... the Greatest Managers 19:44

10M ago19:44

19:44

Over the next few weeks we'll bring you some of the best moments from the Football's Greatest series so far. This episode focusses on the greatest managers.James Milner recalls the change at Liverpool from Brendan Rodgers to Jurgen Klopp, his first impressions of the German and their conversation about converting him into a full back.Gordon Stracha…

1
Is Rice still cooking? Man Utd's Dutch revolution and Slot at Liverpool 28:24

10M ago28:24

28:24

It’s the final episode of Football’s Greatest: Euros and Merse and Jeff are rounding it off with one last Q+A.They tackle questions from you like: is Declan Rice is overrated? How will Arne Slot get on at Liverpool? And did Merse really ask a team-mate to injure him so he could go to the races?They also discuss how news journalists could be ruthles…

1
Southgate resigns, but who next? 41:28

10M ago41:28

41:28

Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager so Merse and Jeff debate who should follow him in the top job.Graham Potter or Eddie Howe? Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp? Merse picks out another contender and argues passionately why it should not be a foreign manager.They also discuss Southgate’s legacy, give their thoughts on why England lost …

1
England v Spain Euros Final Preview 43:38

10M ago43:38

43:38

Arsenal legend Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling preview the Euros final: player-for-player, who has the better squad? Is Lamine Yamal the best 16 year-old footballer Merse has ever seen? Will it be seen as a failure if England don't win it?They also discuss whether Harry Kane really is, as Gary Neville suggested, the best England player ever, if Garet…

1
Q&A | Should Toney start, the strongest player and the worst thing about modern football 31:18

10M ago31:18

31:18

It's another Q&A with Merse and Jeff and among the questions in this episode: should Ivan Toney start for England? Who was the strongest footballer Merse played with or against? And what do they love and hate about modern football?Merse also names the clubs he would have liked to play for during his career and gives his take on Enzo Maresca and Kie…

1
England to make Swiss roll over, Ronaldo drama and Erling Haaland at Rochdale 43:12

10M ago43:12

43:12

How come Merse is so confident England will beat the Swiss and win the Euros? Why should Gareth Southgate have no excuses for the quarter-final? And who needs to have a word with Jude Bellingham? Merse and Jeff discuss all of that plus whether the Euros have harmed Southgate's chances of landing a job with a top club, the enduring drama that is Cri…

1
Q&A | Asking out Kylie, leaving Arsenal and the next England manager 33:40

11M ago33:40

33:40

Why did Merse leave Arsenal for Middlesbrough? Who should follow Gareth Southgate as England manager? Did Merse really once ask out Kylie Minogue?Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson answer all of these questions and more in their second Q&A on Football’s Greatest: Euros.If you want to get in touch and ask the guys a question, here what to do: Email: foot…

1
Three Kittens not Lions against Slovenia, but can England still win it? 57:38

11M ago57:38

57:38

What’s up with Bellingham? Just how fit is Harry Kane? And will Gareth Southgate finally ring the changes for the knockout stages? Jeff and Merse discuss England’s drab display against Slovenia. Merse genuinely still thinks England will win the Euros…but why?They also debate if it’s the end for Steve Clarke and Scotland, assess the other contenders…

1
England's Subbuteo football, the surfer boy and liver in engine oil 56:23

11M ago56:23

56:23

Questions, questions, and more questions for England and Gareth Southgate after the rotten draw with Denmark. Jeff and Merse try to find some of the answers: was it as bad as the Iceland game? Was Grealish left out so Gareth could avoid confrontation? And why was it like Subbuteo? They also discuss Scotland's draw with the Swiss, which Euros manage…

1
Q&A | “You’re rooming with Mr Gascoigne” 37:53

11M ago37:53

37:53

Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling are back for episode 2 of Football’s Greatest: Euros and they’re taking listeners questions on whatever you want to ask. Topics include who Merse would pick from his playing days to start in the current England side, Jeff’s epic rant about Middlesbrough on Soccer Saturday, and what it was like living with a certain Pau…

1
Euros Preview | "I only see England or France winning this competition" 1:04:08

11M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Welcome to the first episode of Football's Greatest: Euros, a new show with Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling for the duration of the European Championships. They kick off by looking at the contenders for the tournament. For Merse, it's down to two teams - England and France. But is he backing the Three Lions to bring it home? The guys pick their start…

1
Football's Greatest Top 5: Gordon Strachan | “My first night out at United I ended up in the boot of a car” 58:48

11M ago58:48

58:48

For the last of our Football’s Greatest interviews, Gordon Strachan joins Jeff once more to discuss his top 5 captains from his career.Along the way Gordon recalls the best footballer he ever played with, the moment he says was one of the best of his life and the player who lived his life in chaos.He also reveals how he ended up in the boot of a ca…

1
Football's Greatest Top 5: Joleon Lescott | “Wayne Rooney’s ability was stupidly good.” 48:49

12M ago48:49

48:49

Former Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott is back with Jeff to pick the top 5 forwards he faced during his career. Who made him realise what the level was in the Champions League? Which Champions League winner turned into Iron Man inside the box? Who is his surprise number one?Joleon also reveals how facing Wayne Rooney would leave…

1
Football's Greatest Top 5: Mark Schwarzer | "Harry Kewell was unlucky at Liverpool" 48:25

12M ago48:25

48:25

Australian football legend Mark Schwarzer joins Jeff once again on the pod, this time to pick his Top 5 Australian men’s players ever. Some top names from the Premier League era are discussed including Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill.Which of his five does he suggest could have played for any of the top clubs in the world? Who, according t…

1
Football's Greatest: Phil Thompson | "I admire Gary Neville, believe it or not” 49:00

12M ago49:00

49:00

What makes a great leader in football? Thats’s the question Jeff is asking former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson on this week’s episode of the pod. Thommo was himself a born leader, who lifted the European Cup as captain in 1981.He talks about how Bill Shankly mapped out his entire career and the time Bob Paisley gave him his biggest rollicking, t…

1
Football's Greatest Top 5: Charlie Nicholas - "I wasn't picked for Scotland because I joined Arsenal" 39:13

1y ago39:13

39:13

Who were the top 5 British players of the 1980s? Arsenal, Celtic, Aberdeen and Scotland legend Charlie Nicholas discusses his picks with Jeff on the latest episode of the pod.Who was so good that even Diego Maradona was impressed?Which opponent used to encourage you during a game?Which defender used to pull your ears off the ball?Along the way he e…

1
Hope 15:24

1y ago15:24

15:24

In this final episode of Emotipod, host Frances Butt looks for hope in dark times, and chiefly references one of the best books ever written: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Every adult should read it at least once. Many thanks to all participants and listeners over the three series, which will remain available to listen to again. -- Mus…

1
Football’s Greatest: Gordon Strachan - "Fergie’s petrol was anger" 1:04:18

1y ago1:04:18

1:04:18

This week’s guest joining Jeff Stelling is the former Coventry, Celtic and Scotland manager Gordon Strachan. They look back on his career as a player with Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United and he gives us plenty of stories about managerial legends like Sir Alex Ferguson, Jock Stein, Howard Wilkinson and Ron Atkinson, answering questions …

1
Football’s Greatest: Glenn Hoddle - Kane would’ve walked into Man City’s team 28:54

1y ago28:54

28:54

Kane, Gascoigne, Greaves, Klinsmann, Modric, Bale, Mackay, Waddle, Ardiles, Son, Lineker, Sheringham.Tottenham have had some great players down the years but who would be in your top 5? That’s the question Jeff Stelling asks Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle in this week’s episode of the pod.Which forward glided across the pitch?Who played football like it…

1
Shame 34:36

1y ago34:36

34:36

...the Big One! In this penultimate episode of Emotipod, host Frances Butt talks to Internal Family Systems coach Alex Bollag, about shame, a sensitive topic for everyone. For excellent writings by Alex and to find out more about Internal Family Systems, visit her website, The Healing Life Buy The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren -- Music: Fra…

1
Replay 4: Matt Le Tissier - “My free kick competition with Becks and Hoddle” 7:48

1y ago7:48

7:48

Matt Le Tissier may not have been a great goalscorer like Alan Shearer or Harry Kane but he was a scorer of great goals. In our latest REPLAY with Jeff Stelling, Le Tiss talks through some of those that have gone down in Premier League folklore and why he was able to often produce brilliant moments.Which was the best goal from his canon?Which goals…

1
Football’s Greatest: Joleon Lescott - “Man City players were happy to see Mancini go" 55:01

1y ago55:01

55:01

Jeff is joined by Joleon Lescott to discuss Manchester City’s Premier League title win in 2012, one which some believe to be the greatest ever.Big names and big characters are brought up, including Roberto Mancini, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and Mario Balotelli. They discuss:THAT game against QPR: the comeback, Aguero’s goal and Joey Barton’s red …

1
Replay 3: Paul Merson on Harry Redknapp - "I sneaked off to Barbados and Harry found out" 8:13

1y ago8:13

8:13

In our latest Replay, former Arsenal, Aston Villa and England forward Paul Merson talks about the impact of Harry Redknapp on his career from our Greatest Mavericks episode. The two men had a memorable season together at Portsmouth in the Championship, winning the title and gaining promotion to the Premier League.This bonus episode also includes un…

1
Football's Greatest Top 5: Michael Ballack - "Jude Bellingham is better than I was" 23:02

1y ago23:02

23:02

Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Germany legend Michael Ballack joins Jeff Stelling to discuss his Top 5 Bundesliga players. Which midfielder was the best player Michael Ballack played with during his career?Who has seen off all-comers at Bayern Munich?Who has changed the way his position on the football pitch is played?As well as picking his Top 5, Ball…

1
Replay 2: James Milner on how Jurgen Klopp transformed Liverpool 6:52

1y ago6:52

6:52

In the second of our 'Replays', former England midfielder James Milner discusses the impact of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. With Klopp aiming to win a second Premier League title before leaving in the summer, Milner takes us back to the start of his reign at Anfield. We go inside the dressing room and on to the training pitch as Milner provides an in…

1
Replay 1: Chris Kamara on THAT red card at Portsmouth 3:52

1y ago3:52

3:52

"We're off to Fratton Park, where there's been a red card, but for who, Chris Kamara...?"On the 14th anniversary of that legendary moment, Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling recall how it happened in the first of our Football's Greatest replays.Kammy reveals how it changed his life and recounts how a series of events led to one of football's funniest m…

1
Football's Greatest: Matthew Le Tissier - “Keown and I would be fighting when the ball was 40 yards away” 28:59

1y ago28:59

28:59

Expect crunching tackles, pinching and crazy eyes as Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier reveals his Top 5 toughest opponents to Jeff Stelling on the latest Football's Greatest podcast. Who was the most annoying player he faced in the Premier League?Which defender had the longest metal studs he’d ever seen?And who intimidated even Vinnie Jones?Le…

1
Heroes & Villains 28:57

1y ago28:57

28:57

Stories of heroes and villains, good versus (preferably conquering) evil, have always been with us, and extremely popular. But have they always been conflated with our views of daily life and people, which seem to have become so polarised? Why does do more people these days seem to be either worshiped or vilified? . Having listened to the brilliant…

1
Football's Greatest: Chris Kamara - "Gazza was the best player in the world" 25:16

1y ago25:16

25:16

The legend that is Chris Kamara is back alongside Jeff Stelling to discuss his top 5 unbelievable football moments.Which World Cup goal broke his heart? Which soccer match does he watch every year? And why did he once race Jeff in Japan using only one leg?He also states why he thinks Gazza was the best in the world in 1990, names his favourite matc…

1
Football’s Greatest: Sir Geoff Hurst - “I’m going to whack this ball with everything I’ve got” 46:05

1y ago46:05

46:05

Sir Geoff Hurst is with Jeff on the pod this week to talk about his greatest ever England football matches.They cover the 1966 World Cup, including the feisty win over Argentina, how he discovered he was playing ahead of Jimmy Greaves in the final, scoring the hat-trick against West Germany that made him a legend and which team-mate ended up in som…

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Frances Butt Podcasts

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