Old School Soccer Story 13
James is a good pal and a fitness professional who I hold in the highest esteem when it comes to training and health information. But that’s nothing compared to what he knows about Queens Park Rangers in the 1990s!
Based in the Cotswolds now James was a West London lad who remembers all the swashbuckling players who lifted The Rs to a 5th placed finish in 92/93.
Follow James: aka_thefitnesspro
His new kids football camps: https://www.elitesoccerstars.com
A very uplifting and practical conversation with the effervescent Shane Duff. Shane’s pro football career was prematurely ended through a freak injury, but he’s rebuilt himself as a successful property developer in Cheltenham. ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/🔸shane-duff-🔸-5ab59139/ )
Shane skilfully articulates why an abundance mindset isn’t reckless or fanciful and why optimism is generally more effective in achieving success than pessimism.
We also discuss the importance of facing the fear of failure (and trying in the face of it) and surrounding ourselves with encouraging people - even if that is in the form of books or podcasts.
We also chat about Steve Cotterill’s return as Cheltenham manager and Shane’s memories of ‘Cotts’ from his teenage days at the club.
I found this conversation with Ben, an Osteopath at Origin Health Clinic - https://originhealthgroup.com - a fascinating thought-provoker.
Ben talks about his dramatic night earlier this year when he unexpectedly came close to his lights going out and how he approaches life with that palpable sense of mortality. With a baby at home we also discuss how the experience has affected his outlook on work and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Ben is also coming back from stomach surgery and is targeting a triathlon to galvanise his return to fitness. We talk about that dance between challenging ourselves physically and looking after our body so it continues to serve us into old age.
We also discuss Ben’s multi-discipline outlook and how he and his brother, Dan work with other practitioners at Origin, including physiotherapists and private GPs, to make sure their patients get the most effective care.
Jon Palmer has followed Cheltenham Town FC for decades, man and boy, personally and professionally. So great to get his take on the big story in my hometown - the return of Steve Cotterill 23 years on from his historic first stint at the club.
Cotterill lead Cheltenham into the football league as a young manager and JP explains why he believes a successful second era could be upon us.
JP continues to illustrate the power and importance of local beat journalists in sport.
I’ve always enjoyed interviewing Chris during his rise as a respected but, in retrospect, underrated boxer who upset big names to become world champion. Spectacular nights followed in his hometown of Bournemouth.
Then came defeat in 2024 to Gilberto Ramirez. But Chris’ hunger for the sport remains ravenous. He’s very candid though about the sense of internal conflict he feels being away from his two little boys. He’s very real in articulating something I’ve experienced and I think a lot of us can identify with - the pull to provide coupled with the pain of not being able to be physically present with our kids because of our jobs.
He also speaks here powerfully and glowingly about a former high-school teacher who left a lasting impression on him and others - Mr Clayton. I’m sure a lot of us can resonate with the idea of a hugely influential teacher. Mr Sockelov and Mr Dudah (I can’t remember the spellings, sorry as both were from Eastern European families) left a lasting mark on me and I think it’s important for teachers to here stories like Chris’.
Teachers - you are vital!
Thought s on this? Fatherhood? Influential teachers?
Really candid conversation with Charlie here about the challenges, uncertainties and pressures of one and two-year contracts when you’re a dad. We also talk about the physical challenges of having twins whilst playing for Cheltenham Town FC too - trying to train and play after a few hours sleep.
Ultimately, fans want their teams to win, but I do think we underestimate how difficult pro sport can be - particularly when you’re not financially set from your playing days. Charlie, 32, talks openly here about the future and what his next career could be. As someone who was lucky enough to do a fun job, but now I have to ‘go again’ I can certainly empathise with how daunting (and exciting) that can be.
I loved this conversation with Danny Donachie. Danny for a long time was head of medical services at Everton Football Club, but now works one-to-one coaching with players and managers.
We talk about Danny’s approach in helping players’ mental approach to the game - including visualisation, meditation and switching off social media. Connected to this we talked about how lonely being a player and manager can be - and how, inadvertently, sports science (by ending drinking/socialising culture etc) had reduced connection.
We discuss Danny’s reflections on former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti and current boss David Moyes and also his experience of Newcastle star Anthony Gordon’s mental strength.
We talk about Danny’s father, Willie, a professional footballer and how he opened Danny’s eyes to ‘alternative’ methods of self development.
A lot of ground covered here and a lot of insight into professional football. But also I believe some important notes on how we can all make improve our mental experience of life, find the joy in what we do, and perform better (if that’s our goal).
What do you think about this one? How do you manage the opinions of others?
Follow Danny here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydonachie/
Old School Stories 12: Paul Gascoigne inspired Spurs to an epic Wembley win versus the club's arch rivals but, at not yet 24, was this his peak?
I loved Paul Gascoigne as a little boy. His dribbling… his power… his passing… his smile. When I look back at think of watching him play, I smile. But the smile is often followed by a slight sinking sense that we missed out. For Gazza left UK shores in the summer of 1991, aged just 24 and with knee ligament damage following a self-inflicted injury in the early stages of the FA Cup Final.
After his time in Italy, Gazza bedazzled Rangers fans but didn't return to English football until his 30s. He was still class, but the burst of power and pace and effervescence had dimmed.
And so I wonder if that heady day at Wembley in April 1991 when Spurs, big underdogs, bested their arch rivals Arsenal (best team in England at the time), represented peak Paul Gascoigne?
This was a significant and powerful conversation for me with Ross Mitchell. One of my Personal Training coaches during my training, Ross also works in combat sports.
Ross is a deep thinker and candid. But please be WARNED we discuss serious issues like mental health and suicide here so please skip if you don’t feel like listening to that right now.
What Ross has struck upon is the reverse of discipline - whereas most people chide themselves for not having the consistency to workout, some people just can’t NOT workout. They don’t do it to feel good, they do it to feel less bad about themselves - it’s a should rather than ‘I get to.’ That nagging feeling can drain other life pursuits of joy and, for me, at times has caused me stress because I’ve tried to shoehorn workouts into an already full day.
We also talk about male body dysmorphia and how a healthy goal to improve our physique can be hijacked by an impossible quest for perfection.
Let me know your thoughts on this one. It’s a delicate one, in my opinion, because being healthy in the modern world requires some kind of mental drive - most people’s jobs don’t include movement or daylight, for example - but that drive has to be managed and balance sought.
Really thought-provoking to have Lorien back on the show. Lorien is qualified personal trainer, a mindfulness and wellbeing expert and a psychology student. This is a free-wheeling conversation around how to manage modern life.
Discuss how movement and physical training is important, but how it can be a negative experience if we frame it in the wrong way - how it can fuel a negative body image, for example - or use it to compensate for something else.
Lorien also brings an interesting definition of trauma - that helped me reconcile how we live (in the UK) in an extended period of peace, a ‘soft’ era, and yet there is so much conversation about widespread trauma.
We also talk about the power of nature, the importance of being bored and community to health - and the importance of taking breaks/holidays (Holiday on holidays, if you like!).
To contact Lorien: https://www.lorienholiday.com
Poppy Murray started the BE LADS campaign in response to the horrific kidnapping and murder of Sarah Everard. Poppy joined me to chat about the what BE LADS stands for and how well-intentioned men can help lone women feel safer on the streets. Practical steps.
We also talked about sports and the differences I found when coaching boys/men versus girls/women.
What do you think? If you're a man would you be prepared to cross the road to help a lone woman feel more at ease? I'd previously thought women might feel patronised, but Poppy has made me reconsider that take.
I worked for 15 years with Tony Wright at Sky Sports. A brilliant broadcaster, he’s also found recognition in decades as a published author and hosting his own podcast ‘Biohacking News.’ (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/biohacking-news-by-zestology/id970597412) .
Tony’s focus has been health optimisation and feeling energised since a mysterious illness left him bedridden - and devoid of energy. Somewhat unexpectedly (to me, at least) Tony has in recent years become the world’s bestselling histamine intolerance author. May he reign at the top forever!
In this episode of Sport and Life we discuss Tony and family’s decision to leave London and move to Portugal and the effect of the different culture and lifestyle on his health. We also discuss daylight, diet, movement, sleep, histamine (what is it?) and more.
What are your go-to daily habits that make you feel healthy and happy? Hope you enjoy this one.
Go well and keep moving,
Teddy
The last ever FA Cup semifinal replay was played on Wednesday the 14th April 1999. It turned out to be one of the greatest games in recent history as the 10 men of Manchester United edged the holders Arsenal 2-1 after extra-time with substitute Ryan Giggs scoring one of the most sensational goals of modern times to win it.
United went onto win the treble.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden was working as a young journalist at the time and joins Teddy to reminisce about the game and the era - when Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s United were slugging it out for domination.
On October the 6th, 2001, at his beloved Old Trafford, David Beckham stepped up in the 93rd minute and hit a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner.
It finished England 2 Greece 2 and England were going to the 2002 World Cup.
It was an extraordinary free-kick, capping an extraordinary performance from Beckham.
Award-winning journalist Henry Winter was covering the game for The Daily Telegraph and joins Teddy to remember the match and the time in English football.
Here's Henry's report from the day: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/3014263/Beckham-hits-the-jackpot.html?icid=return_to_article
When John Ryder lost a Middleweight British title fight with Nick Blackwell in 2015, many people wrote off his chances of becoming an elite boxer. Those people were wrong.
In November 2022 Ryder became a world champion at Super Middleweight and went on to take one of the sport’s all-time greats Saul ‘Canelo’ the distance in Mexico.
He trains young fighters under the stewardship of his old coach Tony Sims in Essex, England.
Johnny Nelson was WBC Cruiserweight Champion from 1999 to 2006. He remains the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champ in history.
In this conversation with Teddy, Johnny discusses competing in Hyrax, learning to run again after two hip replacements, fasting and the mooted fight between Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson.
Keith's second appearance on the pod and a great listen for people interested in fitness: we talk about knee rehab, the pros and cons of running, rep range for building muscle and things to consider for those of us attempting to stay strong and fit into middle age.
Also consider sleep and how having babies in the house may have to change our exercise plans and out expectations of our capacity.
https://keithirvinept.co.uk
In February 2019, Gareth joined the podcast to discuss being a professional rugby union player with Gloucester. After that conversation Gareth’s life moved quickly - he signed for Ospreys and then Leicester Tigers before being forced to retire suddenly following a training-ground concussion in November 2021.
In early September 2025, Gareth sat down with me to discuss his new career as a Financial Advisor, based in Cheltenham.
The idea of identity and career shift has fascinated me for years - particularly, as a sports journalist, the shift pro athletes have to make into a new life. Hope you enjoy this one - hope for all of us contemplating career change.
Also, towards the end of the conversation some great tips on pensions and financial management.
Old School Soccer Stories 9:
Kevin Phillips was rated too small to be a striker so played right back at Southampton. Then headed back to semi-pro football after being released as an 18 year-old. Nine years later he was European golden boot winner, aided in that achievement by his classic strike partnership with the towering veteran Niall Quinn.
The Quinn-Phillips partnership fired Sunderland to consecutive 7th place finishes and lives long in the memory of football fans - especially lifelong Sunderland fans like Sky Sports presenter Tom White. Tom talks us through those heady days for his club and why Sunderland didn’t quite kick on to be a Premier League contender.
On the 20th of February 1991, Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool played out on one of the all-time great football matches. The FA Cup replayed finished 4-4. Four times Liverpool took the lead, four times Everton equalised.
Tony Cottee watched the first 86 minutes from the subs bench. But then entered the frey to score two goals and send the tie to another replay.
Fantastic to have Tony’s crystal clear recollections of this epic night. My first experience of this was watching the highlights as a 9 year-old boy and the game has stuck with me ever since.
It was also a significant time in English football history as two days later Sir Kenny Dalglish resigned as Liverpool manager and a near three-decade run of glory came to an end.
