The Joy of Football

On this week’s episode of The Joy of Football, Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett are joined by special guest Mickey Thomas to discuss Wrexham’s remarkable rise — and what it means through the eyes of someone who has lived the club from the inside.

Mickey reflects on his time at Wrexham and Manchester United, offering perspective on what makes a club tick, how standards are set, and why belief plays such a crucial role in success. The conversation explores Wrexham’s momentum on the pitch, the connection between the team and the town, and why the club now feels full of confidence and purpose.

There’s also discussion around Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership, the global attention they’ve brought to Wrexham, and how that exposure has changed expectations — both positively and challengingly. Martin adds perspective from the gantry on why Wrexham’s story has resonated so widely, and what sustaining success will require as the club continues its journey up the leagues.

A thoughtful, experience-led conversation covering Wrexham, Manchester United, ownership, belief, and modern football, seen through decades of insight and first-hand experience.

Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announcer and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World! 

Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd 

UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjg Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5 

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Music by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIz 

Intro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/ 

For incredible football artwork, check out: https://linktr.ee/marclobodaart 

A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters: 

Nick Parmenter 

Hillary Abbott 

Daniel Butigan 

Tommy Mck 

Katie Watson 

Benjamin Fairclough 

Nathan A
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On this week’s episode of The Joy of Football, Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett react to some of the biggest stories shaping the game right now — including major managerial changes at the top end of the Premier League.

The guys discuss Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Rúben Amorim, what it says about the modern game, and the pressures facing managers at the very highest level. There’s also reaction to Chelsea and Enzo Maresca’s departure, and what that episode tells us about expectation, patience, and direction at elite clubs.

Beyond the headlines, Martin and Neil zoom out to reflect on what these moments say about football in 2025 — the pace of change, the scrutiny on decision-makers, and how quickly narratives can turn. Drawing on decades of experience, Martin offers perspective from the gantry on how the role of the manager has evolved, and why context is often lost in the rush for results.

As ever, it’s a thoughtful, experience-led conversation — balancing the immediacy of the news with a longer view of where the game is heading.

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Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announcer and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World!

Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd

UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjg Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5

Support the Pod https://patreon.com/TheJoysofFootballPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Read us on

Substack https://martintylerandneilbarnett.substack.com/

Follow our Twitter https://x.com/TheJOF

Follow our Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@joy_of_football_pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Follow our Instagram https://https://www.instagram.com/joy_of_football_pod/

Contact us via: [email protected]

Music by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIz

Intro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/

For incredible football artwork, check out: https://linktr.ee/marclobodaart

A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters:
Nick Parmenter
Hillary Abbott
Daniel Butigan
Tommy Mck
Katie Watson
Benjamin Fairclough
Nathan A
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On this week’s episode of The Joy of Football, Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett reflect on the changing landscape of the modern game — from how football is played and presented, to how it’s experienced by those inside the stadium and behind the microphone.

The conversation ranges across the pressures of the modern calendar, the demands placed on players and officials, and how the rhythm of football has evolved over time. Martin draws on decades of experience from the gantry, sharing observations on what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and why certain moments still cut through regardless of era.

There’s also a wider discussion about decision-making in the modern game, the balance between analysis and instinct, and how football continues to test everyone involved — from players and managers to commentators and supporters.

As ever, it’s a thoughtful, experience-led conversation shaped by stories, perspective, and a deep love for the game.

Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announce and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World! 

Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd 

UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjg Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5 

Support the Pod https://patreon.com/TheJoysofFootballPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Read us on 

Substack https://martintylerandneilbarnett.substack.com/ 

Follow our Twitter https://x.com/TheJOF 

Follow our Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@joy_of_football_pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 

Follow our Instagram https://https://www.instagram.com/joy_of_football_pod/ 

Contact us via: [email protected] 

Music by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIz 

Intro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/ 

For incredible football artwork, check out: https://linktr.ee/marclobodaart 

A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters: 

Nick Parmenter 

Hillary Abbott 

Daniel Butigan 

Tommy Mck 

Katie Watson 

Benjamin Fairclough 

Nathan A

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Joy of Football, brought to you in connection with St. James's Place plc & CVER - Seb Hutchinson joins Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett to discuss his commentary career, women’s football, and the state of the game overall.

Seb is one of the leading voices on the Sky Sports Football commentary team working on the Premier League, EFL, Carabao Cup and WSL coverage, and also the lead Commentator for ITV Football – working at all major tournaments as well as the FA Cup and The Lionesses.

Seb is also one of the lead voices you’ll hear around the world on the PLP coverage of the Premier League.

Over the last 20 years, he has become one of the UK’s most recognisable voices in sports commentary, having covered most of the major sporting events from World Cups, European Championships, The Olympics, Rugby World Cups, and the Euros with ITV. In addition to Sky Sports and ITV, Seb’s credits include BBC, BT Sport (now TNT) IMG and a whole host of other well-respected broadcast platforms.

Seb is also the lead commentator for women's international football, creating some of the most iconic TV moments at both the Euros 2022 and 2025 historic finals.

This is an episode, and a man, NOT to be slept on!

#Ad Find out more about St James Place here! https://www.sjp.co.uk

#Ad Find out more about CVER here! https://cveronline.com/

Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announcer and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World! 

Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd 

UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjg Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5 

Support the Pod https://patreon.com/TheJoysofFootballPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Read us on 

Substack https://martintylerandneilbarnett.substack.com/ 

Follow our Twitter https://x.com/TheJOF 

Follow our Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@joy_of_football_pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 

Follow our Instagram https://https://www.instagram.com/joy_of_football_pod/ 

Contact us via: [email protected] 

Music by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIz 

Intro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/ 

For incredible football artwork, check out: https://linktr.ee/marclobodaart 

A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters: 

Nick Parmenter 

Hillary Abbott 

Daniel Butigan 

Tommy Mck 

Katie Watson 

Benjamin Fairclough 

Nathan A

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special Christmas edition of The Joy of Football, Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett are joined by a table full of broadcasting royalty to share stories from life in the commentary box during the festive period.

Recorded over dinner, the guys sit down with Bill Leslie, Tony Gale, Gary Taphouse, Sky Sports producer Nigel Dean, and host Tony Jones, all reflecting on what it’s really like commentating on football at Christmas — the travel, the pressure, the mishaps, and the moments that still linger decades later.

From missed flights, frantic dashes to kick-off, Boxing Day traffic nightmares and hotel Christmases, to the unique atmosphere of festive football and how the game — and crowds — have changed over the years, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at football broadcasting during its most demanding time of year.

There’s also a heartfelt Letter From The Gantry, as Martin reflects on a lifetime of Christmas football memories — from his first match as a boy, to his early days as a commentator, and an unforgettable act of kindness from legendary West Ham manager John Lyall that has stayed with him ever since.

A warm, nostalgic, and deeply personal episode — perfect listening for the festive period.

Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announcer and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World! 

Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd 

UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjg Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5 

Support the Pod https://patreon.com/TheJoysofFootballPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Read us on 

Substack https://martintylerandneilbarnett.substack.com/ 

Follow our Twitter https://x.com/TheJOF 

Follow our Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@joy_of_football_pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 

Follow our Instagram https://https://www.instagram.com/joy_of_football_pod/ 

Contact us via: [email protected] 

Music by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIz 

Intro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/ 

For incredible football artwork, check out: https://linktr.ee/marclobodaart 

A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters: 

Nick Parmenter 

Hillary Abbott 

Daniel Butigan 

Tommy Mck 

Katie Watson 

Benjamin Fairclough 

Nathan A
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices