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PODCAST

Ultimate XI

The podcast where special guests live out their fantasy by becoming the manager of the football team they support and pick a starting eleven made up of their all-time favourite players. Our guests are in the hot seat as they pick which of their club"s heroes will form the team line up, as well as deciding on the formation, the captain and the set piece takers. We"ll also find out who they will appoint as their very own assistant manager and which kit they choose for their beloved team to proudly

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All Episodes

59:37

Episode 49: Laura Kirk-Francis & Arsenal F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/07/17

Content creator. Artist. Football presenter. Lacrosse playmaker. All phrases that can be used to describe the next Ultimate XI manager to make their selections, and this is truly a one-of-a-kind episode as the hilarious Laura Kirk-Francis brings her own comedy style and personal taste to her Arsenal squad. Not so concerned with tactics, balance or even really footballing prowess, this side will go down in history as one of the most beautiful to ever grace a football pitch... if they can drag

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81:22

Episode 48: Jim Daly & Crystal Palace F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/06/17

Jim Daly is perhaps the quintessential Ultimate XI manager - expert football knowledge, the wry wit of a fan coupled with a razor sharp comedian's brain, and packaged up into a broadcast and podcast legend; all this melds to create a beautiful side and give Crystal Palace fans another incredible achievement to celebrate this year. Parts of the comedian's team are pure poetry, full of guile and grace, but also balancing the South London club's tradition for grit and endeavour. Not bad for a manager

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73:14

Episode 47: Paul Longley & Chelsea F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/05/14

Paul Longley, social media comedy royalty, brings us his well thought out Chelsea Ultimate XI - an absolute goldmine for the late 90s/early 00s Premier League aficionados amongst us. Paul's stories of who he picks and why are laced with memorable moments, familial ties and that deep-rooted need that all football fans have to show off their knowledge of obscure players. A timeless side, a very excited manager and a one-of-a-kind piece of Chelsea merchandise all make for an Ultimate XI of the highest

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56:47

Episode 46: Stuart Laws & Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/05/01

Just one of the all-time great UK comedians delivering an absolute belter of an Ultimate XI - jack of all trades, master of all trades Stuart Laws fights Ange for the top job at Spurs, and the guile with which he picks an attacking and classy all will come as no surprise to fans of his comedy. Listen as he delivers a tactically sound and balanced line up featuring the shining lights of Spurs' Premier League history - Stuart aims not just to rival the numerous THFC Ultimate XIs we've had on the

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56:22

Episode 45: Ed Night & Crystal Palace F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/04/15

Comedy king and Palace fan Ed Night gives us the lowdown on his Ultimate Eagles XI - featuring some insanely talented wingers, future stars and my least favourite Premier League footballer of all time. In his laidback style, Ed effortlessly casts a line-up of pure class featuring Palace's recent and current legends. A funky formation and 3 (THREE) kit choices round off an absolute classic of an Ultimate XI.Get in touch with the podcast - Website:

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76:19

Episode 44: Emil Franchi & Newcastle United F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/04/01

What do you get if you cross an Italian with a Geordie and then force them to pick their favourite ever players for their beloved Newcastle United? Why, it's this magnificent episode of course! Emil Franchi, radio broadcaster extraordinaire, has managed to overcome his hangover from the Carabao Cup Final and put his manager hat on to pick his all-time Magpies team. Players from the club's trophy-winning side blend seamlessly with cult heroes, Championship legends and names from Newcastle's "almost"

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65:07

Episode 43: Tom Deacon & Southampton F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/03/13

It's been a long time coming, but finally a fellow Saints fan joins me on the podcast to pick their all-time Southampton XI. Tom Deacon - comedian, DJ, presenter - was brave enough during this, arguably the worst season in Saints' history, to reminisce about the days when St Mary's and The Dell used to be full of hope and pride, determination, underdog spirit and, perhaps most importantly, points. Misty eyed we most certainly are in this episode, but rightly so when you hear some of the names that

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78:07

Episode 42: Matt Dyson & Nottingham Forest F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2025/01/14

Back with a bang after the Christmas break, we've got radio presenter and Rock 'N' Roll Football co-host Matt Dyson. As our first Nottingham Forest fan on the podcast, Matt took the opportunity to immortalise many of the current NFFC squad who are flying high in the Premier League at this moment in time; however the balance he achieves by partnering them with some of Forest's past heroes is truly masterful and a pleasure to witness. As a vocal proponent of exciting, high-energy football and music,

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47:17

Episode 41: Woody from Bastille & Plymouth Argyle F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/12/19

It's the countdown to Christmas, and the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing. A great thing for Ultimate XI fans, as it means in this episode Chris "Woody" Wood gets the top job at Plymouth Argyle, and the Devon native drummer from indie pop royalty Bastille is not phased by the task. Despite the familial tensions it has brought about, naming his Pilgrims Ultimate XI seems to be quite cathartic for Woody. Demons were exercised, illegal behaviour was admitted and ruthless decisions were made,

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63:29

Episode 40: Will Gamble & Chelsea F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/12/12

Will Gamble is normally the one asking the questions as he interrogates musicians and bands worldwide, but this time the shoe was on the other foot as I asked Will to pick his all-time favourite Chelsea players. Living close to Stamford Bridge and being a regular visitor there with his family, Will witnessed first hand the almost overnight Premier League powerhouse that Chelsea became just after the turn of the century, but as his selections prove it wasn't always plain sailing. With some names that

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56:33

Episode 39: LukePingu & Derby County F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/12/05

Quizmaster general LukePingu, creator of YouTube's best football trivia videos, dons his manager hat and picks his Derby County Ultimate XI. Although the Rams are widely remembered for their record-breaking low Premier League points total in the mid-2000s, as Luke proves with his selections they have also been home to some fantastic players in recent history, many of whom have forged their legacies in the club's toughest years outside the top flight. True to his Derbyshire roots, Luke's XI features

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54:20

Episode 38: Andy Bush & Everton F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/11/28

Absolute Radio host and absolute legend Andy Bush is on the mic picking his Everton Ultimate XI. The broadcast luminary takes us back to the Toffees' golden era of First Division success with some of his selections, but also manages to sprinkle a delicious smattering of "Dudes can literally just sit around naming random footballers" which will certainly win over the Premier League purists. Headbutts and hedge funds, wildcard substitutions, and an ethereal Assistant Manager all combine to make an

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76:42

Episode 37: Piers Hewitt & Southend United F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/11/21

Drummer, football podcaster and Roots Hall addict Piers Hewitt reveals his carefully selected Southend United Ultimate XI. We're down in the lower leagues again, which means many things; loan player love-ins, bald club legends, and cries of "I Had No Idea He Played For Them" galore. Whilst this XI may lack top-flight experience, the players Piers has fallen in love with more than make up for it in grit, loyalty and ambition. And this is apparent in the number of players The Boxer Rebellion drummer

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71:58

Episode 36: Mehreen Khan & Chelsea F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/11/07

This episode we are joined by powerhouse journalist Mehreen Khan, The Times economics editor and co-host of Heroes and Humans of Football podcast, and she manages to pick a side that is spiritually and intrinsically 'Chelsea' but does not necessarily feature some of the names we would expect to make it in to an all-time Blues XI. Her unbridled passion for her team shines through though; Mehreen talks about how she first fell in love with the West London club and reflects fervently on the players she

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50:12

Episode 35: Kadie-Leigh Hanlon & Barnsley F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/10/22

In this episode I chatted to Barnsley's brightest young social media superstar, the lovely Kadie-Leigh Hanlon. Kadie-Leigh is an EFL evangelist on Instagram and talks all things Tykes on TikTok; her video interviews are fast becoming must-watches for all football content consumers, so it was a pleasure to hear her select her greatest Barnsley XI. Once I had got over the initial shock of realising that I own football socks that are older than Kadie is, I let myself get swept away and fell in love

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52:23

Episode 34: Ed Jones & Arsenal F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/10/08

This week I am joined by creator of arguably the funniest videos on Instagram and TikTok, Ed Jones. He is a superb comedian and sketch comedy performer, and in this episode he paints his own personal picture of what it has been to be an Arsenal fan. Some of his choices, I think you will agree, do not scream "first name on the team sheet" - but yet, the way Ed speaks about them, you can see why they hold such a dear place in his heart and you'd be forgiven for thinking they have racked up more

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01:03:22

Episode 33: Dee Allum & Watford F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/07/18

The lovely Dee Allum, hilarious stand up comedian, picks her favourite Watford players this week - and true to the Hornet's recent transfer policy, it's a really mixed bag. Players of all levels, nationalities and appearance records feature in the side, but truthfully 'tis just a preamble until Dee tackles the most difficult selection of all; which of Watford's 648 managers since 2010 will she pick as her assistant?Buy tickets to see Dee's Edinburgh Festival Fringe show here:

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01:13:21

Episode 32: Kyle Walker & Manchester City F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/07/04

You've seen him on camera presenting football on Sky Sports, now hear the cool-headed Blues fan Kyle Walker pick his Man City Ultimate XI. Featuring a host of talent from the recent era of City success, but also containing an incredibly rogue shout for left-back, which we always welcome on this show. Kyle's team is packed full of class, in truth an XI of the players he didn't pick would give anyone a run for their money, but listen now to find out the answer to the question everyone is

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01:17:19

Episode 31: Jon Harvey & Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/03/14

The satirist, writer and a 'fan for all seasons' Jon Harvey is famous for sending up those in power with a deluded sense of entitlement, and clearly this is also his approach to managing a squad of footballers as he attempts to balance 6 (SIX) midfielders into his all-star Tottenham Hotspur Ultimate XI. And, honestly, I think he manages it - yes, some players will be knocking furiously on the door of his manager's office to ask him why he insists on playing them out of position. Or why,

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01:09:35

Episode 30: Louis Jones & Coventry City F.C.

Ultimate XI ·

2024/03/05

Driven, ambitious, talented. All words that can be used to describe both this week's guest and most of the Coventry City Ultimate XI team that he selected. Louis Jones is the creator of Surprise Shirts, which has fast become the must-have subscription for football shirt collectors, and he puts his entrepreneurial skills to good use in selecting his Sky Blues side. Whilst the young innovator may not have known Coventry's heyday as a Premier League side, the team he picks features top tier

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