Steve Bracknall bags podcast deal

BBC Sounds has announced a hilarious new addition to its podcast offering.

Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, fronted by grassroots football legend and social media cult hero Steve Bracknall, kicks off on 20 November 2025, bringing the chaos, passion, and heart of Sunday league football to the BBC airwaves.

Produced by Persephonica for the BBC, this entertaining new podcast will be fully visualised, with episodes available to watch on YouTube and listen to on BBC Sounds.

Taking fans deep into the world of Sunday League football through Steve’s unfiltered lens, Game’s Gone mixes sharp humour, chaotic honesty, and a fair bit of mud. Known online as the assistant manager and lifeblood of the Royal Oak FC, Steve has built an audience of more than a million followers through his viral videos of fiery team talks and behind-the-scenes antics.

In the new series, Steve is joined by his lifelong mate and Royal Oak manager Paul Sampson and long-suffering club physio Bob the Bucket, as they tackle the week’s football stories while juggling the dramas of their fifth-tier Sheffield Sunday League side.

Expect rivalry, dodgy deals, and plenty of unpredictable twists. Episodes will also feature surprise celebrity guests from the worlds of sport, music, and entertainment.

Steve describes the series as “a deep dive into the modern game, from VAR and billion-pound transfers to muddy pitches and broken corner flags.” Each episode draws parallels between the glitz of the Premier League and the chaos of the Sunday leagues, reminding fans what football is really all about.

Bracknall continues: “It’s about time to be honest. I’m here to save the beautiful game from croissant-eating pundits, XG, inverted wing backs + VAR. The game has well and truly gone... But I’m gonna bring it back. Steve"

Dino Sofos, CEO of Persephonica, said: “Steve Bracknall is a genuine viral sensation, resonating deeply with young, working-class audiences in a way few creators do. We’re incredibly proud that Game’s Gone will be filmed and produced by Persephonica in Sheffield - the perfect home for a show rooted in real grassroots football culture. And with this series built for YouTube, we’ll be leaning into the visual storytelling and character-driven humour that has made Steve such a phenomenon.”

Stevie Middleton, Commissioning Executive for Podcasts at BBC Sounds, said: “Every generation produces a football mind ahead of its time. Our latest signing just happens to manage the Royal Oak on a Sunday. We’re really excited to work with Steve Bracknall and support him on his quest to save football.”

Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast will be available to watch on YouTube and hear on BBC Sounds from Thursday 20 November 2025, with new episodes dropping weekly.

• Listen to Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall podcast on BBC Sounds

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