Football Daily

Latest Episodes:

The Commentators’ View: Arctic Ali & owls vs bats May 09, 2025

Show notes

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk football, travel & language. Ali reveals what life is like in the Arctic as he watches Tottenham in Bodø. The panel react to Arsenal crashing out of the Champions League. Will John end his losing run in Clash of the Commentators? And which football commentary terms will be added or removed from the Great Glossary of Football Commentary?

WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369 Emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk

00:55 Ali in the Arctic 11:30 Arsenal knocked out by PSG 18:15 Looking ahead to PSG-Inter UCL final 21:05 Commentary terms for selling a dummy 23:00 5 Live commentaries this weekend 26:20 Arteta: ‘We have two Premier League titles’ 29:20 Clash of the Commentators goes Norwegian 35:35 Plot thickens on ‘where the owl sleeps’ 40:00 Ian uses ‘stanchion’ in Man Utd commentary 41:15 Ali uses ‘thrown his cap on it’ in Tottenham commentary 43:00 Will anything be added to the Great Glossary?

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League weekend commentaries: Sat 1500 Southampton v Man City, Sat 1730 Bournemouth v Aston Villa, Sun 1415 Nottingham Forest v Leicester, Sun 1415 Man Utd v West Ham on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1415 Tottenham v Crystal Palace on BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Liverpool v Arsenal.

The Commentators’ View: Bowls drama, stanchions & worldies May 02, 2025

Show notes

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball have their weekly catch-up to talk about their love of football, travel and language. Ian reflects on his commentary of Liverpool winning the Premier League title. Ali is packing his bags for the Arctic. Will John be packing his bags in Clash of the Commentators? Which football terms will be added to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? And an announcement of sorts…

WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369 Emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk

01:15 John enjoys lawn bowls ‘drama’ 03:50 Correspondent vs senior reporter 08:10 Ian’s Liverpool title reflections 15:05 Champions League semis finely poised 19:50 5 Live commentaries this weekend 22:35 Ali preparing for the Arctic circle 28:30 Tense low-scoring Clash of the Commentators 35:25 More disputed terms in the Great Glossary 44:15 Potentially very exciting news

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League weekend commentaries: Sat 1500 Everton v Ipswich, Sat 1730 Arsenal v Bournemouth, Sun 1200 Man Utd v Man City in the WSL on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Brighton v Newcastle, Sun 1400 Brentford v Man Utd on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 West Ham v Tottenham on BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Chelsea v Liverpool.

Monday Night Club special: Premier League & World Cup final official Darren Cann Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Recently retired assistant referee Darren Cann joins Mark Chapman, Steph Houghton, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith on the Monday Night Club to provide some amazing insight into life on the touchline. Among other things, he discusses his career - explaining what a week in his life looked like. He also explains how VAR has changed the role of an assistant referee and explains how officials block out hostility from players and fans. And - the big question - is Chris Sutton or Darren Cann a better footballer? Oh - and how many miles has he run sideways? The answer is really rather amazing.

Timecodes: 00:31 Darren Cann's background. 07:46 How do referees analyse their performances? 12:20 Has VAR changed the role of an assistant referee? How do referees communicate? 18:36 Darren's best moments and the 2010 World Cup. 22:20 How do assistant referees train and what skills do they need? 25:28 What is a refereeing team like and why is a good relationship with that team so important?

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Tue 20:00 - Arsenal v PSG in the UEFA Champions League. Wed 20:15 - Man Utd v Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Thu 20:00 - Athletic Club v Man Utd in the UEFA Europa League. Thu 20:00 - Tottenham v Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League.

That Season When . . . Jose Mourinho & Chelsea became “The Special” Club Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

In June 2004, Jose Mourinho made headlines around the world by claiming ‘I think I’m a special one’ at his unveiling as Chelsea manager. Just under a year later, he lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time, delivering Chelsea their first league title in 50 years. Robert Huth was part of the Chelsea defence that conceded only 15 goals in the league that season – and he joins Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith 20 years later to reflect on an incredible achievement. They look back on Jose Mourinho’s management style – what was it like to be coached by him? Can he be credited with bringing the 4-3-3 to English football? Hear from midfielder Claude Makelele on his role within the team and from Sir Alex Ferguson on his rivalry with Jose Mourinho. They also discuss what nearly became a domestic treble for Mourinho in his first year in English football, and remember one of the Premier League’s most memorable seasons.

The Commentators’ View: Conor goes viral & Ian’s Bantam tantrum Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball discuss Liverpool and Celtic being on the verge of titles. They’re joined by Conor McNamara after he went viral for his 5 Live Man Utd-Lyon commentary. Will Ali be toppled by Ian in Clash of the Commentators? How high will the high bar be for the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? And John bowls us over with his plans for the weekend in London.

01:30 Liverpool and Celtic on the verge of titles 06:10 Conor McNamara reflects on going viral 25:15 Some big 5 Live commentaries this weekend 33:35 More Clash of the Commentators controversy? 41:25 Will anything be added to the Great Glossary? 53:35 John reveals his exciting weekend plans

BBC Sounds / 5 Live / Radio 5 Sports Extra weekend commentaries: Sat 1500 Newcastle v Ipswich in the Premier League, Sat 1715 Crystal Palace v Aston Villa in the FA Cup semis, Sun 1400 Bournemouth v Man Utd in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Chelsea v Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, Sun 1630 Liverpool v Tottenham in the Premier League, Sun 1630 Nottingham Forest v Man City in the FA Cup semis.

In Focus with Nedum Onuoha and Claude Makelele Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

The former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele sits down with Nedum Onuoha to talk through the Frenchman's career. Makelele describes his time at Chelsea and experiences under Jose Mourinho, as well as his most challenging opponents in the Premier League. And we also find out how he was close to becoming a winger and not a defensive midfielder.

TIMECODES 00:10 What was it like joining Chelsea? 02:30 Playing under Jose Mourinho 07:00 Claude Makelele - the winger? 16:00 Toughest opponents in the Premier League.

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this weekend: Sat 1230 Arsenal women v Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Sat 1500 Everton v Man City in the Premier League, Sat 1730 Aston Villa v Newcastle in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Ipswich v Ipswich in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Man Utd v Wolves on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Fulham v Chelsea on BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Leicester v Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Commentators’ View: Emotional times & top top top… Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

It's a full house as Ali Bruce-Ball returns with John Murray & Ian Dennis. Ali gives a behind the scenes insight to Masters golf commentary at Augusta. What about Arsenal beating Real Madrid and making it through to the Champions League semi-finals? Will John bounce back in Clash of the Commentators? And we need your help when it comes to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary! E-mail: tcv@bbc.co.uk Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 369

02:40 Ali is back from seeing McIlroy make history 11:50 Getting emotional on commentary 16:00 Arsenal progress to Champions League semi-finals 21:45 Will Forest get ‘swallowed up’ in race for UCL? 27:05 Liverpool could win title this weekend 30:00 Clash of the Commentators 38:05 Great Glossary of Football Commentary 51:45 More football lookalikes

How To Win The Champions League: Jose Mourinho Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In the final episode of the mini-series on How To Win The Champions League, we hear from two-time winner Jose Mourinho.

He talks us through his victories with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, as well as some of his near-misses at Real Madrid

Mourinho explains why the competition is so important to him and how he built relationships with some of Europe's leading players over the past two decades.

A BBC iPlayer documentary accompanies this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m00276py/how-to-win-the-champions-league

Episode 1: How to win the Champions League: Real Madrid - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kkgyws Episode 2: How to win the Champions League: Liverpool 2019 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l2mjj1

TIMECODES 04:20 Winning the 2004 Champions League with Porto. 14:15 Building an Inter Milan team to win the Champions League in 2010. 29:40 How he uses psychology to motivate his players 33:45 Why the Champions League matters to him

In Focus with Dion Dublin & Anthony Elanga Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

Anthony Elanga chats to Dion Dublin about life at Nottingham Forest, working under Nuno Espirito Santo and the secret to Forest's consistency.

He also discusses moving to England at 11, his development at Manchester United and his hopes of playing in the Champions League with Forest.

Topics: 00:15 - Early years in Malmo 02:41 - Moving to England at 11and signing for Manchester United 06:36 - Moving to Nottingham Forest and personal development 10:15 - Working under Nuno Espirito Santo 12:09 - The City Ground is "the best atmosphere I've played in" 13:32 - His goal against Manchester United 16:56 - The secret to Forest's consistency 19:22 - Dressing room camaraderie 20:41 - Playing in the Champions League 21:23 - Hopes for the rest of the season

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 1500 Nottingham Forest v Everton Sat 1730 Arsenal v Brentford Sun 1400 Liverpool v West Ham Sun 1400 Chelsea v Ipswich on 5 Sports Extra Sun 1400 Wolves v Tottenham on the BBC Sport website Sun 1630 Newcastle v Man Utd

The Commentators’ View: Salah signs up & John with sirens Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Conor McNamara joins John Murray & Ian Dennis to talk commentary life as Mo Salah signs Liverpool deal. John reveals how he ended up in a French ambulance in midweek. Conor reflects on nearly getting stuck on his way to replace John in Paris. And Ian talks through his memorable line, ‘Rice Rice baby’. All that plus a tasty Clash of the Commentators and more additions to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary.

E-mail: tcv@bbc.co.uk Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 369

01:45 Mo Salah signs new Liverpool deal 04:45 John talks about ending up in a French ambulance 11:30 Conor nearly gets stuck en route to PSG 14:40 Ian’s ‘Rice Rice baby’ 21:25 What goal celebrations would the guys perform? 24:40 Ian speaks out about the Crystal Palace restricted view 27:50 Ian tests Pat Nevin’s patience with ‘transition’ 31:15 Clash of the Commentators gets tasty 41:40 What will be added to the Great Glossary?

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 1500 Nottingham Forest v Everton, Sat 1730 Arsenal v Brentford, Sun 1400 Liverpool v West Ham, Sun 1400 Chelsea v Ipswich on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Wolves v Tottenham on BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Newcastle v Man Utd.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected