The new football season has started up with Argentinean itinerants, American takeovers and European qualifier minnows hogging the headlines.
Juventus have been relegated, Ashley Cole has finally left Arsenal and Roy Keane has managed enough calm moments to be designated a manager.
It’s been a busy time in the world of association football and those not glued to the every sports page of every newspaper could be forgiven for being behind on the gossip. So it’s probably a good thing that the Guardian have released a new football podcast to help us catch up.
They say:
iTunes reviews:
“This is great news for those of us in the colonies. A godsend!”
“Great news about the new podcast, I really enjoyed the World Cup version.”
“I get out of hospital to find that Celtic has signed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Guardian Unlimited now has a weekly football podcast. Hurrah.”
We say:
Following on from the undoubted success of their World Cup podcast, the Guardian have decided not to change a winning format.
James Richardson, the host of Saturday morning favourite Football Italia, is the chirpy voice behind the show and infuses the show with the feeling that it is being delivered from a table outside an Italian café.
The inaugural episode brings a laugh with a quip about clubs “reaching, Indiana Jones style, back through the closing window to grab a late item,” and his relaxed humour breaks up what would otherwise be a run of the mill football news show.
The content of the show is good without ever being outstanding. Because of the weekly nature of the podcast, most serious football fans will already be well aware of the news it presents and the camaraderie (doesn’t he play for Everton?) between Richardson and his cohosts isn’t quite enough to make it worth listening to again. There are interviews, analysis, guest stars and reporters on the spot, but it is effectively dishing up cold news.
Overall, the podcast is informative and well presented, but doesn’t provide enough fresh news and analysis to keep dedicated football fans interested. It will appeal most to those who need to catch up on the week’s news, rather than those looking for extra insight.
AVERAGE EPISODE RUNNING TIME
30 mins
PRICE
Free
POSTED...
Fri 8 Sep 2006 at 5:49pm
