On this episode of My Football Heroes, we talk all things heroes and villain with writer, journalist, lawyer, podcaster and impressive man - Alex Wade (+1).

Alex is a QPR fan, and has written multiple books on varied subjects such as surfing, boxing and most recently 'A Season On The Med - Riviera Football In Italy And France (With A Trip To Athens For Stan). Which is out now. Alex is a resident of the Riviera, and this is his winding journey through one of the most enchanting areas of footballing geography, from the flaming cauldrons of the Marseille Monaco derby to the balmy plains of the Italian lower leagues - Its an essential read for any football purist. His podcast 'Footy On The Med' is out every week.

Further topics covered 

.The legality of swimming to Italy

.The ruler rule 

.In depth chats with Les Ferdinand 

.Peles favourite goal

.Fruit metaphors

Find out more about Alex and John Here:

A Summer On The Med

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/season-med

Website

https://alexwade.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/surfnation1

Footy On The Med Podcast

https://www.footyonthemed.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In another special My Football Heroes Story, we are delighted to be joined by the library of all things Spanish football - Friend of the show, David Whitworth. 

This story is about a player who for a few short years held Spain and Europe in the palm of his hand. All done in the most unreal of kits, and with the most unreal of haircuts. It is the story of dragging a sleeping giant back to the top table of football. A story of a massive transfer, massive expectations, momentum stalling, and of Middlesbrough. Of course it's the Gaizka Mendieta story.

If you were a 90s kid this player is seared into your palette of football. Blazing like a comet. Seemingly capable of otherworldly feats, before disappearing from view. For others, the Gaizka Mendieta Story is a 'you weren't there' story. A player who often gets no mention, but was for a short time, officially the best midfielder in the world. 

Its also the tale of late 90s Spanish football, the ups and downs of one of the most fluctuating times ever seen. Of the introduction of La Liga into UK households. The late dusk of the great Seire A era, and of mid 00s Middlesborough and success.

Other topics covered

• Rivaldos bicycle kick
• The silver world cup ball
• The original Bolton
• Replacing Veron and Nedved

Find out more about David here

Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/davidcwhitworth

Insta

https://www.instagram.com/dcwhitworth/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a rare move for a football podcast, we decided to try and build up our excitement to the world cup by previewing the first world cup to take place in the my football heroes orbit.

It is indeed a world cup of firsts - the first world cup in the winter, the first world cup in the Middle East, and the first world cup where the people who awarded it are now in prison for wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering. .

Most importantly we also made a quiz.

Joining us are legit royalty of my football heroes - MJ from the ball and banter podcast, and Kojo from the 3 in midfield podcast. Both have appeared as guests on the podcast before, and manage to add their usual knowledge and humour to the most controversial world cup in our lifetimes. Also the most impressive quiz question answer ever seen happens.

Further topics covered

. Winners, flops, and dark horses

. International spurs

. Defending Richarlison

.The curse of the world cup winners

Find out more about MJ and Kojo Here

Kojo - 3 In Midfield

Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/5IIFcWyISqIYMnntM6wpVw?si=8sG6vsmARfSxns7Q_S4Nvg&nd=1

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/3inmidfield/id1089509683

Twitter

https://twitter.com/3inmidfield?s=21

Insta

https://www.instagram.com/3inMidfield/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/coach_kojob/?hl=en

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/c/3inMidfieldPodcast

MJ - Ball and banter

Podcast

https://ballandbanter.buzzsprout.com/

Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/ballandbanterp1

Insta

https://www.instagram.com/top_tekkers/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/ball_and_banter/?hl=en

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_d9jnnTdxAoReNZUkW8xDw

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.