Macca and Beats is a football podcast bringing you untold stories from the legends of the game.
From Manchester United icons to Republic of Ireland heroes, we go beyond the headlines with honest, no-filter conversations about life in football — on and off the pitch.
🎙 Hosted by Macca & Beats
⚽ New episodes fortnightly
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Andy Townsend: Vinnie Jones, Gazza, Big Ron & The MADDEST Stories From 90s Football!
Andy Townsend joins Macca & Beats for a brilliant look back at a life in football – from starting out in non-league to captaining Chelsea, his unforgettable years at Aston Villa, playing for the Republic of Ireland and building a second career as one of football’s most recognisable broadcasters.
Andy talks about breaking into the professional game relatively late, the move to Chelsea and the Manchester United transfer that nearly happened, before lifting the lid on life inside some of the great dressing rooms of the era.
And the stories keep coming…
A phone-box conversation with Terry Venables that didn’t quite go to plan,
Vinnie Jones taking Andy’s brand-new Mercedes for a spin,
John Major walking into the Chelsea dressing room,
Big Ron Atkinson trading punches with Dalian Atkinson
and some absolutely classic tales involving Paul Gascoigne.
Andy also gives his thoughts on modern football, the money young players earn, why some ex-players simply aren’t cut out for broadcasting and why, despite everything that has changed in the game, he never lost his love for playing.
Plus: Gazza, a missing coffee cup, Jimmy Five Bellies, a Neil Diamond concert on the eve of a Tyne-Wear derby… and plenty more. Another proper football conversation with one of the game’s great characters.
7 Aug 2026
Mike Newell: Gazza, Shearer, Dalglish & Winning the Premier League
Premier League winner. England international. Blackburn Rovers legend.
In this episode of Macca & Beats, we sit down with Mike Newell to look back on an incredible football career spanning Liverpool, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and England.
Mike shares unforgettable stories from some of football's biggest moments, including:
Being signed by Everton after one phone call from Colin Harvey
Why Kenny Dalglish convinced him to join Blackburn Rovers
Winning the Premier League with Blackburn
Missing out on Italia '90 with England through injury
Why Gazza was the best player in the world
What Alan Shearer was really like when he arrived at Blackburn
Neville Southall's hilarious hotel room routine
Bobby Robson nearly signing him abroad
His honest views on football agents, bungs and the modern game
Why he believes football's obsession with statistics is "destroying the game"
This is a fascinating conversation packed with brilliant dressing-room stories, football nostalgia and honest opinions from one of English football's most respected strikers.
Subscribe to Macca & Beats for more exclusive interviews with football legends every week.
20 Jul 2026
Russell Beardsmore: What Manchester United Was REALLY Like Before the Glory Years
Before the Class of '92, there were Fergie's Fledglings.
Former Manchester United winger Russell Beardsmore joins us to look back on one of the most fascinating periods in the club's history.
Russell talks about coming through under legendary youth coach Eric Harrison, making his breakthrough under Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring against Liverpool, life inside the Manchester United dressing room, and what it was really like before the club's dominance of English football.
He also shares brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Lee Sharpe, Eric Cantona, dressing room initiations, the famous "Fergie Out" period, and the hilarious snowball incident that nearly landed him in serious trouble with Sir Alex.
This is a brilliant insight into Manchester United during one of its most important eras.
In this episode:
Becoming one of Fergie's Fledglings
Learning under Eric Harrison
Breaking into Manchester United's first team
Beating Liverpool at Old Trafford
Dressing room initiations
Bryan Robson's leadership
Sir Alex Ferguson before the trophies
Eric Cantona arrives
The famous snowball story
Norman Whiteside, Lee Sharpe and more
If you enjoyed the episode, please Like, Subscribe and let us know in the comments who you'd like us to interview next.
13 Jul 2026
Kevin Moran: From Gaelic Football to Manchester United Legend
Manchester United legend Kevin Moran joins us for an incredible conversation about one of football's most unique careers.
Kevin looks back on his journey from Dublin and Gaelic football to Old Trafford, revealing how he almost turned down Manchester United, the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson and Dave Sexton, life alongside Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins and Norman Whiteside, and the stories behind one of the most successful eras in the club's history.
We also discuss:
Nearly rejecting Manchester United
Winning All-Ireland titles before football
Making the move from Gaelic football to English football
His famous FA Cup Final red card
Playing under Dave Sexton and Sir Alex Ferguson
Life in the Manchester United dressing room
The evolution of football
Ireland, Old Trafford and life after retirement
Kevin is thoughtful, honest and full of brilliant stories from one of football's greatest eras.
19 Jun 2026
Bonus Episode: How Two Mates Ended Up Interviewing Football Legends
After a season of incredible guests including Paul McGrath, Norman Whiteside, Frank Stapleton, Mick Duxbury, Aaron Wilbraham and Brian Jensen, Macca and Beats sit down for a bonus episode.
The lads look back at how the podcast started, travelling to Dublin to record, growing up together, football memories, meeting legends of the game and what comes next for the show.
It's a relaxed conversation between two lifelong friends reflecting on the journey so far and sharing some stories that haven't been told elsewhere.
Guests featured this season include:
Paul McGrath
Norman Whiteside
Frank Stapleton
Mick Duxbury
Aaron Wilbraham
Brian Jensen
Subscribe for future episodes and clips.
#FootballPodcast #PaulMcGrath #NormanWhiteside #ManchesterUnited #AstonVilla #FootballStories #Podcast #MaccaAndBeats
12 Jun 2026
The Beast: How Brian Jensen Went From 'Big Boy' Electrician to Burnley's Play-Off Hero
Brian Jensen became one of Burnley's most iconic players, earning legendary status among Clarets fans as "The Beast".
In this episode, Brian joins us to look back on an incredible football journey that took him from Denmark to Holland, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and the Premier League.
He talks about:
How he earned the nickname "The Beast"
Growing up in Denmark and nearly losing his football career
Working as an electrician before making it as a professional footballer
The incredible Burnley promotion season
Saving penalties against Chelsea
Wembley play-off final glory
Life in the Premier League
The strikers he hated facing most
His favourite manager, teammates and funniest dressing-room stories
Plus plenty of laughs, football memories and behind-the-scenes stories from one of Burnley's most beloved players.
#BrianJensen #TheBeast #BurnleyFC #PremierLeague #FootballPodcast #Championship #Goalkeeper #Clarets #Burnley
5 Jun 2026
Aaron Wilbraham: What Football Is REALLY Like Outside the Premier League
Aaron Wilbraham reveals what football is REALLY like outside the Premier League — and the reality of building a 20+ year career in the game.
In this episode of Macca and Beats, former Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Bristol City striker Aaron Wilbraham shares honest insights from his journey through the football pyramid — from non-league football to the top level.
From playing into his 40s and scoring over 700 appearances, to the challenges of contracts, injuries and life after football, this is the side of the game most fans never see.
Expect:
The real difference between Premier League and lower league football
What it takes to last over 20 years as a professional
Honest stories about contracts, agents and the business side of football
The mentality needed to succeed when talent isn’t enough If you want to understand what football is really like beyond the headlines — this one’s for you.
Watch and subscribe on YouTube
#AaronWilbraham #FootballPodcast #EFL #PremierLeague #FootballStories
28 May 2026
Frank Stapleton: Arsenal, Man United, Maradona & Cruyff
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Frank Stapleton joins us for an incredible look back at one of football’s greatest eras.
From signing for Arsenal as a teenager, to becoming a Wembley hero, transferring to Manchester United, playing against Diego Maradona, working under Johan Cruyff and witnessing the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson — Frank shares stories from an unforgettable career.
We also dive into:
Leaving Arsenal for Manchester United
The famous 1979 FA Cup Final
Old Trafford in the 1980s
Football before the Bosman ruling
Playing in Europe
Ajax under Johan Cruyff
Ireland, Wembley and dressing-room culture
A brilliant football conversation packed with stories, honesty and nostalgia.
📺 Subscribe and watch on YouTube for more interviews with football legends.
21 May 2026
Mick Duxbury: From Man United to Milkman… The Reality of a Football Career
Mick Duxbury tells the full story of a football career that goes far beyond the highlights. From over 200 appearances for Manchester United, 2 FA Cup winners’ medals, and 10 England caps — to life after football and starting again from scratch.
In this episode, Mick opens up on:
Breaking into Manchester United in the 1980s
Playing 60 games in a single season
Winning FA Cups… but not always feeling fulfilled
Why he struggled at international level with England
Life under Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson
The reality of football’s drinking culture
Moving abroad to Hong Kong
Facing the end of his career
And starting again — including working as a milkman before becoming a teacher.
This is a raw and honest look at what a football career really looks like — on and off the pitch.
🎧 Watch and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube
#MUFC #ManchesterUnited #FootballPodcast #LifeAfterFootball #FootballStories
8 May 2026
Norman Whiteside: I sacrificed EVERYTHING for football!
Norman Whiteside reveals what it was REALLY like coming through at Manchester United — from making his debut as a teenager to breaking records at the World Cup.
In this episode of Macca and Beats, former Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Norman Whiteside shares incredible stories from his career, including becoming the youngest player to play at a World Cup, life under Sir Alex Ferguson and the reality of football in the 80s.
From growing up in Belfast during The Troubles to playing at Old Trafford and on the world stage, this is a journey few players have ever experienced.
30 Apr 2026
Paul McGrath: Football Legend Interviewed by His Own Son
Paul McGrath reveals what football was REALLY like in the 80s and 90s — from playing at the highest level to the realities behind the scenes.
In this episode of Macca and Beats, football legend Paul McGrath sits down (with his son) for a raw and honest conversation about his career, sharing stories from his time at Manchester United, Aston Villa and with the Republic of Ireland.
From dressing room moments and career highs to the challenges he faced off the pitch, this is Paul McGrath like you’ve never heard before.
#PaulMcGrath #ManchesterUnited #AstonVilla #FootballPodcast #FootballLegends
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