Game’s Gone Podcast Launches on BBC Sounds: Steve Bracknall Brings Sunday League Chaos to the BBC
BBC Sounds has officially launched Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, a brand-new series bringing the chaos, grit and comedy of grassroots football into a fully visualised BBC production. Led by viral Sunday league cult hero Steve Bracknall, the show promises the perfect blend of working-class humour, behind-the-scenes drama and an unfiltered look at the modern football landscape.
For years, Steve Bracknall has been the unofficial spokesperson of the muddy, unpredictable world of Sunday league football. Known for his fiery team talks, raw comedic timing and no-nonsense approach from the touchline of Royal Oak FC in Sheffield, Bracknall has cultivated a devoted fanbase of more than one million followers across social platforms.
His skits, matchday meltdowns and brutally honest commentary on the state of modern football have transformed him into a grassroots celebrity — the kind of Internet-made figure rarely seen embraced by major broadcasters.
With Game’s Gone, Bracknall’s universe expands from viral clips to a polished weekly podcast complete with full video production, courtesy of media studio Persephonica.
What the Podcast Delivers: Mayhem, Mates & Muddy Pitches
A Love Letter to Grassroots Football
The new series is crafted not as another slick, studio-heavy football show but as a deliberate celebration of the scruffier, more authentic side of the sport.
Each episode features:
Unfiltered debates about the week’s football stories
Chaos from Sheffield’s fifth-tier Sunday League
Working-class banter found only on real pitches, not TV studios
Guest appearances from footballers, musicians, comedians and unexpected personalities
Behind-the-scenes drama from Royal Oak FC’s season
Joining Bracknall are two iconic figures from his viral world:
Paul Sampson — childhood friend and Royal Oak’s manager
Bob the Bucket — the club’s long-suffering physio, fan favourite and unofficial mascot
Together, the trio balances football analysis with muddy-boot realism, sharing the comedy, stress and unpredictability of grassroots competition.
Bracknall’s Take: Saving Football From Modern Madness
The host’s mission is clear — restore the joy of football by poking fun at what he calls “the circus” of the modern game.
Bracknall says the podcast is:
“A deep dive into the modern game — from VAR and billion-pound transfers to muddy pitches and broken corner flags.”
In true Bracknall fashion, he also delivers a tongue-in-cheek manifesto:
“I’m here to save the beautiful game from croissant-eating pundits, XG, inverted wing-backs and VAR. The game has well and truly gone… but I’m gonna bring it back.”
It’s this balance of comedy, relatability and sharp observations that makes him one of the most influential working-class voices in football media today.
Why BBC Sounds Backed Bracknall
This series marks Bracknall’s biggest professional step — his leap from grassroots cult hero to fully supported BBC personality.
Persephonica Leads Production
The podcast is filmed and produced in Sheffield by Persephonica, the same company behind several standout BBC audio-video projects.
CEO Dino Sofos expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“Steve Bracknall is a genuine viral sensation, resonating deeply with young, working-class audiences. We’re proud the show is made in Sheffield — the perfect home for real grassroots culture.”
He also confirmed the series is designed with YouTube-first visual storytelling, tapping into Bracknall’s popularity in short-form video formats.
BBC Sounds Sees Him as a New Football Voice
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.”
Middleton emphasised that the BBC is committed to supporting new, authentic voices — especially those grounded in real community culture rather than studio polish.
What Makes Game’s Gone a Standout Football Podcast?
1. True Sunday League Chaos
Instead of high-end analysis and sanitized commentary, the show captures:
unpredictable weather
questionable refereeing
makeshift facilities
broken corner flags
dodgy goals
and the unintentional comedy of weekend amateur sport
It’s football at its realest — and funniest.
2. A Working-Class Voice Mainstream Media Rarely Showcases
Bracknall’s humour and honesty resonate with audiences tired of corporate football media. His appeal is rooted in:
real experiences
relatable frustrations
authentic team culture
regional personality
and humour that mainstream studios often overlook
3. Visual Storytelling for the YouTube Generation
With the entire show available in video, fans get the full Bracknall experience — gestures, chaos and all.
4. Weekly Episodes With Celebrity Guests
The podcast will regularly feature figures from:
football
music
entertainment
online culture
— creating crossover appeal and unpredictable interactions.
A Big Win for Grassroots Representation
Game’s Gone arrives at a time when fans are frustrated with rising ticket prices, inconsistent refereeing and the overly polished nature of commercial football media.
Bracknall represents a refreshing shift — someone who celebrates the sport at its messiest and most joyful.
The show’s launch also highlights the BBC’s growing investment in creators who have built real communities online, not just traditional broadcasting backgrounds.
Launch Details
Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is now available:
