Welcome to our 50th episode, and we celebrate our half century with former Sky Sports touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves. Talk turns to Geoff's experiences working with the biggest, and moodiest managers in the Premier League: from the likes of Klopp and Guardiola, to - of course - Sir Alex Ferguson. Choccy tells us how he liked to swerve the media, and we discuss Geoff and Brian's shared musical passions. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Irish actor Emmett J. Scanlan is our special guest for this episode and chats with Choccy about the outstanding crime drama Kin, restaurant rebuffs, catching the eye of Fergie and Big Sam, hard men, Manchester United, shadow boxing to Rocky, chocolate binges, and much more! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter joins us on this episode to talk about the band's recent number 1 album, the Britpop years, rivalry with Oasis, Manchester United's current travails, Brian's weekly budget, the best things in our shed, almost tipping Aerosmith off the wagon, and we've got a very fishy quiz! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're thrilled to be joined by comedian Jo Caulfield for this episode, in which we discuss difficult roommates, Edinburgh, bad comics, stadium criteria for Premier League membership, hitchhiking, Denis Irwin, Mick Lynch, Choccy's political aspirations, and much more! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scottish actor, and star of the hugely successful play 'Singin' I'm No A Billy, He's A Tim', Scott Kyle is our guest for this one as Brian and the boys wade into the thorny topic of the Old Firm and dissecting the relationship between Celtic and Rangers fans on stage. We also discuss acting naked for Ken Loach, wearing ladies' kilts, playing without away fans and in the jail, street scraps, and we find out who knows more about their clubs in another of our quizzes. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first episode of 2024 sees Choccy welcome cricket commentating legend David 'Bumble' Lloyd to the show. We talk Accrington Stanley, homemade cider, favourite pubs, scrapping on the terraces, the changing face of cricket, (not) catching salmon with Ian Botham, the drunken antics of Mark E. Smith and much more! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a bumper episode in which we're joined by comedian, writer and presenter Kevin Day. Up for discussion are pre-match boozers, the ups and downs of Crystal Palace, cursed kits, going from HR to comedy, writing Gary Lineker's adlibs, modern football rants, the Price of Football podcast, Cantona's kung fu kick, Have I Got News For You, working with Dave Allen, and there's another of our infamous quizzes! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian welcomes actor Packy Lee to the podcast for this one, to talk about his Peaky Blinders character Johnny Dogs, playing controversial Irish politician Gerry Adams, working on an Oscar winning short film, supporting Liverpool, and the highs and lows of the acting world. There's also a quiz full of shaggy dog stories, and Choccy remembers Sir Bobby Charlton. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian and the boys are joined by Jonathan Watson - star of hit BBC sitcom Two Doors Down, and iconic Scottish football sketch show, Only An Excuse. As well as touching on the latest managerial casualty at Johnnie's club Rangers, talk inevitably turns to some of his finest work, including his impressions of Graeme Souness, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Sir Alex Ferguson, and - of course - Frank McAvennie. There's also another one of our dodgy quizzes and a packed mailbag to savour. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Off we go into another season, and Brian and the lads are back, this time with songwriter and musician Robert Hodgens a.k.a. Bobby Bluebell - the man most famous for penning The Bluebells' classic 'Young at Heart'. In this episode we touch on all sorts, including bacon butty smuggling, David May's golf exploits, dressing up as Wham!, the Sunday Sport, facing down the SAS, Celtic & Rangers, hanging out with Bananarama, clubbing with Giggsy, and getting mistaken for Ally McCoist! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Game of Thrones and Moonfall star John Bradley joins Choccy, Mark and Matthew for the new episode. He discusses Manchester United goalies, the pressures of acting, David Beckham's right foot, hooking up with J-Lo, and bizarre football injuries amongst other things! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross joins Brian on this episode to discuss Dundee rivalries, Fergie's driving mishaps, Jim McLean's tongue-lashings, tinkling on the Tannadice terraces, musical success, losing out on number 1 to Timmy Mallett, and much more, including our 'Aft or Daft' quiz! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a big Hail Hail to acclaimed actor and massive Celtic fan Tony Curran, who joins Choccy, Matthew and Mark for this episode. We get stuck into plenty of chat about their beloved Bhoys, as well as how to outrun a bully, living the L.A. life, delivering 'sandwiches' for Goodfellas, casting Love Street '86: The Movie, and their chippy tea of choice. We also test their celebrity fan knowledge in our quiz, Hoops or Oops! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say that politics and sport shouldn't mix. Well, we ignored that and invited the BBC's Nick Robinson - former political editor and host of Radio 4's Today programme - on to the show to talk about Manchester United, surviving the Stretford End surge, Sir Alex Ferguson, Boris Johnson, Gordon Brown, the art of interviewing, impartiality, being unpopular in Scotland, and there's another quiz! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got not one Brian for you on this episode, but two! Joining Choccy is legendary Ireland and Lions rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll who confesses his love for Mark Hughes; discusses Six Nations rivalries; debates players' behaviour and video refereeing in football and rugby; recalls doggy daycare disasters; espouses the merits of Tayto crisps; and there's also a Brian-themed quiz to enjoy! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New year, new episode! Choccy's back with former WBA Lightweight world champion boxer Anthony Crolla. The discussion turns quickly to football and Manchester United; their admiration for Marcus Rashford; making the switch from pro-sportsman to coach; appearing on game shows; YouTuber boxing, and footballers who you'd want on your side in a fight Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keen amateur chef Choccy is joined on this episode by cooking royalty Michel Roux. The Michelin-starred chef tells us how a restaurant tip turned him into a Manchester United fan; what David Ginola's pre-match routine was; whether he tried to poison the French president; and how running a kitchen is like managing a football team. We've also got a new quiz for Brian to try and finally win! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The founding editor of Loaded magazine James Brown is Choccy's guest for this epic episode. The lads enjoy chat about the titanic Leeds/Manchester United title tussle of 91/92; James' new book 'Animal House'; the success of Loaded magazine; football and music crossovers; stories of Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones; and James poses the question: is Sir Alex Ferguson a secret Leeds fan? Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a real treat to have broadcasting legend 'Whispering' Bob Harris as our guest on this episode to talk everything from his love of all things Manchester United; the Old Grey Whistle Test; the truth about country music; hanging out with Led Zeppelin, Marc Bolan and President Jimmy Carter; fighting with the Sex Pistols; and much more besides! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the UK in political and economic turmoil, it seemed perfect timing to have comedian Matt Forde - host of the brilliant podcast The Political Party - join Brian on the show. We discuss Tory Party madness; the prospects of Sir Keir Starmer and his opposition Labour Party; Tony Blair; Nottingham Forest returning to the Premier League; Brian Clough's man-management skills; favourite gigs; and there's a new political quiz, 'Subs Bench to Front Bench'. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a summer break Choccy is back and welcomes BBC, ITV, and BT Sport presenter Mark Pougatch to the show to discuss a shared love of cricket; Sir Alex Ferguson's demands; what Roy Keane is really like; working with your heroes; the World Cup in Qatar and much more. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GamesMaster legend Dominik Diamond joins Brian, Mark and Matthew to waggle his golden joystick on this fully-laden episode. We touch on why he became a Celtic fan and how it's led to plenty of rucks with the Rangers; why he's exiled in Canada; fronting iconic TV and radio shows; going off the rails; becoming a farmer; almost being crucified; learning how not to die by comedy legends; and being bailed out of girlfriend trouble by Robbie Williams....and loads more besides! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this special live episode Brian, Matthew and Mark made the short trip across the Irish Sea to Drogheda to take part in a special fundraising event called Talkin' Balls in aid of The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (https://kevinbellrepatriationtrust.com/). A great time was had by all, especially as they were joined on stage by legendary Tyrone Gaelic footballer Sean Cavanagh. A self-confessed Manchester United nut, Sean added his perspective to the conversation which included the comparisons between Sir Alex Ferguson and Mickey Harte, the no-no of swapping shirts, Man United's current woes, the characters of GAA, Celtic's revival and the Eric Cantona effect. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian, author and broadcaster Mark Steel joins Brian, Matthew and Mark to discuss all manner of subjects, including Crystal Palace and other sporting obsessions; taking the piss out of provincial towns; socialism in sport; pool-playing dogs, legging it from irate audiences; Monty Python's cheese shop and loads more! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BT Sport's chief reporter Des Kelly is Choccy's guest for this one as we revisit his famous post-match interviews with Jurgen Klopp and Steven Gerrard; discover which managers give him the most trouble; discuss dicing with death AND Piers Morgan (not simultaneously); the Cantona illusion; and Brian's Masterchef ambitions. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Film director and Skids frontman Richard Jobson joins Brian to discuss the band's influence on terrace culture; epilepsy and swerving rock n' roll excess; his passion for Celtic and St. Pauli; Pat Nevin's hair transplant; Bowie and the aliens; 40+ years of touring; and being Alan McGee's dad. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no shortage of chat from Choccy's guest on this episode as we are joined by radio and TV presenter Terry Christian who tells us about his life and career including; growing up watching Manchester United AND Manchester City; the best and worst moments of fronting 'The Word'; winding up opposing fans; tales from the confessional box; love trysts involving Lee Sharpe, Ryan Giggs and Dani Behr; and much much more! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goalkeeping legend Neville Southall is our guest this week. He and Choccy discuss his infamous 'sit-in' at Goodison Park; humble football beginnings; being hunted by Sir Alex Ferguson; thoughts on modern coaching and players' mental health; his new podcast and Twitter campaigning; and a few dressing room stories about Martin Keown. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choccy welcomes another member of Manchester music royalty to the podcast. This time it's the Happy Mondays' Rowetta who talks - at length - about her time with the band, some of the scrapes they've got into, and her relationship with bandmates Shaun Ryder and Bez. Being a huge Manchester United fan, we couldn't let Rowetta go without getting her thoughts on the club's current turmoils, David Moyes, Eric Cantona and Sir Alex Ferguson. We delve into the Mailbag, play another quiz and find out more about Rowetta's eventful life story which will soon be released as an autobiography. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back after our Christmas/New Year break to be joined by podcast royalty in the form of The Guardian Football Weekly and Talksport host Max Rushden. Cambridge fan Max discusses gloryhunting their recent FA Cup giantkilling and watching them during the John Beck years before moving on to the trials and tribulations of fronting Soccer AM; the vagaries of 'Culverhouse'; volcano boarding in Nicaragua; and punting in his home town. Choccy chips in with his tale of Gary Pallister and the two Renault Clios, as well as deconstructing his most famous assists for David Beckham and Eric Cantona. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to our 'Best of 2021' compilation in which Mark and Matthew select some of their favourite clips from episodes 1-19 of Life With Brian. Featuring Choccy and his array of special guests from the worlds of sport, music, TV and film. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian and the lads welcome to the podcast David Gedge - founder and lead singer of indie legends The Wedding Present. David tells us about the band's upcoming tour and new music as well as his vinyl memories, the time he paid George Best 500 quid and getting mail from Morrissey. There's also a shock musical admission from Choccy that may have repercussions on his Scottish credentials! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, writer and comedian Sanjeev Kohli joins Choccy for this episode to talk about the success of Still Game and his character Navid's two-footed tackle; selling yeast on the Dark Web; working in the family shop; switching allegiance from Rangers to Celtic; winning Richard Osman's House of Games; and getting burned on Twitter by T'Pau's Carol Decker. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've brought Choccy back together with his old Arsenal adversary Nigel Winterburn for this episode. Thankfully there's no fisticuffs, just good chat and a few laughs about their famous on-field clashes in 1988 and, most memorably, 1990 when the pair were key figures in a 21-man brawl that became known as the Battle of Old Trafford. As well as this the lads talk about meeting Nelson Mandela; the Manchester United/Arsenal rivalry; working with Ferguson, Graham and Wenger; Anfield '89; and their astrological bonds to one another. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian and the lads are back and on this episode are joined by Manchester United fan and star of stage and screen Lee Boardman. As well as talking about his time in 'Coronation Street' and 'Rome', including the indignity of doing nude scenes, Lee discusses puking on his first visit to Old Trafford, meeting surprise United fan Graeme Souness, pubs in Reddish, dealing with fame, and being shouted at by Paul Ince's wife. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choccy, Matthew and Mark are joined by snooker legend and four-time world champion John Higgins. We delve deeper into the mixed results of John's TV quiz show history; a love of US soap Dallas; a penchant for Chinese waistcoats; his dad's nickname for a Celtic great; a disconcerting introduction to Alex Higgins and plenty more besides. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to series 2 of Choccy's podcast as he (and his bloody smoke alarm), Matthew and Mark are joined by Spanish football expert Graham Hunter - live from his tiny bathroom! It's a packed show as usual with the lads talking about Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona; being held at gunpoint whilst following Celtic; bullying advice from Alex Ferguson's wife; Dean Martin; and more Tommy Burns tales. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have two McClairs for the price of one on the show this time. Dad Brian is joined by son Liam; a talented singer/songwriter who not only penned the music for this podcast but has also appeared on the Guardian's Football Weekly pod. Liam chats about growing up with a famous father, playing in the Manchester United academy, his writing process, and breaking Choccy's prized ornate chess set. He also brings out the guitar and plays three live tracks. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Winter, chief football writer at The Times, drops by to chat about Fergie's eloquent ferocity, youth development, distractions for young footballers, an enduring love for Scotland, and we uncover the first person to send a text at Manchester United. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Justin Moorhouse is the special guest on this episode. He talks to Choccy about their mutual friend Eric Cantona, standing on the left side of the Stretford End at Old Trafford, his love of comedy and Manchester United, karaoke, and we get to test Justin's impressive Mastermind credentials. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ITV's long-serving football commentator Clive Tyldesley is Brian's special guest this week. He drops by to talk about his new book - Not For Me, Clive - commentating in empty stadiums during lockdown, the perils of social media, maintaining good relations with Sir Alex Ferguson, and when it's appropriate to use the word 'fuck' on television. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madchester music legend and massive Manchester United fan Mani is our guest on the show this week. He joins Brian to discuss what he would do if Manchester City won the Champions League, an unfortunate incident with a Maine Road carpet, Noel Gallagher's three left feet, fishing tips, darts nicknames and much more. There will be all the usual football and music chat plus another quiz and the mailbag thrown in for good measure. This is the one! Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choccy's guest this time is Viv Anderson, the man who won two European Cups at Nottingham Forest and who joined Manchester United on the same day as Brian becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's first two signings at Old Trafford. They compare working with Fergie and Brian Clough, take a quiz about their famous quotes, recall the first time they set eyes on Ryan Giggs, and discuss getting into a dust-up with Norman Whiteside. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thirty years ago, on a rainy night in Rotterdam, Manchester United took on Barcelona in the European Cup Winners' Cup final. Having won the FA Cup twelve months earlier, United flew the flag for English clubs in their first season back in European competition after a five-year absence. Sir Alex Ferguson's side was starting to come together and form the basis of the trophy-winning machine they would soon become. Journalist Andy Mitten joins Brian to mark the anniversary of that famous victory, sharing their on-field and off-field memories of the road to Rotterdam and the momentous match against the Catalan giants. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian, Matthew and Mark welcome Choccy's great friend and former Celtic teammate John Colquhoun to the show to talk tales of the Underground, the great VAR robbery and how the pair first met on a bus to Nottingham. They'll also test their knowledge of each other by revisiting their old Shoot and Match magazine interviews from the 1980s before playing a new game, What's The Story, Player Or Tory? Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian's special guest on this episode is Ray Meade - musician and bassist with Ocean Colour Scene and Gerry Cinnamon. There will be the customary football chat - Ray being a Manchester United and Choccy fan since he was a kid - and the lads cover a variety of other topics including sending books to Iran, being a musician during lockdown and Fred West's ice cream van. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot on the heels of Brian's first chat with Paddy Barclay comes part 2 in which the pair swap stories of their most memorable bollockings from Sir Alex Ferguson, the intricacies of man-management and Gary Neville's leadership qualities from an early age. In the mailbag, we'll also find out how the panel eat their Cadbury's Creme Eggs. Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first installment of a double header in which Brian welcomes renowned football writer Paddy Barclay to the show to discuss comics, mistaken identities, Sir Alex Ferguson's penchant for plain-talk and a whole lot more.  Music by Liam McClair and Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian's back again and is joined on this episode by great friend and former Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere Rovers star Pat Nevin. There's plenty of chat between the pair including how they first met, favourite gigs, 80s mixtapes, their alternative football career paths and how to cope with Twitter abuse. This week's mailbag divides the room as Liverpool and Manchester go head-to-head. Music by Liam McClair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A warm welcome to the first installment of Brian McClair's podcast. This is just a gentle loosener with hosts Matthew and Mark taking Choccy through a variety of subjects including how he got his nickname, staying positive during lockdown and being recognised in the pub. Brian's also taking questions, and this week he clears up the story of how he got an early Oasis demo tape.  Music by Liam McClair Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/life-with-brian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COMING SOON. Life With Brian: The Brian McClair Podcast. Former Celtic, Manchester United and Scotland striker Brian 'Choccy' McClair chats about anything and everything, including football, on his new podcast with occasional special guests thrown in for good measure. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Trailer music by Crowander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices