{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68e81932d798804c9ef004e3/68e81952ec52458c6e44f51b?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"248: Sparky’s Thighs (Pt 1)","description":"<p><br></p><p>🎙️ <strong>Welcome to The Socially Distant Sports Bar – <em>Sparky’s Thighs</em></strong></p><p>Elis James (<em>Elis &amp; John, Oh, What A Time</em>), Mike Bubbins (<em>Mammoth</em>), and Steff Garrero are back with a thigh-slappingly good episode filled with rugby legends, iconic football moments, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. In <strong>Episode 248: <em>Sparky’s Thighs,</em></strong> the lads dive into the career of Welsh football great Mark Hughes, plus a whole lot more.</p><p><br></p><p>✨ <strong>What’s in This Week’s Episode?</strong></p><p>This week, you’ll hear about:</p><ul><li>The magic and power of <em>Mark Hughes</em> in Welsh football history</li><li>NFL’s behind-the-scenes action with Rich Russo</li><li>Rugby brilliance from <em>France v Wales 1987</em></li><li>The rise (and fall) of Freddy Adu, the original football prodigy</li><li>Hidden gems like Gypsy Jem Mace and Olympic rugby triumphs</li></ul><p>If you love a mix of sports history, quirky stories, and gut-busting banter, this episode is for you!</p><p><br></p><p>🗓 <strong>Episode Schedule</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Part 1:</strong> Out Wednesday</li><li><strong>Part 2:</strong> Out Friday</li><li><br></li></ul><p>💡 <em>Can’t wait?</em> Subscribe to our Patreon or to <strong>WONDERY+</strong> to hear both parts ad-free and early, every Tuesday!</p><p><br></p><p>🚀 <strong>Why Choose WONDERY+?</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Early access:</strong> Be the first to hear Parts 1 and 2 every Tuesday.</li><li><strong>Ad-free listening:</strong> All the stories, none of the interruptions.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>💡 <strong>Why Join Patreon?</strong></p><ul><li>Support the pod directly!</li><li>Unlock exclusive perks like:</li><li><strong>30 minutes of bonus content every week</strong></li><li>Gift a Patreon membership to your mates!</li><li>Access to iconic extras like <em>Hoffi Pod</em> and <em>Michael Owen’s Movie Club</em></li></ul><p>🎥 <strong>Bonus Podcasts for Patreon Members:</strong></p><ul><li><em>Michael Owen’s Movie Club:</em> Hilarious reviews of sports classics.</li><li><em>Hoffi Pod:</em> The lads’ favorite non-sports clips, revisited.</li></ul><p>👉 <em>Join the £8 or £10 Patreon tiers today and unlock everything!</em></p><p><br></p><p>🎉 <strong>THIS WEEK’S SHOW – Don’t Miss It!</strong></p><p><strong>PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY):</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mike:</strong> Rich Russo and the NFL production truck – <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCSczPLyT4J/?igsh=MWpsdXp5dm9rYnJheQ==\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li><li><strong>Elis:</strong> <em>France v Wales, 1987</em> – <a href=\"https://x.com/apsmrugby/status/1877279350044692526?s=46&amp;t=neS5hOG2rnBndx5FBpAv6g\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li><li><strong>Steff:</strong> Freddy Adu, football’s young prodigy – <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZfmnvGpd40\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a> and <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LopRlGJ_fek\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></li></ul><p><strong>PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY):</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Elis’ Documentary:</strong> <em>Legends of Welsh Sport: Mark Hughes</em> – <a href=\"https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0026sfw\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li><li><strong>Mike’s Book Recommendation:</strong> <em>Gypsy Jem Mace</em> by Jeremy Poolman – <a href=\"https://amzn.to/40EaSJt\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Get it here</a></li></ul><p><strong>PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE):</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mike:</strong> Sushila Meena’s inspiring story – <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEwefYQoKs0/?igsh=MW9mZXhnemtyeXIwMQ==\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li><li><strong>Elis:</strong> Mark Delaney’s unforgettable Cardiff v Chester moment in 1998 – <a href=\"https://fb.watch/x3we4HJKda/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li><li><strong>Steff:</strong> Dupont winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens – <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OayEynoteuM\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li></ul><p>📺 <strong>TV Suggestions for More from Mike and Elis:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mike’s Throwback Special:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026j05\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on BBC iPlayer</a></li><li><strong>Elis’ <em>Derwydd</em> Special:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kbg6c8\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch here</a></li></ul><p>✨ <strong>Get ready for another unforgettable episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar!</strong> 🎉</p>","author_name":"Nata Media"}