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Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast
Marieanne Spacey-Cale: the woman behind Southampton’s rise up the leagues
Today, we are joined by English football royalty. Chloe sits down with former England and Arsenal player Marieanne Spacey-Cale, who has guided Southampton from the fifth tier right to the very brink of the WSL.
Ahead of their FA Cup showdown with Man United, they discuss the club’s journey so far – one that has lots of similarities with their opponent’s, in fact – and the ever-increasing pressure on coaches.
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Carla Ward on the Paris Olympics, leaving Villa and her next steps
43:04|Today, former Aston Villa manager Carla Ward joins Chloe and Rachel in the studio for a special, all-encompassing chat. We get the lowdown on her time in Paris working with Emma Hayes and the USWNT. And yes, their afterparty was as wild as we imagined! Elsewhere, Carla opens up about her reasons for leaving Villa, the need for more psychological support in the game and how she navigated the pressures of managing at the top level. She also reveals which manager she turned to for guidance - spoiler, beers and baths are involved! Join us for a fascinating discussion.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***A six-goal thriller and the Champions League returns!
41:39|Chloe and Rachel look back on two drama-filled games in the WSL, featuring some brilliant goals – looking at you, Marie Höbinger.Plus, we welcome the return of the Champions League with both open arms and worrying thoughts about Arsenal after their stinking performance against Everton. And is that… Chelsea vs Real Madrid? Again?!Join the Official Upfront fantasy WSL league! Click here and enter the code IKNCM61.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***How North Korea has become a powerhouse in women's football
19:37|North Korea won the Under 20 Women’s World Cup for a third time last month, meaning they are now one of the most successful sides in the tournament’s history. So how has such a politically isolated country forged such a strong presence on the global stage? We’re joined by Tokyo-based sports journalist Alex Bishop, who talks us through that winning moment in Bogotá, their rise as a women’s football power and why North Korea’s youth development is so strong. Plus, Alex explains how their senior team has consistently maintained a top-ten FIFA ranking, and whether he can see them at the World Cup in Brazil in 2027. Join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***A Spurs-Villa classic and calendar chaos
43:50|It was Rach’s birthday yesterday! And Chloe has a cake for her. And candles! Lots and lots of candles.After nearly burning down the studio, they discuss Spurs’ late comeback against Aston Villa which featured some proper vintage performances from some WSL golden-oldies.Plus, both Manchester clubs pick up three points – but neither of them impress. There’s also the small matter of Chelsea vs Man United’s postponement: cue a proper Upfront takedown. Join us!Join the Official Upfront fantasy WSL league! Click here and enter the code IKNCM61.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***Arsenal vs BK Häcken Champions League preview!
23:09|Everything is on the line for Arsenal and Jonas Eidevall tonight as they head into their decisive second leg qualifier. Can they turn it around? Today, Rachel is joined by Arseblog writer Tim Stillman, who breaks down what went wrong in the first leg, why patience for Jonas Eidevall is running thin and whether fans should be confident or concerned about Arsenal’s chances. Plus, Tim outlines the commercial impact if Arsenal fail to qualify and the potentially huge ramifications for Eidevall’s future.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***An awkward car journey, Chelsea’s new era begins, and WSL history is made!
46:15|The 2024/25 WSL season is officially underway! Chloe and Rachel are here to react to it all – including countless controversies (or so Chloe tells us) and a so-close-yet-so-far goal of the season contender from Sabrina D’Angelo. We see you, Sabs, going up for a corner in the 86th minute. And we respect you.Elsewhere, we share what we learned about Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea and Robert de Pauw’s impressive Aston Villa. Plus, do we have a new lethal partnership in the WSL? Kiko Seike and Fran Kirby would say so. Come join us!Join the Official Upfront fantasy WSL league! Click here and enter the code IKNCM61.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***WSL opening weekend preview!
41:19|And Chloe has hatched a plan. Why wouldn’t you want to pop yourself in the boot of Viv Miedema and Beth Mead’s car to find out what they’re talking about before Arsenal vs Man City?Chloe and Rachel have a bumper preview show for the return of the WSL. Will the Emirates edge give Arsenal the advantage, or will Miedema come back to haunt them? Elsewhere, we ponder on what to expect from Chelsea in their new era as well as Man United – who might not have an owner who acknowledges them, but do at least have an exciting new captain. We also take a closer look at Brighton and wonder who will win the battle for Chloe Morgan’s heart: Crystal Palace, or Spurs. Tune in to find out!Join the Official Upfront fantasy WSL league! Click here and enter the code IKNCM61.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***Our 2024/25 WSL predictions!
30:53|It’s time. Chloe and Rachel put their flagpoles in the sand as they reveal their big WSL predictions ahead of the new season!Who will be this season’s overachievers? Which summer signing will be the league’s best newcomer? And who’s going to win the whole thing?Plus, why are we worried about West Ham and which striker can turn s*** into goals? There’s only one way to find out. Listen and subscribe right NOW!Join the Official Upfront fantasy WSL league! Click here and enter the code IKNCM61.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***Spurs head coach Robert Vilahamn on ‘Bobbyball’, Grace Clinton, and developing the next Lionesses
36:11|Rachel is joined by Spurs’ head coach Robert Vilahamn for a special, wide-ranging interview!He dials in from Spurs’ pre-season training camp to reflect on his first season in the WSL. He reveals his biggest high of the season – and the moment where he stopped being ‘that Swedish guy’ – and explains just how the squad bought into his ideas so quickly.Plus, Robert outlines the four pillars of ‘Bobbyball’ and opens up about Grace Clinton’s return to Man United.Follow us on X, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***