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cover art for 263: Choking Out O’Toole (Pt 1)

The Socially Distant Sports Bar

263: Choking Out O’Toole (Pt 1)

Ep. 535
•

🎙️ The Socially Distant Sports Bar – Episode 263: Choking Out O’Toole

Elis James (Elis & John, Oh What A Time), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), and Steff Garrero are back with another week of niche sporting brilliance, vintage clips, and beautifully off-topic chaos. Expect flying tackles, Scottish football nostalgia, racket sport wars, and a bit of Brian Blessed for good measure.

"Like a sports podcast, if the sport was optional."

🎟️ We’re Going on Tour in 2026!

We’re hitting the road with a brand-new live show in 2026!

Tickets are on sale now — head to distantpod.com/live for all the details.

📍 Tour Dates:

  • Fri 20 March 2026 – Cardiff, New Theatre

  • Sat 21 March 2026 – Cardiff, New Theatre

  • Tue 7 April 2026 – London, Hackney Empire

  • Wed 8 April 2026 – London, Hackney Empire

  • Fri 24 April 2026 – Carmarthen, Lyric Theatre

✨ What’s On This Week’s Episode?

📌 PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY)

Mike:

💥 Maddison Levi tackle – A clever hit you’ll want to see.

🔗 Watch on Facebook

Elis:

⚽ Craig Bellamy: Pure passion – Classic Bellamy in full flow.

🔗 Watch on YouTube

Steff:

🎾 Padel and Pickleball: The new badminton and squash – The rise of racket sports madness.

🔗 Padel highlights

🔗 Pickleball highlights

📌 PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY)

Elis Documentary:

🏴 That Was The Team That Was: Scotland ’74 – A brilliant look back at a legendary squad.

🔗 Watch on BBC iPlayer

Mike Book:

📚 Absolute Pandemonium by Brian Blessed – Loud, chaotic, and very Brian.

🔗 Get it here

📌 PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)

👉 Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, spin-offs, and early live show access.

Mike:

🤸‍♀️ Ashlyn Pinner & Brandon Gray (USF Cheer Team) – Pure athleticism.

🔗 Watch on Facebook

Elis:

⚽ Ajax youth team brilliance – The future of football on show.

🔗 Watch on Twitter/X

Steff:

🎾 Stefan Edberg magic – A slice of tennis nostalgia.

🔗 Watch on YouTube

💡 Get More of the Pod Every Week

🎧 Patreon gets you:

  • Bonus episodes & extra clips

  • Michael Owen’s Movie Club & Hoffi Pod

  • Early access & live tour presale

  • Gift memberships

🚀 Prefer Wondery+?

  • Early access every Tuesday

  • Ad-free episodes

🎉 Another week of sport, nostalgia, and nonsense — only on The Socially Distant Sports Bar!


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🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERT

We’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!

If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇

🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com



🎟️ TOUR 2026

Live shows are coming!

🎫 Tickets available now at distantpod.com/live




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