Share

cover art for 249: Exiting The Ralgex Era (Pt 1)

The Socially Distant Sports Bar

249: Exiting The Ralgex Era (Pt 1)

Ep. 492
•

🎙️ Welcome to The Socially Distant Sports Bar – Episode 249

Elis James (Elis & John, Oh What A Time), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), and Steff Garrero are back with another episode of sporting nonsense, barely-researched opinions, and jaw-dropping clips. This week’s show dives into everything from rugby legends to the ridiculous sexism still alive in sport. Grab a pint and settle in – it’s going to be a good one.

“Sounds like a bunch of children bantering about a teacher in detention.”

✨ What’s on This Week’s Episode?

Here’s what we’ve got lined up:

  • Buccaneers' balls – Mike unravels an NFL mystery.
  • Eddie Hall gets a kicking – Elis explores the highs and lows of being a strongman.
  • Sexism in sport: Steff brings us the jaw-dropping tale of a female ski jumper who won a set of towels instead of cash.
  • Plus: rugby nostalgia, foggy NFL games, Brian Clough’s political moment, and much more!

đź’ˇ Why Join Patreon?

Patreon is the best way to support the pod, and it’s packed with perks.

  • Bonus Content: 30 minutes of exclusive material every week – more laughs, more clips, more chaos.
  • Iconic Extras: Access Hoffi Pod and Michael Owen’s Movie Club whenever you like.
  • Gift Memberships: Treat a mate to endless entertainment.
  • Direct Support: Every penny goes into keeping the pod going (and Mike’s cars).


🎥 Bonus Podcasts for Patreon Members:

  • Michael Owen’s Movie Club: The lads review sports films, whether they’re brilliant or bonkers.
  • Hoffi Pod: Elis and Steff share their favourite non-sports clips, while Mike tries to keep up.

👉 Join the £8 or £10 Patreon tiers today to unlock it all and support the pod. 

🚀 Why Wondery+?

If Patreon’s not your thing, Wondery+ offers:

  • Early access: Hear the pod every Tuesday, before anyone else.
  • Ad-free listening: No interruptions, just laughs.

🎉 THIS WEEK’S SHOW – Don’t Miss It!

PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY):

  • Mike: The Buccaneers’ bizarre ball situation – Watch here
  • Elis: Eddie Hall gets a kicking – Watch here
  • Steff: A ski jumper wins a major competition and gets... towels. Yes, really – Watch here

PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY):

  • Steff’s Documentary: The Fog Bowl – Watch here
  • Elis’ Book Recommendation: Go To War by Jon Spurling – Get it here

PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE):

  • Mike: NFL officials being as NFL as it gets – Watch here
  • Steff: A deeper dive into the ski jumper’s shocking treatment – Watch here
  • Elis: Brian Clough at the 1988 Labour Party Conference – Watch here

📺 Stand-Up Specials on TV from Mike and Elis:

✨ Get ready for another week of sporting chaos and sharp observations, only at The Socially Distant Sports Bar! 🎉


EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ nordvpn.com/distant Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!



🛍️ 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 👇

đź›’ sdsb2025.myshopify.com







More episodes

View all episodes

  • 759. Kirkby Ski Slope: Pint Size

    22:53||Ep. 759
    Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from Before You Can Say Ridiculous Idea
  • 757. Best Of Distant Pod 10 (pt 2)

    01:21:53||Ep. 757
    Welcome to Part 2 of the tenth Best Of The Socially Distant Sports Bar.This episode features more of our favourite moments from across the Distant Pod universe, including clips and conversations from the regular podcast, Michael Owen's Movie Club and Hoffi Pod.As we've said before, we don't really do seasons. We don't disappear for a fortnight and leave you staring at an empty podcast feed wondering whether we've all taken up paddleboarding.We like turning up every week.So whilst we're taking a brief break from the usual schedule, we've gone back through the archives and selected some of the moments that made us laugh most, prompted the biggest reactions from listeners, or have become enduring favourites.If you've enjoyed revisiting these moments and want even more from the Distant Pod world, including Bonus Club episodes, Hoffi Pod, Michael Owen's Movie Club and plenty of subscriber-only content, head to:patreon.com/distantpodWe'll be back with brand-new nonsense very soon.Thanks for listening.
  • 756. Best Of Distant Pod 10 (pt 1)

    01:19:40||Ep. 756
    Welcome to Part 1 of the tenth Best Of The Socially Distant Sports Bar.This week we've gone back through the archives and picked out some of our favourite moments from across the Distant Pod universe, including highlights from the regular podcast, Michael Owen's Movie Club and Hoffi Pod.Unlike many podcasts, we don't really work in seasons. We don't disappear for two weeks, leave the feed empty and then return with a photo of a notebook claiming we've been developing ideas.We like putting something out every week.So whilst we're taking a short pause from the usual format, we've been revisiting some of the moments that made us laugh most, sparked the biggest listener reaction, or have become part of Distant Pod folklore.Part 2 will be out on Friday.And if you enjoy the wider Distant Pod universe — including Hoffi Pod, Michael Owen's Movie Club, Bonus Club and all the extra content — you can support the show and get access to loads more at:patreon.com/distantpodThanks for listening.
  • 755. Keegan: Pint Size

    06:01||Ep. 755
    Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from our very first Episode called Do We Not Like This? We’ve gone right the way back to celebrate the life of Kevin Keegan. Elis chose this as his first clip on the podcast.
  • 753. Best Of Distant Pod 9 (pt 2)

    01:10:18||Ep. 753
    Welcome to Part 2 of the ninth Best Of The Socially Distant Sports Bar.This episode features more of our favourite moments from the regular podcast over the last two years.As we've mentioned before, we don't really do seasons. We don't disappear for a couple of weeks and leave the feed empty while everyone wonders whether we're coming back.We like putting something out every week.So whilst we're taking a short break from the usual routine, we've been digging through the archives and pulling together some of the clips, stories, conversations and moments that have made us laugh most over the last couple of years.Some of these became listener favourites. Some became running jokes. Some have taken on an almost mythical status in Distant Pod history. And some simply made the three of us laugh far more than they probably should have.If you've listened to every episode, hopefully there are a few forgotten classics in here.If you're newer to the podcast, think of this as another guided tour through some of the moments that have helped shape the show.And if you're thinking, "Hang on, isn't this just a Best Of?" then yes. But unlike some podcasts, we haven't vanished for two weeks and left you with nothing at all.Part 3 is available now for subscribers via Distant Pod Bonus Club on Apple Podcasts.Thanks for listening, and we'll be back with more brand-new nonsense very soon.
  • 752. Best Of Distant Pod 9 (pt 1)

    01:12:16||Ep. 752
    Welcome to the ninth Best Of The Socially Distant Sports Bar.This is a collection of some of our favourite moments from the regular podcast over the last two years.Unlike many podcasts, we don't work in seasons. We don't vanish for a fortnight, leave the feed empty and then return pretending it was all part of a carefully considered strategy.We put something out every week.So while we're taking a brief pause from the usual format, we've gone back through the archives and picked out some of the moments that made us laugh most, prompted the biggest reactions from listeners, or have become part of Distant Pod folklore.Whether you've been listening since the beginning or you've only recently discovered the podcast, there's plenty to enjoy here.Part 2 will be out on Friday.And if you subscribe to Distant Pod Bonus Club on Apple Podcasts, Part 3 is available there too.Thanks for listening.
  • 751. Timothy Spall: Pint Size

    14:54||Ep. 751
    Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from our spin off podcast Michael Owen’s Movie Club - which is available on patreon.com/distantpod
  • 749. Nish Kumar (pt 2)

    46:49||Ep. 749
    THIS IS PART 2 of our episode with special guest Nish Kumar.LISTEN TO PART 1 first.Nish is one of Britain's most acclaimed comedians, broadcasters and podcasters. He is best known as the host of The Mash Report and Late Night Mash, as co-host of the hugely popular political podcast Pod Save the UK, and for his award-winning stand-up shows that have toured across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.Nish joins Elis, Mike and Steff for a conversation that covers golf collapses, cricket greatness and Sir Alex Ferguson.ClipsNish: Jean van de Velde's Open Championship collapsehttps://youtu.be/1dR1pkCGY80?is=NPLbdJbGm-62fBdPNish: India crickethttps://youtu.be/wY6UyatwVTA?is=I24ovUUVFo493i6SNish: Sir Alex Fergusonhttps://youtu.be/IAmHcJ_LcMM?is=HOiHAeqK695vJi_rNish is currently touring the UK and Ireland with his latest stand-up show, Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy.Tour dates:https://www.nishkumar.co.uk/gigs/If you want the bonus content from our chat with Nish, that's available as Part 3 for subscribers.
  • 748. Nish Kumar (pt 1)

    37:53||Ep. 748
    Our special guest this week is Nish Kumar.Nish is one of Britain's most acclaimed comedians, broadcasters and podcasters. He is best known as the host of The Mash Report and Late Night Mash, as co-host of the hugely popular political podcast Pod Save the UK, and for his award-winning stand-up shows that have toured across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.Nish joins Elis, Mike and Steff for a conversation that covers golf collapses, cricket greatness and Sir Alex Ferguson -PART 2 is out on Friday!! ClipsNish: Jean van de Velde's Open Championship collapsehttps://youtu.be/1dR1pkCGY80?is=NPLbdJbGm-62fBdPNish: India crickethttps://youtu.be/wY6UyatwVTA?is=I24ovUUVFo493i6SNish: Sir Alex Fergusonhttps://youtu.be/IAmHcJ_LcMM?is=HOiHAeqK695vJi_rNish is currently touring the UK and Ireland with his latest stand-up show, Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy.Tour dates:https://www.nishkumar.co.uk/gigs/Part 2 will be out on Friday.If you want the bonus content from our chat with Nish, that's available as Part 3 for subscribers.