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The Socially Distant Sports Bar
248: Sparky’s Thighs (Pt 1)
Ep. 489
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🎙️ Welcome to The Socially Distant Sports Bar – Sparky’s Thighs
Elis James (Elis & John, Oh, What A Time), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), 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 Episode 248: Sparky’s Thighs, the lads dive into the career of Welsh football great Mark Hughes, plus a whole lot more.
✨ What’s in This Week’s Episode?
This week, you’ll hear about:
- The magic and power of Mark Hughes in Welsh football history
- NFL’s behind-the-scenes action with Rich Russo
- Rugby brilliance from France v Wales 1987
- The rise (and fall) of Freddy Adu, the original football prodigy
- Hidden gems like Gypsy Jem Mace and Olympic rugby triumphs
If you love a mix of sports history, quirky stories, and gut-busting banter, this episode is for you!
🗓 Episode Schedule
- Part 1: Out Wednesday
- Part 2: Out Friday
💡 Can’t wait? Subscribe to our Patreon or to WONDERY+ to hear both parts ad-free and early, every Tuesday!
🚀 Why Choose WONDERY+?
- Early access: Be the first to hear Parts 1 and 2 every Tuesday.
- Ad-free listening: All the stories, none of the interruptions.
💡 Why Join Patreon?
- Support the pod directly!
- Unlock exclusive perks like:
- 30 minutes of bonus content every week
- Gift a Patreon membership to your mates!
- Access to iconic extras like Hoffi Pod and Michael Owen’s Movie Club
🎥 Bonus Podcasts for Patreon Members:
- Michael Owen’s Movie Club: Hilarious reviews of sports classics.
- Hoffi Pod: The lads’ favorite non-sports clips, revisited.
👉 Join the £8 or £10 Patreon tiers today and unlock everything!
🎉 THIS WEEK’S SHOW – Don’t Miss It!
PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY):
- Mike: Rich Russo and the NFL production truck – Watch here
- Elis: France v Wales, 1987 – Watch here
- Steff: Freddy Adu, football’s young prodigy – Watch here and here
PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY):
- Elis’ Documentary: Legends of Welsh Sport: Mark Hughes – Watch here
- Mike’s Book Recommendation: Gypsy Jem Mace by Jeremy Poolman – Get it here
PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE):
- Mike: Sushila Meena’s inspiring story – Watch here
- Elis: Mark Delaney’s unforgettable Cardiff v Chester moment in 1998 – Watch here
- Steff: Dupont winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens – Watch here
📺 TV Suggestions for More from Mike and Elis:
- Mike’s Throwback Special: Watch on BBC iPlayer
- Elis’ Derwydd Special: Watch here
✨ Get ready for another unforgettable episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar! 🎉
We’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!
If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇
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