The Socially Distant Sports Bar

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them.This week, it’s a FIFA World Cup Special — a deep dive into the moments, players and chaos that make the tournament what it is.Yes, we’ve gone slightly SEO‑friendly this week — so you’ll see names like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kylian Mbappé, alongside phrases like World Cup highlights and iconic football matches — but once you’re in, it’s the usual mix of niche clips, big stories and sideways conversations.Steff chooses Foul Play - Sport, Spies and Family Secrets  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896803199?i=1000769870330 - a podcast documentary series asking whether the CIA poisoned the England World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It takes in Fidel Castro, JFK, The Scorpions and Peter Bonetti. Alongside that, Elis introduces Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage — a book about professional cycling, doping and truth in sport. Although not about football, it prompts a broader conversation about integrity, pressure and how sporting achievements are judged and remembered.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Ride-Behind-Wheel-Cyclist/dp/0224080172

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside producer Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them.This week, it’s a FIFA World Cup Special — a deep dive into the moments, players and chaos that make the tournament what it is.Yes, we’ve gone for a slightly SEO‑friendly title — which is why this description also includes names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Pelé, Zinedine Zidane, Kylian Mbappé and terms like World Cup goals, World Cup highlights, greatest World Cup moments… but once you’re in, it’s the usual mix of niche clips, big stories and sideways conversations about whether Mike could be a 13th Century entertainer...🎧 PART 1The lads look at the experience of getting to games at this year's tournament before diving into World Cup nostalgia.Mike on the realities of travelling to matches:https://share.google/d9wFWdgwmAZK50WE1https://share.google/HtzictWOpgMjjtzglElis revisits Roberto Baggio at Italia ’90:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnKZ1M1anU&ra=mhttps://youtu.be/9hp1cl5Igig?si=6vmzaPJKViL0vmRpSteff looks at the England squad announcement and it's cultural impact:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2umUvkWzzxw

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod.This week the broadcasting legend Bob Harris announced he is leaving BBC Radio 2.Bob was a guest on the podcast in 2024, so we’ve dug out our favourite bit of Bob.This is from 223: Bob HarrisGet Well Soon Bob xx

 The Socially Distant Sports Bar, with Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero.Elis is best known as co‑host of Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, while Mike is a television writer and star of Mammoth, bringing his own grounded, funny perspective on sport and life. Together, they offer a conversational, humorous take on sport that doesn’t rely on expertise — just curiosity and strong opinions.The discussion is driven by a documentary exploring football in Senegal, made by a former professional footballer turned filmmaker, offering an insider’s perspective on the structure, passion and challenges of the game in a different football culture.This is paired with a book choice — Gunslinger by Jeff Pearlman — which examines the life and career of NFL quarterback Brett Favre. It’s a portrait of a hugely talented but deeply flawed sporting figure, prompting discussion about legacy, personality and how sporting greatness is remembered.Inside Senegalese Footballhttps://youtu.be/Xb6MiBrzNaQ?si=BjkgJIbfrq9ei9hYGunslinger by Jeff Pearlmanhttps://amzn.to/3PLVwQB

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them. You don’t need to love sport — or even understand it — to enjoy it.For early, ad‑free listening and bonus content, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Young Aaron Raihttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeqDfMs4Pw/?igsh=MWVraGU5bXgwOWQ2bw==Mary Tyler Moorehttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbYabtDtxJ/?igsh=ZnkycmhveW96cmg%3DStewardshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DYPq_qBNpMD/?igsh=MWpienB6cXVlNTM5cg==

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 “The Argus? No Offence But, The Argus? Not Even The Echo?”

Irish comedian, writer and podcaster David O’Doherty joins The Socially Distant Sports Bar this week — bringing his trademark mix of sharp comedy, surreal storytelling and genuine sporting obsession. Known for his live shows, books and appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, David also brings a deep love of cycling, Irish sport and the kind of niche sporting moments this podcast thrives on.David's podcast with Max Rushden, What Did You Do Yesterday? is a favourite of the Distant Pod team.Across this episode, David joins Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero for a wide‑ranging conversation, split across three parts.🎧 PART 1David looks back on his rugby playing days, growing up in Ireland during the eras of Euro 88 and Italia 90, and how attitudes to GAA and other sports shaped his early experience of sport.That leads into the sporting moment that has stayed with him — Stephen Roche’s extraordinary ride on La Plagne in the 1987 Tour de France.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04&t=174s🎧 PART 2From there, things take a more surreal turn — including a brilliant comedy sketch about cricket and why sport can often feel completely baffling from the outside.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYrue4oXCboPlus a standout long‑form interview recommendation featuring Paul Kimmage:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-2011-david-do-49807937👉 Want Part 3?🎧 PART 3 (BONUS — SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)David brings what he believes might be the greatest sporting clip ever:👉 The Castletown Donkey Derbyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtVm8z28e4You’ll need to subscribe (Apple or Patreon) to hear it in full — and it’s worth it.

Irish comedian, writer and podcaster David O’Doherty joins The Socially Distant Sports Bar this week — bringing his trademark mix of sharp comedy, surreal storytelling and genuine sporting obsession. David's podcast with Max Rushden, What Did You Do Yesterday? is a favourite of the Distant Pod team.Known for his live shows, books and appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, David also brings a deep love of cycling, Irish sport and the kind of niche sporting moments this podcast thrives on. Across this episode, David joins Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero for a wide‑ranging conversation, split across three parts.🎧 PART 1David looks back on his rugby playing days, growing up in Ireland during the eras of Euro 88 and Italia 90, and how attitudes to GAA and other sports shaped his early experience of sport.That leads into the sporting moment that has stayed with him — Stephen Roche’s extraordinary ride on La Plagne in the 1987 Tour de France.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04&t=174s

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 “Adam Hurrey”