Joe Cole: “We Knew We Were Becoming a Machine” — Chelsea Behind The Scenes & That England Heartbreak

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris and Sids sit down with Joe Cole, former England international, Premier League winner and Champions League finalist, to dive into the untold stories behind his new book Luxury Player.The lads get stuck into Joe’s early rise as a teenage sensation, the madness of being splashed across the papers at 15, and how fame shaped him long before he stepped onto a Premier League pitch. Joe opens up about the pressure, the jealousy, the misconceptions, and how he found his way through it.The conversation also takes us inside Chelsea during the Mourinho revolution — the moment Joe realised everything had changed, what training was really like under Jose, and how that era set the foundations for years of dominance. There’s plenty of England nostalgia too: World Cups, quarter-finals, dressing room pranks, and the gut-punch reality of injuries cutting short international dreams.It’s honest, funny, nostalgic and full of elite-level insight — a proper football chat with one of the game’s most naturally gifted players. And yes, there’s tales wine-tasting chaos, mascot scandals, and insight into a black cab driver giving massages at Chelsea… Strap in.Chumbawamba 00:00 — Crouchy opens the pod01:15 — Crouchy, Carragher & Roy Keane at Football For Change03:45 — Roy Keane art gallery story05:00 — Richarlison goal & prediction chaos09:50 — Hole-in-one vs 147 debate15:30 — Arsenal vs Chelsea predictions20:50 — FA Cup memories & Haier ad read22:40 — Introducing Joe Cole23:30 — Nick Collins falling-off-ladder clip25:55 — Joe’s Sunday Brunch wine-tasting disaster32:10 — Reconstructing memories for the book33:50 — Being on the front page at 1535:15 — Teacher mocking Joe about money36:10 — Being a target at away grounds43:00 — Joe’s dad turning down Sir Alex’s mascot invite45:30 — West Ham principles & giving tickets away53:00 — Discussion about “Luxury Player” label01:03:50 — Desailly & the World Cup at Chelsea01:04:20 — Mourinho arrives & changes everything01:21:00 — England heartbreak & final reflectionsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, the lads sit down with Premier League and England goalkeeping legend Joe Hart for an unbelievably honest, funny and revealing chat about the wildest moments of his career. From the chaotic early days at Manchester City and their takeover era, to the surreal Aguero title-winner scenes, Joe takes us inside the dressing room, the pressure, and the mentality of surviving as a top-level No.1.He opens up on the brutal moment Pep Guardiola told him he wasn’t part of the new City vision, the emotional rollercoaster of being England’s first-choice keeper, and the madness of shooting sessions with Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and Crouchy himself. The lads also go deep on team culture, loans, being replaced, punditry life, and even why goalkeepers should be allowed to wear hats again.And of course, there are stories from the 2010 World Cup dartboard battles, arguments with Declan Rice, and Joe’s new extreme-challenge podcast. Let us know in the comments — what would YOU have done in Joe’s position when Pep arrived?Chumbawamba 00:00 – England negativity & international break chat 00:08:58 – Joe Hart introduced; 2010 World Cup darts stories 00:13:36 – Quick-fire round: stadiums, managers & teammates 00:18:34 – Goalkeeper hats, towels & old-school traditions 00:36:02 – The Man City takeover & Robinho signing shock 00:37:24 – Loan to Birmingham; rivalry with Shay Given 00:38:02 – Paddy Power’s Big Weekend Fixture and predictions break00:45:16 – Becoming City No.1 with Shay Given on the bench 00:51:14 – Pep Guardiola arrives & drops Joe Hart 00:52:53 – Joe explains talking with Pep afterwards 00:54:40 – Aguero moment & iconic celebration behind the scenes 00:59:30 – Title-winning night & surreal Man United awards 01:01:19 – Being England No.1 & dealing with constant changes 01:05:41 – England shooting sessions with elite attackers 01:23:48 – Working on Match of the Day as a pundit 01:25:39 – Joe Hart’s new podcast & the “mind over everything” conceptFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Steve are joined by two of football’s most iconic gaffers — Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy. Between them, they’ve seen it all: Premier League survival battles, international tournaments, and the changing face of English football. The lads dig deep into what it really means to be a manager — from adapting your tactics to your players, to dealing with the press, to that gut-wrenching moment when you know “the game’s gone.”Tony opens up about his no-nonsense days at Stoke, why long grass was a tactical weapon, and the dark art of winning ugly. Mick recalls his highs with Ireland, his time at Wolves, and the unforgettable press conference moment that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Together, they share hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, harsh truths about modern football, and surprisingly tender reflections on what they miss — and don’t miss — about life in the dugout.It’s a masterclass in management, packed with wisdom, wit, and a few classic gaffer blow-ups. Strap in for old-school honesty and some brilliant football nostalgia — and let us know in the comments… has the game really gone?Chumbawamba 00:00 – Intro chaos: Zoom setup and the “reverse Planet Earth” start00:12 – Chris’s story from the Wicked premiere with Ariana Grande00:07:50 – The lads debrief Sids’ FA Cup draw00:12:59 – Mick & Tony join the show — “Two legendary managers in the room”00:15:20 – Respect between rival managers and the old-school pos match wine00:17:00 – McCarthy tells the story of losing a Sids to Fulham — “I told him to f*** off!”00:20:00 – Growing up in South Wales and fighting to make it in football00:23:00 – Tony’s tactical evolution: from Stoke’s long throws to Palace’s flair00:30:00 – The philosophy debate: tactics vs adapting to players00:33:00 – Managing upwards and the modern football hierarchy00:36:00 – Sids asks: “When did the game go?” (VAR, grass length, overprotection)00:43:00 – Mick & Tony on VAR killing the emotion of football00:49:00 – Viral fame: Mick McCarthy’s “it can!” meme00:53:00 – “Never slate your players”: The golden rule of press conferences00:55:00 – Would they ever return to management?01:00:00 - GW12 predictionsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouchy, Sids, and Chris sit down with Mary Earps — 2022 Euros winner with England’s Lionesses, World Cup finalist, and Golden Glove winner — for an incredibly raw and inspiring chat.Mary opens up about her toughest career moments, including being dropped from the England squad, struggling to pay rent, and nearly walking away from football altogether. The lads dig into how she bounced back to become one of the world’s best, her move to Paris, and what it’s really like living life under the spotlight after the Euros win. Plus, the usual chaos: Sids’s FA Cup draw dilemma, tough gameweek 11 predictions, and why Erling Haaland’s robot dance might be crossing the line...This one’s part football, part life lesson — and fully That Peter Crouch Podcast. Chumbawamba 00:00 – 02:00 | Crouchy & the lads debate Haaland’s “robot” celebration04:00 – 07:00 | Crouchy’s Orlando trip and the “67” mystery10:00 – 11:20 | Breaking news: Do we get a paint sponsor deal live?12:00 – 13:10 | The lads’ “What Three Words” discoveries14:00 – 19:30 | Man City vs Liverpool predictions and robot outrage22:00 – 24:00 | Sids’s Arsenal rant — “They think they invented football!”25:00 – 27:00 | Spurs vs Man United — “Is it time to panic?”29:00 – 30:30 | Sids’s FA Cup draw nerves and “one ball” plan32:30 – 33:00 | Introduction of guest Mary Earps34:00 – 36:00 | Mary on being dropped by England and struggling during Covid37:00 – 38:00 | “I was in debt — selling stuff on eBay to survive.”40:00 – 41:30 | The Euros win and how it changed her life43:00 – 45:00 | Mary on her dad, her upbringing, and young girls in football47:00 – 49:00 | Sir Alex Ferguson’s praise — “He remembered my save!”50:00 – 52:00 | Mary on fame, fear, and adjusting to life after successFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids take a hilariously chaotic deep dive into how football has evolved — from Sunday League chaos to Pep-inspired tactical revolutions. The lads debate how analytics, player freedom, and “DNA” have changed the game forever, reminiscing about the days when defenders could “absolutely destroy” someone without a hundred cameras watching.Expect sidetracks galore — from Center Parcs chaos, dodgy camera angles, and “missionary” score predictions to the invention of Crouchy’s Skill of the Week. There’s also a serious football chat about how big clubs influence playing styles, why corners are “ruined forever,” and how long throws are making a comeback.To top it all off, the boys pitch their next big idea: turning their paint colours into reality… any paint companies out there fancy it? Chumbawamba 00:00 – Chris’ chaotic intro from the floor at home02:00 – Sidwell’s “in memoriam” photo mix-up07:00 – The new time-wasting punishment no one understands09:00 – Why Brits go wild for corners (and why Crouchy won’t stand anymore)14:00 – United’s fan who won’t cut his hair until 5 wins in a row16:40 – Shoutouts and hilarious name readings from Instagram24:00 – A profound metaphor about “trusting your first wipe”34:30 – The changing face of football and Pep’s influence36:30 – Why copying City’s system ruins smaller clubs38:30 – Club DNA vs Manager DNA – has football lost its roots?45:00 – Have players lost freedom because of over-analysis?51:30 – The ‘Skill of the Week’ idea is born55:30 – The lads pitch a Peter Crouch football training camp01:03:20 – Why long throws are making a comeback01:12:00 – The ‘Tancock’ paint idea takes over the podcastWith my code CROUCH30, new customers get 30% OFFat uk.huel.com/therapycrouch30. Please check the description for terms andconditions. Unlock a lighter, easier way to fuel your day with Huel Lite, soyou can focus on what really matters. MOV is £39 and that the code is forLite only for a limited amount of time.Follow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Sids, and Chris are joined by James Tarkowski, the no-nonsense centre-back for Everton Football Club. Known for his leadership, resilience, and heart-on-sleeve playing style, Tarkowski opens up about life at Goodison Park, Sean Dyche’s influence, and what it’s really like to play in Merseyside derbies.He shares stories from Burnley’s golden years, the chaos of Everton’s survival seasons, and his thoughts on football’s return to big number 9’s, directness, and long balls. The lads also dive into dressing room psychology, VAR frustrations, and post-football plans — from coaching to business ventures. Expect honest football chat, great banter, and a few unexpected laughs (including Tarky’s Frozen piano moment). Chumbawamba 00:00 – Tribute to Stuart Pearce’s son00:35 – Opening banter and intro with the lads08:45 – Sunday League chaos & Crouchy’s DM prank16:20 – Dyche and managing “grenade” club owners18:40 – Maguire’s redemption & tournament talk35:00 – James Tarkowski joins the pod36:10 – Settling into Everton and the chaotic seasons38:31 – Goodison Park vs. the new stadium41:10 – Grealish’s form and personality off the pitch44:05 – Tarkowski vs. Van Dijk: The Derby Battle48:06 – The famous last-minute volley and the wild celebrations50:35 – Tarkowski’s journey from non-league to Premier League54:05 – Inside Burnley’s dressing room culture57:25 – Sean Dyche’s mind games and Burnley mentality1:03:10 – Life after football & finding new passionsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids are joined by free agent and Crystal Palace legend Joel Ward. From lifting the FA Cup to living in a Bible college, Joel dives deep into the highs, lows, and surprises of his footballing journey.The lads chat about Ward’s free agent life, what it’s really like being on the sidelines after a long stint at a club, and how he's mentoring the next generation at Palace. They also get stuck into proper dressing room stories, the real power of player faith groups, and one of the most intense atmospheres in football — Fratton Park on a European night.Oh, and things take a serious left turn into 18-hour brisket smoking sessions and barbecuing like a pro. Is Joel Ward the best footballing pitmaster in the country? You'll have to listen to find out. Chumbawamba 00:00:00 – Episode opens: remote setup and Ibiza hangover chat00:02:14 – Sids explains how bad weather justified a heavier night out00:03:08 – McDonald's recovery mode: international break confessions00:04:34 – “Three nights in a row is heavy at this age” – big night consequences00:06:10 – Fantasy football standings update: Sid storming into the lead00:07:09 – Cheating Chris out of points?00:10:17 – Ange & Forest: “It’s not going to end well”00:12:54 – Arsenal's mental hurdle: “They have to win a league title NOW”00:19:11 – Crouch’s bet builder: Mo Salah to score first00:25:11 – Steve Bruce story: “His dad asked, ‘How do you stand in that box?’”00:30:53 – Joel Ward joins the pod00:31:15 – Life as a free agent and staying fit at Palace00:33:13 – Winning the FA Cup: “You couldn’t write it”00:34:46 – “I knew we were going to win” – the surreal moment before victory00:35:48 – What it meant for lifelong Palace fans00:36:03 – How the team mentally prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime shot00:38:17 – Why the Palace system works, even without stars00:40:01 – Ward on changing roles and mentoring at Palace00:42:34 – Coaching, faith, and media aspirations00:43:24 – Growing up in a Bible college with 30+ residents00:45:42 – Faith in football: pre-game prayers and support groups00:49:04 – WhatsApp groups with Eze, Trent, and other believers00:52:00 – Coming through the ranks at Portsmouth01:00:00 – Facing AC Milan: “I saw Maldini in the tunnel”01:04:09 – The great football BBQ debate beginsFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to ‘And The Award Goes To…’ In this bonus episode - Pete’s been on another pod! Pete swung by the brand new podcast - ‘And The Award Goes To…’ - the podcast that’s also an awards show, as he handed out five awards, across five categories, that Joel made up just for him.Listen in as Pete picks his winners for awards such as Best First Sip of a Pint, Best Goal Celebration of All Time, and The GOAT Indian Order.Follow ‘And The Award Goes To…’On Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotify-and-the-award-...On Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/and-the-award-goes-toOn Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-and-the-award-g...On TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/tiktok-and-the-award-g...On Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/Insta-And-The-Award-Go...On YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTube-And-The-Award-...Brand new episodes of ‘And The Award Goes To’ drop every Friday.Brought to you by Argos and Acast Creative.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Argos or any of its group companies. Descriptions of the products mentioned in this podcast are accurate as at the time of recording. Check your local store or argos.co.uk for product availability, which may vary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids welcome Kasabian frontman Sergio Pizzorno, the creative force behind one of Britain’s most iconic rock bands. The lads dive deep into Sergio’s world — from his legendary songwriting process in “The Sergery,” to the chaos and glory of performing Fire in front of tens of thousands.Serge opens up about Kasabian’s new music, what drives him as a frontman, and his unique parallels between music and football. They also relive Leicester City’s miraculous Premier League triumph, wild gigs at CrouchFest, and why Sean Dyche might owe him for Crouch’s transfer to Burnley.Expect stories of flares, service station meetups, and rock ‘n’ roll philosophy — all with that unmistakable Crouch Pod banter. Chumbawamba 00:00 – Intro banter & Sid’s hair chat02:00 – Pete teases the arrival of Sergio Pizzorno03:00 – Crouch’s “Home Olympics” with Serge06:00 – The lads’ league and “horny draws”17:00 – Sergio Pizzorno joins the pod18:00 – Memories of listening to Kasabian’s album on a yacht in France20:00 – Chaos at CrouchFest & performing Fire live21:00 – Writing “Hippie Sunshine” and the Elton John-inspired breakdown23:00 – How Kasabian blend rock and rave into one sound25:00 – The art of reading a crowd & touring America27:00 – Life on tour, staying sober, and “living life backwards”30:00 – How Fire became the soundtrack to football33:00 – Glastonbury, flares, and Kasabian’s stadium moments36:00 – Sean Dyche, service stations, and transfer stories41:00 – Leicester City’s miracle season memories45:00 – Jamie Vardy stories & the Champions League trophy moment50:00 – Football trivia battles & the “3-day question” saga53:00 – Sergio on the new album and what’s nextFollow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Sids sit down with Sir Gary Oldman – one of Britain’s greatest actors, an Oscar and BAFTA winner, and the man behind unforgettable roles in Dracula, Harry Potter, The Darkest Hour, and Slow Horses.A lifelong Manchester United fan, Oldman opens up about his first experiences watching football in the 1960s, his friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson, and why he misses the old-school loyalty of players who stayed at clubs for decades.He also dives deep into the craft of acting – from the grueling physical toll of roles like Churchill, to getting nicotine poisoning while filming, to his pride in movies like JFK. Along the way, Gary shares stories about recent knighthood, Oscar night nerves, fart gags on Slow Horses, and his admiration for George Best.This one’s a proper crossover of football and film.00:00:00 – Intro: Pete, Chris & Sids kick things off00:01:12 – Sitting with Turkish fans & reminiscing at Anfield00:03:29 – Debate over Ryder Cup crowds & respect in golf00:05:03 – Golfers celebrating like Sunday league lads with beers00:08:32 – Football tactics going “full circle”: long throws & direct play00:10:23 – Newcastle heartbreak & Premier League predictions league00:12:04 – Sunderland shoutout00:13:09 – Gareth Southgate rumours & whether he’d suit Man United00:18:11 – Big preview: Chelsea vs Liverpool00:22:13 – Bournemouth vs Fulham preview & stadium expansion chat00:32:24 – Score predictions: United vs Sunderland00:32:45 – Introduction of special guest: Sir Gary Oldman00:33:43 – The infamous farting scene in Slow Horses explained00:39:01 – Oldman on The Firm & 1980s hooliganism00:40:51 – Where Gary was when he found out about his knighthood00:42:17 – Gary’s most proud film role00:43:17 – Playing Churchill & winning the Oscar00:53:02 – Gary’s football roots & becoming a Man United fan00:55:22 – Nostalgia: Best, Charlton, Giggs, and loyalty in football00:59:29 – The loss of “first eleven” continuity01:02:01 – Sir Alex nearly cameoing in Slow Horses01:03:30 – Critiquing Rooney & Giggs’ acting in adverts01:05:01 – Which Oldman character could rescue Man United’s dressing room01:07:46 – What’s next for Gary: more Slow Horses Chumbawamba Follow our Clips page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNBLB3xr3LyiyAkhZEtiAA For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.