I've interviewed a lot of 'good football men' over the years, but this one with John Gemmell is one of my favourites. It's funny, it's moving, it's elegiac - what more do you want from a 55-minute podcast?

I enjoyed recording this and I think you'll enjoy listening to it! 🤝

I've been watching Stenhousemuir FC for almost 20 years and this is, by some distance, the most pathetic, most pitiful goal I've ever seen us concede.

Fair play! 🤝

Am I annoyed that Stenhousemuir lost their blockbuster clash with Annan Athletic today? Yes, of course I am.

Has the blow been softened by Falkirk FC humiliating themselves, once again, against Airdrieonians and losing 4-0? Just a little bit, yeah!

Falkirk FC - never change! 😅

This is the most excited I’ve ever been for the start of a new football season!

Can Stenhousemuir FC do the business and win their first ever league title? Ask me in 10 months! 🤝

This is, I'm sure, the most comprehensive preview of the Scottish lower leagues ever committed to audio!

Who could resist listening to more than four hours of analysis of all 30 teams in the Championship, League 1 and League 2?

Give it a go! 🤝

Current mood:

Thank you to everyone, both online and irl for their kind words and support today. A good deed and some encouragement can go a long way!

I am especially grateful to Mr David Ashton who met me at the finishing line and gave me a run up the road. A hero!

Some day for it 🤝

2️⃣3️⃣ | 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

We’ve done it! We’ve reached the finishing line! 🏁

St Roch's FC’ ground has never looked so good

I have no purpose left.

2️⃣2️⃣ | 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

Our penultimate destination sees us taking in the home of Petershill FC, Glasgow City FC 🧡🖤 and others.

I was hoping to bump into David Galt but the one time I pop up, he’s nowhere to be seen!

One last push, baby!

2️⃣1️⃣ | 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

This unremarkable, caged-in synthetic pitch is apparently where Finnart Star WOS play their home games, and who am I to complain?

Is my enthusiasm for this challenge waning? No, but I can’t feel anything at all below my chest!

2️⃣0️⃣ | 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

I feel like Danny Dyer visiting Dundee - how can two clubs have stadiums that are so close to one another! It freaks my nut!

Anyway, we’ve arrived at the home of Ashfield F&AC and speedway team Glasgow Tigers 🏍

1️⃣9️⃣ | 𝗞𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

This is the first time I’ve been to this part of the city and we’re visiting the team with the best name: glasgow perthshire fan!

The checkpoint cannot be too far away, surely!

1️⃣8️⃣ | 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 📍

We’ve moved into familiar territory and we’re at the home of Championship hopefuls Partick Thistle FC!

Great ground, great people. Also: thank you Ewan Mowat for the Crunchie! That’s given me the chocolatey goodness I need to power through 🤝

1️⃣7️⃣ | 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

We’re back on track, baby! We’re in “North Kelvinside” at the home of Maryhill FC. Looks like a cosy little ground.

There seems to be some kind of party going on just now but I didn’t want to intrude!

1️⃣6️⃣ | 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 📍

Our second bonus location takes in Hamilton Crescent, the site of the world’s first international football match.

Has the detour thrown me 90 minutes off schedule? You can’t put a price on “having a laugh”!

1️⃣5️⃣ | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 📍

Delighted to have got the most out-of-the-way location under our belts! Drumchapel United have former Stenhousemuir sensation David Templeton on their books, and I think that’s brilliant 🚀

1️⃣4️⃣ | 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 📍

The first bonus location of the day sees us taking in Holm Park, home of Clydebank FC (and, to a lesser extent, Yoker Athletic, who are mentioned in James Kelman’s A Disaffection).

Also: shout out to johnny cardno for the mini Magnums! Wunderbar! 🤝

According to Google Maps, I have to take the Renfrew Ferry across the Clyde and into Yoker before continuing the next leg. Does this mean I’ve failed the challenge? Not on your life, mister!

The captain is taking his lunch break so I’m going for a lager at a nearby pub 🤝