That Ballon d'Or Episode: Harry Kane for a knighthood, is Carrick in trouble & Sids v KSI? I EP. 430

0:00Chris Stark: Hello and welcome to That Peter Crouch Podcast brought to you by Paddy Power. I've got Sids and Chris with me. How are you lads? Well, not as good as you. Look at you, big boy. Big boy? Well, yeah, I'm in Portugal. It's half term and I feel bad because obviously there was a slight China situation last week and then a Portugal situation this week. I apologise I don't care that much to be quite honest but but you know I do like being in the Chumbo Wambut with you guys Chris where are you I know Sid's at home I've been there but this isn't is this still your house but a different location no it's my house so this is it's just like a little office situation I'd show you around but you know like I'm doing up the rest of my house so everything's just kind of piled in here so this is this is annoying it's annoying doing this on Zoom like this it kind of will do for the time being but we do need to get back into the Chumbawamba we'll be fully back into Chumbawamba of course next week without doubt what have you been up to guys all good?

1:09Chris Stark: well Siddy I saw you were at a boxing event was it the same one that Stacky was talking about last year? it was it was that one how did that go mate? how was that? it was really good he does put on a good night and it's it's actually it's all for a good cause You know, like, I actually think that when you're an elite athlete, whether it's football or boxing or, you know, whatever you've done in the elite world of sport, I actually think you kind of die twice. I think you die after you retire and then you die, obviously, when you die. That's a cheery thought, Sid. No, I'm just saying, I'm just sort of getting on to the point where you see the lads that go in and do the fights and there's a means to a cause.

1:58You know, they've got a bit of purpose. They've not been in the gym for ages or a bit of a focus, really. So, you know, there's always an agenda behind it on them charity nights. And this one, it was a big one. So it went really well. The fights were really, really good. So who was fighting who? Who do we know that? So, yeah, the fights that took place, lads, Martin Woods was against Lee Cook David Norris v Simon Cox Leroy Letar against Harley Dean that was a bit of a mismatch that Harley Dean had some weight on him advantage there Matty Briggs versus Anthony Gardner Anthony Gardner done it on a previous one so he had a bit of experience this was a great one Gary Medin versus Jamie Sendles White that was you can just tell there was just a step above these lads have been in the gym they've probably had a bit of experience fighting before they were great Sebastian Bassong versus Armand Traore Bassong won that Really?

2:59The big bill of the night Niall Ranger versus J. Emmanuel Thomas didn't take place because I believe the blood pressure of Niall Ranger was through the through the roof so it was he had to pull out through a medical pulled out through a medical he found his medical before a boxing bout game's gone fucking hell Jesus Christ. Yeah. So it was a great night anyway.

3:26Chris Stark: There's a lot to go out there, Sid. Yeah. The whole scenario, really. Yeah, yeah. It was, it was, the boxing bouts were great. I had to do a Q &A with David Bedley. That was, that was an experience. We obviously, the friends of David Bedley all here. He might as well have had the mic. But yeah, it was good. It went on, it went on into the night. And, I don't know, I wouldn't say I've got, bug or an urge to do one, but if something come up, I don't know. Oh, Sid, feel free to use this platform to call someone out right now. No. Come on, there must be someone. There must be someone out there. Do not get, listen, I have learned as things you say on this pod, the sticks.

4:13Chris Stark: Right, can we get, can we get Sid and KSI in the ring?

4:20Yeah, I quite like that it's not a football player as well. Come on, seems to be KSI, let's do it. A non-footballer, maybe. A non-footballer, maybe. We'll see. We'll see. In other news, Pete, I know you're away, you were using the papers the other day for potentially buying a football club that fell through. Is that right?

4:42Chris Stark: Yeah, I don't know what the information was. I was actually looking at a football club like with a consortium of people. But yeah, and they said it was Farnham Town. It wasn't, I think they just, you know, we did the forfeit down at Farnham Town. I think there was, they might have got wind of something maybe and then just kind of put two and two together and come out with a different number because it wasn't, it wasn't that club. I love Farnham. We've had such a good time down there with the lads, obviously. You know, Harry Hugo's doing a fantastic job down there. You know, I'd love to be involved in some capacity and, you know, it's funny because Joe Cole was involved.

5:19Chris Stark: It said about Joe being involved as well and he was involved in what we looked at as well. So hang on, so the story's not completely false, they've just got the wrong team is what you're saying here. Yeah, things have fell through, it's not happening, but we were talking to a club, yeah, and it would have been great, I would have loved to have done that, I'd love to be a part of something like that, but it didn't materialise and it wasn't Farnham. unfortunately so the article with Farnham since I've not seen this please say they used the picture of Crouchy holding the hands of a woman the first time ever a child mascot has become the owner of a club in the space of a year yeah do you know what they actually didn't they just used because actually it wasn't just Peter Crouchy it was actually Abbey as well he's better half they both was looking to purchase a club So basically it was pictures of Pete and Abs.

6:25Was that the consortium? God, I feel like a Germanist. This is amazing. The consortium was Pete and his wife.

6:31Chris Stark: I feel like I'm back on the stand again. You know, you do the press conferences and people are trying to make you say something you don't want to say. I've never described my wife as a consortium, though. That's a new one. Regards to your consortium, my friend. What a cracking-looking consortium you've got. I've built a really nice consortium I don't let's be perfectly honest if it's anything to do with a football club Abby will not be part of any consortium other than the fact she is married to me as the only kind of no interest whatsoever in being any part of any football club I think if we got to Wembley and played in a playoff final or something like that.

7:20Chris Stark: I'm sure she'd love to come along, but I don't think she's massively involved in my consortium. No, no. As I say, regards to your consortium, I want to be in a consortium. Sounds fantastic. What the hell does a fucking consortium mean, by the way? What's the actual definition of the word consortium? I'm going to start referring to my group of lads as a consortium. I just think you move different with it. Do you know what I mean? I agree. I agree totally. I think you know with this pod it takes some funny funny turns doesn't it you know people will be signing off emails in regards to your consortium yeah yeah yeah yeah I think from now on we do not refer to anyone who listens to this podcast as listeners they're now part of our consortium millions of them imagine this imagine saying to the missus when you're popping out I'm just going down the pub to be at the consortium I've got to meet up with my consortium.

8:18Chris Stark: It's a group of people, companies or investors who join together to achieve a common goal, usually because the project is too expensive or complicated for one person or the company to handle alone. For example, in football, five wealthy businessmen join forces to buy a football club for 100 million. They form a consortium. This is basically why form a consortium. share the financial cost, spread the risk, combine expertise and business connections and make bigger investments possible. A consortium is a group of investors who are organising, pooling their money and resources to achieve something together.

8:57Chris Stark: Importantly, members don't necessarily have equal ownership or decision-making power. It depends on their agreement. In regards to your consortium. In regards to your consortium, and I feel like we've just established a new one. So just to round off this conversation, the football club that you were looking at by but no longer looking at buying. Are we able to know what league it was in? Is there anything else you're going to say on the matter or is it no comment? I think I'm going to say no comment. Okay. Okay. I am full concerned. All right. You can continue to press. I will do this podcast.

9:32Chris Stark: Okay. I'll be taking no more questions at this time. Crouchy, I saw a video from your trip in China as well, regards to your cherry. and it looks I saw you heading balls off the top of a car I did I did I found out there doing his thing it's fantastic it's great to see isn't it yeah I mean there's a lot of surprising bits and pieces to that trip and yeah heading balls just kind of slightly over a car into a net that was on the car was one of those was one of those if I heard the car brand I'd get you to do exactly the same. It's the only way, isn't it? It's the only way. The last time we spoke, you was going for Chinese.

10:17Was it a good meal? Nice Chinese?

10:20Chris Stark: Yes, yes. I tried things I never thought I'd try. All very, very interesting. Very nice. It was a very eye-opening trip, I'd have to say. Oh, okay. All right. Can't wait to hear more on that one then. Shall we talk? this week's football then? Yes, let's. Michael Carrick, I mean, listen, at the time of recording this podcast, you know, having watched the game, at the time of recording, obviously, he's still in the job. But I know that the TV cameras, and I have to say, how does he feel when the TV cameras are outside the training ground, which I'm watching it on Sky Sports News here. There's a massive camera outside the training ground.

11:06Chris Stark: He's only there for one reason, kind of waiting on some news of, like, someone losing their job does feel like it's so terrible that doesn't it i don't know how it sits with you that yeah it feels it does feel like you know that what what those birds that circle you know in the in the desert the vultures vultures it does feel it does feel a bit self-fulfilling on that front it i'll tell you what it's interesting you say about the cameras there because i noticed it with the game as well the way they followed the manager with the camera into the tunnel as well at the end, followed him all the way through.

11:42Yeah. And I think it's tricky, isn't it? Because Tottenham have sort of got themselves out of this, or I think so anyway, kind of out of being the kind of focal point at the moment of negativity. And it does seem to be all landing on Carrick at the moment. But my God, it's all very heightened right now. and I don't know. Do you think it's disproportionate really? And I'm a bit confused as to whether it's kind of what we see in the media. The reality is, you know, I saw a lot of fans clapping him off the pitch and actually booing the players.

12:21Chris Stark: Yeah. I'd say the fans' reaction, I think, was good, I think. You know, how many managers are they going to go for, right? There's a problem elsewhere. There's a problem kind of at the top. Obviously, the whole Glazer situation, I think, has rubbed people up the wrong way for a long time. I think results on the pitch, if they're good, mask the fact that that is still happening and continues to happen and no one's happy about it. But if you have good results, it kind of smooths things over. The minute you have bad results, people go back to it and it's continuing to happen. And all these managers that they've had since Alex Ferguson haven't been bad.

13:00Chris Stark: They're not bad managers, are they? Yeah. The fault's elsewhere. And with regards to the players as well, you don't want to go in too much on the players, but they have to be accountable as well for things. And when I hear people come out and say the things that they've said about the club, it doesn't sit well. And then not perform as well. And I think having to go at the tactics of the manager as well, especially someone I know personally, and Sid knows personally, you know, Michael Carrick, like, he's the last person that you would come out, you know, publicly and slate, or try and kind of belittle, or, you know, like, he's just a great person, and like, it's not even, you know, he's obviously a good manager, and like, if you've got a problem with him, I think that should have been in-house, you know, that's like, okay, I disagree with what you're doing for the sake of the club, I totally get that, but to do it in public I think is is outrageous yeah I totally agree I think when anything comes out of the dressing room especially from top figure players as well then it never bodes well it never ever bodes well and this goes but for me beyond beyond the first team beyond Carrick it's the whole football club you know Man United is one of the best and biggest football clubs in the world but the team the team isn't no more We keep talking about the old Manchester United.

14:32It's not them now. And I think this is years away from being fixed. So there's so much disjointed and the players. I think Carrick wants to be put out of his misery. I think he'd love to say the truth. And there's definitely some truths that he's hiding, I think. But he loves the club so much and he won't throw the club under the bus. He's doing what he's doing. This is a long way from being fixed, lads. And I don't care what manager goes in there. They're not going to have a special sprinkle dust and then make these players just all of a sudden perform well. So I don't know. I don't know who...

15:15I mean, they're talking about Eddie Howe or Nagelsmann going in there. Would they look at it and want to take the job at the minute? but also are you are you kind of what Carrick did at the weekend it felt to me you know he made decisions that were very in my opinion you know with the with the ethos of the club in mind you know this whole idea of standards being 2-0 down and keeping Bruno on the bench for whatever his reasons you know he was he was in a very pressured situation at that point to not turn to him and stick to the the discipline side of things. If you're not able to get the results from your team, is the next best thing you want as a fan, a manager that at least embodies the standards that you would expect of a team like Man United?

16:06Chris Stark: Yeah, I think unbelievable shithousery to leave him on the bench and keep him there as well. I've got to say, I enjoyed that. It was showing a move. I'd like to be a fly on the wall in the conversation when those comments come out and what he says to him and how that conversation goes. But he must have felt Bruno's eyes burning into the back of his head when the second goal went in. There's certain things, isn't there, that you live and die by, don't you? I remember the one, do you remember when it was Alan Shearer, it was Rude Hullet was the manager, I think it was the Sunderland game, wasn't it?

16:43Chris Stark: Yes. Shearer and Duncan Ferguson on the bench, wasn't it? Yeah. I agree. He doubled down. he's doubled down I agree I think Jamie Carragher might have said the other day that I don't think he was going to bring I don't think he was going to bring him on at all at all and I think with Carragher Carragher probably looked at it and gone if Sir Axe Ferguson was in his position what would he have done and I think Sir Axe Ferguson would have done the same thing and he's doubled down and it is it is what it is but yeah it's in it's in disarray I think United sorry to all United fans out there this is not a quick fix If you boys are playing in that team, right, if you boys are in that United team and Bruno's on the bench, I'm just interested to get your take on, you're privy to the conversations probably as to why he's been left out.

17:35if you're 2-0 down are you how would you both react in that situation if you're playing in that game would you care more about enforcing the discipline or would you be wanting that player back on the pitch I'm interested in how you both would feel if you were in that game

17:55Chris Stark: I think that's a really good question because I think if you're struggling you know on the pitch I think you'd take anything. I think if Kim Jong-un could help you in that period, I think you'd get him off the bench.

18:14Chris Stark: Regardless of what he's done in the past, I think if he could help me in that moment, I think I'd bring him on. Yeah. Yeah. I get what you're saying. I get what you're saying. Especially Bruno Fernandes, because he can come on and change a game. But I don't know. just I totally you'd have to respect the manager's decision totally I respect the manager's decision and actually after the game I think you go totally understand why you did that you know the integrity of the football club but when you're on the pitch Sid that's a lonely place at Old Trafford yeah you've got you know what is it 70 odd thousand people paying for blood and you're like if he can help us now please he can get us out of a massive hole here I'm just thinking if I'm at Liverpool and you've got Stevie G on the bench or something like that and you're like 1-0 down and you're like oh just please bring him on I don't care what he's done just like as a player like you just want to you know I mean you watch did you see the players trudging off at the end of the game?

19:24Chris Stark: That is a lonely place I remember like Rio talking about Old Trafford as well you know just in general like it you see players unreal in training when you get kind of in that stadium, it takes a big player to be 2-0 down and you're giving the ball away to keep going back and asking for the ball and keep going and keep trying things. And when you're at a big, big club like that and you're struggling, you've got to have some balls to keep going back and wanting the ball, keep wanting chances. is a lot of players, I saw it in Liverpool as well, that came and didn't, aren't able to cope with it. And England as well.

20:09Chris Stark: Aren't able to, you know, big players. They come from, you know, doing really well at the clubs and then come to England or something and you just see it in them. They don't, they're not the same player. The other bit of this as well, which I know you'll both be really disapproving of, is the stuff that has come from Bruno. I think it was on Instagram. he's liked a video. This is... This is always the one, isn't it? I just think, how does this keep happening? This is always the one. I keep seeing it all the time. It's like when people unfollow someone, do you know what I mean? It's like, oh, yeah, they've unfollowed so-and-so.

20:45Chris Stark: Why would you fucking do that? The liking one, honestly, the liking one. What's going on? The game's gone. Get that. Get that up. Yeah, that is game's gone. I mean... What was it? Like something slaying the manager or something? Well, it was a video of a, as I remember it, it was a video of a pretend giant holding up a boulder from crushing the village below. And everyone in the village is firing tiny little arrows and slingshots and that at the giant. And eventually he has enough and the boulder falls and crushes the city. And the point of it was, I think, there's only uh you can only uh test the loyalty of someone for so long before they completely lose interest you know and then the folder comes and destroys the city i mean it's very very obvious that bruno fernandez on his own social media is clearly getting targeted with these types of videos you know the same way my missus gets memes of all these like you know 15 minutes of cuddling every morning makes a happier wife sort of it seems like bruno getting targeted with these stuff but why when you know the eyes of it's it's bonkers to think that you're being subtle by liking it as if like there's a plausible deniability about the whole thing it's it's it's just i'm not i'm not i just think it's a bit sly you know like it's a bit it's a bit I don't even know what it means, to be quite honest.

22:28Chris Stark: I just don't understand why we can't just talk about it. Do you reckon he's done that, like, at two, three in the morning after a skin fall? Because we've all liked a picture or we've all done something on socials or done a video and you wake up the next morning and you go, oh, your phone's blowing up. You're like, oh, God, what have I done? What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? You're talking about those things, you know, when the feed comes like that, you want to see SIDS' feed. Jesus.

23:00Yeah. Bruno Fernandes likes. It's the new Steve SIDS likes, isn't it? Bruno Fernandes likes.

23:10Chris Stark: Anyway. Oh, well. Anyway. What other news we got? I'll tell you what other news we got. You actually brought it to my attention. And I'm actually fuming. I didn't hear about it, SIDS. Was it QPR? there was an unbelievable shithousery you brought it to my attention Sid obviously it's one of my old clubs and a club I hold very dear to my heart and I wasn't across it but unbelievable shithousery from them oh how good is it so they must have been at home against Swansea 5-0, 1-5-0 the DJ after the game has played Hawaii 5-0 5-0, 5-0 I mean, if that is fucking top shithousery from the DJ, I wonder what moment when he thought, I'm going to play this.

24:00Was it a 4-0? And he said, if they get to five, I'm going to drop it. Or was it after the game? I'd love to know when he realised, or she, that it was going to be that song. Brilliant. I loved it.

24:14Chris Stark: Superb. Absolutely superb. Great shithousery. Right, lads, before we get into anything else, obviously it's Ballon d 'Or chat

24:28Chris Stark: Right lads Ballon d 'Or do you boys watch it? I stayed up right get on this so there was a bit of a delay wasn't there there was a delay to the ceremony and I stayed up I was watching on my phone because of the zone and the TV and wifi in my house so I got to the very very end lads and I fell asleep I fell asleep I swear I was a nodding dog right I was a nodding dog nodding dog and I thought well let me just shut my eyes rest my eye it was the famous rest your eyes and I had the phone next to me and then I woke up and it was too late it was too late and then before you know I left it and then I woke up in the morning and then I've just been reading about it but brilliant what have you done a ballon ball for you a ballon ball unbelievable what was the period when you fell asleep did you see any of it no no no it was the very end I got to the very very end yeah got to the very literally it had been five minutes before five minutes before but listen there we go what about you boys yeah I just it's phenomenal obviously I assume we can do plot spoilers with a ballon d 'or Harry Kane going on and winning this is just stuff for dreams I was just watching it in my house I've got to admit I somehow landed on a channel that was that was basically Spanish so I'm not sure I got it completely right it's a weird one wasn't it the channel wise yeah I don't know how I've managed to do that so that's why I was watching it was it was unreal just my initial thoughts before we dig down on the actual award though I wasn't aware it was happening at the Palladium which I thought was a really odd shout considering it's the busiest bit of London anyway on the day that they pedestrianised it I think it looked like chaos some of the videos that I've seen around you know just kids everywhere trying to get close to it the palladium gave a slight sort of half expected Bradley Walsh to come out and present the award at one point but amazing I'm surprised you weren't there crouching no mate the worst thing is I didn't realise my little boy Jack was saying have you ever been to this and Ab had told him previously that I won it in 2006 and I heard him say to the lads that he was with my dad won it in 2006 and they were like I could see the boys kind of working out and going I don't think he did you know just 100 % my mum told me my mum told me but no listen can I just say I'm so so pleased for him I mean he's universally like happy like not just in England, I think across the globe, I think for him to win it.

27:17Chris Stark: I just think he's such an inspirational kind of person and character, player. He deserves it so much for kind of how hard he's worked and, you know, what he's been through and kind of what he's become. You know, he's played for Tottenham for so long and then obviously to go to Bayern Munich and everyone's kind of like, you know, is this the right move for him? he could potentially get the Premier League record goals of all time. He had that in his sights with Alan Shearer. And it would have been easy for him to stay there, be a legend at the club. He took himself out of the comfort zone, went to a new country, a massive club like Bayern Munich, and then to win the Bundesliga and score the amount of goals, I think it was like 74-odd goals in 60-odd games.

28:04Yeah, it's mad.

28:05Chris Stark: That's the season he had. And then to win the Ballon d 'Or just justifies the fact that he made that move. And I'm so pleased for him as a person, you know, and as a player as well. And we had a kind of Ballon d 'Or party last night, hence the voice. And it was like a few people around. It wasn't supposed to be a Ballon d 'Or party, but when he won it, we were all around, all the kids were like, I just sent you the video of us like there, all buzzing. Everyone jumping up. and like a lot of the people I was with were Arsenal fans, you know? And they were still on board because he's so universally well-liked and we ended up obviously having a few drinks after it.

28:49Chris Stark: It ended up being a bit of a party because, you know, I was kind of on a buzz for him. Well, do you think, I mean, it doesn't seem like a coincidence to me that you win your Legends cap. The pod obviously wins podcast of the year. And then you obviously spent a bit of time with Harry Kane do you think a bit of the Crouch luck rubbed off on Harry in those moments in the summer and he's gone on to win the Ballon d 'Or? I'm glad you brought that up Chris because I don't like talking about it myself but it feels like I'm sharing this award with him really today because obviously he was a young player coming through and I was there and he's obviously watched me in trading and that's obviously helped him on his journey and then for me to give him that hug kind of really geed him up and gave him the belief that he could do it I think so you know I'd just like to sort of kind of share this with him share this moment with him really really pleased for him really pleased for him well done Peter Crouch

29:50Chris Stark: really pleased for him and the podcast in general really for helping him along his way well done lads he was a team effort it wasn't just me it was you guys as well talking talking a team effort how about his speech how good was it you know thanking his parents all his coaches from way back in the day people that give him a chance and I think ultimately it was a speech about hard work wasn't it it's not always about talent up front it's all about the stuff that goes on behind the scenes the dedication, the sacrifices what he's saying now about spending time with the medical staff and people at Bayern a lot of people think that just because you win a Ballon d 'Or it's a technical, it's just a raw, natural talent.

30:35Whereas I think certainly for his case, he is that road, that journey. And there's been ups and downs, of course, but it's not been a plain sailing mind for him, is it, lads? And I think that's why we're all pleased and delighted for him, because we've seen the journey that he's been on and that hard work. And everyone says there's no one that trains harder. There's no one that's more disciplined than Harry Kane. And you just get what you deserve in life. And yeah, absolutely buzzing for him.

31:02Chris Stark: Yeah, really positive. A bit of a mad one, but obviously afterwards, you know, a couple of lads that we know, Sid, right? They're out there with him, and I know they're celebrating with him. Yeah. And I've just texted my mate Goodman. Obviously, I text Harry as well. He's obviously saying, well done. But I've texted Goodman, shout out to Goodman. I said, I need a picture of you with the Ballon d 'Or in 10 minutes, so you're not there. And he just, he said that. He said that. He's in with Harry. And the Ballon d 'Or, literally. Unreal. And then he ended up FaceTiming me. And I got a chat with Harry.

31:43Chris Stark: It was amazing. You've chatted to Harry already? Harry, yeah. Yeah, yeah, on the night. I was a little bit worse for wear. I think so was he by the looks of it as well. Yeah. It was amazing, yeah. I just said, I think, how we all felt. And he was just saying how surreal it was and what an amazing moment. So, yeah, it was pretty special as well. Did he thank you as well for being a bit of a part of it? He just said, you know, I don't think I'd be here without you. You know what I just said to him? I appreciate Harry being like that. He'd always be like that. He recognises what we've been through together.

32:23It's a funny little romance you two have got. Honestly, this year, the Harry Kane twinning with Peter Crouch, it's very hard. it's very very odd but don't forget Crouchy you won a podcast award about a month ago exactly I'm sure you FaceTimed him then as well

32:40Chris Stark: both massive awards you know what I mean both huge huge awards absolutely but no generally obviously jokes aside really really really really pleased for him deserves everything he gets what about knighthood what are we saying about that it's got a bit isn't it it has to be England's record goal scorer yeah yeah definitely definitely And as special, I thought this was an incredible touch last night to celebrate. Did you see the Wembley Arches? They lit them up in his honour. I think as a football fan, that sort of thing is surreal. Yeah, it really is. Iconic. And for it to be in London as well, like you said, Chris.

33:22It was carnage, it was chaos, but I think that made it even more special for him, deep down, to be in London. His friends and family around him, but I hope he's got a sore head this morning. I hope he wasn't disciplined last night and he had to hand break off and absolutely went for it. And look, obviously, you know, another player, a Ballon d 'Or winner from what, you know, representing Watford. Did you know this part of his story?

33:48Chris Stark: We're all claiming him now, look. I just want to get this on record, please. I initially went to Tottenham for a six-week trial, but after they said, we don't want to pick you, so I've delivered that terribly, but after that they said we don't want to pick you so I went to Watford on trial and I really enjoyed it there I did well and they offered me a contract but at the last stages we played Tottenham and I scored a hat-trick for Watford so Tottenham offered me a contract almost there and then it was a tough decision but Tottenham were the bigger club at the time so I joined Spurs at the age of 11 and I've been there since so thank you Watford as well for our first club door winner in 25 years wherever it is huge for Watford as well I got quite emotional with the speech as well you know you can see his mum kind of welling up yeah and yeah just think like if you're a mum and dad and you're sitting in that crowd and your son is the best player in the world that's pretty amazing I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know I don't know yeah it's like it's the equivalent of what is that on par with if you'd like, you could be sort of Usain Bolt's parents.

35:03Like your son is the fastest man on the planet. On the planet. And then your son is the greatest footballer for that year on this earth. On the earth. It's amazing. It's crazy. Go on, big up Harry Kane. Brilliant. He deserves his flowers. Love it. Congrats. And in regards to his consortium and misses as well, you know what? I thought it was amazing seeing him celebrate with her the whole way throughout, from arrival there to being there, and then clearly afterwards as well. So she deserves an honourable nod as well, because you both have misses that know kind of how mad your job is and what you have to do and sort of sacrifice a family as well.

35:49So, you know, incredible for her as well. In regards to his consortium. And a quick nod, we should say to the other winners as well. last night and Alexia who's just like who's just going to win this every year from here on in I think so massive congratulations there as well

36:07Chris Stark: and also Mappé and Yamal no doubt will will be back stronger as we say

36:18Chris Stark: right the next part of the podcast is supported by Paddy Power let's kick off with why the football not I've got another bell to hear lads Bailey says hi Crouchy Sid and Chris regards to your consortium the day my son was born was Liverpool's first first game under Arnest Slott being a lifelong Liverpool supporter I wasn't going to miss that around 12 I told the missus to take a nap and said I'll watch our newborn, proceeded to watch the full 90 minutes on the dad's chair in the hospital, suffice to say I got some dirty looks from the nurses and midwives but Liverpool won and the missus got some sleep why the football not?

36:57Chris Stark: so the days i mean i don't know what's i don't know what's entirely wrong with that no so this wasn't during the birth this this wasn't uh well i hoped i hope she wasn't well maybe it would be good but if she was giving birth whilst asleep that'd be quite casual casual labor yeah I kind of think as a rule I do think you can't watch the football whilst your wife's giving birth I don't think whilst she's giving birth I think maybe afterwards I think you're as long as you're kind of by her side I'm sure you're on dangerous territory here and a lot of men talking about what we should do I think that's okay I think that's I think that's okay to have it on in the background as long as you're you know caring for her every need I do believe generally speaking yeah no phones I would say during birth as a rule if possible I think yeah I did try and I told you this maybe I didn't I can't remember but I tried for my second child I tried to sort of DJ the birth a bit and what hold on hold on whichever what what you don't have to explain that no it's not as i think you i don't know what you imagine are you imagining sort of like a little mobile dj uh sort of it was yeah like you're just standing up like giving it wheels of steel while you're bans being born did you do a playlist i did a playlist so but the thing is because because I'd sort of got a few songs on there.

38:41I really wanted my little boy to be born to Yellow by Coldplay. And I thought it would be a really nice story. But I've got to admit, I did kind of force the situation a little bit. I saw it sort of getting to the moment that I thought it was going to emerge. And then it was bad because I'd already played it once. So I'd sort of kind of pulled up on that song again, you know. So my poor missus had about, well, she had that song pretty much twice in a row at the sort of key moment, just so he was born to the right song.

39:13Chris Stark: I bet she absolutely hates that song. Wow. Also, aren't you tempting jaundice there with playing yellow? Yeah, I mean, it was, no, it was obviously for the Watford connotations more than anything else. But I think what it is, is I just wanted to try and make the moment more epic. and I thought, you know, when that song kicks in, you know, it's an amazing, like proper, like boom. But you can go wrong. It's a bit like my old days of DJing in a hospital radio. If you get the wrong song, it's horrendous, you know? That's one of the maddest things I've ever heard is that you're playing tunes through the earth.

39:55No, but it's to try and make it more relaxing. I mean, it comes from a really good place. It's not just like a me wanting a situation. it oh i thought it's a good song okay you're trying to help okay yeah i agree with that okay there's songs that can go really wrong though i think you know another epic song i thought about was hoppipola you know but if you really think about it that's planet earth and i i think that's on the wrong line of of kind of epic to actually sort of um a bit weird yeah yeah yeah quick Quick question, lads. If your wife was in Labour and England was in the World Cup final, how would you approach it?

40:36Would you say, would you try and get a plasma TV in there? Would you go with a mobile phone or would you go with the radio or try and lock the radio in the background? I think you're assuming that you're with, you're talking about a wife that's not into football because obviously like that, that's the situation you're talking about here. Really, aren't you? Well, I mean, it's England. So hopefully I'm just, I'll put England. so it probably just softens the blow a little bit.

41:02Chris Stark: Yeah, I don't know. I think I would personally stay away from music. I've got big news. I switched to Verizon and got the new iPhone 18 Pro. I can keep my old phone. Can I also get the latest iPhone every year? Shh, anything else? Verizon let me choose Apple Watch Series 12 or iPad on them. Everybody listen up. Switch to Verizon and get the new iPhone 18 Pro now. No trade in needed. And the latest iPhone every year with Simplicity Plan. Plus, choose Apple Watch Series 12 or iPad on us. Simplicity Plan with Simplicity Pro required. Plan and device payment. Purchase are separate agreements with separate terms.

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41:43Chris Stark: Certainly at the birth. But football-wise, I think you can get away with it in the background. But not whilst it's actually happening. I think when she's had the baby, I think that's fine. but you know but I think we probably need to get her abs not here at the moment but I'll ask her next time how she feels about music and football whilst birthing mate ask this on the therapy one because genuinely I don't think I think it's more common than you think that people pile up a few tunes yeah I mean listen send in your playlist I was just thinking salt and pepper like push it real good you know I think it adds something to the experience I don't know if it does I don't know I don't know I think it's such a beautiful moment I don't think you need anything else I think there's I don't think it needs no that's bollocks that I'll tell you why that's bollocks you think that's bollocks I'm gonna have to say that's bollocks because why what you're basically going against there is the entire movie industry you're basically saying oh things are way more epic it's epic enough without any music that's just not true I just don't I disagree with you I disagree with you I think it's a silent moment between you and your wife I don't think it's a I think if anything the silence is more awkward don't you want to sort of drown out the screaming and the I don't no I think I think you want to kind of feel everything no what do you mean well I think it's a special moment I think you know if I'm playing a song and I get it wrong, it could ruin that special moment, you know?

43:27Yeah, but that's where she's lucked out in life because she's going out with, you know, one of the world's greatest DJs. She's married. So on that front. On that front.

43:39Chris Stark: You just know the right song at the right moment. I always have done, mate. As I say, like, I started in a hospital radio. You know, it doesn't get more high pressure than that. So I select the wrong song. All right, well, listen, let us know if you've given birth to a particular tune. Send in your tune and we could maybe get on Spotify or Apple or wherever it is. We get a little pregnancy or birth playlist going, you know? The Peter Crouch podcast birth playlist. It could be one of the weirdest moves we've ever done. We've done some mad shit. Born stronger. It's going to be awesome. Born stronger.

44:21Born Slippy. What a great song. There you go.

44:24Chris Stark: Graecker. Shall we get into the Football League, lads? Yes. The Football League was abysmal this week. None of us got any points whatsoever. I don't think anyone saw kind of Chelsea spanking, sorry, Spurs spanking Chelsea. I don't think anyone saw kind of Villa beating City. And I had to draw Liverpool and Brighton and you boys, you both had Brian right until winter. We got zero points this week. It's fucking embarrassing. So the scores remain the same. I'm bottom with 12, Sid's 14, and how Chris is on 24, I never know. But listen, it is the greatest league in the world. Some interesting results last week.

45:12You know, Spurs obviously, massive win for them.

45:16Chris Stark: Huge, wasn't it? Villa did so well against City as well. and Hove got beat there by Liverpool. Any thoughts on Hove this season? I watched the game, lads. It was a close game. There was two quick goals for Liverpool and Hove were all over them from 20 minutes onwards. So you could have easily, easily have been 2-2. I actually thought it was going to be a 2-2 draw, Crouchy. I thought you was going to be in with that one. Chris, you've got to be delighted with that. I mean, it's a free week for you. I mean who fireblanks all of us and you know you've got to be delighted it's as good as getting points really in a weird kind of way because you know and again thank you to everyone who piled in the comments on our Instagram on this you did both shithouse me massively in the predictions last week allowed me no room he zoned out no no no I was listening I was listening I mean you've literally started a conversation with someone else someone was asking a question off camera and what you were saying was boring so it was hard for me to

46:29Chris Stark: what was that? you do understand how this works Pete I don't have to listen to you if I don't want to to start another conversation with someone else it's the height of rudeness I don't know why we bother with it it's not rudeness at all there was a question that was put my way and obviously like I thought I was going to do that and you know sometimes the lads are really good at the edit they could cut something else and you could pretend I was listening fucking hell I mean like are you really offended by that he is like he really is look it was interesting Chris Sid was it really was it interesting I was I was I can't remember what I was saying

47:17Chris Stark: Chris if you could just keep it a little bit snappier next time I'll tell you what it is what I was saying was the fact that you both shithoused me on the predictions last week I feel like I've really got away with one this week so anyway back to you yeah mate I'll have another beer if that's alright yeah cheers fucking hell right okay you can get first pick We've all got places to be. I, you know, I said we'd do this podcast. He's fuming. I'm on half term. I'm off the radio. I should be out. But we've got to make it work around your timings in this fucking Amazon. Oh, he's got it. He's too busy to do normal recording.

48:05Chris Stark: Oh, my God. He's fuming, son. He's too busy to record at normal time, boys. Do you mind jumping on it? you know it's fucking six o 'clock at night oh my god wow mental he's not happy it's actually it's actually it's actually someone asked me a question that Bruno Fernandes podcast that's actually listen

48:34Chris Stark: someone asked me a question of air and I I just I'd quickly answer it I was still listening Chris you started a conversation with your consortium now at a point where anyway we'll move on from this I just got one bit better it's a great nibble that it's a great nibble I don't want to lose the dressing room I don't want to lose it yet we've come so far you know you're our longest serving player Chris are we doing the predictions now yes we are I've lost all grasp on where I'm up to it's Liverpool versus Arsenal Liverpool versus Arsenal Liverpool at home but our underdogs 15-8 Arsenal favourites 13-10 interesting this because Liverpool certainly have the the ability to cause an upset here against Arsenal it's obviously on Super Sunday where do you see it?

49:34Chris Stark: Go on Chris I'm scared I dare not say No, it's all good. Right, let's get this back. So where do I see this? It's hard to go against Arsenal at the moment, isn't it? This is kind of the same thing. So for that reason, I'm going to have to go an Arsenal win here. But, you know, Arsenal win. I think I know what your score you're going to go for. I bet you do. He loves it. He loves it. Are you not saying your score? You're not going to go first? Yeah, go on. I'll go Arsenal 2-1, please. Chuck. Okay. I think it's going to be a good game. Liverpool are slowly showing signs. I think this has got Horny written all over it.

50:26I think there's going to be babies being made in Liverpool on Sunday. And I think it's going to be a Horny draw. It's going to be Liverpool 1, Arsenal 1. right then I'm going to

50:36Chris Stark: back my old club then and go with 2-1 to Liverpool I can see that after the game the other day I can see see that as you say Sidney it feels like they're sort of it's coming together there yeah alright interesting let's see it right okay odds are correct it's on record please gamble responsibly

50:59Chris Stark: moving on to Chelsea versus Manchester United some good games this weekend isn't there big game this isn't it big game this Chelsea Manchester United boys I don't know whether you see the game Chelsea were poor weren't they against Spurs really really poor Cole Palmer excellent didn't didn't need to do that Man United we spoke about them already this this is a big game for Chelsea this lads this is a big one yeah and after last weekend I'm not as convinced it's why didn't Welbeck come on earlier as well I thought that was an odd shout yeah yeah it was a strange one Chelsea with Chelsea it was mad really wasn't it Kinski played well didn't he but yeah just didn't see that one coming but hopefully that's a turning point for Spurs now yeah United need to drop a I won't even call it a bluey anymore we should rebrand them to Madisons they almost need to drop a Madison really and the human embodiment of a Bluey.

52:10He's changed everything there. It feels like United are going to be fighting against the waves at the moment, still going into that game.

52:21Chris Stark: It'll be interesting, obviously, at the time recording, Kerrick's still in the job, but I don't know what the deal is with that being. I mean, he could have someone new in charge. I don't know, like, if he is still in charge, is a difficult one to kind of navigate that, you know, with your best player kind of not playing and stuff and almost like you've fallen out with him. A real difficult one. Do you think a lot goes on Jao Pedro then? Do you think a lot, you know, they really miss him? Obviously, you've got Cole Palmer who will be suspended for this game, right? And Jao Pedro who's injured alongside Martinez as well.

52:59Chris Stark: because the goalkeeper had a bit of a howler as well the other day didn't he this makes it a little bit more interesting yeah United need a result massively can they can they get it but the thing is right you can see the headlines like so Bruno will be back right and firing he's got a point to prove where are we edging on this one I don't like it at all because they've got some key players out Chelsea you'd expect them to win um I don't know if United or I know it's been poor but oh god okay I'm gonna have to go with Chelsea I'm gonna go with Chelsea 2-1 Okay go on Chris No you go mate

53:45Do you know what I've done I've done it a couple of times already I've done draws on all games and none of them have come in I do see this being a draw I really do okay let's go for I'm going to go Chelsea to win this 1-0 not sure so you've both gone Chelsea win which I think ordinarily is the sensible choice here but I can just see I can see Man United getting this I think or do I go draw maybe I'll go draw I'm going to go Desmond I'm going to go 2-0 2-2 I think it'll be a great game what time is it on?

54:29Chris Stark: the game is live on TNT at 12.30 good knowledge 2-2 thanks mate Gaz told me just off air there Manchester City versus Brighton I'm going to go straight in it's 2-2 2-2 2-2 I'm going to go I'm going to go City win

55:00I'm going to go 2-0 win okay I'm going to go for Manchester City 2 Brighton Brighton 1

55:13Chris Stark: right that's this week's predictions wrapped once again we'll be sharing our picks on the feed in the Paddy Power app for you to find the feed is where you can browse copy and share Share bets with all other football fans. Everyone shares their bets. And if you see one you fancy, just copy it. Make it your own. You head to the Featured tab on the feed in the Paddy Power app to find our picks.

55:42Chris Stark: Right, I've got a message here from Reece Sweeney. He says, hello Cardi P, one ball and bonfire. I hope all is well in regards to your families. I have the weekend of dreams coming up. It is written in the stars and needs some words of encouragement like Tom Swarbrick did for Chris because who can't beat a lads weekend away? We're starting off watching all the lads play his old team in a local town under the lights on Friday night. Going to hurl abuse at him and hopefully see him defend awfully. Then Saturday, 10am, we meet. Breakfast beers, we're heading off to watch the early kick-off, Northampton versus Colchester in a box.

56:20Chris Stark: Finally, we're doing the Soccer Saturday Challenge, which is the first team to score within a two and a half hour radius. We have to head there on a lad's night out. The worst place, the better. Sorry to blab on, but I feel like some strong words to get the boys going is required. Would mean the world to us. Cheers. Rhys from the Paddle Princess. Princesses. Paddle Princesses, yeah. Interesting. Is that his consortium? Is that what they're called? that's his that's his that's his that's his rolling move the paddle princesses the paddle princesses interesting so yeah I mean he's he's going to watch his mate play he's a shit defender apparently he wants to see him defend awfully he's going to the box and then he's doing the soccer Saturday challenge Sid I don't know I mean you've done this in the past I don't know if he needs some words of encouragement from you okay so they they're going to do the soccer Saturday challenge and they're going to get on the train, yeah?

57:19Is that right? To wherever they want to go. Anyway, it could be anywhere. It's like whoever scores first, isn't it? Do you remember? We've spoken about this one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely, yeah. Do you think, what I like about what he's done now is they've put a kind of two and a half hour radius on it as well. I like it, yeah.

57:35Chris Stark: You don't spend all day travelling, do you? Exactly that. No. Yeah. No. No, no, no. Okay. Okay. All right, well, if it's me, I'll be sort of, listen, Rhys and the paddle princesses, look when you get that that the news of where you're going to go to okay you've had a great day already okay you're going to be well oiled up you've had a great day watching your power play football then you've seen the mighty northampton take on the colchester in a box of all the places so the scene has been set the you know the the the juices the flowing already and then when that destination comes up and it just blinkers up within that two and a half hour radius and you've got your pack of six beers either side of you, that first crack of a tin, when you get on the train, do you know that that is going to be the start, the start of a great night with you and the princesses?

58:34Don't be the best you can be. Yes, Sid. Great one.

58:39Chris Stark: Superb. The first crack of a tin. Go on, the princesses. listen the world's your oyster to go and take to achieve to to destroy go and enjoy it go and enjoy it with the princesses I've just got one more lads I've got an 11 if you'll pledge indulge me just before we go cool hi guys love listeners of pod it was great to hear the comeback of the listeners 11's inspired by Crouchy's agent provocateur story the other day I present a lingerie 11. Brilliant. Oh, yeah. Now, I haven't read this, so... Yeah. We've got a paddle Kenny. A Zat Nighty. Yep. Danny Blindfold. G-String Park, which is a cracker.

59:30Chris Stark: G-String Park is an absolute cracker.

59:36Chris Stark: Lingerie Parlor. Oh, that's good. Thong Min Son. oh no Nigel Riachoker Steve Slipswell Steve Slipswell Denver Bra got Denver Bra yeah Jimmy Floyd nipple tassel bank Jimmy Floyd Jimmy Floyd nipple tassel bank Samuel Corsetto what's that one Corsetto Corsetto oh sorry Samuel Corsetto Panty Jose Mourinho

1:00:19Chris Stark: Superb, that's from George Alright, Belsa I don't know if you've got any lads

1:00:28Chris Stark: Go on lads, you've got to get one I'll get one, I'll get one Peter Crotchless

1:00:40I've got one, I've got one Toy Wiggily Toy Wiggily Is it Roy Wiggily Was he a player Yeah Toy Wiggily Come on There's a better one There's one out there Frank Clampard

1:01:13Chris Stark: Riggerbert thong Riggerbert thong Oh Go on the Riggerbert Yeah alright It's been a pleasure I apologise Chris for keeping you Away from family On half term You know I've obviously I've let myself down Let my family down I've let my consortium down No sorry for losing my head it's alright my listeners it's okay mate listen we you know what we say on this podcast it's standards you know discipline and above all else you know you've got to enjoy it by being disciplined and you know obviously I understand why that took a turn but we'll be back stronger next week hopefully in each other one bar it'll be much better then really good regards to the rest of your consortium.

1:02:13I've got big news. I switched to Verizon and got the new iPhone 18 Pro. Shh. I can keep my old phone. Can I also get the latest iPhone every year? Shh. Anything else? Verizon let me choose Apple Watch Series 12 or iPad on them. Everybody listen up. Shh. Switch to Verizon and get the new iPhone 18 Pro now. No trade-in needed. And the latest iPhone every year with Simplicity Plan. Plus, choose Apple Watch Series 12 or iPad on us. Simplicity plan with Simplicity Pro required. Plan and device payment purchase are separate agreements with separate terms. Service plan for watch or iPad required. Additional terms apply for all offers.