Wayne Meets...Steve Bracknall: Fame, Modern Football & Getting The SNIP!

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1:06Discover the V-Series line-up at cadillac.com. Pass that, pass this, recycle this. We've come up with an old new terminology to keep people like Michael Richards in a job. You're in the baller league now. You've been managing... This is the most serious I've ever heard, can I? He's the only genuine one, aren't he? He's actually interested. You're trying to needle me. He's telling me players is eating my chicken sandwiches. It looks amazing. I don't know if it's like it's in Eton Park waiting for Wonderwall to start, isn't it? It's got to a point now where I just can't. He's the reason I got the snip.

1:37Will it? Let's. OK, we're all back together again in the studio in Manchester and we've got another special guest with us. And firstly, Wayne, you two met the other week. Have you now done your research about who this is that's joining us in the studio? Yeah, well, I was intrigued. I was sat there chilling in the Matches Day studio and seeing this bald head popping underneath the window I shave it, I could grow it if I wanted to Steve come in and he was very complimentary of me so I looked into it and I thought I need to try and get him on the podcast You're a laster street footballer You're a laster street footballer in my opinion, I'll be singing about pal Bessie mates, we'll be like peas and carrots being you mate For me, it was Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne.

2:28All right, Gaz have had his issues, but nah, then, could he play? But this, I remember 2004 in Royal OKC, put a big screen outside, did hot dogs, burgers, job lodge. They made a killing, Terry and June. I couldn't sit down and watch that game against Croatia. I'll never forget it. I said, this is the most exciting English talent we've ever produced. And I've proven to be right. I'm absolutely in order you're in, and it's a pleasure to be here, mate. Oh, that's great to have you on. of being catching up on all your stuff. It's about time, I'll be frank. It's great what you're doing. For those who are listening to this as a podcast and maybe haven't seen, we are, of course, joined by Steve Bracknell.

3:06You are the assistant manager of the Royal Oak. Yeah, but I don't get hung up on titles, Kelly, and I don't think you should. Okay. The king of Royal Oak, whatever you want to call yourself. Tell us a little bit about your team then and how they're doing. So we formed in 1997. 97, I would have been a professional, but I did my cruciate ligament. I don't like talking about it, you get emotional. But I was at a loose end. I'm an electrician by trade. Myself and Paul Sampson, who, if you want to use titles, is first team manager. I says, I want to get back in game. He would tell me to do my coaching badges.

3:37I said, I don't need a certificate to prove my worth in game. I said, let's form a club. You know what it's like, yeah. So we formed club. And Terry and June were desperate for some money behind bar. So I says, look, everyone's a winner, baby. that's the truth so uh we formed and then our olivia my daughter she's right into all modern platforms and that she went dad you should film your your stuff i says you can do it i'm having no to do with that i've got a game to manage and uh i suppose last year we went viral and uh ever since then it's been a whirlwind a little bit similar to your first season at everton i imagine where you're under media scrutiny.

4:18There's a lot of similarities. Yeah, it's not easy at the start, is it? No. And you get judged on a lot of things, but yeah, it seems to be going well.

4:29Kae Kurd:Because you burst on the scene as well, similar to Wayne. Very similar. What was the hardest thing about that extra media scrutiny? Well, you're like a rabbit in headlights. I mean, I'm nervous about coming on here because I know what you like, press. You should know a better way than me. I'm trying to needle me because you were under scrutiny and all, but listen, you've got to have very thick skin. I've got our Nikki at home who's my confidant. I talk to her a lot, just like you'll speak to Colleen about problems that's going on at club, but sometimes she doesn't want to hear it. So she says to me the other week, Steve, all you're going about is Royal Oak.

5:01If you don't go on about Royal Oak, you don't talk enough. You don't talk about your feelings. I thought, this is a bit deep. So the other night, she's watching Celebrity Traitors. I thought, I snuck up a comment. Shh, shh. I thought, I can't win here. She lobbed me out of the house. so you can't win one minute I need to speak more next shut up Traitors is on but I'm very close to our Nicky and if they've got any issues at club I'll unload it on her

5:27Kae Kurd:so you're talking about Celebrity Traitors you're a famous man now when did you realise you were famous and do you reckon you could get a call up for Celebrity Traitors next season is that something you'd be interested in when did I realise I were famous me and our Nicky go to Asda every Thursday to a big shop I caused absolute chaos on Isle 4. Lot went, they're coming out for selfies, blah, blah, blah, blah. She went, Stephen, this is too much. I went, Nicky, you crack on, I'll deal with it. And that's what we got home, unpacked all the shopping and I thought, all right, game's changed. But I've never watched Traitors.

6:02I'll be frank with it, I'm too busy for that. We train on, it's on. But if they want to get me on, I'm all for it. Was it similar for you, Wayne, when you used to go to Asda? It was, yeah. used to go and it was there not Asda it was in Marks and Spencer's oh here we go man of the people street footballer man of the people because alright it's not waitrose but it was in Marks and Spencer's there and and I was getting a jacket and then it was with Clean and she said we need some milk so we went over to get some milk and you know what it's like when you go do I the trolley milk goes in and then there's all kinds, and then you're in there for about an hour getting food.

6:45Do you do big shop? Do you good at shops? I like food shopping. I like food shopping. I think it's... Because you end up getting something which you maybe didn't want or don't think of, but then you get home and then you...

6:57Kae Kurd:You're like, yeah, I do fancy dark meat. Yeah. Yeah, we'll have some smoked truffle pate from Artisan Deli in Martin Spencer's. That's broke my heart, haven't we? And I had it down for an Asda, man, I'll be frank. But do you know what? The first time I felt old was due to the week. We dropped the kids off at school, went home, and then we went back out, and we were sat in the Marks and Spencer's cafe. And honestly, I think the next youngest one to me in clean was about 65. Well, when you're buying your jackets from Marks, it's game up, innit? So, yeah. Where do you shop, Keller? Do you know what?

7:36Myself and Wayne actually came in the same coat today, weirdly, didn't we? I didn't realise I was starting to dress like you. That's a good thing or a bad thing. So you're all Marks and Spencers and all, then that's what you're trying to say to us. Yeah, but I'm not at the same level of fame as you two. I don't know. Get a few years, you'll be doing World Cups. I've done a couple, actually. Have you? Sorry, actually, I've done many, Serge. I'm going to bring it up. Yes, I don't need to, Serge.

8:01Kae Kurd:Have you ever used your fame for your own ends just to try and hook something up? Have you ever got a discount on carpets or anything like that? Well, our sponsor, previous sponsor, Carpet Dave, I know I'm not meant to advertise Aunt Bea, but it's Carpet's done right. If you need a reduced discount on Carpet's, come into Royal Oak, we'll sort you that. He sorts me a discount out, but have I ever... When we went viral, there's a kid in Sheffield called Ryan Green. He scored 46 in 28. I've had my eye on him for years, but what I'm not going to do is poach players in Sunday League, because that's not fair on other gaffers.

8:35So when did you poach him? I've had a word with him. He's coming into quiz night next week. No, and I'll just have a chat with him, but I suppose, you know, people want to play for Royal Oak now, but I've got to look at their attitude. I've got to look at the delivery, the discipline. You know what it was like. Sir Alex used to meet, did he meet your parents at all? Well, he phoned my parents from when I was about 12. He was trying to sign me from when I was a kid. I'm saying.

9:05Kae Kurd:I'm saying. I'm saying. is you call a little kid's parents up? Well, Blugs, I mean, Parksey, my right back's 53, I don't think he's got any parents left. I'll look at his wife and if she's Larry, I'll think I don't want her on such line. But, Fair enough. You've got to do your research. I learned that from Sir Alex. I read his book when I went to Benny Dormit. It was brilliant. Right inside. I don't think you'd made it into the book by that point. You were slow with. But, has he updated it since? Because I'd like to read what he thought about you. Not sure. I think he's had two or three since then.

9:35Has he? Yeah. Yeah, I'm not sure, yeah. I'll have to get an updated version. Can I have audio books now? Brilliant. Went to Ben. My mum and dad have got a caravan in Benadon. They go all the time. So my mum's the dill lady. When the schools are off, she goes all the time. So I went just before my Everton debut, I was in Benadon. That was the last time I went. You've restored my faith in you now. Wayne, have you got any advice on how to handle the fame that, of course, he's experiencing now? I think you've just got to stay true to yourself haven't you and enjoy it because you can get too caught up in everything and what people are saying but just it looks like you're hard and you keep enjoying it and have fun the thing is for me I can have selfies I can do all that all that nonsense it comes back to what have you won we've won one trophy since 1997 Fair Play Award 2001 I'm not proud of it I'm not proud of it I'd have rather not won it Are you at risk of the sack?

10:36No No no no no no no no no No no no Here we go Now we've started with Needling questions I've got to deliver But It's a viable question You've got to deliver silverware And I don't want to look back On my career Going I never got to Meadow Hall Premier League I never won Sheffield Cup I've got to I've got to deliver silverware And this year That's the aim That's the aim It's not like him Who's dripping in it but you're getting more fans at the games now. I don't tell them where we play because I know what will happen. I'm not paying for stewarding, not like that. No chance. There's still financial pressure on club.

11:12But surely the bigger you get, as Wayne said, the more pressure's going to come. You're going to have to deliver. That's fine. I can handle that. No problem. No problem. And if any fans got an issue, every Thursday night I'm at Royal Oak, they can come and have a drink with me. I'm fully transparent as a club. What I don't want. Modern football, the game has gone. It's gone. I want to be fully transparent from top, and that's Terry and June owners, landlord and landlady, down to Bob the Bucket, who cleans up dog dirt on a Sunday morning. Fully transparent from top to bottom. Talk me through the set-up then at the Royal Oak.

11:44So we've got Terry and June. They're like your shakes, if you like. Yep, yep. They've had pub since 96 they came in pub. They're like family to me. They own it. Every year, in summer, we have an AGM, annual general meeting for them. Who's there? myself, first team manager, Paul Sampson, seeing as you're hung up on names, Terry and June, landlord and landlady, and any prospective sponsors. Have you got any at the moment? We have. I've stuck with a Sheffield firm because I want to stay true to my roots, but Carpet Dave's had his nose put out. He's got arse on with Terry and June because they've gone with another carpet fitter.

12:20There's problems to navigate all the way through. Loyalty's a big issue. Loyalty's a big issue, and that's very important to me, very important to me, because when I found out that Brian Marshall, who's my arch nemesis, he's like Wenger to Ferger. He was sniffing after winning my number 10. I was absolutely furious and I went down to win his house and knocked on to him and I says, what's this? Because I'd seen him in Nag Z with some paperwork in front of him during the Chang 'e transfer window and I thought, no, no, no, no, no. This ain't happening. And he says, it's not that Steve. He wants a quote for a decade.

12:52I says, I bet he does. So do you keep an eye on the players I've seen where you went into the chippy because one of them was having chip meals night before a game was it? Alright, Man United, Man City, Super Sunday, half ten in the morning, what's Wayne Rooney, well I probably know now, patty and toast if you're shopping at Mars, but what's Wayne Rooney eating? Do you know what I had before my Premier League debut, Gospel Tudors? I went to McDonald's. Do you know what? That doesn't surprise me one bit. This is not the answer that I wanted, Wayne, I'll be frank with you. I got a chicken burger and chips, but I didn't have the Coke because I would have got a stitch.

13:27at the edge, at the edge of the edge. At least you thought that was that, Wayne. No wonder Fergie loved you. Was it not repeating on you a little bit? I was 16. I think you need what you want at 16. My problem is, they're coming. What would you do if you heard one of your players was doing that? Well, he did. Well, the problem is now, I'm going to go, so next Sunday, I'm going to go, you've had a donut kebab, I can smell it on you. You've had a garlic mayo. And they're going to go, sorry for Wayne Rooney. I says, yeah, Wayne Rooney, what a genius. You are not. So it's going to cause me problems that way.

13:57What would you say

13:58Kae Kurd:your top three footballing philosophies are? You're getting deep here, can I? I'm trying to. I'm trying to see the mind of the man. Do you know what I mean? Top three football, keep it simple. Oh, pep this, pep that, pass that, pass this, recycle this. We've come up with an old new terminology to keep people like Michael Richards in a job. Inverted wing backs, it's going narrow. False nine's my favourite. That means coming short. But no, no. So keep it simple. I'll have none of that jargon in the dressing room because no one understands what it is. Press it, close it down. Press it, close it down.

14:30If you need to go direct, pick up scraps. Everyone understands it. So keep it simple. Be open and honest. If there's a problem in the dressing room, we have it out. I don't know how you dealt with Ronaldo Wink, but what I would have done is that I got you both in a room and said, Ray, you've got 20 minutes, doors locked, knock when you're done. Let's be frank, Ronaldo would have come out black and blue having seen what you did to Phil Barsley. but be open and honest so I don't want any no gossiping no bitching in the dressing room if you want a sesame you say it aren't open and dream big dream big why can't we go to Meadowold Premier League why can't we don't kill ambition that's what I see in the dressing room I think it's spot on I think you're disciplined like you're down with no no I think you're spot on I think that is keeping Micka Ritchie's in the job, so...

15:24Oh! I'll tell him, Meeks. I'll tell him. I'm not here to butter people up. The game has, honestly, I sit there and I sit there and watch your match at the end, I go, genuinely, Nicky, I don't know what they're talking about. So when, in Sunday League now, you're having the two centre-backs next to the goalkeeper on goal kicks or are you just pushing up and squeezing up? No! It's going up to Tom, it's a big man, and then we pick up it's about the second ball not the first then you pick up scraps nah have you seen state of our pitches in Sheffield they're like that my biggest decision is whether to shoot Darnhill or Uphill I can't be risking that so you're in the baller league now you've been managing he's the most serious I've ever heard he's become hard hitting journalists he's the only genuine one on here he's actually interested you're trying to needle me he's telling me players is eating McChicken sandwiches

16:20Kae Kurd:I'm actually really interested to get your opinion on it because you mentioned Big Meeks he's in a baller league now he's got a team there and you're managing in the baller league now how's that been for you? Well Angery Ginger's gone off to eat kangaroos balls as we know I know it's a rival but let's be frank and open he's gone off to eat kangaroos balls so who they ring? Bracknell says hello get on this will you come down and manage Angery Ginger's team as a caretaker? I says do you think I'm big Sam or something? So I says, yeah, I will. What it is, is though, they've not had a good start, so they want you to respect the fact that there's...

16:57I says, hold on a minute, you either want me or you don't. Because let's be frank, from where I'm sitting, you've got one point out of six, Ginge, so you're not calling it shots. You either want me and I do it my way. Anyway, I went down, played righty, actually. He chirped up. He cloized it last minute. I turned around to him and went, that's for 1993. He was complaining about a tackle, wasn't he? Oh, he was like this. He was not, he was like this. The kid had done that on him. He wanted to foul us as if... Do you remember that tackle on Schmeichel he put in? Yeah. Basically with GBH. He was nasty, right?

17:30He was surprised. All this lovely front he's got, he was a nasty piece of work on pitch, which I don't mind. I'm sorry, but I've got to go there. You were talking about loyalty. How can you be loyal to the Royal Oak if you're then going off to the Baller League? Baller League's Monday. I play Sundays. We trade Thursday. It's not affected. Wayne will tell you. Management is seven days a week. Cut me open, Kelly, and it'll bleed blue and black. Having said that, on that note, I've got you a present. So I don't come.

17:57Kae Kurd:This is so nice of you, Steve. Kelly, you've been going at him and he's got you a present. I've got a massive head that's never going to fit me. Oh, it went for Wayne. That's definitely not fitting, Wayne. I don't think Kelly can have that. I'll send yours in post-care. No worries, no worries. I'll send you a bundle because you're the only one that actually cares for me club with sounds of it. It's the best. That looks amazing. Back to your Everton roots with pullers. You'll pay that to Benidorm when you go back. It looks like it's in Eaton Park waiting for Wonderwall to start, doesn't it?

18:32It's lovely. Gryffle. What's Gryffle? It's not interesting, I'll be honest, but it's great. They do suspension wires. Sheffield firm. Brilliant. I've stuck to... Take the leash off your laptop with the processor that gives you long battery life. Work on the go. Jump between back-to-back calls. Stay locked in from brewing morning coffee to burning the midnight oil. Get maximum performance, even when unplugged. Finally, the freedom to move across the room or across the world is here. Snapdragon, that's how. Save big money on everything you need at Menards. Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, and it enhances the appearance of your home's exterior.

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19:48so i take it your favorite movie is the full monty we once did a sponsored strip full monty strip for club didn't raise much um my favorite film rocky we've got a video okay it's great don't worry about it we're friends uh rocky you must love rocky you love a boy of boxing don't Yeah, I love Rocky. And then Creed as well. He's done that. I've not watched Creed. To be honest, I was trying to stay loyal to Rocky. And then Tony Bell was in it, so I had to watch him. Fair enough, fair enough. He's loyal.

20:28Kae Kurd:Don't question me. I don't know why you're questioning me. I don't say. Steve, I mean, I want to bring something up, right? What is the flying system like at Royal Oak, right? Because sometimes, you know, somebody's internet's not working properly on this podcast. I've been thinking about a fine system here. So I just wanted to see what kind of... Peter went down. I want to see what kind of fine system you're employing so we can potentially use it here. What I don't want to be accused of, which I haven't passed, is being a dictator. Okay. They were called, you're like him from North Korea. I said, I'm not getting into politics.

21:01So I didn't impose one. I didn't impose one. I thought, my door's open 24-7 for anybody. For houses sometimes it has to be. Kid rocks up bladdered at half four in the morning. Got no tax money. Come in, get in. Get on the sofa. I'll Nicky won't mind. Anyway, what was the question? Fine system. Fine system. I don't want to. Back to nutrition, because this does fit in with fine system. I put Tommy on a strict diet. I said, Tommy, I need you fit. You're fat shaming. I said, Tommy, I'm not. You're my striker. I have to be concerned about mobility up top. Goes in Chip Shop to Chippy Clare. I says, Clare, has Tommy been in here?

21:37Yes, she's been in. He's been in. What's he having? Large addict, bad. Oh, she reeled it off. Incredible. He would have buffed it. I've asked her to reduce portions. And I've told Tommy, if I catch you in here again, I will introduce a fine system. So one's coming. That might seem like I ain't got any discipline on squad, but I'll treat him as adults. You've got to trust him as well, haven't you? You've got to trust him. Did Sir Alex have a fine system? He wasn't a system, it was just your fine. And there was times where he fined... What do I fine you, though, to make a dent in your wage because you were on an absolute fortune?

22:15We're taking 200 grand off you, Wayne, because you've turned up 10 minutes late. It's his head. I bet he had eyes and ears everywhere. Just like I have. You couldn't go anywhere.