Sadly we've had to stop making the podcast - but here is the last ever episode of The Beautiful Game, with a preview of the 2007/08 Premier League season

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/73751/beautifulgamepodcast-73751-08-06-2007.m4a

We're really sorry but work commitments mean we are no longer able to put together a show which we would be proud of, or that anyone would actually want to listen to.

We would like to thank everyone for their support over their last 18 months, especially those of you who have sent us emails, voicemails, pictures of joined our group here on myspace or facebook.

Sorry that we can no longer keep producing the show, but may you continue to enjoy the beautiful game of football wherever you are playing or watching in the world.

All the best

Chris, Alex K, Alex R and Noel

LATEST EPISODE HERE (Summer 07:1 released June 23rd)

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/67267/beautifulgamepodcast-67267-06-23-2007.m4a

In a Summer (Not So) Special Episode of TBG, hear what Arsenal fan Ian Trevett makes of THIERRY HENRY'S transfer to Barcelona.

South American football expert TIM VICKERY previews the Copa America which kicks off on Tuesday.

BBC Sport Online journalist Chris Bevan gives us the lowdown on Manchester City's summer of turmoil.

And I party with the Real Madrid fans as they celebrate their first La Liga triumph for 4 years.

Thanks for listening,

Chris

LATEST EPISODE HERE (2:38 released June 11th)

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/64997/beautifulgamepodcast-64997-06-11-2007.m4a

England get Beck to basics as McClaren's men regain focus on their Euro vision

Real are in Ruud health. Van Nistelrooy keeps Madrid on course for La Liga glory

And we celebrate football's golden oldies; the players for whom age is no barrier.

Thanks for listening

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/63895/beautifulgamepodcast-63895-06-04-2007.m4a

On this week's show...

It's a Hollywood script for LA-bound Beckham as the former England captain lives up to his billing at Wembley - but will there be a happy ending in Estonia?

We celebrate the AWOL footballers who tried to sell their clubs a dummy.

And orators or useless debaters? There are heated points of view in Defend Your Corner.

Enjoy the show.

Alex, Chris and Noel

LATEST EPISODE HERE (Episode 2:36 -Released Mon 28th May, 07)

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/62841/beautifulgamepodcast-62841-05-28-2007.m4a  

This week on The Beautiful Game

Steve McClaren mends it with Beckham. The former England captain is called on to save the coach who jettisoned him

It's Derby day as County beat West Brom to gain promotion to the Premiership

Liverpool are out of luck as Inzaghi shoulders responsibility for European champions Milan

And we reveal why Nuno Morais doesn't expect to be a Chelsea pensioner.

Thanks for listening and enjoy the show

Cheers

Chris & Noel (Alex R is in Italy and Alex K has given up :(

If you want to get in touch about anything footy please join The Beautiful Game Podcast group on facebook.com, leave us a comment on myspace.com/beautifulgamepodcast or drop us an email to beautifulgamepodcast@yahoo.co.uk. You can also leave us a voicemail. UK callers please dial: 0208 1442569, US callers please dial 606 341 2238; calls cost normal price of a phonecall.) Wherever you are in the world you can SKYPE us for free at TBGPODCAST.

England manager Steve McClaren has performed an amazing U-turn and recalled former captain David Beckham to the squad to face Brazil in a friendly on June 1st and Estonia in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier 5 days later.

Beckham's international career looked to be over when McClaren attempted to distance himself from the Sven-Goran Eriksson era by omitting the player from his first squad to face Greece last summer.

But a disastrous start to the Euro 2008 campaign coupled with some fine performances from the US-bound Beckham for Real Madrid of late has seen 'Goldenballs' return.

What do you make of McClaren's decision? Let us know your thoughts here on myspace, or on the Discussion Board on The Beautiful Game Podcast group on Facebook. We'll include the best comments in Monday's show. You can also leave us a voicemail (UK callers please dial: 0208 1442569, US callers please dial 606 341 2238; calls cost normal price of a phonecall.) Wherever you are in the world you can SKYPE us for free at TBGPODCAST.

Hi all,

As you'll hear on this week's show (TBG 2:35) I've decided to stop doing the podcast. This hasn't been an easy decision to make, although the rationale behind it is actually rather simple – the show's recorded during the day on Monday, and this is a day that I now have to work on.

When we started doing the show back in January 2006 all our schedules were the same. All four of us work at the weekend, with Monday being the day we all had free. Even if I worked on a Monday, my shift pattern still allowed me to record the show. But since I changed jobs in March I find myself working almost every Monday (my next one off is in mid-July, while the other three lads' schedules are the same).

It's almost 18 months since I came up with the idea of doing a football podcast. I'd scoured iTunes and the rest of the web for a decent show, but to no avail. I felt there must be at least a few people around the world feeling likewise so decided to ask Chris, Noel and Alex R (who joined the show a little later as he was out of the country when we began) if they fancied putting something together.

I think that what had transpired since then has been a success and hope you feel likewise. The amount of work Chris, Noel and Alex R have put it to the show is absolutely phenomenal, and I'd like to thank them all for producing a podcast of the highest quality. If our real jobs didn't get in the way I think TBG could have been even better, but I'm extremely happy with how things have turned out.

I wanted us to do a show that was a little bit different – with no ranting and swearing. I wanted it to be offbeat and irreverent, while still being informative and, occasionally, even entertaining. It's always been a hard balance to maintain, but I think the lads have done a magnificent job in getting it just right. Chris, Noel and Alex R all stamped their unique characters on the show. Their research, writing, production and presentation skills are all very different, but always of the highest quality.

I'd also like to thank my wife Angela – who can be heard at the start of each episode reminding you what you're listening to – for all her patience. It took some serious hours to get the show up and running, and she was always very understanding and supportive.

Finally, I'd like to thank all our listeners for the tremendous support you've given us. We've never made a penny from the show (indeed, we've lost a fair bit!), and it's purely the kind words and knowledgeable comments from fans all over the world that have kept us going.

It's been a brilliant experience being part of TBG and thank you so much for making it so enjoyable. Your support has helped our show (independently produced and never advertised) compete with the podcasts put together by national newspapers and global media organisations.

So wherever you are, and whoever you support, please keep enjoying The Beautiful Game

Alex K

Here's the link to our latest show.

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/61851/beautifulgamepodcast-61851-05-20-2007.m4a

We've got an exclusive interview with European Cup winner MARK LAWRENSON as he previews the Champions League final between his old club Liverpool and AC Milan.

There's a look back at Chelsea's win over Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final and it's a pooch invasion as we reveal the footballers' dogs who'll never walk alone.

Alex K also bids farewell to TBG as he decides to hang up his mic.

Our NEXT SHOW will be available in the early hours (BST) of Monday 21st May. The BBC's MARK LAWRENSON, who won the European Cup with Liverpool in 1984 and is now one of Britain's top television pundits, previews Wednesday's Champions League final between his old club and AC Milan. We'll also be looking back at Wembley's big day as Chelsea clash with Man Utd... Oh and Alex K says goodbye to TBG as he hangs up his mic and headphones. Enjoy FA Cup final day wherever you're watching. See you Monday.

Hello everyone, here's our latest show. You can also find it at the iTunes Music Store or at http://www.beautifulgamepodcast.blogspot.com

LATEST EPISODE HERE (Episode 2:34, May 14th 07)

http://media.podshow.com/media/4692/episodes/60902/beautifulgamepodcast-60902-05-14-2007.m4a

-Premier departure - Sheffield United's labour is in vain as Wigan get the vote.
-There'll be no domestic bliss at the home of football this weekend as Manchester United and Chelsea prepare for a Wembley cup final once more.
-And we reveal which footballer you should never invite to lunch.

Enjoy the show,

PS. Man City sacked Stuart Pearce and Paul Jewell quit Wigan. Selflishly they did it just hours after we recorded - so we haven't mentioned it. Sorry!!