The Socially Distant Sports Bar

Seve: Pint Size 13.06.2026 14min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from 187: I Think She Could Believe Her Luck (Pt 1)🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FIFA World Cup Special (pt 2) 11.06.2026 36min

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them.This week, it’s a FIFA World Cup Special — a deep dive into the moments, players and chaos that make the tournament what it is.Yes, we’ve gone slightly SEO‑friendly this week — so you’ll see names like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kylian Mbappé, alongside phrases like World Cup highlights and iconic football matches — but once you’re in, it’s the usual mix of niche clips, big stories and sideways conversations.Steff chooses Foul Play - Sport, Spies and Family Secrets  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896803199?i=1000769870330 - a podcast documentary series asking whether the CIA poisoned the England World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It takes in Fidel Castro, JFK, The Scorpions and Peter Bonetti. Alongside that, Elis introduces Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage — a book about professional cycling, doping and truth in sport. Although not about football, it prompts a broader conversation about integrity, pressure and how sporting achievements are judged and remembered.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Ride-Behind-Wheel-Cyclist/dp/0224080172 🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FIFA World Cup Special (pt 1) 09.06.2026 1t 11min

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside producer Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them.This week, it’s a FIFA World Cup Special — a deep dive into the moments, players and chaos that make the tournament what it is.Yes, we’ve gone for a slightly SEO‑friendly title — which is why this description also includes names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Pelé, Zinedine Zidane, Kylian Mbappé and terms like World Cup goals, World Cup highlights, greatest World Cup moments… but once you’re in, it’s the usual mix of niche clips, big stories and sideways conversations about whether Mike could be a 13th Century entertainer...🎧 PART 1The lads look at the experience of getting to games at this year's tournament before diving into World Cup nostalgia.Mike on the realities of travelling to matches:https://share.google/d9wFWdgwmAZK50WE1https://share.google/HtzictWOpgMjjtzglElis revisits Roberto Baggio at Italia ’90:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnKZ1M1anU&ra=mhttps://youtu.be/9hp1cl5Igig?si=6vmzaPJKViL0vmRpSteff looks at the England squad announcement and it's cultural impact:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2umUvkWzzxw🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob Harris: Pint Size 06.06.2026 12min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod.This week the broadcasting legend Bob Harris announced he is leaving BBC Radio 2.Bob was a guest on the podcast in 2024, so we’ve dug out our favourite bit of Bob.This is from 223: Bob HarrisGet Well Soon Bob xx🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roy Big‑Castle (pt 2) 04.06.2026 34min

 The Socially Distant Sports Bar, with Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero.Elis is best known as co‑host of Elis James & John Robins on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, while Mike is a television writer and star of Mammoth, bringing his own grounded, funny perspective on sport and life. Together, they offer a conversational, humorous take on sport that doesn’t rely on expertise — just curiosity and strong opinions.The discussion is driven by a documentary exploring football in Senegal, made by a former professional footballer turned filmmaker, offering an insider’s perspective on the structure, passion and challenges of the game in a different football culture.This is paired with a book choice — Gunslinger by Jeff Pearlman — which examines the life and career of NFL quarterback Brett Favre. It’s a portrait of a hugely talented but deeply flawed sporting figure, prompting discussion about legacy, personality and how sporting greatness is remembered.Inside Senegalese Footballhttps://youtu.be/Xb6MiBrzNaQ?si=BjkgJIbfrq9ei9hYGunslinger by Jeff Pearlmanhttps://amzn.to/3PLVwQB 🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roy Big‑Castle (pt 1) 02.06.2026 56min

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is a comedy podcast hosted by Elis James (Elis James & John Robins) and Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), alongside Steff Garrero — offering a funny, curious take on sport, culture and the stories that surround them. You don’t need to love sport — or even understand it — to enjoy it.For early, ad‑free listening and bonus content, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Young Aaron Raihttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeqDfMs4Pw/?igsh=MWVraGU5bXgwOWQ2bw==Mary Tyler Moorehttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbYabtDtxJ/?igsh=ZnkycmhveW96cmg%3DStewardshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DYPq_qBNpMD/?igsh=MWpienB6cXVlNTM5cg==🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anger: Pint Size 30.05.2026 6min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from “The Argus? No Offence But, The Argus? Not Even The Echo?” 🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David O'Doherty (pt 2) 28.05.2026 38min

Irish comedian, writer and podcaster David O’Doherty joins The Socially Distant Sports Bar this week — bringing his trademark mix of sharp comedy, surreal storytelling and genuine sporting obsession. Known for his live shows, books and appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, David also brings a deep love of cycling, Irish sport and the kind of niche sporting moments this podcast thrives on.David's podcast with Max Rushden, What Did You Do Yesterday? is a favourite of the Distant Pod team.Across this episode, David joins Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero for a wide‑ranging conversation, split across three parts.🎧 PART 1David looks back on his rugby playing days, growing up in Ireland during the eras of Euro 88 and Italia 90, and how attitudes to GAA and other sports shaped his early experience of sport.That leads into the sporting moment that has stayed with him — Stephen Roche’s extraordinary ride on La Plagne in the 1987 Tour de France.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04&t=174s🎧 PART 2From there, things take a more surreal turn — including a brilliant comedy sketch about cricket and why sport can often feel completely baffling from the outside.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYrue4oXCboPlus a standout long‑form interview recommendation featuring Paul Kimmage:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-2011-david-do-49807937👉 Want Part 3?🎧 PART 3 (BONUS — SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)David brings what he believes might be the greatest sporting clip ever:👉 The Castletown Donkey Derbyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtVm8z28e4You’ll need to subscribe (Apple or Patreon) to hear it in full — and it’s worth it.🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David O'Doherty (pt 1) 26.05.2026 36min

Irish comedian, writer and podcaster David O’Doherty joins The Socially Distant Sports Bar this week — bringing his trademark mix of sharp comedy, surreal storytelling and genuine sporting obsession. David's podcast with Max Rushden, What Did You Do Yesterday? is a favourite of the Distant Pod team.Known for his live shows, books and appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, David also brings a deep love of cycling, Irish sport and the kind of niche sporting moments this podcast thrives on. Across this episode, David joins Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero for a wide‑ranging conversation, split across three parts.🎧 PART 1David looks back on his rugby playing days, growing up in Ireland during the eras of Euro 88 and Italia 90, and how attitudes to GAA and other sports shaped his early experience of sport.That leads into the sporting moment that has stayed with him — Stephen Roche’s extraordinary ride on La Plagne in the 1987 Tour de France.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04&t=174s🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keysey: Pint Size 23.05.2026 15min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from “Adam Hurrey” 🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back To Basics (pt 2) 21.05.2026 27min

👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts for Part 3 bonus content.Part 2 of The Socially Distant Sports Bar, where the conversation turns to the stories behind sport.Join Elis James and Mike Bubbins as they deep dive into sports.This week, the focus is on cycling legend Eddy Merckx, using a classic documentary as a starting point, alongside a book exploring participation and inclusion in sport.As ever, you don’t need to have seen or read anything — the discussion goes where it goes.PART 2 Elis Documentary: Eddy Merckx: The Greatest Show on Earth (1975) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Oqs__6rfk9c&t=2208s&ra=mSteff Book: Breaking The Grass Ceiling by Patricia Gregoryhttps://amzn.to/4d0ZmOC 🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back To Basics (pt 1) 19.05.2026 1t 2min

Elis James (Elis James & John Robins), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Steff Garrero bring you another episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar — sport, stories and whatever else comes up.PART 1 The usual mix of catch‑up and clips — from early 90s nostalgia to gymnastics for all and things that just make no sense.Elis: Old Scores 1991https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYAglNyorvk/?igsh=bTRtZGRldHZ6bnY5Mike: Preston at The Riddell Warehousehttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DXaUpSfDxOl/?igsh=bGptMHI1YW02OGd3Steff: Love Thishttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DUdfAczjgTv/?igsh=MTJvZXR6Y3JqamxzZA==👉 For early, ad‑free listening and bonus content, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Magic… It’s Your Job: Pint Size 16.05.2026 13min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from “His Guts Split Open And It Was The King Of Spades”🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LIVE at the Hackney Empire (Pt 2) 14.05.2026 48min

Elis James (Elis James & John Robins), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Steff Garrero bring you a LIVE episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar, recorded at the iconic Hackney Empire in London in front of an audience.This is Distant Pod on stage — bigger, louder and slightly more chaotic.PART 2Mike: Tom Cillo, 58https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KWtuPBS5J/?mibextid=wwXIfrSteff: Bradford on Avon RFChttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DWddeCSCF-D/?igsh=MTJoa2Yzbnc3MGtieQ==Elis: Too Fasthttps://www.instagram.com/p/B5BNNbGAysx/?igsh=aGhueWx2d3loNjNi👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts for the Part 3 Q&A.🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LIVE at the Hackney Empire (Pt 1) 12.05.2026 50min

Elis James (Elis James & John Robins), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Steff Garrero bring you a LIVE episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar, recorded at the iconic Hackney Empire in London in front of a "packed" audience.This is Distant Pod on stage — bigger, louder and slightly more chaotic.PART 1The first half of the live show, as the lads ease into proceedings before things inevitably escalate.Elis: Robot Warshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DWW_DmXiI_z/?igsh=MWZ4ZDVpcm5xNGx3OQ%3D%3DMike: Actors can’t throwhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DWjvy9YibzB/?igsh=MTFxYXhpN2VnY3RoOQ==Steff: March Madnesshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DWjWd0LjoVh/?igsh=MWh5aWN1NTNvdGw3Yw==👉 For early, ad‑free listening and the live Q&A, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Wallace: Pint Size 09.05.2026 7min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from “Danny Wallace”🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steaming Cocks (pt 2) 07.05.2026 43min

Elis James (Elis James & John Robins), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and producer Steff Garrero return for another episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar. 👉 For early, ad‑free listening and bonus content, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Part 2 slows things down — slightly — for a classic Sports Bar deeper dive.PART 2 Mike Documentary: Ivor AllchurchA look at the “Golden Boy of Welsh Football” — a Swansea and Newcastle legend who represented Wales at the 1958 World Cup.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxyTRf8qTJgElis Book / Reading: Phil Stead’s SubstackThoughtful sports writing and football culture essays, recommended by Elis.https://philstead.substack.com/🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steaming Cocks (pt 1) 05.05.2026 1t 8min

Elis James (Elis James & John Robins), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and producer Steff Garrero return for another episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar — where sport, culture and conversational cul‑de‑sacs collide.👉 For early, ad‑free listening and bonus content, subscribe on Apple Podcasts.PART 1The lads catch up on the week before wandering into a discussion that starts with sport and ends somewhere deep inside a Carry On film.Mike and Elis take in an England cricketer having a go at Major League Baseball, Elis continues his fascination with cockles, and things slowly spiral from there.Mike: Hockey at 81https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWOnZwHjV4V/?igsh=MTF6OGx3aXV4czNmZQ==Elis: Jon Welsh lives every prop’s dream — very brieflyhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DXCgqWxhgTI/?igsh=aW03eWM1cXh1MHl5Steff: Harry Brook tries his hand at baseballhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tleXz33ilb4🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GloboPod: Pint Size 02.05.2026 10min

Welcome to Pint-Sized Distant Pod. We’ve been back through our archive of episodes and picked out some of our favourite stories, anecdotes, and funny bits.If you’re new to the pod, these are a perfect way to dip your toe in and then dive back into the full episodes from our early days.This is from “Sugared Alpen”🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heseltine’s Mace (pt 2) 30.04.2026 36min

Elis James, Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero return with another episode of The Socially Distant Sports Bar — a podcast that uses sport to talk about life, culture, history and whatever else comes up.Part 2 of this week’s episode — a documentary and a book used mainly as springboards for stories and digressions.PART 2 Steff Documentary: Carts of DarknessA cult documentary following people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, who race shopping carts down steep hills while collecting bottles — blending danger, humour and a deeply human look at life on the edge of society.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-f_J6hV-gMike Book: Gypsy Jem Mace by Jeremy PoolmanA boxing biography Mike chose on the podcast over a year ago — and still hasn’t finished reading.https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/gypsy-jem-mace-book-jeremy-poolman-9780233002255🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERTWe’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.