Comedian Joe Wilkinson will find out if he really can have a professional footballer as a mate, in a new podcast with Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford.
My Mate’s a Footballer is a 20-part series and will be available on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live from today.
Life-long Gillingham fan, Wilkinson, will see in the weekly 30 minute episodes what challenges Bamford faces and what it takes to play the game at the highest level.
“I am delighted to be taking part in this exciting new BBC Sounds podcast, I had my first taste of podcasts during lockdown and I feel like it’s a great way to get closer to football fans and give some insight into what goes on behind closed doors at clubs,” said Bamford.
“Joe and I have started well, he is well on the way to becoming a good mate – but let’s see how things go over the next few months!’
Wilkinson added: “I’m very excited about taking on the challenge of making a professional footballer my best friend. I can already feel Patrick warming to me.”
“It’s fantastic to have added another footballing podcast to our portfolio,” stated Stevie Middleton, Commissioning Executive, BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Not only will audiences be able to hear from a top flight striker Patrick Bamford about what goes on behind the scenes at a football club, but Joe Wilkinson will be asking the questions you’ve always wanted to know the answers to, as well as the ones that probably haven’t even crossed your mind. This series will make you laugh and will pull back the curtain on some of the more mundane realities of being a professional footballer.”
