I Had Trials Once...

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Crewe, Exeter, Tranmere, Leyton Orient and current Barrow defender...George Ray. The boys talk everything from unique football side hustles to representing Wales at under 21 level. They then discuss the early days coming through at Crewe Alexandre with the likes of Perry Ng before becoming one of the only players to make their professional debut at Wembley! George then openly discusses the emotional rollercoaster of being a professional footballer and how he dealt with various different managers before almost quitting the game entirely at the age of 26. Finally George talks about how he created the famous Roy Cropper parody account on twitter whilst also playing against a young Harry Kane whilst playing for Wales U21s.

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Bradford, Rotherham, Fleetwood & Portsmouth winger...Gareth Evans. The boys talk everything from being labelled a wonderkid by Sir Alex Ferguson to swapping the football league for non-league. They then discuss the early days at Bradford City, THAT viral penalty miss against Accrington & Why there is something seriously wrong with the club. Gareth then reveals his various run ins with former Rotherham manager Steve Evans and how the Stevenage manager loves a Sunday morning sausage roll & irn bru. Finally Gareth then talks about his big move to Portsmouth, Winning the league two title before eventually making his return to Bradford.

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Stockport, Barrow, Bamber Bridge & Ramsbottom winger...Daz Green. The boys talk everything from winding opposition players up on the pitch and getting into their heads to clashing with managers. They then discuss early days in football, Initial struggle at Crewe Alexandra and playing under the current England assistant manager Steve Holland. Daz reveals the pranks players would play on each other, Collapsing in training and being rushed into hospital & Finally Daz then talks about the time he had a run in with former Liverpool & Man City midfielder Dietmar Hamann during a friendly and how he once chased Carlos Tevez off the pitch trying to get his shirt after a game. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by South African cult hero and current Warrington Rylands player manager...Dean Furman. The boys talk everything from the growing up in South Africa to coming through the ranks and training with the first team at Chelsea. They then discuss Dean's international career and how he became a South African cult hero and captaining the team in the African Cup Of Nations. Dean then talks about the decision to leave Oldham and how it felt to finally win a league title with Doncaster and play in the Championship. Finally Dean reveals how he initially struggled with the switch to semi-professional football and how he became the player/manager of Warrington Rylands after another IHTO guest, Michael Clegg left for Macclesfield. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

This week there sadly isn't a video episode because Jordan is getting a trim at Legoland so instead we thought we'd treat you to a best of the best special. Featuring hilarious throwback stories our day one listeners will remember from the likes of Mike Phenix, Nicky Adams, Danny Higginbottom and more! Like when Danny Higginbottom revealed Tony Pulis used to drop his Stoke City players if it was too windy. Or the time when Stockport County manager Jim Gannon refused to do a SkySports post match interview because they hadn't come around to his house to fix his Sky TV box. And finally what it was actually like working for the class of 92 when Johnno & Bernard managed Gaz & Jordan at Salford City. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by the owner, steward, kit man, manager, scout and new non-league legend...Marc White. The boys talk everything from the creation of Dorking Wanderers and how they have risen from the 17th division to the National League. They then take a detailed dive into what it actually takes to be a football club owner and just how much money goes into funding a fifth-tier team. Marc then openly talks about Dorking's struggles this season in the National League and why he believes they will keep their record of never being relegated and survive the drop this season. Finally, Marc reveals he has officially become the joint manager of another team which he's taking a keen interest in... If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by one of the only players to score in four different decades and in the top four English leagues...Aaron Wilbraham. The boys talk everything from being Carlton Palmer's big time shouts to running through a thorn bush for Martin Allen. They then take a detailed dive into Aaron's career from scoring a debut goal for Stockport against Manchester City, Issues with Karl Robinson at MK Dons and finally reaching the Premier League...and scoring! Finally they chat about THAT goal that kept Bolton in the Championship as well as moving into management and being Steve Cotterill's earpiece. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

I Had Trials Once is back again for another episode... This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by one of the toughest non-league defenders and Chorley FC legend...Andrew Teague. The boys talk everything from being teammates with former Brighton & Chelsea manager Graham Potter to Jon Parkin's traffic tissues. They then go into detail about spending almost a decade at Chorley FC, stepping into the world of management & how loans work in Non-League. Finally they chat about picking up and recovering from freak injuries and the positive impact of Paul Ince's excellent man management. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

Another week...another I Had Trials Once episode! This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by our most requested returning guest...Gary Stopforth The boys talk everything from setting the record straight about THAT night in Clitheroe and life in football since the first podcast appearance. They then go into detail meeting Gareth Southgate, the issues with being a player-manager & the impact covid had on the football world. Finally they chat about Gary's new venture into the world of Sunday league pub football and how teams try and play out from the back. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

Another week...another I Had Trials Once episode! This week Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Wigan Athletic, Bradford City, Stockport County and current Altrincham player...Ollie Crankshaw. The boys talk everything from the best pranks in football to meeting Pep Guardiola in a lift & also what life was like at Wigan during THAT administration era! They then go into detail about life as a footballer, the impact of Covid and all of the differences between being semi-pro and professional. If you're a fan of our non-league episodes then you're in the right place!

We’re BACK with another I Had Trials Once episode! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Wigan Athletic graduate and current Warrington Rylands manager...Michael Clegg. The boys discuss everything from partying with Nicolas Anelka at his wedding to needing a life saving heart operation whilst playing for Wigan! They then go into detail about life as a non-league manager and the issues that come with it including signing Jordan on loan, His star players disappearing after winning player of the season & players missing training to butcher a cow! If you're wanting some classic non-league stories, then look no further!

We’re BACK with another I Had Trials Once episode! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bradford, Salford & Dundee manager, Gary Bowyer. The boys discuss everything from meeting the great Brian Clough for the first time to what that first time being sacked really feels like! They then go into detail about the turbulent times working for the Venkys, Karl Oyston & the class of 92 before chatting about strange superstitions and what relegation actually means for a football club.

We’re BACK with another I Had Trials Once episode and it's a belter! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former FC United, Ramsbottom, Chester and Stalybridge goalkeeper Grant Shenton. The boys discuss everything from Troy Deeney's recent sacking and how much worse gets said in non-league, as well as what life as a non-league player is actually like! They then talk bust ups with the fans, signing on fees and being the only player not to be taken to Salford City with Bernard and Johnno. If you're wanting some classic non-league stories, then look no further!

We’re BACK with the first I Had Trials Once episode of the new year! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Wales star Clayton Blackmore to go over his life before, during and after football. The boys discuss everything from why Cristiano Ronaldo is superior to Lionel Messi to what it was like seeing the class of '92 burst into the first team at Manchester United! Later in the pod they talk Paul Gascoigne and how he once destroyed Middlesbrough's brand new team bus and why Ryan Giggs was a better player than George Best!

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Jordan & Gaz are joined by two familiar faces in Nicky Adams & Tom Kennedy for an I Had Trials Once Christmas special! The boys discuss everything from footballers trying to get suspended to have more time off over Christmas to what a football team's Christmas party is actually like! Later in the pod they talk what the Christmas period is like as a footballer before going head to head in quiz with the loser having to do a forfeit!

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Blackburn Rovers & Aston Villa left back Alan Wright as they discuss everything from playing against Barcelona to playing for Fleetwood Town. Wright also talks about trying to defend against a young David Beckham and what Alan Shearer is really like off the pitch. Alan then goes into his life after football and what it's like to coach at Manchester City.

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Jordan & Gaz are joined by current FC United of Manchester manager Neil Reynolds as they discuss what playing non-league football is really like. Reynolds also speaks about the time his Clitheroe team got into a brawl on their Christmas party and how he accidentally ghosted Kelly Brook on a date. The guys also talk football superstitions and what really happened to Bobby Grant's move to FC United?

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Jordan & Gaz are joined by former Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster, Blackburn Rovers & Preston defender Tommy Spurr as they talk Joey Barton's forfeit wheel & playing against Pep's Manchester City team. The former full back also speaks about his time at Sheffield Wednesday, Dean Saunders' hitting golf balls in his office & which player he dislikes the most in football. Tommy discusses the best players he's played with, dealing with big injuries as well as what life after football looks like.

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Jordan & Gaz are reunited as they sit down with former Manchester City wonderkid Paul Marshall to discuss everything from playing for England to retiring in the 7th tier of English football. The former midfielder also talks about growing up with Micah Richards & Daniel Sturridge, Manchester City's HUGE takeover, training with Carlos Tevez, Robinho & Elano as well as being tipped to be England's next superstar. Paul also explains the struggles with almost becoming a first-team star at Manchester City before ending up in non-league football just 3 years later at the age of 22.

We’re BACK with another episode of I Had Trials Once! Watch as Gaz sits down with former Luton, Crystal Palace & Rochdale forward Calvin Andrew for an incredibly open and honest chat, covering topics from both on and off the pitch. The former attacker also talks about overcoming big injuries at an early age, winning the league with Luton and playing with former Champions League winner Edgar Davids. Calvin also explains how important honesty, respect and loyalty is in football, with a special mention for his former Crystal Palace teammate Wilfried Zaha.