The Pledgeball Podcast

The World Cup Fan Guide Special

The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest tournament in football history. But what does that actually mean for the travelling fans on the ground? In this special episode, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna sit down with Ashley Brown from the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) and Madeleine Orr, Assistant Professor of Sport Ecology at the University of Toronto and author of Warming Up. Together, they cut through the gloss to look at the brutal realities awaiting supporters heading to North America. From the vast distances and the impossibility of a flight-free tournament, to the extreme heat and logistical hurdles that will define the fan experience, this is the essential guide to understanding what it will truly take to follow your team in 2026. The team were also joined by TalkSPORT's very own Shebahn Aherne who has an exciting update to share, as well as informing you how you could win a ticket to the end of season FSA Awards. Make your nature-friendly pledge and back your club today at pledgeball.org.

Ep 5: The season finale, lessons learned & looking back with Laurence McKenna

This week, we are shaking things up for the season finale. Host Katie Cross turns the microphone on her usual co-host, Laurence McKenna, to explore the man behind the mic. Why does sustainability matter to him? What initially drove him to join the Pledgeball project? Laurence opens up about his personal connection to the cause and what he has taken away from his time in the studio. Together, Katie and Laurence also take a trip down memory lane, looking back at the incredible roster of guests they have spoken to this season. From the realities of fast fashion to elite-level club strategy, they break down their biggest learnings and the key takeaways from every single conversation. Plus: Broadcaster Ben Haines drops into the studio to deliver the final, highly anticipated Pledgeball League table update of the season. The battle at the summit has been fierce. Tune in to find out exactly how your club is getting on. Make a pledge for your club: https://pledgeball.org [https://pledgeball.org]

Ep 4: Sustainability at the elite level & The Red Way with Rishi Jain

This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna explore what sustainability looks like at the very top of the footballing pyramid. How does a global institution like Liverpool FC translate climate action into a strategy that reaches millions of fans worldwide? We are joined by Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool, to discuss the responsibilities and opportunities that come with elite-level sport. We take a deep dive into The Red Way, the club’s comprehensive framework for people, planet, and communities and how they are integrating sustainability into the heart of their operations.  Of course, no discussion with Liverpool around sustainability would be complete without a discussion about their famous the Office inspired 'Let's Save the Planet! Team Meeting' viral sketch.  In this episode, we cover: * The Power of the Global Game: How a Premier League club leverages its platform to inspire fan action across the world. * Inside The Red Way: The practicalities of managing environmental impact at an elite club, from stadium operations to global travel. * Leading by Example: Why authenticity is key when a club of Liverpool's scale speaks out on the climate crisis and how 'that' famous Team Meeting became a viral sensation. Plus: Legendary commentator Conor McNamara joins us for an update on the Pledgeball League table. There has been a seismic shift at the summit this week... tune in to hear if your club is part of the shake-up and how you can help them climb the standings.

Ep 3: The un-dying shirt, fast fashion & inclusivity with Joana Czutkowna and Julia Cove-Smith

This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna unpick the fabric of the modern game. Literally. We all love copping our club's latest shirt, but have you ever stopped to consider what your kit is actually made of? We are joined by two pioneers in sustainable sportswear: Joana Czutkowna, CEO of 5THREAD, and Julia Cove-Smith, founder of Eleven as One. Together, they discuss the intersection of circular fashion, waste, and inclusivity in sport. We dive into Joana’s fascinating research on textile waste (including the "buried shirt" experiment) and Julia’s mission to rethink football apparel for women, focusing on fit, access, and creating a genuine sense of belonging in the game. In this episode, we cover: * Why circularity should be the future for sports brands. * How ill-fitting kit excludes women from the sport and drives a "throwaway" culture. * Why polyester shirts are essentially wearable plastic bottles that never decompose. Plus: Broadcasting heavyweight Lynsey Hooper drops into the studio to give us the latest update on the Pledgeball League table. It is tight at the top, so tune in to hear which fanbase is currently leading the charge and who needs to step up. Make a nature-friendly pledge for your club at https://pledgeball.org [https://pledgeball.org]

Ep 2: Taking on Fossil Fuels from the Dressing Room with David Wheeler

We are continuing the series with a player who refused to just "stick to sports." Join hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna as they sit down with former Exeter City, QPR and Wycombe Wanderers star David Wheeler to discuss what it’s like to fight for the climate from inside the professional game. From uncomfortable conversations in the dressing room to challenging the industry's sponsorship choices, David opens up about his career spent advocating for a greener future. We chat about where his passion stems from, the challenges of being a vocal advocate in a high-pressure environment, and what he wants to see change in the beautiful game going forward. Also in this episode: * Henry Winter drops in to deliver the latest update on the Pledgeball League table - find out if the title race has shifted. * Why football needs to break its ties with fossil fuels to truly protect where we play. * Listen until the end to find out how you can win a ticket to the prestigious FSA Awards at the end of the season. Ready to make a difference? Make a pledge for your club today at Pledgeball.org and help Protect Where We Play.