Chai Football

Football stories don’t get more unbelievable than this. In this weeks episode of Chai Football, Joe Morrison and co-host Shurthi Nair are joined by former Premier League goalkeeper John “Budgie” Burridge for a wild, hilarious ride through some of the craziest moments in football history. From playing a professional match in a Superman costume to behind-the-scenes chaos during Champions League broadcasts, this is pure football entertainment. Packed with funny football stories, Premier League nostalgia, and untold moments from football broadcasting across India and Asia, the conversation dives into what made football coverage so engaging, big personalities, raw opinions and total unpredictability. This is the side of football you don’t usually see: the madness behind the scenes, the characters that shaped the game on TV and the moments that still go viral today.Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In this lively episode of Chai Football, hosts Joe Morrison andn Shruthi Nair, sit down with legendary coach John “Budgie” Burridge for a candid conversation about football, talent spotting, and the realities of developing players in emerging football nations. Budgie reveals how he first spotted the towering young goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, at the iconic Kolkata Derby and still the only Indian footballer to have played in the UEFA Europa League.  The conversation explores how Gurpreet’s journey could have taken him all the way to the English Premier League, and why football politics, federation decisions and structural challenges in Asian football ultimately shaped his path.Along the way, the episode dives into bigger questions about talent development in India, the importance of grassroots coaching, and what it really takes to produce global football stars. With classic Budgie humour, sharp debate about modern coaching, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of international football, this is a candid look at the opportunities and obstacles facing Indian football today. Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

One man has been India’s nemesis at International level. That man is the former Afghanistan and Hong Kong boss Ashley Westwood. 💥 In this EXPLOSIVE no holds barred episode, Joe Morrison and Shruthi Nair sit down with football coach Ashley Westwood as he tells them about what really happened during his interview for the India National Team job! Ashley expresses his brutally honest opinion on Khalid Jamil’s tenure as head coach plus his secret to beating India both with Afghanistan and Hong Kong. He also explains how to build a football club from scratch and what he has planned next in the game. And finally Ashley identifies the three most pressing issues in Indian Football and what his solutions are.Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

This week on Chai Football, Joe Morrison sits down with rising Indian sports reporter Manas Gera, who earned a golden ticket to cover El Clásico in Spain - the iconic showdown between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF. From navigating high-pressure media zones and matchday accreditation to chasing atmosphere through the streets before kickoff, this episode pulls back the curtain on what football journalism in Europe really looks like. Manas shares the shock of Europe’s football intensity, the speed of elite match coverage, and the craft of turning stadium noise, cold night air, and fan emotion into stories that travel from Barcelona to living rooms around the world. It’s part football travelogue, part sports media masterclass, and a rare inside look at how major La Liga broadcasts and digital football content are actually made. If you’re into La Liga, football media, matchday storytelling, behind-the-scenes sports reporting, or the magic of Barcelona vs Real Madrid on matchday, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

This week on Chai Football, Joe Morrison and Manas Gera break down the truth behind Lionel Messi’s headline-grabbing India tour! From Kolkata crowd chaos and Argentina fan fever to the behind-the-scenes reality of appearance fees, sports event security and how major football appearances can unravel in seconds. Beyond the controversy, we ask the bigger question: what actually grows football in India? We compare superstar meet-and-greets with real grassroots football development - coaching, academies, and youth pathways - and why brief training-ground sessions in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad may matter more than any stadium spectacle. With moments involving Sunil Chhetri and lifelong Messi fans, this episode explores football legacy, the business of global sports tours and the future of Indian football.Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

This week Joe Morrison speaks to former Newcastle United player and now employee Peter Ramage about his time at Kerala Blasters. The differences in playing Premier League to ISL and what is needed for an India player to play abroad. Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

On this week's episode of Chai Football Joe Morrison and Ranjit Bajaj present workable solutions to the Indian Football ecosystem. What Japan football has done and why the partnership with Saudi Football is a major issue. Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In this week's episode Joe discusses with Ranjit Bajaj the awful state of Indian Football referees and how to fix the problem. And no VAR is not their answer!Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

on this weeks episode Afghanistan captain Zohib Islam Amiri announces to Joe Morrison his retirement from football and the reasons behind his decisions, plus he picks out the highs and lows his 20 year career.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In part two of our chat with Manas Dubey, he tells us about the struggle finding a club and climbing the goalkeeping ladder again.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In part one of this week's episode goalkeeper Manas Dubey, talks about playing in the hardest position on a football field. Plus Odisha's new signing reveals how tough it is chasing the dream of playing in Europe.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

This week Joe talks to Ashish Negi on his battle to fly the flag for football in India plus why Khel Now's watch along is soooo popular. Oh and Joe quizzes Ashish on those controversial player rankings! Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

On this week's episode Joe Morrison discusses the greatest and most historic derby match in Asia. When John Burridge almost fell to his death, how fan fury resulted in an assault and when Carlton Palmer refused to get on a flight! This is an EXPLOSIVE episode not to be missed.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

Captain of the Afghanistan Football Team Zohib Islam Amiri shares incredible insights into how they beat India. The high risk flights strategy, Ashley Westwood meeting the Taliban, celebrations in Kabul and how a flight was made to wait for a National HeroSend us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In this episode Joe Morrison tells us why India lost and where the REAL problem lies. Shruthi Nair receives a punishment and the truth behind senior players and their influence. Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

Minerva Academy and Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj tells Joe Morrison why Indian Football is in such a bad state plus they discuss why TV broadcast could determine whether Indian Football lives or dies. Joe tells us about an offer he received 15 years ago which has relevance even today.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In this episode of Chai Football Joe Morrison and Shruthi Nair discuss threats against school football talent plus they decide if Trevor Sinclair is a good or bad appointment as assistant to Igor Stimac. Also in this episode how a football hero can do the job of AIFF, AFC and FIFA all in one go! Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In this episode the Chai Football team answer audience questions. A shocked Joe Morrison discovers he has been speaking Hindi his entire life! Is India's franchise model the way forward? How Indian Football let down Jeje Lalpekhlua. Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

From Chandigarh via Oslo to Bengaluru, India's most capped goalkeeper and the first Indian to play in UEFA competition walks Joe and Shruthi through his journey to the top. From hiding in his apartment to avoid a club official to be slapped in the face by a coach all amidst the pressure of knowing any mistake results in a goal.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In an era of celebrity promotion of sport, why does the game of football in India continue to promote cricket? Confused? Joe Morrison explains why there needs to be a reset of how public figures in India champion the beautiful game. Is this the biggest rant yet?Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

Imagine being a promising young Dutch footballer and having your World torn apart by the tragic death of your mother. Former Kerala Blasters and North East United coach Eelco Schattorie joins Shruthi and Joe to talk about his coaching journey and the current state of Indian football, as well as the problems with being bald.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

India were knocked out of the Asian Cup 2024 without scoring a goal of taking a point. So what are the reasons that the National Team underperformed and who is to blame? Which players can play at Asian Level and who is just not up to the standards required for this competition? In this episode Shruthi Nair grills Joe Morrison for his answers to these questions. Oh and apparently the best single Malt Whisky in the World comes from India, Joe and Shruthi debate the merits of this.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio

In recent years the tiny country of Wales with a population of only 3 milion has shocked many in the football World by reaching the World Cup finals in Qatar as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Euros in 2016. So how can this small nation make it to the biggest show on earth but India can't? Today on the show former Wrexham, Swansea and Wales international full back Neil Taylor reveals the blueprint for Welsh success. He also discusses his Indian family and summers spent in Kolkata as a child.Send us a text Send us Fan MailProduction Credits:Presented by: Joe Morrison & Manas GeraStudio Engineer & Editor: Manny PeñamoraExecutive Producers: Joe Morrison and Ian CarlessProduced by: W4 Podcast Studio