Three Sided Football

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Three-sided Football

Documentaries

Factual

Sport

The Haunted Apparatus

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Three-sided Football

Ian McMillan presents the story of a baffling game with three sides and only three rules.

4 Extra Debut. Can Ian McMillan make sense of a version of football in which three sides take part at the same time on one pitch? From 2016.

All over the world people are getting together to play a game that seems quite baffling.

It's a version of football in which three sides take part at the same time on one pitch.
 
The invention of the Danish artist Asger Jorn, a member of the 1960's Situationist group, the game now has its own monthly league matches in London. 

Ian McMillan is tempted to become a fan - but can he get his head round it?
 
Three-sided football was initially a metaphor for a better version of society. Nobody tried playing it for real until the 1990's. Now the game has given rise to the most philosophical, least corporate football league in the UK - and it has staged its first World Cup. 
 
In this action packed programme, Ian meets some of Britain's best teams, including Philosophy Football FC, the Deptford Three-Sided Football Club , the Strategic Optimists FC, Aesthetico Athletico, the New Cross Irregulars and the London-based Polish side, Hussaria.
 
From a distance, Ian thinks it looks like a normal kickabout in the park. But when he gets closer and tries to work out what on earth is going on, he discovers a bewildering twist on the beautiful game. 

Imagine a hexagonal pitch, with three goal-mouths, around which three teams of five players are not deliberately attempting to score, but trying to avoid conceding goals by forming temporary defensive alliances with one or other opposing team.
 
Producer: Bob Dickinson 
 
A Pennine production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2016.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Three-sided Football

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4