Not The World Cup in Brazil

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Factual: Life Stories

Sport: Football

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Not The World Cup in Brazil

Has football saved the human species? Steve Lamacq & Robin Ince kick some ideas about.

Did football skills develop with our hunter-gathering ancestors? Discover the beautiful game beyond the sick parrot with Steve Lamacq and Robin Ince.

The media is full of stories about Premiership footballers, the highest earners who command attention on and off the field.

But for most players and fans, football isn't about glamour. It's the stuff of everyday life.

Like the supporter who has seen his team play every match, home and away for 40 years and the 75-year-old who loves the game so much he ventures out in all weathers three times a week just to score a goal. These people are the beating heart and soul of football: the men and women who are often forgotten as the media keeps its focus on the top players and clubs.

6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq co-presents the programme. As a lifelong Colchester United supporter he knows only too well the hardships football can bring, a cycle that regularly breaks the hearts of its loyal band of fans. Inexpert analysis comes from the comedian and football sceptic Robin Ince. Can Steve persuade Robin that football should become part of his life?

The programme features the best from the BBC archives, including John Motson. He takes a wry look at Ample Arthur Cartwright, a player whose career was blighted by a love of palaeontology while The Likely Lads Bob and Terry spend a desperate day trying to avoid hearing the result of a game until the highlights are shown on TV later in the evening.

We follow the fortunes of a parks team and hear from the woman who regularly turned out for all male sides.

Not The World Cup In Brazil is a millionaire player and club owner free-zone and hears from the ordinary people who believe football is a sport not a balance sheet.

Producer: Stan Was

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in July 2014.

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