In our third episode, we're diving once again into the world of non-league football!

We chat about Skelmersdale United FC's ups and downs as they face tough times, while Southport FC appear to be enjoying a bit of good fortune, sneaking into the playoff positions in the National League North.

At the other end of the table, Radcliffe and Marine are still finding their footing after last season's impressive promotions.

Blyth Spartan's had a rough week, but with some exciting changes in ownership on the horizon, there could be brighter days ahead at Croft Park!

No such good news for Walsall Wood FC, as they had to resign from the Northern Premier Midlands League due to ownership issues.

We also discuss Farsley Celtic. Due to under-surface ground issues, they have been forced into playing their home games some 1 hour 40 minutes away at Buxton - what a commute!

We're thrilled to have Steve Hobson, the vice chairman of Ashton United, as our special guest. He shares his experiences with his current club and his role within the FA and also recalls his time as Chairman of Rossendale United, and the heartbreaking events leading up to the club going out of business.

And we can't forget the refereeing side of things. We touch on the recent sacking of former Skem boss Paul McNally at COL, and give you an NWCFL roundup. It's a packed episode you won't want to miss!

We are Speaking Frankly!

In the second episode of The Speaking Frankly Football Show, Frank Hughes & AJ Vergette examine Skelmersdale United and its determination to rise from the bottom of the NWCFL Division One North.

Their special guest is Richard Brodie, former manager of Skelmersdale United and current leader at Glossop NE. He shares insights on his club's journey and his ambitious vision for the future.

They explore the stories of Radcliffe FC, Blyth Spartans and Bamber Bridge, discussing the challenges and triumphs of stepping up and thriving in competitive football.

Together, they reflect on all the local results in the NWCFL and predict the scores for this coming weekend.

They are Speaking Frankly.

Welcome to:

"The Speaking Frankly About Football Show."

Frank Hughes & AJ Vergette will be talking about non-league football in the north-west as well as covering topics on a wider footballing spectrum. We'll be discussing controversial topics that make us all tear our hair out and at the same time, we will be searching for all the answers as well.

In today's episode we will be talking to the Skelmersdale United Manager, Tommy Lawson, and will be asking him what it's like to be back at the club his heart never left.

We are speaking frankly.

Carl Eaton - The Sequel.  We talk to Carl once again as he attempts to explain why he's set himself the biggest challenge of his life.

Not that life isn't difficult enough for this amazing human being as it is.  Born with Spina Bifida, a right leg amputee and wheelchair bound, this man mountain doesn't understand the word...limitiations.

In this episode we also talk about mental health, and what life is like for someone that faces many challenges in his life due to his disability. 

On episode 5, Gordon Johnson & Mark Hayes join me with my star guest Pascal Chimbonda.

Gordon Johnson is a former referee, who is now Vice Chairman of Skelmersdale United Football Club.  Mark Hayes is the former Chairman of Ashton Town & Pilkington FC and now Sporting Director at FC St Helens.

Pascal Chimonda needs no introduction.  The former Premier League footballer is now the manager of Skelmersdale United FC.

Along the way he discusses how he left his homeland of Guadeloupe to seek fame and fortune, first in France before his big move to Wigan Athletic.  And how he ended up taking up his first managerial role in the 9th tier of the football pyramid.

Carl Eaton is the founder & manager of Skelmersdale Men-Aces, a football team for young men with a range of disabilities.

Carl's story is a truly inspirational one. Born with Spina Bifida and later becoming a right leg amputee, he refused to allow his disability to define him as a human being.  Instead he decided to help others to achieve their own personal dreams.

When he started the Men-Aces 14-years ago, they used jumpers for goalposts and begged borrowed and improvised until they eventaully found their feet. 

With the help of his wife Mim, they went out into the local community to raise funds. With hard work and perseverance  they quickly became a fully established club within the town.

Not satisfied with that great achievement alone, Carl went on to raise more money through a range of madcap ideas, including abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower on Portsmouth's historic waterfront, to the "Great Escape," where dressed as a pair of convicts, him and his able bodied friend Peter set off in two wheelchairs without a penny piece between them, with the aim of blagging their way from Skelmersdale to Lands' End and if that wasn't bad enough, they had to do the same thing coming back.

As a result of all those escapades, Carl has managed to raise over £100,000 for good causes.  That's not gone unnoticed either, because along the way he's been rewarded with the "Freedom of the Borough of West Lancashire' and received the "Queens Award" at Buckingham Palace!

What a man!

Mark Hayes is the former Chairman of Ashton Town & Pilkington FC.

His career in non-league football has spanned over 15-years, with many highs and lows, but he's always been a happy-go-lucky kind of person.

He credits football for getting him through some of the toughest periods of his life, and it's with that kind of mindset that he's managed to achieve great success, both on and off the field.

Mark is a truly inspirational person, who's given back to society more than he's ever received.

Today's guest is the former AFC Liverpool Manager Matt Potter.  Matt took the club to its highest ever finish in its 15-year history.  That didn't go unnoticed at Skelmersdale United FC, and as such he was recenly appointed as their new manager.