SoccerPod
The soccerPod hosts long-form, heart to heart interviews with past legends of the game of soccer. There is a massive market for soccer in the United States today, but it wasn’t always this way. We go back in time and talk to legends from the prior era, whose stories are not well known in the United States. We talk about playing with no shin guards, the apparent impossibility of a straight red card and smoking cigarettes at halftime. We talk about the legendary games they were a part of, the goals they scored and the trophies that they won. But we also explore the time and culture in which our guests grew up – whether it was, as a kid - seeing the Berlin Wall go up in their backyard, or going to sleep to the sounds of IRA bombs in 1980’s Belfast. From childhood through their professional careers, on to where they are today – our guests’ have all had interesting rides – and we explore them here.
For those who love it, the beautiful game connects us all. So relax, kick back and if you are into soccer talk with a nod towards nostalgia – or you just want to hear some fascinating stories that will make you laugh - give us a go.
SoccerPod
Gary Mabbutt
Gary Mabbutt is a real legend of that historic club – Tottenham Hotspur of North London – but Gary was quite lucky to get that far as he nearly died as a boy while at his youth club.
He did not die of course, but was diagnosed with what was then a pretty unknown condition - that of type 1 diabetes – he was told by the doctor that his football career was over and he would have to take a lot of precautions and master his diet moving forward just to insure his life would not be cut short.
He was 17 and his world was shattered, but given his nature he didn’t give up and with his father, he did what any stubborn teenage boy would do - he went looking for another doctor.
It took 4 tries, but he found one that walked him through the care he had to take, explained to him the nature of blood sugar and insulin, and all the ins/outs of living with this condition – his pregame meal, his post game meal, his sleep and of course, what to do in case of emergency.
He would go on to play nearly 500 times for Tottenham, over the course of 16 seasons – 11 as captain. He played with or against the likes of: Enzo Scifo, Dennis Bergkamp, Paul Gascoigne, Jurgen Klinsmann and Johan Cruyff.
As an aside, the other three doctors that recommended retirement all spoke to Gary over the years – congratulated him on his success, marveled at what he was able to accomplish with his disease - and further that his career would provide a blueprint for all the diabetics that would came after him, something that Gary is very proud of.
He is a true legend of White Hart Lane, an inspiration for those that share his ailment and a gentleman above all.
Gary Mabbutt - EP 23
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