There was a time, back in the mid to late noughties, that podcasts were considered niche, and even the concept needed explaining, yet Football Ramble has more than played its part in ensuring that is no longer the case.

Co-founders Luke Moore and Marcus Speller sat down with GiveMeSport recently as part of their 15-year anniversary to celebrate the show that covers everything from the sublime to the ridiculous.

“As loathed as I am to talk ourselves up, I mean, there's so many,” Marcus replied jovially when asked for his standout moment of doing the podcast. “If you interviewed Cristiano Ronaldo, would you say, ‘can you choose your best goal?’”

It didn’t take long for the quick-witted, tongue-in-cheek nature that underpins the show to shine through, but their passion and knowledge for the game is equally as evident and important.

“When England beat Colombia on penalties at Russia 2018, that was glorious because as an England fan, obviously, that was one of the most amazing moments,” said Marcus in a more serious tone. “I just never thought I'd live to see the day when England won a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup. So, that was particularly strong in terms of emotions and everything.”

And to remain as popular as ever in a market that is becoming increasingly saturated, Football Ramble have clearly stumbled upon a formula built for success.

“We've got a good chemistry, and it's a natural chemistry,” Luke insists. “So, I’ve known Marcus for a long time, we've all known each other by now for a very long time, and there's nothing forced about it. And I would also add to that, that we've known when to push forward and modernise.”

However, after 15 years and over 3000 episodes, there are bound to be a few lingering regrets. “We could have libelled a few more people,” Marcus smirked. “I think we could have had a few more court cases to give us a bit of publicity that way.”

“I regret not being first in being able to realise and call out that Matt Le Tissier is a mad conspiracy theorist,” retorted Luke, not to be outdone. “I always felt that he had something about him, but I never went big on that, and I probably should have.”

With the latest major milestone reached, the focus has already turned to what the future has to offer for fans of Football Ramble, although there may be some disappointment amongst regular listeners hoping for another decade or more of their near-daily instalments.

“In 15 years, I won't be doing it, in 10 years’ time, I probably won't be doing it,” Luke revealed. “But for now, the immediate plans are that I always try to remember what the listeners want.

“And so, it's easy when you get into the studio to just have a craic with your mates, and that's fine, but you have to always remember, there's listeners. And I think it's important to try and make sure you can always make the best that you can for them really, and I don't want us to be too chasing our tail with what's modern, but you can't be too close-minded to that either.”

Luke Moore is a co-host of The Football Ramble

The Football Ramble co-host Luke Moore

One aspect that has made the show so popular is their semi-regular predictions, with Luke even admitting he believed Andriy Voronin would be the Premier League’s top scorer upon his arrival at Liverpool.

Marcus was unwilling to make such a bold statement, though, declaring that he ‘can’t see’ any team breaking Manchester City and Liverpool’s duopoly at the top of the table.

“I can't see any team breaking that. I think third will be between Chelsea and Spurs. I think Spurs have made some good signings and Antonio Conte’s got the bit between his teeth because it wasn't that long into the job that he was just like, ‘I don't think I can do this anymore,’ but he's got over that.”

But Marcus was prepared to make a more decisive claim over which of the exciting young British managers now plying their trade in the Premier League will enjoy the most successful campaign.

“Eddie Howe because he’s got loads of money to spend,” he instantly replied, soon after disclosing that it is in fact Steven Gerrard who he's actually most “intrigued” to watch in 2022/23.

On the other hand, Luke is set to keep an eye on Steve Cooper after he successfully guided Nottingham Forest back to the top-flight following a 23-year absence.

“The one who excites me the most is Steve Cooper because we haven't seen his ceiling yet I don't think. I've been waiting for a while now because he came so close with Swansea because of what he did with England’s Under-21’s, and I've been personally really looking forward to him managing in the Premier League in some capacity.”

And Marcus was back to his typically humorous ways when asked what would qualify as a successful season for new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

“Survival.

“I think you have to see more of a cohesive plan on the pitch, and if you do see that, they should finish in the top six, and I would maybe fancy them to nick fifth,” he added.

“So, they need to have more of an identity as a team, and they need to look like they know what they’re bloody well doing. That should translate into results, but I don't think it will be enough for top four, though.”

While Luke believes progression both on and off the pitch will be needed at Old Trafford if Ten Hag wants to hold his head up high.

“Success for them is year-on-year improvement. If they can clear out all the deadwood in that squad, and there's a lot, and get in players that they need and achieve more points, I think he can literally look the fanbase in the eye at the end of the season and go, ‘look, we're on the right track.’”

Football Ramble is available every weekday on Apple, Spotify, Acast and all podcast providers.