Non-league duo cast their net far and wide in successful Grassroots Gossip podcast

Goalscoring hot-shot Westwood has teamed up with friend and non-league boss Andrew ‘Cazza’ Carrier to host the successful Grassroots Gossip Podcast.

Following one popular series the duo’s listenership is up to more than 1,000 per episode after numerous Midlands non-league legends took to their airwaves to tell unique and untold stories.

Westwood, 27, shot to prominence on the local scene a couple of years ago when he scored more than 100 goals in two seasons for Wolverhampton Sporting Community – during which he bagged five hat-tricks on the bounce. He went on to play for AFC Telford United, Stafford Rangers and Llandudno before pitching up at Sporting Khalsa.

Carrier has recently moved to Shifnal Town from Wednesfield as joint-manager.

With series two about to kick-off in style with special guest Cheyenne Dunkley – the Wolverhampton-born defender who played for Hednesford Town and Kidderminster Harriers – Westwood, whose day job is a PE teacher, explained: “It started off right at the start of this year. Every Sunday we would sit in the pub after our Sundats (Sunday League club) match and talk non-league.

“Especially Cazza, if there’s anything going on he knows. I remember on January 1 saying ‘why don’t we put mics in front of us?’

“We wanted to do something unique. Other pods have to be PC, whereas we wanted to do the gossip. We got three recorded in the bag and edited to run, but we did not know how it would go. If it didn’t do well we could have stopped then.

“Everyone we’ve asked has been a ‘yes’. Our first guest was Lee Hughes – we went around there in his living room. The next few were at mine and my girlfriend was kicking off.

“We’ve been to do one in Sutton, at my girlfriend’s dad’s house, at a gym. That’s the vibe we want. We’re amateur and it’s about gossip.

“A few people have said they can hear things in the background and that’s what we want, like being in the pub, we’re not competing with TalkSport.

“We were both nervous. We’d never done it before and you can tell on the first few episodes.

“Because it was my idea and I’m louder, I probably take over a bit too much. A lot of the knowledge is from Cazza. He has his ear to the ground on all the rumours.”

Series one guests included former Albion striker Hughes, who is at Halesowen Town, and ex-Wolves man Ashley Hemmings, who now plays for National League side AFC Fylde.

There were also shows with popular striker Kyle Perry, ex-Kidderminster boss Steve Burr, former Premier League and Hednesford Town striker Marvin Robinson, ex-Walsall midfielder Kris Taylor – who played for the Pitmen and Rushall Olympic – and Matt Clarke, a former Yeltz and Harriers star who turned to non-league management.

The shows, which run on average for an hour, have discussed Taylor’s diagnosis with cancer, the gambling charge against Clarke and every subject matter in between.

Westy and Cazza round off each podcast with a series of quickfire questions including ‘best non-league player you’ve played with?’ and ‘funniest player you’ve played with?’

Players and managers have not been the only ones in the spotlight on Grassroots Gossip, they have also interviewed an owner – Nick Hawkins, who was chairman of Nuneaton Borough – and a full-time scout.

The podcast’s Twitter page has amassed more than 1,000 followers and sparked numerous contentious debates online. They can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

“Twitter is massive for us. A lot of people ask us to come on,” Westwood added.

“People who have been called out say they want to come on and respond or suggest new guests to have on.

“We’ve got Cheyenne Dunkley from Wigan on first. He talks Hednesford Town and Kiddy. He praises Rob (Smith) and Larry (Chambers) on there too, which is good because they’ve taken a bit of a battering.

“He gave us a signed shirt from the game where he kept Aguero out against Man City in the FA Cup, when Will Grigg scored.

“We want to start competitions and give out prizes but there’s no way we’ll give that out. That will stay until we get an office for it and it can go on the wall.”

Series two of the ever-growing podcast has been sponsored by Halesowen company Ace Embroidery, while the hosts have also sorted branded kit for recording sessions.

But how far can Westy and Cazza take this pipe dream-turned reality?

“I think it’s endless. We’ve built up a great following really quickly. People say we’re going to run out of guests but I’ve got a list of 30 for the 16 next series in case some don’t come off,” Westwood added.

“I can’t see it slowing down, I’ve got a non-league referee that wants to come on, and I want to get fans, maybe Stafford Rangers and Hednesford fans.”

“I don’t know how far we can take it. I’m just enjoying the ride.”