ambition-is-critical

The boys are joined this week by former Swansea City centre half Chris Todd and talk about Chris starting off as a striker, getting a trial at Manchester United as a teenager, the huge influence of his parents growing up and going missing in Ibiza as a 16 year old. Chris talks about the old school mentality in the Swans changing room, Tony Petty sacking players, making his Swans debut at the Vetch and his shock at being released. Chris talks about moving to Exeter because of ex-Swans Chairman...

The boys are joined by old friend and BKFC legend James Lilley and talk about his wild time fighting in Marbella, meeting Conor McGregor and trying to get a fight on King of the Streets during Covid. James talks about his upcoming UK title fight with Gary Fox, changing his diet to make the 145ln Featherweight limit, finding sparring while working away and getting a helicopter to watch Liverpool at Anfield. The boys talk about the recent boxing drama, Chinese AI, Tourette’s at the BAFTA’s, Jos...

The boys are joined by Mark Evans who is Head of International Affairs at the FAW and Vice Chairman of Merthyr Town FC. Mark talks about the strong social side of supporting Merthyr, weird grudges with English teams, beating Atalanta in arguably the greatest European trophy upset ever, starting the fanzine “Dial M for Merthyr” and Merthyr Tydfil going into liquidation and the rebirth of Merthyr Town. Mark talks about becoming involved in the FAW set up by accident, Gary Speed changing the who...

The boys are back for 2026 and welcome back old friend Lee Trundle and he talks about his new found love for boxing, training with Enzo Maccarinelli and having 2 fights in quick succession. The boys talk about playing football in the house when you were kids, frustrations with the modern game, Ben Davies amazing career and what Christmas is like in the Trundle household. Lee talks about playing in the Ballers league, having a FaceTime with Snoop Dogg, winning the World Cup with England Vets, ...

The lads are back and are joined by Saul Wilks of Welsh independent fashion label Creu Clothing. Saul talks about seeing boys at his hometown club wearing his jackets, how Newport went bust in 1988 and then came back to rise up back into the football league and Huw Jenkins as Newport Chairman. The boys discuss the importance of clothing and football as a youth culture, Saul’s journey into DJ’ing and playing Glastonbury, New York nightclubs and the boys go down a UFO rabbit hole plus much much...

The boys are back and talk about the changes to the prostitution game in Swansea since Covid, working in the cold this time of year, Lord Mountbatten being a massive wrong un and Bill Gates creating mosquitos to deliver vaccines. The lads talk about being sober at a gig, Wales World Cup qualifying scenario, the opening of The Swansea Jack, Beaujolais Day and AJ potentially ending Jake Paul’s life plus much much more….. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

The boys are joined by Jordan Langley fresh off his stint on Dating Naked UK and he talks about becoming a main cast member on season 2 after travelling to Columbia as a reserve on season 1, the process of getting onto the show, dropping in some killer chat up lines and meeting his girlfriend Nina. Jordan talks about playing football in the Welsh league, injuring his ACL while playing in America, travelling the world and moving to Australia to work in the mines. The boys discuss Benidorm boun...

The boys are joined by one of Swansea City’s most recognisable faces George Phillips and talk about the closure of clothes shops in city centres, breaking into the Mayors house to play tennis as a kid, Quentin Tarantino being overrated and early memories of going to The Vetch. George talks about travelling to buy clothes in the 80’s, gigging in dirty venues, running Woodys in Swansea, going to prison for trouble at the football and throwing a karaoke machine through a pub window pus much much...

The boys are joined by Swansea City legend John Cornforth and he talks about being the 1st player to ever get sued for a tackle that led to an injury, playing for Sunderland as a teenager, the “Super John” song and getting told he was moving to the Swans while on holiday in Ibiza. John talks about the atmosphere at the WBA playoff off game, his dislike for modern football, Frank Burrows meltdowns, borrowing the Directors lounge at the Vetch and winning the Autoglass trophy at Wembley. John ta...

The boys are joined by Llanelli AFC Manager and Welsh football veteran Lee John and talk about his journey through grassroots football to the Welsh league, the FAW pushing for full time football in Wales, receiving media trading while doing his A License and the magic of Stebonheath Park. Lee talks about the financing at the Welsh league standard, the amazing benefits of “Wyscout” in preparation for games, making his decision to retire from football to start coaching, stepping into commentary...

The lads are back at AiC HQ and Paddy has had a fork up his arse and Ryan has nearly had the sack from work but they talk Cardiffs relegation from the Championship, Lee Trundle trolling Cardiff fans on social media and Alan Sheehans appointment as manager. The boys talk Wrexhams continued rise through the leagues, was this the worst Premier league season of all time and DAZN/Saudi Arabia absolute shenanigans over the World Club Cup and Ryan’s somehow managed to score an own goal past his son....

The boys are joined by Swansea music scene pioneer Jordan McGuire and talk about Katy Perry going into space, Jordan giving up his day job, the changing face of Swansea City centre and managing to secure The Bunkhouse as a music venue forever. The lads talk Swansea market, the Swansea Arena House party, Jordan talks about the importance of advanced ticket sales for gigs, the origins of becoming a Swansea City football lad, the Lemon Factory, Lovely Town festival, being Tour Manager for Pastel...

The boys are joined by Author and Sports Writer David Brayley and talk about David taking the big step out of full time employment to purse a career as an author, being best mates with Tony Cottey, the rise and fall of Toshack’s Swans, Glenn Hoddle’s genius and Rothman year books. David talks about the process of getting his 1st book written and published, how he came to write Ashley Williams autobiography, spending a year teaching literacy through sports, winning “Children’s Sports Book of t...

The lads are joined by former Leicester and Swansea City player Paul Reid and discuss the Swansea arm of the Aston Villa supporters club, getting sent off in a charity game, the forgotten jobs of the boot boys and Robbie James being class. Reidy talks about the drinking culture in football, signing for Neil Warnock 3 times, putting fish heads in Andy Booths kit bag, signing for the Swans and staying in the city, finding retirement from football difficult and the current Swansea City woes plus...

The boys are joined by old friends Nigel and Pancho from San Portablo and talk about going to the bar in Malta where Oliver Reed died, the San Portablo shop being a hub for creativity, missing the old days of having shopping experiences, organising a pop up shop in Swansea and the potential of fire eaters. The lads discuss the Welsh national teams fine form since Craig Bellamy took over, Brombil reservoir, the death of the steel works, corruption in politics, the very first San Portablo film ...

The boys are back and are talking shagging parcels, celebrity ages, Ring doorbells, the scrap men and Ryan becoming Rockspur 2nd team manager. The lads discuss being drunk playing football, the amazing “4 Kings” documentary, twins have different sized penis and Demi Moore being 64 and naked plus much much more…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

The boys are back on their own and talk about Ryan’s comeback to competitive football after a 14 year hiatus, the art of defending and the Man City kit man. Paddy has been on a long weekend in Malta to watch Liam Gallagher and friends. Chubb rub, The Blossoms and Frank Gallagher all get a mention. The lads discuss Liam Gallagher’s We,blew performance, Huw Edwards, Rockspur/Penlan, AJ/Dubois, Connor McGregor, Wiseguy and the Mr McMahon docu-series plus much much more…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 o...

The boys are back fresh from seeing Liam Gallagher in Cardiff and talk about not crossing a certain level of drunk at a gig, the Euros are about to start, Paddy’s done Poppers with Jason Orange and Ryan’s gone Gyros crazy in Chippy lane. The lads discuss the quality of Wayne Rooney, the Channel 4 dispatches documentary “Killzone Gaza”, Jeffery Sachs incredible podcast with Tucker Carlson and Jenny from Forest Gump being a whore plus much much more….. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram ...

The boys are joined again by Nigel and Pancho from San Portablo and talk about Brian Flynn, Leighton James, the current state of play at Port Talbot Town football club and the upcoming In It Together Festival. The boys talk about the continued growth of San Portablo, skate cultures effect on fashion, Nike Air Max, the AiC x San Portablo colab, Wales not qualifying for the Euros and the effect the Port Talbot Steelworks situation as not just here but nationwide plus much much more….. @ambition...

The lads are joined by former Newport County defender Jay Foulston fresh off winning the National League South with Yeovil Town. The boys talk about Jay signing for Swans academy at a very young age and the heartache of being released at 11 years old, getting a 2nd chance at a pro career at Newport and becoming the 3rd youngest player in their history to play a pro game. The boys talk about Merthyr’s constant roadworks only being their because of Flannels, Jay talks about how Covid effected h...

The boys are joined by local businessman and racing horse owner Salvo Gianni and discuss his parents moving to Wales from Italy, the effect that Maradona had at Napoli, the importance of manners and respect, dealing with family death and Salvo being crowned “Britain’s Best Boss”. Salvo talks about his near death experience and spending 3 months in a coma, having a dream of owning a race horse, having a horse win the Irish Grand National, the tough life of a jockey, the change in the Cheltenha...

The lads are back and realise they still love football, only to realise they don’t 2 minutes later. The boys discuss Baby Reindeer, Robert F Kennedy Jr, UFO’s and Chemtrails. Ryan’s somehow lucked himself into the opening night of Cafe Mambo in Ibiza, Paddy has been bitten by a German Shephard, Google Maps is great, UFC 300 was even better and the Saints/Rockspur Championship winning party has started and there’s much much more…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twi...

The lads are joined by Swansea City Under 21 Coach Anthony Wright in an AiC that is over 6 years in the making. Anthony talks about the U21 schedule, the player well-being app, fast tracking players through age groups and Paddy has never forgiven Anthony for ousting him out the Bishop Vaughan football team. Anthony talks about being scouted by Liverpool as a kid, playing in the same team as some famous Liverpool names, catching trains on his own at 14 years of age, making his pro debut for Ox...

The boys are joined by Twin Town director Kevin Allen and discuss the origins of Ambition is Critical, Kevin growing up as the child of a Submarine Engineer, moving to London at 17 and working in theatre with Danny Boyle. Kevin talks about travelling with England football hooligans at Italia 90, hiding in the jungle while loving in Singapore, pig farming in Ireland, driving Mini cabs in London, interviewing Pele in Japan and turning down the opportunity to direct Elf plus much much more…. @am...

The lads are joined by Swansea City’s Head of Media Sophie Davies and discuss her rise through the club, travelling with Swansea City Ladies, how being authentic is important, hosting the Welsh Cup draw, being hands on with creating documentaries and sharing in an Uber with Michael Laudrup. Sophie discusses meeting her football idols, the Swans new signings, hanging around with Lee Trundle, players she’s grown close with leaving the club, being involved with Soccer Aid, her love for fashion a...

The lads are joined by former Head of Coaching at Swansea City Jonny Grey and talk about how it’s been a long time coming for Jonny’s appearance on AiC, signing a special contract with the Swans as a youngster, Jan Molby being a top drinker and a top player and Oli McBurnie being a top lad. Jonny talks about his basic ethos to help develop players, how there should be a statue of Roberto Martinez outside the stadium, his wild days with the AiC boys in Royal Mail and saying farewell to the Swa...

The boys are joined by Swansea City legend Nathan Dyer and discuss growing up in Trowbridge, the need to protect young players, being mates with Gareth Bale, training on Christmas Day and getting tapped up by Roberto Martinez. Nathan talks about the lost art of wing play, his partnership with Angel Rangel, the huge range of emotions felt playing and winning the Playoff Final and winning Supporters Player of the Year. Nathan talks about the differences between the Premier league and the Champi...

The boys are back after a couple of busy weeks. Port Tennant has a new One Stop shop and Paddy is concerned that he’s already banned, Ryan has been to Old Trafford and the lads discuss the Munich Memorial. It’s been 10 years since the Swans EFL Cup win and the lads talk about the documentary released about it, Tillie has turned 18 and Paddy has had a weekend in the big smoke while Ryan has his 1st ever Theatre experience watching the amazing “Sorter”. James Lilley is set for a title fight, Li...

The boys are back and are joined by legendary Welsh singer Mal Pope and discuss his love for football as a kid, the changing face of Swansea over the years, sending a tape to John Peel when he was 12 and Elton John ringing his house. Mal talks about studying at Cambridge University, taking over Rob Brydon’s radio show, touring with Art Garfunkel, writing musicals and of course singing the theme tune for Fireman Sam plus much much more…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast...

The boys are back are back with Jack Jones from Trampolene after the pre-Christmas podcast got cancelled twice due to sickness. Jack talks about voice loss, celebrating 5 years of Poundland with a gig at The Bunkhouse, opening Swansea Arena, playing at the World Cup fan park and being shit on Soccer AM. Jack discusses the bands upcoming tour in 2023, choosing set lists, his love of MMA and drinking rum with Serge from Kasabian plus much much more in this marathon return…. @ambitioniscritcal19...

The lads are joined by Nigel and Pancho from clothing label San Portablo and discuss Nigel’s “Dizzy Angel” clothing shop in the 90’s, Terrace culture and clothes and San Portablo wanting to pioneer Welsh fashion. Pancho talks about the skate scene and the origins of Dirty Sanchez, playing Bangkok Roulette, getting branded in Arizona, nearly drowning with the Marines, being in a Nike advert with Wayne Rooney and Howard Marks teaching English to Biggie Smalls. The boys discuss the origins of Sa...

The boys are back with Rhys Herbert as he prepares to go to Qatar with Wales for the World Cup. Is he Technical Director of Football, Head of Team Operations or just the ball boy? As per usual AiC makes a mess of things as the lads talk Swans beating Cardiff, rules and regs for travelling to the World Cup and Saudi Arabia’s mirrored city. Rhys talks about coaching in the US, travelling helping him get the job with Wales, Paddy’s hoping for a Royal Mail strike on the day of Wales games and Rya...

The boys are going back Lockdown style over the phone as Paddy is In Trecco Bay ready to go and watch Pete-loaf. Ryan’s on the Aldi Red Wine and the boys discuss over competitive Germans playing water polo, why you don’t open Karaoke with Sweet Caroline and Jeffery Dahmer was a bit of an oddball. The lads talk Tsunami’s, Ashley Williams scrapping at the kids football, the AiC reverse psychology firing the Swans up the table and being the biggest chancers in the history of Podcasting…..again, ...

The lads are back for Season 6 after an extended lay off, both with explanations as to why Season 5 ended so abruptly and the lay off was extended. The lads discuss tipping, how you don’t want your food delivered on a bicycle, getting Hot Dogs while watching Top Gun Maverick and Paddy is banned from McDonald’s again. The boys talk about Little Elvis smashing Greece, why haven’t football boots got better over the years, the Great Reset is happening, the Queen has died, the Swans are garbage an...

The lads are joined by Oliver Treviso and discuss him having Ticks pulled out of his ass by a stranger, banana farming in Australia, living in a cave and experiencing Covid while in Morocco. Oli talks doing absolutely no planning for the original Trevs Trek, camping in haunted woods, the importance of personal hygiene and random acts of kindness from strangers. The boys have been to Knebworth, commentated at the Liberty Stadium, seen Alice Cooper in the arena, Wales are in the World Cup and P...

The boys are back with another instalment of Ask AiC where all manner are questions are fired at the boys…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

The boys are joined by a pioneer of the skateboard scene Paul “Skin” Phillips and discuss him being ground zero of the skateboard scene in Swansea, playing football with Dean Saunders, starting out in Photography and how sending photos to skate magazines took him from the dole to a six figure salary. Paul talks about having around 700,000 photos in his house, being in the hood in LA, having his very own Adidas trainer and finding out Snoop Dogg has his very own Blunt roller plus much much mor...

The boys are joined by ex-Swans midfielder Shaun Macdonald and discuss his move into property, how having kids changed his outlook on football, pressure put on youngsters in the game and his time in Swans development. Shaun talks about making his debut for his hometown team, becoming Wales record cap holder at Under 21 level and Gareth Bales ability. Shaun talks about understanding his place in a squad, his 1st permanent move away from home, Eddie How being a perfectionist, promotion to the P...

The boys are back after an extended Christmas lay off. The boys played football together for the 1st time in years, the Darts was massive over the Yuletide period and Paddy’s been caught pissing in a lane. Ryan’s finally watched the fantastic “I Believe in Miracles”, Paddy’s saving Christmas by dressing up as Santa while Ryan has ignored any charity by buying him self an outrageous car. The Time Square Killer is a complete lunatic, Balenciaga are having everyone’s pants down and Tillie ...

The boys are joined by one of the original Swansea terrace casuals Kevin “Newt” White and discuss starting going to watch the Swans, being at ground zero for the casual culture scene, travelling to Shepard’s Bush to get clothes and big away days with the Swans. Kev talks about travelling to watch Hatton/Mayweather, football hooligans becoming public enemy number 1, getting arrested in Panathanikos and getting flattened by his goat plus much much more…… @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram ...

The boys are joined by Trampolene front man Jack Jones and talk about him being 2 years sober, being a decent footballer as a kid, growing up in the same neck of the woods as Ryan and moving to London. Jack talks about his love for poetry, watching Artic Monkeys play the Olympic stadium on his own, being best mates with Pete Doherty, supporting Liam Gallagher and Crohn’s disease plus much much more….. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

The boys are back for Season 5 and have been up to all sorts during their break. Speedy Gonzales has been cancelled, Jack Shore is flying in the UFC, Ryan has been above his level of peasantry by going to Celtic Manor and Paddy has snuck his daughter on stage with Todd Terry. The boys have broken into the football commentary game, Paddy spent a wild evening in a toilet, Ryan’s unimpressed with the Swans start to the season, Swansea has 2 Bare Knuckle boxing Champions and Paddy gives his verdi...

The boys have finally reached the end of season 4 and Ryan has some exciting work news and Paddy has been hanging about with Big John Fury. Port Tennant has got a flasher, the Olympics is becoming a bit of a farce and the lads finally discuss the Euro’s. Steve Cooper has left the Swans and Ryan predicts a rough season ahead, Paddy has talked himself into another huge MC’ing gig and the boys run down the whole of season 4 of AiC plus much more…. @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAi...

On the eve of the Euro 2021 competition the boys boys are joined by Jack Carter to discuss Wales hopes for the tournament. The lads discuss the 1st Euro’s they ever watched, the potential of Chris Coleman as Swans manager, the German mentality, there’s political instability in the Eastside and Michel Platini is a dodgy bloke. Paddy and Jack discuss their Euro 2016 experiences, Glastonbury memories, the current Welsh squad and Jack remembers the “Megabus incident” and going to watch Jay Harris...

The lads are joined by Luke Powell from Instagrams fasting growing clothes resale site SA4 Lockup and talk about the beginning of their mutual love of fashion, Ryan and Paddy’s crash course in smashing in store cards in the late 90’s, Luke’s displeasure at fake clothes sellers and sneaking into the Swans training ground as a kid. The boys discuss the history of Stone Island, Luke describes how he’s building an Instagram business, buying Holy Grail jackets, getting healthy and Oli McBurn...

The lads are back and are still recovering from the super session that occurred before, during and after Swans loss to Cardiff. It’s been a year since the 1st lockdown, Kim Jong il was hell of a boy but sadly Michael Jackson is a complete nonce. The boys talk HBO’s Legendary Nights, Francis Ngannou is the scariest man alive, Pastels new track gets on Soccer AM and a certain Podcast Princess makes the boys proud plus much much more.... @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast o...

The boys are joined by Bristol Rovers defender Mark Little and former Swan Kurtis March as they discuss starting Swansea’s newest football academy, how Covid has effected their plans and fears of a number of kids losing interest in the game during this period. The lads discuss getting scouted as kids, Mark talks about Glenn Hoddle and Kurtis about Michael Laudrup. The boys discuss scrapping U23’s, getting used to dealing with pushy parents and Mark describes his rough time not getting paid by...

The boys are back in the room and completely taking a chance by letting the Twitter followers choose the name of this Podcast. Paddy has bumped into to a former owner of Barons, Ryan describes breaking multiple Taxi laws, left foot braking isn’t to be attempted ever and Travellers have taken over The Secrets car park. A busy Karen actually called Karen has grassed up a car wash, Mr Potato Head is a bloke, Pele has a dodgy goal record and Neil Warnock turns out to be a nice bloke plus much muc...

The boys are back and are joined by former Swansea and Wales star Jazz Richards and discuss the mental pressures of football, Jazz’s love for the game of football growing up and making a move from Centre midfield to Right back. Jazz talks about his love for Chris Coleman, playing for Wales at Euro 2016, sitting in Ian Holloway’s car listening to music and Chico Flores monkey plus much much more..... @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

The lads are back for 2021 and are joined by one of the most well travelled football coaches about Ashleigh Hopkins as he talks about doing work experience with Alan Curtis, living in Cheltenham race course and meeting Andy Bell from Erasure in Argentina. Ash discusses coaching all over the world, being Manager of Wales Walking football team, the COVID situation in Singapore and Dai Thomas hitting Mark Aizelwood with a rolled up sock plus much much more.... @ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram...