115 minutes. That is what BBC Radio Scotland's Off the Ball served up on 6 June 2026, with comedian and presenter Grant Stott and football writer JJ Bull joining the programme as guests for what the show itself cheerfully bills as "the most petty and ill-informed football show on radio."
What is Off the Ball?
For the uninitiated, Off the Ball is a long-running Saturday institution on BBC Radio Scotland. It leans heavily on wit, irreverence and a willingness to treat football as a source of comedy as much as serious analysis. The self-deprecating tagline is part of the brand — listeners tune in precisely because the show does not take itself too seriously, even when the football it covers absolutely does.
The 6 June episode (available on BBC Sounds for 29 days from broadcast) clocks in at just under two hours, which by radio standards is a substantial commitment. Guest slots on Off the Ball tend to mix football chat with broader banter, and both Stott — a well-known Edinburgh-based entertainer — and Bull, a respected football journalist, fit that format comfortably.
Why does this matter for football fans?
Podcast and radio listening figures for football content have climbed steadily in recent years, and shows like Off the Ball occupy a distinct corner of that market. Where most football audio goes long on tactics and transfer gossip, this programme carves out space for the kind of conversation that happens in the pub rather than the press box. That is not a criticism — it is the point.
JJ Bull's presence is worth noting for fans who follow football media closely. Bull has built a reputation for sharp, considered football writing, so hearing him in a looser, more conversational setting offers a different side of his analysis. Grant Stott, meanwhile, brings the kind of sharp comic timing that stops a two-hour radio programme from dragging.
How to listen
The episode is available on BBC Sounds now. Listeners outside the UK should note that BBC podcast access via BBC.com or the BBC App may be required depending on location — the broadcaster advises checking the app for the most reliable access to Radio Scotland content abroad.
With the episode sitting on the platform for 29 days, there is no rush — but given the show's track record, it is the sort of thing best consumed sooner rather than later before the football conversation it references dates itself. At nearly two hours, it is solid long-run or commute listening for anyone who wants their football served with a side of self-aware nonsense.
- Programme: Off the Ball
- Station: BBC Radio Scotland
- Broadcast date: 6 June 2026
- Duration: 115 minutes
- Guests: Grant Stott, JJ Bull
- Available on: BBC Sounds (29 days)
Frequently asked
- What is Off the Ball on BBC Radio Scotland?
- Off the Ball is a long-running BBC Radio Scotland football programme known for its humour and irreverence. It describes itself as 'the most petty and ill-informed football show on radio' and mixes football chat with comedy.
- Where can I listen to Off the Ball?
- The show is available on BBC Sounds. Episodes are typically available for 29 days after broadcast. Listeners outside the UK may need to use the BBC App or BBC.com for access.
- Who are Grant Stott and JJ Bull?
- Grant Stott is an Edinburgh-based entertainer and presenter. JJ Bull is a football writer. Both appeared as guests on the 6 June 2026 episode of Off the Ball on BBC Radio Scotland.