The Magic Roundabout

Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill take a trip down memory lane with a walking tour of their home town, Hemel Hempstead.
On the way, they learn about the history of the football club, the post-war new town development, Geoffrey Jellicoe's urban vision for the 20th century that barely lasted 50 years, and the last highwayman to be hanged in England... We talk to the co-editor of the book series Crap Towns about Hemel's inclusion and ask what makes a crap town.
On the football front, it's been a busy time behind the scenes at the Focus Community Arena with several arrivals and departures. Manager Lee Bircham fills us in on the loanee from Swansea City who is living in the chairman's annexe at the bottom of his garden, and the moment the striker Remaye Campbell's head was turned by the opportunity to play full-time football.
The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill is a Peloton Podcasts Production. This episode was edited by Tom Whalley.

It's been another busy week following The Tudors home and away for Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill.
In this episode, they headed to Ebbsfleet United to join 20 other loyal, passionate and noisy Hemel Hempstead Town fans.
Join them on the journey as they take the gaffer, Lee Bircham, to the game. On the way they discuss Wolf Hall, Queens Park Rangers and Birchy's role as an extra in the football hooligan film Green Street.
We also speak to Birchy's brother, Marc about Hemel – the Miami of Hertfordshire.
This episode was produced by Huw Owen for Peloton Podcasts.

A busy bank holiday weekend for Hemel Hempstead Town sees two games in three games, starting with Weston-super-Mare at home.
Then it's a day trip to Kent to face Folkestone Invicta and the first chance for Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill to get on the road together this season.
There's a football ground taste test, inspired by Footy Scran, a brush with the Folkestone pigeon murderer, and a cultural tour of the seaside town.
Also, Simon has got a terrace song from the Tudors faithful!
Episode 5 of The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill was produced by Tom Whalley for Peloton Podcasts.

Five days can be a long time in football. From the disappointment of the first defeat of the season on Tuesday night to the euphoria of an injury-time winner at Salisbury, The Tudors experienced both ends of the spectrum this week.
In this episode of The Magic Roundabout, Simon and Lionel collect their new advertising hoarding from the printers and find a place to put it up at Hemel Hempstead Town's ground. Let's hope it leaves a stronger impression on Tudors fans than the Fuji pitchside adverts at successive World Cups left on Lionel's memory.
Then they go on a mini tour of Hemel to investigate the significance of the town's tallest building (the 262nd tallest in Britain, apparently) and explore the connections to photography and film industry.
From there, it's a visit to Salisbury, home of the 123-metre tall cathedral spire, and a devastating event that rocked the city's sense of security in 2018.
Episode 4 of The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill was produced by Tom Whalley for Peloton Podcasts.

It’s Hemel Hempstead Town’s first away game of the season and, with Lionel on holiday, Simon Gill is flying solo.
Perhaps that’s appropriate because the destination is Farnborough, home of the famous air show.
Simon picks up the gaffer, Lee Bircham, and his younger brother Marc (who is still a terrace hero at QPR) for a memorable road trip.
On the way to Hampshire, they talk about anything but football - the eclipse and whether aliens have visited the earth… on the way home they discuss Hemel’s most striking landmark, the old Kodak building, and the rights and wrongs of ordering a curry from the Chinese takeaway.
In the middle of all that there’s the first away match and three well-earned points.
This episode of The Magic Roundabout is presented by Simon Gill. The producer is Jon Moonie for Peloton Podcasts.