

The Hard Truth - Inside the Football Industry with Darragh MacAnthony
Darragh MacAnthony
Having bought a professional football club Peterborough United aged 29 and been in the game for nearly 15 years Darragh shares his opinions on all things football as well as business discussion in this weekly podcast.
Brutally honest, direct opinion and insight of what happens behind the scenes, not in the public eye in the frantically busy and ever-changing world of football.
Hence the name of the podcast being “The Hard Truth”
Brutally honest, direct opinion and insight of what happens behind the scenes, not in the public eye in the frantically busy and ever-changing world of football.
Hence the name of the podcast being “The Hard Truth”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2026 • 43min
S06 E20: Pride in Defeat
A podcast after 2 defeats but Phil is feeling more positive than Darragh after Bradford's brave show against Cardiff. Posh's rise up the table is halted but Darragh is eager to see the response... but he's far less eager to see Oliver Glasner get his way in his saga at Crystal Palace!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh are bullied by Plymouth- Bradford take pride in defeat- Why you shouldn't write off a loan player- Thoughts on Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace- and much more!

Jan 8, 2026 • 58min
S06 E19: This time next year...!
The busy Christmas period is done and dusted with some good results for Posh and Bradford... and lots to be encouraged about - but will 2026 be a big year or are we waiting until 2027?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Darragh looks back at a busy Christmas- What can Posh do next season?! - Bradford begin the chase of Lincoln!- Darragh's thoughts on Chelsea & Man United sacking managers- and much more!

Dec 24, 2025 • 51min
S06 E18: Don't Get Carried Away!
It's Christmas Eve and there's plenty of reasons to get in the festive spirit for Darragh has Posh win 3 in a row, Phil is cautiously optimistic about Bradford and they also do a rundown of the latest goings on in the EFL!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh have a productive December on the pitch!- How Luke Williams has impressed Darragh- Bradford stall but are still in the top 3- What Darragh thought of the Mo Salah saga- and much more!

Dec 4, 2025 • 44min
S06 E17: A Week is a Long Time in Football!
Football fans know that a week is a long time in the sport... so just imagine how football club owners feel?! Posh lose 3 in a row and their defence of the EFL Trophy ends at Swindon. Darragh MacAnthony is here when they win and is ready for another episode despite the defeats.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- - - - - and much more!

Nov 26, 2025 • 53min
S06 E16: Do Liverpool Need To Change?
With Posh winning again and Bradford sat in 2nd, Darragh turns his attention to Liverpool and their problems on the pitch... is it time for a change and does Arne Slot need to think of a plan b?Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh beat top of the table Stockport!- Bradford draw at Bolton with 5k away fans!- Liverpool lose again... what needs to change?- Update on the proposal for a more sustainable League One!- and much more!

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 23min
S06 E15: Darragh's Right of Reply! 🗣 | Darragh vs Up The Poshcast!
After months of going back and forth at each other the time has FINALLY come for Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Peterborough fan podcast 'Up The Poshcast' to join up on The Hard Truth and have a debate about the last few years on and off the pitch... could any football supporter have done what Darragh has at Posh? - And are Ashley, Charlie and John just 'gob******' like Darragh claims?!Strap yourself in for an explosive episode! 🤯Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Has Darragh gone 'soft'?- Have the last 10 years been successful for Peterborough?- Darragh defends Barry Fry!- Where is Posh's natural place in the football pyramid?- and much more!

Nov 12, 2025 • 46min
S06 E14: The 'Bizarre' League One!
Posh beat top 6 Wimbledon 5-0 and Bradford lose their home record against Burton... it's just another chaotic weekend in League One! Darragh & Phil go through the leagues and dissect how things stand going into the international break.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh hit 5 against Play-Off chasing Wimbledon- Is Phil worried about Bradford's form?- 'Bad' Liverpool lose at Man City- Where are clubs at with their January transfer window moves?- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

Nov 5, 2025 • 59min
S06 E13: A Fresh Start!
Posh appoint Luke Williams as their new manager and kick off with a win in the FA Cup, Bradford controversially fall in Round 1 and are Liverpool back?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh hire Luke Williams- Darragh hits back at 'other' podcasts- A rogue whistle costs Bradford in the cup- Do lower league clubs take out player insurance?- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

Oct 27, 2025 • 50min
S06 E12: Sacking managers and the future of the EFL!
Darragh and Phil are joined by Reading owner Rob Couhig to discuss a weekend where both Darragh and Rob sacked their managers... but also share plans of how EFL League One see the future of English football.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh and Reading make a change in the dugout- Why the time came to sack Darren Ferguson- The future of the EFL- Why the EFL should follow a US sport model- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

Oct 22, 2025 • 57min
S06 E11: Looking for that eureka performance!
Posh win at Burton but are they sacrificing being the entertainers for 3 points? Bradford are the new entertainers with a 2-2 draw v Barnsley and it's Liverpool who ruin Darragh's day with a defeat to Manchester United.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Ange is out but was the Forest owner right?- Posh win... but what about the performance?- Bradford get an entertaining draw against Barnsley!- Darragh's thoughts on Liverpool's poor form!- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'


