The Magic Roundabout
Lionel Birnie & Simon Gill 4 episodes Nov 6, 2026
Join Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill as they spend a season on the road following the fortunes of their home town team, Hemel Hempstead Town. Their adventure takes them from Farnborough to Farnham, Maidstone to Maidenhead, and Torquay to Truro as they tell stories from the terraces, the dugout, the changing room and the boardroom. The Magic Roundabout is a Peloton Podcast, with series producer Tom Whalley.
Episodes
15: The Chicken Roundabout | Episode 15 | Home and Away with The Tudors
We pick the story up on the top of a blustery Box Hill in Surrey, overlooking Dorking. Join Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill on their travels as the Magic Roundabout adventure takes them round the M25 in both directions for two consecutive away games following Hemel Hempstead Town.At Dorking they stop by some other notable roundabouts dominated by sculptures of Olympic Games cyclists and the Dorking
14: The Racing Pigeon Club | Episode 14 | Home and Away with The Tudors
In this bumper episode of The Magic Roundabout, we talk about the home of The Tudors, the Focus Community Arena at Vauxhall Road. Part of the joy of watching non-league football is visiting the grounds and seeing the quirky stands and little nods to the club's history. Hemel Hempstead Town's ground is no different – in fact it's one of the most charming and individual grounds around.We talk to ch
13: Herbert's Angels | Episode 13 | Home and Away with The Tudors
Join Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill as they make another trip over the Dartford Crossing to Kent to see Hemel Hempstead Town take on Tonbridge Angels.This week, they try to traditional terrace favourite – a scalding hot cup of Bovril, Lionel ponders building a football stand in his back garden, and Simon looks ahead to a significant birthday and a call-up to represent England...In honour of The Tud
12: Double double: The pie and mash episode | Episode 12 | Home and Away with The Tudors
In this episode, Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill head to Brooks pie and mash shop, round the corner from Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club for the pre-match meal of kings.We learn about the traditional East End meal, and the side dish of stewed or jellied eels, before Hemel Hempstead Town's eagerly-awaited clash with the title favourites.In the second half of the podcast, we head to Tuesday night
11: Football at your fingertips | Episode 11 | Home and Away with The Tudors
There was no first team game for Hemel Hempstead Town at the weekend but that doesn't mean there isn't a big match to enjoy on The Magic Roundabout.Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill headed to Woburn to meet England Subbuteo international Bob Varney to learn about the table football game that dominated our childhoods in the 1980s. After a brief demonstration and a brush up on the modern rules, Lionel a
10: A Mars a day helps Hemel win away | Episode 10 | Home and Away with The Tudors
The second half of this week's episode takes us to Slough Town, where Lionel's curse is lifted. Hemel's two debutants bag the goals to give the manager, Birchy, an early birthday present.We enjoy a celebratory Mars bar – well, it would be rude not to as it's Slough's biggest export. Simon runs through his extraordinary CV. From nearly losing an arm as a tree surgeon, to hanging his milkman's unif
9: The Ricky Gervais derby | Episode 9 | Home and Away with The Tudors
There are two instalments of The Magic Roundabout this week as we continue to follow the fortunes of Hemel Hempstead Town. This week, we're on the road to Slough Town in a match we've dubbed The Ricky Gervais derby.Why? Well, Slough was the location of the fictional paper merchants Wernham Hogg where David Brent's rein of terror as a middle manager was depicted in The Office. And Hemel Hempstead
8: The magic of the cup | Episode 8 | Home and Away with The Tudors
In this episode, Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill set themselves two challenges to mark Hemel Hempstead Town's entry into the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage. They honour that fine terrace tradition of making a tinfoil FA Cup trophy, and decide to cycle (or run) to every game on the Road to Wembley.Of course, the Gods of Football have other ideas and The Tudors find themselves on the end
7: The magical history tour | Episode 7 | Home and Away with The Tudors
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 Town
6: Is that all you take away? | Episode 6 | Home and Away with The Tudors
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 hoolig
5: The Folkestone pigeon murderer | Episode 5 | Home and Away with The Tudors
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 to
4: The 262nd tallest building in Britain | Episode 4 | Home and Away with The Tudors
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
3: On the road with the Birchams | Episode 3 | Home and Away with The Tudors
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 footb
2: 'This place was as flat as a Yorkshireman's hat a minute ago' | Episode 2 | Home and Away with The Tudors
This is The Magic Roundabout... It's the opening day of the National League South season. A pair of inflatables of King Henry the Eighth beckon us towards the Focus Community Arena for Hemel Hempstead Town's first home game, against highly fancied Chelmsford City.The sun is shining, the air crackles with excitement and the turnstiles clack to signal the start of the new campaign. Lionel's even go
1: 'You need to sign a waiver' | Episode 1 | Home and Away with The Tudors
This is The Magic Roundabout, a podcast about football, friendship and passing fifty...Home and away with The Tudors. A season on the road with Hemel Hempstead Town FC.Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill grew up two doors down from each other. As kids in the Eighties they played hours of football in the back garden, devised lengthy Subbuteo tournaments, and wore their Watford kits everywhere. In short,
Trailer: The Magic Roundabout – Home and Away with The Tudors
Welcome to The Magic Roundabout, a podcast series taking listeners on the road, and behind-the-scenes, at Hemel Hempstead Town as they complete a 46-game season in the sixth tier of English football.You may have heard Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill on The Cycling Podcast, riding to each of the Scottish League grounds in the Tour d'Écosse.Now they are going on adventure, following the fortunes of th
