Fun, friendship and football: The Tooney and Russo Show review

Since England were crowned champions in the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro final, all eyes have been on the Lionesses as women’s football continues to witness a surge in popularity. As these footballers have been catapulted into the public eye, there is not only an increase in demand for televised women’s sport but a desire to see these women beyond the pitch.

The Tooney and Russo Show sees talented footballers and well-known friends, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo in their living room-esque studio, made cosy by various memorabilia from throughout their friendship and football careers, to discuss their lives and the ins-and-outs of their friendship.

With weekly episodes, the podcast welcomes Vick Hope as its presenter. Many may fail to see the necessity for a host, but Hope has the role of mediator to ensure the podcast’s structure remains intact as Toone and Russo’s innate chemistry and inevitable chaotic banter can potentially meander from the weekly theme. Hope becomes a self-proclaimed ‘third-wheel’ within The Tooney and Russo Show adding an extra layer of professionalism whilst extending the nature of Toone and Russo’s friendship into an unexpected trio.

Listeners are able to become an insider into this iconic friendship

Each episode follows a reoccurring structure with a set theme which delves into the intricacies of the pair’s friendship, careers, childhoods and homelife. The Tooney and Russo Show prides itself in having no subject or conversation off limits. This is a strength of any podcast but especially for the nature of The Tooney and Russo Show as listeners are able to become an insider into this iconic friendship and even be a part of it, with the opportunity to ask the pair some all-important questions during its Q&A segment.

The authenticity of their friendship is placed at the forefront

One of the podcast’s main strengths is its ability to promote the significance of football in not only creating but maintaining powerful and authentic friendships both on and off the pitch. The episode ‘What Makes Tooney & Russo Best Friends?’ explores how their friendship blossomed after they met as pre-teens at an England Youth Camp and have since been inseparable. Their friendship strengthened as a result of Russo’s move to Manchester United in 2020, as their collaboration on the pitch with Toone in Midfield and Russo as a Forward displays how in-sync the pair are, as their connection exists beyond football.

Their genuine and unconditional support of one another is particularly refreshing to see given that team rivalries are so deeply entrenched in football’s history

The authenticity of their friendship is placed at the forefront of The Tooney and Russo Show, demonstrated by the pair’s camaraderie and genuine support of one another. In ‘Chaotic Napping & Matchday Beauty Regimes’, Hope congratulates Toone and Manchester United for reaching the FA Cup Final, which sees Russo applaud Toone for this accomplishment, despite them no longer playing for the same team, as Russo moved to Arsenal in the 23/24 season. When addressing the allegations that they fell out over Russo’s move to Arsenal, the pair continue to defy these rumours as Russo discusses how she navigated the move to Arsenal whilst Toone jokes about the potential of Russo replacing her. Their genuine and unconditional support of one another is particularly refreshing to see given that team rivalries are so deeply entrenched in football’s history, that it’s hard to believe friendships can exist around this.

The Tooney and Russo Show compellingly and honestly humanises these women despite their various wins and accomplishments. In the series finale, Arsenal defender and England captain Leah Williamson joins Toone, Russo, and Hope to provide inside scope into her friendship with Toone and Russo. The trio’s light-hearted banter and chemistry makes this episode an addictive listen, as listeners are able to witness an accurate depiction of life for these women in their twenties, who have an extraordinary job but still remain ‘normal’ within their everyday lives. The energy of this episode concludes the first season of The Tooney and Russo Show on a high and leaves listeners with high hopes of a second season with even more legendary football guests.

Toone and Russo’s partnership, which ignited through their passion for football, has since seen them experience life as a duo – whether it was them winning the Euro’s in 2022, completing their GCSEs together at the British Embassy in Belarus, or living together for six months. Toone and Russo are a clear example that friendships made in football can be authentic, fun and long-lasting and that’s what makes The Tooney and Russo Show such a thrill to listen to.