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 and Simon staged a rematch of their last Subbuteo game.

And for one of them, a 1-0 victory meant the end of 40 years of hurt...

If you think Subbuteo can't work in audio, think again!

We also look ahead to Saturday's big clash with Dagenham and Redbridge, managed by Hemel's old boss Lee Allinson. Finally we explain the links between Hemel Hempstead and King Henry the Eighth and explain why he features on the club's badge.

And we explore an even more tenuous link between Hemel Hempstead Town FC and Strictly Come Dancing...

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 uniform on the depot gate with a Star Wars-themed resignation note after just three shifts; spilling strawberry sauce on a bride's gown while attempting silver service to wheeling the recently deceased to the hospital morgue, Simon's done it all.

We also talk to strength and conditioning coach Caitlin about her upcoming Windsor half-marathon.

This episode of The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill was produced by Tom Whalley for Peloton Podcasts.

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 Old Town is where the exterior shots of Gervais's Netflix series After Life were filmed. In that, Gervais played a local newspaper reporter in the internet age.

So, as they make their way to Arbour Park for the match, Lionel and Simon discuss their own careers and respective routes into the sports media. Lionel's journey began with a school work experience placement at the Hemel Hempstead Gazette and progressed to the Watford Observer, Cycling Weekly, the Sunday Times and finally the creation of The Cycling Podcast. Meanwhile, Simon took a more circuitous route via a range of eclectic jobs.

This episode of The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill was produced by Tom Whalley for Peloton Podcasts. Tune in for the second half now...