It’s the end of history as the Football League as we knew it entered its final season before some of its biggest cubs would gallop off over the horizon and into the warm embrace of the Premier League. What a season it turned out to be too, a War of the Roses raging between Leeds and Manchester United at the top of the First Division. Liverpool have one last hurrah in the FA Cup but the seeds of gloom are sown in some transfer market misadventures. Elsewhere, it’s a glorious season for domestic leagues across Europe, but big money will soon put a stop to that.

Has Pep Guardiola’s incredible success imposed a tactical orthodoxy on the English game that sees too many teams trying to play the same way? Do we need a bit more originality, a little more of Jurgen Klopp’s chaos theory? Rob Fletcher and Dave Bowler look into the state of the game.

1990/91: where we went from Gazzamania after the World Cup to manic Gazza in the FA Cup final; where Arsenal’s near invincibles sent Liverpool to unravel; where a Mark Hughes strike set Manchester United on the way to Cup Winners’ Cup glory. For all this and more, join Rob Fletcher as he guides Steven Scragg and Alex Ireland through the season.

Gary Thacker continues to talk to the team about who they support. Why, best and worst moments, favourite players and those they’d like to forget plus the nuclear question: could you ever support anyone else? Rob Fletcher talks about life as a Middlesbrough fan in exile.

Is the expansion and commercialisation of club football harming the spirit of the international game? Rob Fletcher, Aidan Williams and Gary Thacker look at the future for international football, ask where it lies within our affections, and ask the eternal question: why does the national stadium have to be in London?

A final hurrah for Liverpool, a surprising challenge from Villa Park that earns Graham Taylor the England job, Rangers march on under Graeme Souness while stealing the signature of Mo Johnston from under Celtic’s nose, the outcome of the Taylor Report: the 1990s splutters into life, trying to create its own atmosphere.

It's been 50 years since Admiral took the football world by storm with the first of their range of kits that have become icons, from Leeds  to West Ham,  Coventry to Queen’s Park,  Spurs to Saudi and  the NASL to Hearts. There’s a magnificent new book out to celebrate half a century of reinventing football fashion. Theo Hamburger and John Devlin join Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler to revel in some of the most remarkable kits ever to adorn a monolithic centre-half.

A number of the game’s top players have said they are being worked into the ground and have threatened strike action if something isn’t done about it. Are they right, or are they really carrying as heavy a workload as they suggest? Is it a top four issue only? Is it actually their demands for bigger and bigger salaries that is the main driver of the expanding fixture list?

It’s the Doctor Who episode of our ongoing trawl through the footballing decades as, following his masterful hosting of the 70s and 80s series, Steven Scragg morphs seamlessly into Rob Fletcher, your master of ceremonies for the upcoming 90s pods. Get on board here.

In a new series, Gary Thacker quizzes the  team on the team they support. Why, best and worst moments, favourite players, those they’d like to forget, plus the nuclear question: could you ever support anyone else? Aidan Williams is first up with tales of a life in thrall to Newcastle United. Well, most of the time.

Does it matter who owns our football clubs? That’s a question that goes to the heart of what English football is for in the 21st century and for whose benefit it operates. Delving into the detail are Rob Fletcher (Middlesbrough), Gary Thacker (Chelsea) and Matthew Gibbs (Birmingham).

Has league position - and the large cheque that comes with it - become more important than winning a trophy? Should a club get the open top bus out for finishing 13th rather than for winning the League Cup? And is the gulf between what the fans want and what the club’s accountants want now at breaking point?

End Of An Era makes a welcome return as Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler mull over the final years of Alf Ramsey’s tenure with England, as his side went from wingless wonders to winless wonders. Where did it all go wrong? We delve into the detail.

A new series exploring issues in the game today. The Champions League is nearly upon us and it has taken on a slightly bewildering new format. The team try to pick their way through that and any potentially unintended consequences that might arise, as well as looking back at the summer transfer window and the murky world of FFP, PSR and other acronyms. We reckon only Birmingham  have got it sussed ...

Over the course of a glittering career, Alan Kennedy won pretty much everything that there was to win during his time with Liverpool, but the closest he got to an FA Cup winners medal was in his time at Newcastle , who went all the way to the  final in 1974. Fifty years on, we spoke to Alan about a season of riots, tea dances and Tommy Smith.

Coming up to the 50th anniversary of Aston Villa’s 1975 League Cup win, the precursor to promotion from Division Two that season, Dave Bowler talks to Villa goalkeeper – and Worcestershire opening bowler – Jim Cumbes about that season.

President Javier Milei’s drive to deregulate football ownership in Argentina could mean a massive change in club ownership. What could this result in for some of the continent’s biggest clubs? Gary Thacker, Pete Watson and Matthew Gibbs explore the implications.

For fans of football kits, we are taking you to podcast heaven as TFT’s very own Alex Ireland talks us through his new book, Double Diamond: 100 Years of Umbro. Rob Fletcher and Steven Scragg are suitably attired as they quiz Alex on the company that is more synonymous with football’s greatest kits and biggest moments than any other kit manufacturer. 

The football season is nearly upon us and that means we’ll fairly shortly be putting the league on hold for an international break. With that in mind, under the chairmanship of Gary Thacker, Chris Lepkowski, Dr David Turner and Dave Bowler reflect on Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England, debate the qualities his successor will need, and run the rule over the early favourites for the job.

Rob Fletcher is back with his second book on 90s football, and a blockbuster it is too. 1994/95 is under the spotlight in Chaos, Controversy and That Kung-Fu Kick and Rob is with us to trawl through a campaign that had enough incident to last a decade. From Klinsmann to Cantona, bungs to drugs, and the SAS to the sack race, Alex Ireland and Dave Bowler join Rob on a riotous ride. 

The one where Gary Thacker breaks the podcast. Ahead of a new These Football Times magazine devoted to the might of Uruguayan football, the South America Files team tries to select the nation’s finest five-a-side team. Chaos ensues.

As Colombia prepare for their first Copa América final since 2001, Gary Thacker, Steven Scragg and Pete Watson trace the reasons for their renaissance under coach Néstor Loreno, look ahead to the final itself and discuss the domestic implications of their tournament exploits. 

Author Christopher James Evans finds himself in the Centre Circle to discuss his excellent book on the history of Athletic Club. We would call it the last word on the club, but as they keep winning trophies, he has to keep adding chapters.

Pending a new in-depth South America Files series coming your way shortly, the team have produced this pilot project: pick the greatest five-a-side team possible from each of South America’s constituent countries. Think of it as the South America Files meets Mount Rushmore. We road test it by trying to compile Argentina’s finest five-a-side team. 

The European Championship is finally upon us and a month of magical moments and shattered dreams lie ahead. Will Gareth Southgate lead England to tournament victory or will M&S be awash with returned cardigans from disenchanted fans before the group stages are over? Matthew Gibbs, Rob Fletcher and Gary Thacker may have the answers.

Aidan Williams takes Gary Thacker on a rollercoaster ride through what he considers to be the greatest match in European Championship history, France’s 3-2 win over Portugal in the semi-final of Euro 84. Iconic venue, iconic kit, Michel Platini at his peak and John Motson going all boy soprano. What’s not to love?

Many methods of deciding drawn cup ties have been tried done the years, from drawing lots and tossing coins to penalty shootouts and the golden goal, which was a part of the Euros in 1996 and 2000. In the latter tournament, France rescued themselves from seemingly certain defeat, equalising against Italy in the 93rd minute of normal time before going on to win it with David Trezeguet’s extra-time golden goal. But what would VAR say about such shenanigans these days? Rob Fletcher and Gary Thacker look for an answer. 

The European Championship final of 1988 will always be remembered for that goal by Marco van Basten, but beyond that, it was the day when Rinus Michels, architect of the Total Football that took the Netherlands so close to the summit in 1974, finally won a major international tournament. Dr David Turner relives that day, that goal and that trophy. 

It’s a grand old team to write about and These Football Times is proving the point with a special magazine dedicated to Everton. Aidan Williams, Chris Lepkowski and true blue Evertonian Paul Mc Parlan talk you through some of the contents of the magazine, covering league and cup wins, great players and managers, and Goodison Park itself, and ruminate on Everton’s place in the wider scheme of English football, past and present.

It might not have been a Panenka, but when Stuart Pearce blasted his penalty into the Spanish net during the quarter-final shootout at Euro 96, he produced a penalty, and certainly a celebration, every bit as iconic. Dave Bowler and Gary Thacker debate the stones of steel shown by Pearce on a day when, after his penalty nightmare at Italia 90, lesser men might have found their way to the back of the bus queue. 

Johan and his famous Cruyff turn at the 1974 World Cup was all very well, but did it end up with the ball in the back of the net? It did not. Some 42 years later, Hal Robson-Kanu showed how it should be done in the white heat of the 2016 Euros quarter-final, sending the Belgian defence for a bag of chips - mayonnaise optional - and then bludgeoning the ball past Thibault Courtois. Matthew Gibbs points out to Gary Thacker that the Welsh are therefore better than the Dutch. Popcorn all round.

Joining Gary Thacker today is Dr David Turner who takes us back 20 years to a day when England looked to be emerging as genuine contenders for the Euros in 2004, only to have those hopes dashed by injury. It’s all about England v Croatia and it’s mostly about Wayne Rooney.

Fresh from being chiselled into the European Championships’ Mount Rushmore, Antonín Panenka takes centre stage as Aidan Williams brings us chapter and verse on perhaps the most iconic penalty ever taken. 

A goal of beauty is a joy forever as the old saying almost goes. Proving the old adage true in 1996 was Davor Šuker who produced one of the tournament’s immortal moments with his goal for Croatia against Denmark. Rob Fletcher tells Gary Thacker all about it.

In a tournament dominated by the usual heavyweight suspects of European football, nobody saw Greece’s title winning tournament of 2004 coming. Matthew Gibbs talks to Gary Thacker about the ultimate underdog story.

Ahead of this summer’s European Championship, Gary Thacker invites members of the team to talk about some of their most indelible memories of the competition. In this first episode, Dave Bowler recalls the night in 1972 when Günter Netzer and West Germany handed out a footballing lesson at Wembley. 

The 1970s provided fertile fare for the lower division teams in the FA Cup, from the early round exploits of Hereford and Colchester to latter stage glory for Second Division Sunderland and Southampton. It’s the latter we concentrate on here, as 5-1 shot Southampton see off Manchester United to win the FA Cup for the first and only time. 

With the dust settling on the Championship season ahead of the playoffs, John Dunn, Matthew Gibbs and Dave Bowler gather together for a post-mortem on the campaign, which includes debating the age old wisdom of a Martin Jol quote and the presentation of some fairly robust views on Wayne Rooney.

We’re joined in the Centre Circle today by Callum McFadden, author of Behind The Curtain Of The Beautiful Game.  Callum’s first book features a string of fascinating interviews with characters involved in football, from players, coaches and managers through to referees, commentators and TV producers. Interviewees include Roy Hodgson, Martin O’Neill, Norman Whiteside, Matt Le Tissier, Les Ferdinand, Martin Tyler, Jeff Stelling and many more. Callum has generously donated the profits from the book to Man On! Inverclyde, a well-being and suicide prevention charity, so you can enjoy a good read and benefit a good cause at the same time. 

It’s football’s greatest achievement that you’ve probably never heard of. In 1930/31, West Bromwich Albion won promotion from the Second Division and, if that wasn’t enough, they won the FA Cup as well. It was the first time that double had ever been done, it hasn’t been done since, and I think we can safely wager the TFT family silver on it never being done again. We’re joined by members of Albion’s extended royal family, Paul and Ben Wood, who are, respectively, grandson and great-grandson of Stan Wood, the Throstles’ left winger who played a huge part in that season, playing 50 games and scoring 17 goals as his side won a unique double.

Our epic trawls through the 1970s and 80s are finally at an end, so in one final effort to keep the franchise going, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler meet to debate the merits and otherwise of the two decades. Alex Ireland bravely takes on the Jack Taylor/Keith Hackett role. Maggie Thatcher, you took one hell of a beating.

In the decade that will never die, the 1980s team reunite one last time (probably) for a bit of whataboutery? Some listeners have pointed out a few of the stones that were left unturned in the course of the series, so everyone has reconvened to debate Aberdeen, Chelsea, the legendary summit between Keith Burkinshaw and César Luis Menotti. Thoughts eventually turn, of course, to Peter Hucker, Gary Bailey and Mirandinha.

Second Division played First at Highbury in 1982, and it was the lower tier side who came out on top, Terry Venables piloting a way to the FA Cup final for his side in a game where West Brom simply couldn’t get going. Dave Bowler relives a teenage nightmare in the company of Steven Scragg and Bill Hern. 

Join us as we talk to TFT’s very own Aidan Williams about his new book, Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw. As the title suggests, here in the UK we missed most of the tournament when the TV companies chose to ignore it after none of the home nations qualified. So let us fill you in on just what happened 40 years ago.

On the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, we conclude our conversations by talking to Andrew Knott, the man behind the Anfield crowd mosaics. Andrew takes us through his experiences as one of those who made it onto the pitch from the Leppings Lane terraces, where he would help ferry stricken supporters from the scene on makeshift stretchers, exposed as he was to some of the worst images of the day.   

On the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, we continue our personal reflections as Peter Scarfe speaks about his experiences on the terraces at Leppings Lane on 15 April 1989. Peter, the co-creator and chair of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (HSA) also talks about the invaluable work that the HSA undertakes, and the lasting effects the disaster wrought on those who were involved in, and witnessed, the day. 

On the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, we talk to Dr Anne Eyre, a sociologist specialising in the psychosocial aspects of major incidents, emergency planning and disaster management, who was on the Leppings Lane terraces on 15 April 1989. An open and candid conversation, Anne kindly tells us not only of her experiences and the effects they have left her with, but also the positive work she does as a result of them.  

And now, the end is near, and so they face an impossibly difficult Question of Sport blowout to decide the Quiz Champion of the 1980s. Before that, our intrepid panellists choose their favourite games and players of the decade, reflect back on what the decade meant to them and, scandalously, refuse to indulge in some community singing of the B-side of the 1982 England World Cup single. Your ears are safe.

Following on from our series on the 1980s, we’ve one final visit to the decade as Chris Lepkowski, Aidan Williams and Stu Horsfield offer their choice of the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager who should be chiselled onto the decade’s Mount Rushmore. Gary Thacker attempts to retain some semblance of order.

A striker unearthed at lastminute.com, Robbie Savage writhing in agony, the winning manager watching the last few minutes of the game on TV in a cupboard, all human life is here in this FA Cup quarter-final at Filbert Street as Leicester, fourth in the Premier League, succumbed to third tier Wycombe.  Helping guide the regular team through the carnage is Gary Silke, co-author of the Got Not Got series and a lifelong Leicester fan. He can laugh about it now. Nearly…

Phil Harrison joins us in the Centre Circle to talk us through some shadowy tales of footballing life in Albania, all captured in his excellent new book, Inside The Hermit Kingdom.

And so the 1980s odyssey ends with a tumultuous season. We pay our respects to the Hillsborough disaster, with further podcasts to come on that subject, but this ONE concentrates on the football. Liverpool come through the tragedy to beat Everton in the FA Cup final, but a second double of the decade eludes them when it’s all up for grabs in one final game at Anfield AS Arsenal snatch the title from them. Brian Clough wins one more trophy with Nottingham Forest, while Chelsea and Manchester City enjoy hugely successful seasons – by getting promoted from Division Two. Different times.

We move into the 21st century with this tie, and find that it was easier to remember the 1970s. Nonetheless, rediscovering the day that Conference side Lincoln City went to Turf Moor and upset Sean Dyche and his Burnley team is a joy - unless you’re a Burnley fan. A year when the Cowleys burst onto the national scene as a management team, setting down the foundations that have since seen Lincoln re-establish themselves in League One, while for Burnley, taking the cup seriously was still no insurance against being on the wrong end of a major embarrassment. The magic of the cup, indeed.  (Apologies for the occasional sound gremlins, hope they don’t spoil your enjoyment of the podcast too much). 

After surrendering their title to Everton, Liverpool come storming back, fuelled by John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and John Aldridge. A second league and cup double in three years seems inevitable but at Wembley, Dave Beasant saves a penalty and Wimbledon carry off the FA Cup after just 11 seasons in the Football League.  Elsewhere, Luton  stun Arsenal with a late comeback to win the League Cup, Chelsea collapse from title contenders to relegation fodder and on Tyneside, samba-style football comes to the Toon in the shape of Mirandinha.

1986/87: in the Mersey Wars trilogy, we’re up to Everton Strike Back as Howard Kendall’s side regain the league title. Keith Houchen ensures he will be forever frozen in time with that diving header in the FA Cup final as Coventry win the trophy and disappoint a Spurs side that promise so much but end up empty handed, despite Clive Allen’s 49 goals. In Scotland, Graeme Souness starts his Rangers revolution, while Aberdeen lose their manager as Alexander Chapman Ferguson trades Pittodrie for Old Trafford.

The team mark the sad passing of Stan Bowles with a tribute to the man who illuminated Loftus Road, fell out with Malcolm Allison and Brian Clough, and who should surely have won more than just five England caps. A wonderful maverick.

A season that began in the shadow of Bradford and Heysel, with a blackout of TV coverage and the implications of the European ban, 1985/86 emerged as a campaign full of highlights. In the title race, Manchester United started like a train and ended like a rag and bone cart, West Ham couldn’t quite come through on the rails, Everton long looked like champions, but, in the end, it was Liverpool who won the title. Of course they did, this was the 1980s. But did they have to win the double as well? Oxford had a memorable first season in the top flight and won the League Cup to boot, there were plastic pitches at Luton and QPR, and Hearts blew the double in Scotland in the course of a heartbreaking, or Hearts-breaking, week. Sorry.

Wrexham might have their own TV show, but the greatest League Two season of the 21st century surely belongs to Bradford City. The 2012/13 campaign saw them make two visits to Wembley, becoming the first fourth tier team to play there in one of the senior cup competitions, before returning to do battle in the playoffs.  It’s a ripping yarn that would make Barnstoneworth United proud, and City Gent editor Mike Harrison is here to tell it in the company of Scragg S. and Bowler D.

With football still reeling from the tragedy of the Bradford fire at Valley Parade, just 18 days later, on 29 May 1985, came the Heysel Stadium disaster at the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus. Some 39 people, mostly Juventus fans, were killed and around 600 injured when a wall collapsed. Liverpool supporter Chris Rowland was there, and he later wrote his own account of those events, From Where I Was Standing. He joins Steven Scragg to discuss the tragedy, its causes and implications.

Join us in the Centre Circle as we talk to author Gary Thacker about his latest book, O Jogo Bonito, focusing on the great Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup. It’s a glorious tale of the events that led to the competition, the triumph itself, and what happened afterwards.

11 May 1985, Bradford v Lincoln. It should have been one of the most joyous days in the history of Bradford City, as they celebrated winning the Third Division at a canter. Instead, a fire in the Main Stand turned it into a day of tragedy, with 56 spectators  killed and at least 265 injured. Mike Harrison, editor of the legendary City Gent fanzine, was at that game and he joins Steven Scragg to discuss the causes of the fire, the events of the day itself and the legacy that it has left.

With England beleaguered by the wintry weather, non-league Blyth Spartans made two abortive trips to Stoke's Victoria Ground to get their FA Cup game played. Eventually, it was third time lucky as the collection of coalminers, sales reps and schoolteachers sprung one of the competition’s greatest ever shocks. Let Steven Scragg, Bill Hern and Dave Bowler take you back to the days when FA Cup ties were all about blood, thunder and all the bedroom furniture you could eat.

A season of agony and ecstasy with tragedies unfolding at Bradford and Heysel, both the subjects of separate podcasts in this series. We concentrate on the on-pitch issues in this one, Howard Kendall’s Everton emerging to take Liverpool’s crown from them, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup too and coming within a whisker of becoming the 20th century’s third double winners, beaten in the FA Cup final by Manchester United. There’s a League Cup win - and relegation - for Norwich, Oxford replace them in the top flight, and Manchester City are promoted by the skin of their teeth. 

With the announcement of Jürgen Klopp’s impending departure from Liverpool at season’s end, this week’s podcast concentrates on the job he’s done at Anfield, the moments that will live long in the memory, and the legacy that he will leave.

The midway point in our series, and not much changes as Liverpool win a third straight First Division title and a fourth League Cup in a row. But a new, blue presence is emerging at the bottom of Stanley Park with Everton reaching Wembley twice and carrying off the FA Cup, a portent of what is to come. Spurs win the UEFA Cup before Keith Burkinshaw walks out on them having had a visitation from the Ghost of Football Future, while Nottingham Forest miss out on that final courtesy of a brown envelope - a sliding doors moment for the mighty Brian Clough? Steven Scragg, Stu Horsfield and Chris Lepkowski recall an era where Howard Kendall and a Danish meat manufacturer began to look like a marriage made in heaven.

The greatest FA Cup game of all time according to many, Hereford’s third-round replay win over Newcastle in 1972 helped build the iconography of the FA Cup in the television era. Locked out fans climbing trees and floodlit pylons to watch, kids sitting behind the goal on hay bales, the pitch invaded three times by a tribe of snorkel parka wearers, Malcolm MacDonald missing sitters and that goal from Ronnie Radford. What more could you ask for? The mighty Keith Hall of the Talking Bull fanzine - and one of those kids behind the goal back when he was 12 - talks us through the first tie on Tyneside, and what it was like to be in the ground that day, while Sunderland fan Bill Hern revels in Newcastle’s discomfort. Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler are along for the ride, as is, briefly, the late, great John Motson.

In the past, the European powers mercilessly exploited South America for its raw materials, making them wealthier and locking the indigenous people of the continent into poverty. Is there a similar trend developing with ever younger players being taken away from South America to the rich clubs of Europe?

As Ron Atkinson would have doubtless said, it was a case of déjà vu all over again in 1982/83, with Liverpool romping to the league title and retaining the League Cup. But there was change elsewhere, with Tottenham’s iron grip on the FA Cup finally released, Big Ron  getting his hands on a trophy, much to the delight of Gerald Ratner. Graham Taylor’s Watford blitzkrieged their way to second place in their first ever crack at the First Division while Manchester City get relegated and David Pleat straps on his dancing Hush Puppies.

The podcast rules over the grim goings-on at Reading, better days for Coventry , an attempt to work out where Kylian Mbappé will be hanging his hat this summer, and plenty more. 

According to Steven Scragg, Stu Horsfield and Aidan Williams, this is the "Stingray" season – anything can happen in the next nine months. Ron Saunders walks out on Aston Villa, joins Birmingham  and misses out on lifting the European Cup. Spurs win the FA Cup in a year not ending in 1. Swansea's rapid ascent from Division Four now sees them topping the First Division. But, obviously, Liverpool win the league. There’s even a little bit of politics; Maggie Thatcher, your boys get one hell of a beating …

Following the sad passing of Franz Beckenbauer and Mário Zagallo, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler assess the legacy of football’s greatest names, men whose place in the World Cup pantheon will be forever secure. 

Was 1980/81 really the final year of the 1970s, the decade when the level playing field threw up all kinds of title winners? With Aston Villa taking the First Division and Ipswich in hot pursuit, it certainly feels like it. 

Following our trawl through the 1970s, the team return with a new series focusing on the 80s. First under the microscope is the 1979/80 campaign. Steven Scragg, Aidan Williams and Stu Horsfield, fuelled by vast intakes of fizzy pop and smoky bacon crisps, recall a year when Liverpool won Division One, Arsenal missed out on everything, Alex Ferguson won his first league title, and Nottingham Forest are the champions of Europe - again.

Ebeneezer Thacker, Jacob Scragg and Tiny Tim Fletcher are at the helm of this special christmas podcast where they encounter the ghosts of football past, present and future. Will their lives be changed for the better by these visitations, or will those pesky kids at FIFA ruin everything as usual?

We venture into the early days of European football in this Mount Rushmore debate as we look to find the greatest names from the European Cup, prior to seeing them hewn into the mountain face. Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler put the case for the icons of the European Cup in its pre-Champions League form, while Gary Thacker has the final say on the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager that should be immortalised.

Following the sad death of Terry Venables last week, we take an in-depth look at his playing and coaching career and the legacy he has left behind. And there’s also time to look at the ten-point penalty imposed on Everton by the Premier League.

It’s a Centre Circle/Seasons in the Sun mash-up as Stephen Peace joins Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler to discuss his book on Tottenham’s memorable 1986/87 campaign. There are goals, near-misses and grief aplenty amid its pages, and we’re covering them all here. 

Seasons in the Sunderland it is for this episode as we relive the glories of Sunderland’s FA Cup run in 1972/73 that took them all to the way to the holy grail itself. The mighty Bill Hern returns to talk us through the season of his supporting life with Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler listening on in awe.

Will Erik ten Haag win the sack race? Why does the Copa Libertadores final look so much more spectacular than its Champions League equivalent? How many goals will Harry Kane score this season? Should England follow Scotland’s lead and get the League Cup done and dusted by Christmas? How will Chelsea and the WSL fare without Emma Hayes? Rob Fletcher, Aidan Williams and Dave Bowler tackle the big questions. 

We’re back in the Centre Circle to discuss Jon Spurling’s excellent book on 1970s football, the decade that These Football Times won’t let go. Steven Scragg, Dr David Turner and Dave Bowler talk to Jon about the thinking behind the book, some of its major themes and just what football from 50 years ago tells us about the game today.

As the clocks go back and we head into the long, dark nights ahead, it’s time for the early season report card on the Championship, with particular reference to Wayne Rooney being parachuted into Birmingham, while his former Manchester United colleague Michael Carrick gets Middlesbrough firing on all cylinders again. There’s also time for the team to take a quick look at some surprising relegation battles shaping up across Europe. 

Wrapping up our series on football’s black pioneers that has run across Black History Month this year, we are again joined by our wise spirit guides, David Gleave and Bill Hern, authors of the book Football’s Black Pioneers. Our final guest for the series is Dave Busby, the first black player at both Brighton and Barrow and, as you’ll hear, a raconteur par excellence. 

The passing of Sir Bobby Charlton has robbed us of perhaps England’s greatest ever footballer, and certainly its finest sportsman and ambassador. John Dunn and Dave Bowler pay tribute to the great man. 

The huge contribution of the Windrush generation towards every aspect of life in the UK has been well documented - if not by the Home Office – and their impact on our football forms the basis of the fourth episode of this series. As well as our regular expert voices Bill Hern and David Gleave, this time we are joined by Brenton Phillips, a child if Windrush parents, who speaks fascinatingly of his experiences as player, manager and chief executive within the game. 

Seasons In The Sun sees a guest bringing one campaign from their supporting life to the dissection table. In this episode, Alex Ireland talks about Manchester United’s epic 2007/08 campaign that culminated in Premier League and Champions League glory. Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler wield the scalpels.

The contribution of Barbados to English football falls under the spotlight in the third episode of our series marking Black History Month. Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler are again joined by Bill Hern and David Gleave, authors of Football’s Black Pioneers, along with special guest Roland Butcher. Roland might be better known as England’s first black cricketer but he was also Stevenage’s first black footballer and enjoyed a lengthy coaching career in the game, working at clubs such as Arsenal and Reading. 

Following on from our series on the 1970s, we’ve one final visit to the decade as Steven Scragg, Dr David Turner and Dave Bowler offer their choice of the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager who should be chiselled onto the decade’s Mount Rushmore. Lord Chief Justice Gary Thacker presides over the court.

Tackling this week’s thorny topics, Gary Thacker, Aidan Williams and Paul Mc Parlan run the rule over FIFA’s future World Cup plans, the coming of a UK & Ireland Euros, the FA Cup’s final qualifying round and plenty more, including a tribute to international football’s longest serving warrior, Ildefons Lima Solà of Andorra.

In the second episode of a special series marking Black History Month, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler are again joined by Bill Hern and David Gleave, authors of Football’s Black Pioneers, along with special guest Matt Tiller. Matt was the founder of the Jack Leslie campaign and has produced a biography of the great man. As well as talking about Jack, there’s plenty of discussion of Lindy Delaphena, Tony Cunningham, John Barnes and many other footballing giants with their roots on the island of Jamaica. 

Not one but two new These Football Times magazines are out, both centred on the wonderful, intriguing world of football from Eastern Europe. From the Hungarians of 1954 to the Croatians of ’98, through the romance of Dinamo Tblisi to the majesty and pragmatism of Red Star (and a whole lot more besides), Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler take a flick through the magazines’ sumptuous content. 

Another glorious weekend for VAR comes under the microscope but Rob Fletcher, Steven Scragg and Matthew Gibbs also cast the net further afield, taking in 13-year-old debutant, the plight of Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe and Reading, and a Friday morning YouTube addiction for following the twists and turns of the J League. 

In the first of a new series for Black History Month, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler talk to Bill Hern and David Gleave, authors of Football’s Black Pioneers about the role of black footballers in the English and the wider game, their successes and their struggles. In the first episode, we look at players from Africa.

The European Championship is the playing field for the Mount Rushmore debate this time around as Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler argue for their choices to be immortalised on the rockface. Gary Thacker sits in judgement on the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager that best represents the history of the competition.

Will Manchester City become the first club to win four top flight titles in a row in English football history? Is Leicester's promotion to the Premier League a foregone conclusion? Will Harry Kane’s Bavarian adventure ignite a run to the European Championship title for England? Why is the League Cup so maligned? These questions and more are answered – possibly incorrectly – by Rob Fletcher, John Dunn and Dave Bowler on this week’s podcast.

The power of transformative coaches comes under the spotlight in this week’s podcast as Rob Fletcher, Dr David Turner and Dave Bowler put Ange Postecoglou and Kieran McKenna under the microscope. With the academic year just starting, we compare and contrast Manchester United and Brighton’s approach to team building, ruminate on the state of football politics, look at how Burnley’s Women might bring the Turf Moor club another promotion to celebrate this term and, whatever Garth Crooks says about them, we celebrate Luton too. And there’s a cameo appearance from the Red Arrows to boot. 

Our season-by-season trawl through the greatest decade ever  might be over, but we couldn’t resist one last chance to come over all Jerry Springer and reflect on what we’ve learned. Great games, great names and great moments of the 70s are recalled along with a reflection on the decade’s enduring impact on football’s sociology and politics. And there’s one last chance for Karl Marx to win a lounge suite.

An international weekend allows Steven Scragg, Rob Fletcher and Alex Ireland to reflect on life in the Championship and League Two thus far, as well as looking at Euro 2024 qualifying to date. Is Gareth Southgate heading into his final tournament and, if so, should he look to go out in a blaze of glory? Will Luxembourg make it to a major tournament at last? And will Jude Bellingham ever play in the Premier League?

The final season of the 1970s as an epic decade goes out in epic style with a magisterial title win for Liverpool, a European Cup for Nottingham Forest and the sighting of the first of an oncoming foreign invasion through the advance guard of Muhren, Thijssen, Ardiles, Villa, Tarantini et al. Elsewhere, the season is disfigured by the big freeze, we crown Colin Barrett as the most significant player of the campaign, and we fearlessly take you inside the microclimate created at Walsall’s Fellows Park…

The new season has started, the transfer window has (mostly) closed, and football fans around the land are either daring to dream or are already looking out the bedsheets on which to scrawl fruity protests about their owners or managers. Steven Scragg and our deadline day signing Rob Fletcher reflect on the Women’s World Cup, the transfer window, the coming of Saudi Arabian football, and look ahead to what might be on the horizon in 2023/24.

Now then, young man, Brian Clough is back. Cloughie takes Nottingham Forest to the top of the First Division, to a League Cup final win and to within a whisker of a first ever domestic treble, but Ron Greenwood beats him to the England job - to the relief of the City Ground faithful. Liverpool retain the European Cup, Ipswich  capture a first FA Cup, and West Brom’s John Wile gets a rotten headache.

The 1970s continue to produce moments that echo half a century later. Liverpool are denied the treble by Manchester United but content themselves with a first European Cup and the retention of their league title, as Kevin Keegan heads off into the sunset. Clive Thomas looms large for Evertonians, Don Revie packs his bucket and spade and trades England for the UAE, and there’s skulduggery aplenty at Highfield Road in an end of season relegation battle.

There’s a new name at the top of the First Division as QPR go toe-to-toe with Bob Paisley’s Liverpool for the title, and a new name on the FA Cup with Southampton seeing off Manchester United at Wembley. England start to stutter under Don Revie and a manager who will one day follow him into that job starts to make his reputation at Lincoln City.  Steven Scragg and Gary Thacker are joined by Dr David Turner, a senior lecturer in Sports Coaching at Anglia Ruskin University, a member of the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Science research, and a devoted fan of that memorable QPR side. 

Prior to Gary Thacker getting out the chisel for the World Cup version of Mount Rushmore - just where does he find all these untouched mountainscapes incidentally? - Pete Watson, Matthew Gibbs and Dave Bowler offer up varied cases for just which goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager has left the greatest impression on the World Cup since 1970. See if you agree with Gary’s selections …

Another tumultuous season beckons as Don Revie struggles to get a tune out of England, Brian Clough finds life at Leeds even tougher, Derby win the title as just seven points separate the top eight, Manchester United go up, Chelsea go down and Billy Bremer and Kevin Keegan get naked for charity.

In a packed programme, Brian Clough resigns from Derby and calls a Polish goalkeeper a clown within the same week, England miss out on the World Cup, Leeds go 29 games unbeaten from the start of the season to carry off the First Division and Manchester United are relegated. And that’s only the start of it …

1972/73 arrives and gives us a glimpse of the First Division to come as Liverpool march to the title and carry off the UEFA Cup to boot. At Wembley, there’s an FA Cup final for the ages as Sunderland defy Leeds while one of Wembley’s legends, Gordon Banks, sees his career end in a car crash. Tommy Docherty arrives at Old Trafford, Malcolm Allison walks out on Manchester City and second-placed Arsenal miss out on European football thanks to UEFA’s archaic rulebook ...

Nothing stirs the emotions quite like football does - for good and for bad. In this new series, Chris Lepkowski invites two guests to offer up three of their footballing pet hates before selecting which topic gets an early bath. Stu Horsfield and Aidan Williams do their best to earn a straight red card ...

We reach 1971/72 in the third part of our 1970s odyssey, an epic title race that ends with the First Division won by a team sitting on a beach in Majorca while the other clubs fall over their feet. Leeds just miss out on the double, Stoke win their first major trophy and there’s all-English UEFA Cup final. Meanwhile, West Germany give England a footballing lesson as storm clouds gather around Sir Alf.

Introducing a twist on our popular Mount Rushmore series. Steven Scragg, Stu Horsfield and Dave Bowler are called to the witness box to each make the case for which goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and manager should make it onto England’s Mount Rushmore. Gary “Solomon” Thacker sits in judgement, chisel in hand.

Picking up our trawl through the 1970s, the team alight upon 1970/71, a season where Arsenal re-emerged from Tottenham’s shadow to do the double (though Spurs did at least win the League Cup as consolation). There’s a power shift on Merseyside, Manchester United remain in the dumps, and Don Revie wonders just what he did to upset the footballing gods.

In the first of a new series that will cover the ten seasons of the 1970s, Steven Scragg guides Paul McParlan and Dave Bowler through the twists and turns that see the School of Science setting the pace, an FA Cup final for the ages, Derby entering the national conversation and the chilly winds of a failed re-election bidding blowing through Bradford.

Rounding out our South American odyssey, we visit São Paulo in Brazil, where we look through the myriad of clubs and great names that makes up Brazilian football in the continent’s most populous city. Plus, there’s news of our next project ...

Another pod from the literary Centre Circle, in which we welcome David Hartrick to discuss his book Silver Linings, covering the tumultuous times that faced England during Bobby Robson’s stint as national team manager. 

On our penultimate city stop on the tour of South America, we've skipped over the Andes to Santiago where the team guide you through the intricacies of football in the capital of Chile.

We're back in the Centre Circle. This time, we're chatting with Rob Fletcher about his excellent new book 1992: The Birth of Modern Football. Join us as we explore how Rob's book covers some of the massive football events of the year.

Bringing the season’s weekly podcasts to an end, the team look at a week of European finals and assess Manchester City’s achievements, ponder the state of David Moyes’ knees, and ask if Jose Mourinho has outdone himself this time by getting red carded in a car park.

With seasons coming to a halt all over Europe, the intrepid team take a lingering look at matters both domestic and continental as we offer the final word on the uppers, the downers and the just hanging-arounders across Europe’s leagues.

The FA Cup reaches its climax with the Manchester derby at Wembley. In preparation, the team look at how the FA Cup final launched golden ages for both Manchester United and Chelsea and paved the way for a coronation, as well as unveiling the ‘Lovett final’ and carbon dating a cup winner ...

The team are joined by David Begg, the doyen of radio commentators across his long and successful career with BBC Radio Scotland. We reminisce about covering Aberdeen’s Cup Winners' Cup final success over Real Madrid in 1983, Scotland’s trip to the World Cup in 1982, and "Glory, glory James McFadden ..."

It’s been an extraordinary campaign in the National League, from first day to the final penalty kick. The team is joined by BT Sport’s Adam Summerton, who has commentated on all its ups and downs, from Wrexham to Scunthorpe and all points in between, to reflect on a seismic season.

We're back in the Centre Circle talking with Gary Thacker about his book Dutch Masters: When Ajax's Totaalvoetbal Conquered Europe. Find out more about one of European football's iconic teams that set standards of innovative play that few, if any, have been able to match since.

Rosario is Argentina’s third most populous city and the list of the country’s great players born there reads like a veritable Who’s Who of footballing stars. Yet their clubs have probably underperformed, both nationally and continentally. The team discuss why.

With title, promotion and relegation issues all coming to a climax as the season’s end hurtles towards us, the  team try to find the winners and losers amongst it all, both at home and abroad.

With a huge Bank Holiday Monday fixture list in the post-Coronation offing, we debate who will be swapping places between the Premier League and the Championship, explain why we expect Ipswich to be tearing up the second tier next term, see Napoli put the celebratory pizzas on hold, and ask if failing players refunding fans is such a good thing after all.

With the recent departures of Patrick Vieira and Paul Ince, there are just three black managers left in the top four English leagues. The team debates why that is, as well as looking at the coming ups and downs of the Championship and League One, a Scottish Cup semi-final for the romantics and, one for the conspiracy theorists, are we at the end of an era for both Harry Kane and Bayern Munich?

It's down to the last four and Wembley beckons - we’re not playing any semi-finals there, thank you very much. From the age of Pathé News through to the shifting sands of the early-90s and a semi-final weekend when Fergie’s United began to emerge from Liverpool’s shadow, all footballing life is here.

In this episode Dave Bowler, joins us to select the four giants who should feature on Aberdeen’s epic Mount Rushmore. The selection might surprise you, but there’s plenty of discussion about why they were the choices and just who missed out. 

It’s a Chelsea special at These Football Timess. e look back on the evolution of the Blues from Jimmy Greaves and Ken Bates to Roman Abramovich to Graham Potter. Will Chelsea’s chaos theory deliver a third Champions League triumph, or do they need to finally find some stability before the glittering prizes return?

After an early Sunday morning drop, we’re in Rio, the city of beaches, carnival and the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer. Led by the knowledge of Dr Pete Watson, we look at some mega clubs, mascots, shirts and a few exotically named players.

In this edition of the Centre Circle, we talk with Chris Lee about his book The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism, exploring some of its most fascinating storiesin greater depth. 

In this episode, we’re off to the south of Brazil to visit Porto Alegre and look at a couple of the biggest clubs in the country, plus one with a mascot who fits right into our narrative. Stu Horsfield, Gary Thacker, Steven Scragg and Pete Watson are your travel guides.

The sixth round, the last eight, the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Now it’s getting serious,  eternal glory sitting just three wins away. It’s a round of pitch invasions and last-gasp penalties, of Ceefax recruits and dashed dreams. All human life is here - because that’s the magic of the FA Cup ...

It’s a Leicester City special at These Football Times. We look back on a remarkable decade for the Foxes and ask just where it’s gone wrong this season. Will Leicester survive the drop? We’ve got the answer in one of these three envelopes ...

The podcast crew discuss the strange case of Harry Maguire’s demise, investigate promotion and relegation dramas in Scotland’s League Two and England’s National League, and ponder just why it is that no club has ever got the open top bus out to celebrate a fourth-place finish.

We pay tribute to the late John Motson, laud David Moyes, take the pressure off Erik ten Hag, fret over the future of the EFL, debate a century of continuity going down the drain at Rochdale, and revel in the skulduggery of this most Italian of Serie A seasons.

The fifth round of the FA Cup means that for some, Wembley begins to beckon. For others, it’s the graveyard of their dreams. We explore some classic games of fifth rounds past, including a legendary example of El StJames’Parkico, bedsheets for goalposts at Anfield, Mrs Revie doing the Highland fling, Paul Rideout enjoying his second-best FA Cup day, a grim day at Gay Meadow for Bobby Robson, and George Best.

Will Graham Potter survive at Chelsea? Will Valencia stay out on a limb? Who will be in goal for Newcastle at Wembley? Who thought a UEFA panel would actually blame UEFA for the chaos at the 2022 Champions League final. The answer to all these and more  brought to you by These Football Times.

In this podcast, we ask what is done to be done about VAR, pay tribute to Joe Allen, ponder the impact of The Office on Southampton, and revel in a post-World Cup Argentina, while the ZX81 generation get to grips with eSports.

Montevideo probably has more football clubs per square mile than any other city in the world. Tag along with Stu Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as Dr Pete Watson guides us through the cafes and colours, giants and minnows, heroes and villains of football in the capital of Uruguay. 

The pod crew go from Stockport to Spain, Italy and Japan in a global odyssey, picking out some intriguing stories. From Stockport's rise to the lengthy struggles and brief successes of Elche and Cremonese, we discuss the  changing tides caused by Everton's win over Arsenal, look ahead to the FA Cup fourth round replays, and send some love to the never ending career of  Kazu Miura.

Join Stu Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as we journey to Lima, guided, as always, by the brilliant Dr Pete Watson. With marmalade sandwiches packed, we explore football, its past and present as it is played in the capital of Peru. 

After the international discussions of recent weeks, the Today's Football Times crew go all domestic, discussing the highs of Queen's Park and the National League promotion chasers, the lows of Aberdeen and Everton, and the future for Lampard and his old rival Gerrard. Plus a few words on the upcoming anniversary of the Munich disaster and the way Manchester United handle such a pivotal event in their history.

The fourth round of the FA Cup is sometimes castigated as the ugly duckling or the plodding bassist of the competition, but Steven Scragg, Paul Mc Parlan and Dave Bowler are having none of that. Mighty replays, free bedroom furniture and unlikely sex symbols abound as we dig beneath the surface.

Freedom of movement returns to the pod as Steven Scragg, James Kelly and Matthew Gibbs wander the highways and byways of Europe as they talk about LaLiga in general and Sevilla in particular, delve into the Bundesliga, and then return to Blighty to give us the pinsticker’s guide to upcoming FA Cup fourth round shocks.

Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Rhys Richards discuss the career and legacy of Gareth Bale, the fortunes of Napoli and Atlético Madrid, and some intriguing clashes in the League Cup and FA Cup.

From Plymouth to Panathinaikos and FA Cup replays to relegation fears, Today's Football Times finds Steven Scragg, Paul Mc Parlan and Gary Thacker in good voice for the new year.

Alongside the launch of the Colombia magazine, the podcast team got together to discuss Colombian football past and present - from El Dorado, Valderrama and narco-fútbol to a rebirth internationally, Falcao and James.  

The FA Cup is the so-called greatest cup competition in the world. In the first of a series of podcasts that take us all the way to the final, Chris Lepkowski, Aidan Williams and Gary Thacker recall some legendary third-round games from yesteryear. Arsenal, Newcastle and WBA fans might want to look away now …

The passing of Pele robbed football of perhaps its greatest-ever figure, a player of peerless talent, the only one to win three World Cups. Gary Thacker, Paul McParlan and Dave Bowler look back at Pelé's life, his place in the pantheon of greats, his significance as football truly became the global game, and the legacy he leaves behind. 

As the greatest show on earth approaches its climax in Qatar, Chris Lepkowski, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler reflect on the ghosts of World Cup finals past. There’s Zinedine Zidane embracing his inner John Otway, Diego Maradona entrancing and then enraging the world, the greatest celebration in football history, and penalty kicks that would make Diana Ross blush. 

Football’s equivalent of Christmas Eve, Chris Lepkowski, Gary Thacker and Aidan Williams recall some remarkable World Cup semi-finals as the likes of Brazil, France, West Germany and Argentina hang their stockings on the wall to see if football’s Santa remembers just who’s been naughty and who’s been nice*. *Doesn’t apply to Harald Schumacher.

And then there were eight. Chris Lepkowski, Paul McParlan and Rhys Richards turn the focus to some memorable World Cup quarter-finals. Breathtaking games, abysmal penalties, sublime finishing and the Hand of Suárez.

We're back on our travels around South America to look at the football clubs and culture in various cities there. In this episode, the wonderfully knowledgeable Pete Watson guides Stuart Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg around the perilous highways and byways of the Colombian city of Medellín.

Moving into the knockout stages, Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler explore some great games from the round of 16, from 1986 through to 2018. From the death of a dream to the birth of a genius, through conspiracy theories and abysmal predictions from Big Ron, this is your alternative history of the last-16 at the World Cup. 

Kicking off a new series for the duration of the 2022 World Cup, the team look back at their favourite games from each stage of the competition. Betraying their respective ages are Steven Scragg, Gary Thacker and Dave Bowler, guiding us through the mists of time to the events of 1970, 1978, 1982 and 1990. 

Football writer Chris Evans joins us to discuss his book covering the fascinating theme of international management and what goes into delivering World Cup success. We talk big names and big nations, but also the journeymen of international football management delivering success of a different kind.

Rhys Richards joins us to discuss his excellent book covering the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. It was a tournament of legendary moments, some great players and teams in iconic venues.  But it was all played out against the backdrop of the brutal Videla dictatorship which cast its shadow over the finals.

In the final part of our series celebrating the Wales national team, the team discuss Wales' progression in the 21st century from the depths of despair to the greatest of heights: the agony of 2004, the magnificence of 2016 and beyond. Plus a look ahead to Qatar and a first World Cup in 64 years.

In part two of a series celebrating Wales, the podcast team discuss some near misses in the 1980s, when a generation of world-class talent - think Rush, Southall, Hughes - missed out on qualification in a variety of dramatic ways. We also discuss the 1993 clash with Romania and the descent into farce in the best-forgotten era of Bobby Gould.

The podcast crew discuss the turning point that the playoff final loss was for Huddersfield, the magnificence of Gasperoni's Atalanta, and the impact of Gareth Bale, plus a few World Cup matters too.

In the first episode of our series celebrating Wales, the podcast team discuss the huge success and what-if moments of the 1958 World Cup, where Wales were only denied by the teenage genius of Pelé. The lean years that followed were the precursor to a strong generation in the 1970s, which emerged to reach the Euro 76 quarter-finals, an achievement largely overshadowed by the pain of the Joe Jordan handball in the 1978 World Cup qualifiers. We discuss all the joys, the heartache and the exceedingly cool kits.

The pod crew discuss Newcastle's rise, Juventus and Barcelona's demise, the beauty of the FA Cup first round and a few World Cup matters too. 

To celebrate the launch of the Johan Cruyff magazine, the podcast team got together to discuss their memories of the great man. From watching him in the flesh to his impact and legacy as a player and manager, this is 90 minutes on all things Cruyff.  

From the West Midlands to Australia via Suffolk, Aberdeen and Andalusia, join Steven Scragg, Dave Bowler and Chris Lepkowski for this week's edition of Today's Football Times.

The famous blue Scotland jersey has been worn by some wonderful players over the years, but which of those stars deserve to be immortalised on Scotland’s very own Mount Rushmore? In this episode, Lewis Henderson picks his top goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. But with so many choices available, do you agree? 

We ask if Saturday's 3pm kick-offs should remain a TV-free zone; is Liverpool vs Manchester City now the biggest game in England; and is the Scottish Cup the world’s most romantic cup competition? Answers on a podcast ...

David Bailey, author of The Magical Magyars, joins us to select his four favourite Crystal Palace players to sit atop the club's own Mount Rushmore. There are a couple of surprises and plenty of discussion about who David chose and who missed out from the South Londoners.

In the latest edition of  Today's Football Times, the gang discuss the giant that is Erling Haaland and his already-astonishing feats, as well as the struggles of Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest and the vote of confidence with his new contract. There's also a bit of Champions League and some international chat thrown in for good measure.

In part two of our discussion with former footballer and broadcaster, Andy Gray we move into the great highs of Andy's time at Everton, and a subsequent return to Villa Park and Scotland with Rangers. We also discuss Andy's second career in broadcasting, and the revolution in how the game was covered.

In the first of two episodes with footballer and broadcaster Andy Gray, the ex-striker join us to discuss the early years of his remarkable career with Dundee United, Aston Villa, Wolves and Scotland - a tale of highs and lows, from Player of the Year awards to fallings out and having to move on.

The podcast gang reconvene with a new weekly look at some fresh football issues, from the non-league game to Serie A and the Premier League managerial merry-go-round.

Join us as These Football Times senior writer and social media guru Josh Butler suggests who should be honoured on Manchester United’s very own Mount Rushmore. With so many players to choose from, there’s plenty of debate and opinion from across the panel.

As well as running the @80s90sfootball Twitter account and writing about football’s relationship with politics, Michael Hamlen is a long-term fan of Brighton & Hove Albion. In this episode, he chooses the four Seagulls players that he thinks most deserve to be immortalised on the Mount Rushmore towering over the Amex Stadium.

These Football Times senior writer, James Kelly,  joins us to talk about his new book covering the history of Belgian football. The current Rode Duivels squad is widely regarded as one of Europe's top national teams but, as James explains, there's far more to the story of Belgian football than the current generation. 

These Football Times' very own Steven Scragg joins the podcast to talk about his fourth book, a brilliant look at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Relive the drama of the Azteca and beyond in the midday sun, as the world was treated to a spectacle of football rarely matched since.  

In this episode, the podcast team are joined by long-time Swindon Town fan Victor Morgan. After supporting the club for more than 50 years, he has plenty of scope when selecting the four players most deserving immortality on Swindon’s own Mount Rushmore.

Author and podcaster Giancarlo Rinaldi takes us on a journey to Tuscany and explains his four chosen players to mark Fiorentina's own Mount Rushmore. There’s plenty of discussion and debate as we both laud his choices and advocate others who could have been included. 

To join the launch of the African Forwards magazine, the podcast team got together to discuss our list of 15 legends to emerge from the continent. From undisputed picks like Drogba, Eto'o and Weah to lesser-known legends including Bwalya, Keita and Yekini, the team discuss the merits of each. 

We're back in the Centre Circle talking to These Football Times' senior writer Aidan Williams about his new book The Nearly Men, focusing on some of the greatest sides that failed to win the World Cup. Join us as we discuss what made them great, why their failure appeals so strongly to so many, and why their legacy endures.

Exeter University lecturer Matt Riley has taken a break from academia to chat to the podcast team about the Exeter City players that he believes deserve to be immortalised, forever looking down on St James' Park from the club’s own Mount Rushmore. Which of the Grecians did Matt select? 

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down once again with sports creative Mark Johnson to talk about life as a self-employed creative. From planning ahead in making the move from full-time employment to developing ongoing concepts, building large-scale 3D sculptures and the material delivery challenges, that Inter Milan shirt … to working on murals for retail space and gushing over the lights of LA.

We’re back in the Centre Circle for another book chat. Join us as The Football Library's head honcho Jonny Brick chats with us about his new work, From Kids to Champions, tracing the history of the FA Youth Cup.

We’re back in the Centre Circle talking with These Football Times' Gary Thacker about his new book Out of the Blue - Chelsea's unlikely Champions League triumph. It covers the dramatic 2011/12 season, when Chelsea recovered from a tailspin of decline to win the continent’s top club honour against all the odds. Join us to hear a story of remarkable comebacks, unexpected upsets and ultimate triumph.

Adidas and football. Football and Adidas. It just works. But that wasn't always the case. From the legend of the 1954 World Cup final, when West Germany, with the help of Adidas, defeated Hungary's Mighty Magyars, to the fall and rebirth of the Three Stripes, in marking the launch of the magazine, the podcast team have got together to share their memories of Adidas in and out of the beautiful game. We've got it all: the faces, the stories, the highs, the lows, the boots, the balls and the kits.

The team are joined by Matt Jones of the hugely popular Blue Room podcast to discuss Everton's current malaise, squad and managerial issues, and a leadership seemingly lacking direction. We dissect the various troubles and Everton's hopes for survival in Today's Football Times.

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with an individual so talented as to be already working with one of the world’s biggest clubs, the wonderful Mary Axon-Smith. From the technical side of life, dropping easter eggs into visual scenes, to celebrating Kevin De Bruyne, Mary gives a great insight into her life as an illustrator ... and living up to her name as a track runner.

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with a genuine leading light in the world of sporting illustration, Dave Will. Talking about their time working on a shared brief to promote European Cup football to Dave’s design industry journey, capturing characters in portraiture,  promoting yourself, getting misty-eyed over 90s kit design, and celebrating King Eric.

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area. In this episode, we visit La Plata in Argentina.

To celebrate the launch of the Fiorentina magazine, the podcast team got together to talk all things Viola, from the highs of the last Scudetto and Cecchi Gori years to liquidation and legends. Think Batistuta, Antognoni, Baggio, Rui Costa, Luca Toni and more.

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area. In this episode, we visit Guayaquil in Ecuador.

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area. In this episode, we visit Cali in Colombia.

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with a man he considers his brother in design, Luke McCarthy. From partnering as goalkeeper and centre-back to illustrating, designing and publishing a book series together, Luke and Marcus talk matchday experiences, 7-a-side adventures, celebrating the city of Glasgow, and what it means to feel at HOME within the beautiful game.  

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area. In this episode, we visit Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area. In this episode, we visit Bogotá in Colombia.

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with the incredibly multi-talented filmmaker and digital artist, Yoni Weisberg. From his life as a film and TV director to establishing himself as one of football's most influential artists, Yoni gives an insight into working behind the camera, why he loves the beautiful game, and that BBC Euro 2020 title sequence.

To coincide with the launch of the Ronaldo magazine, the podcast team sat down to discuss the career of O Fenómeno, one of the most devastatingly brilliant footballers of all. From his rise as a teen prodigy to his injury troubles, pressure, rebirth and legacy, the Brazilian takes centre stage once more.

The South America Files are open. Join us as we draw a sharp focus on a number of cities around the continent, and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and gaffes, we'll examine local rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football. In this episode, we visit Avellaneda in Argentina.

In this special edition of the podcast, the team talk to Kevin Toms, creator of the original Football Manager game - which was so popular in the 1980s - about what inspired it, how it was created and how it gained popularity. We talk strategy, realism and the sheer addictive nature of a game that launched a genre. We also discuss Kevin's upcoming book, The Origin of Football Manager, and the Android/IOS version of the game, Football Star Manager.

The South America Files are open again. Join us as we draw a sharp focus on a number of cities around the continent and discuss the clubs within them. Guided by Dr Pete Watson, our resident South American football expert, as well as looking at their formation, history, culture, glories and troubles, we'll examine rivalries and consider how the location, politics and unique nature of each city has influenced football in that area, country and across the continent. In this episode, we visit Asunción in Paraguay.

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with three of the most influential artists practising in the sporting creative field, talking all things portraiture with Phil Galloway, Dave Flanagan and Karl Thyer. From their unique approach to portraiture, to developing an art direction and all things football, Phil, Dave and Karl give us an insight into the discipline of portraiture from the view of the world's finest creative talent.

Destined for defeat at half-time, three goals down to the might of AC Milan, Liverpool conjured up an epic second-half recovery to win the 2005 Champions League final on penalties. Reds fan and senior writer Jon Townsend joins us to recount the events of the Miracle of Istanbul, one of European football's greatest nights. 

The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with copywriter, author and the creative mind behind the two beautiful books World At Your Feet and Europe At Your Feet, Rob Parker. From the process of the author working with illustrator Lawerta, to his love of the beautiful game and his favourite layouts across the books, Rob gives an insight to life as a writer. Olus learn all about Rob the footballer.

In this podcast we re-enter the Centre Circle with another of These Football Times' authors, discussing Gary Thacker's new book, A Whole New Ball Game, the sequel to The Games People Play, one of the very best fictional football releases in recent times.

On 30 May 2015, Inverness Caledonian Thistle won the Scottish Cup for the only time, one of the great cup runs in the competition's history. The game swung this way and that with a red card, a late equaliser and even a later winner settling the issue, In this episode, Inverness fan Lewis Henderson recalls the drama of the occasion and talks us through the game.

As Tottenham move confidently into the Antonio Conte era, the podcast team talk to broadcaster and Spurs fan Abbi Summers about how the club have ended up in this position and where it all might go from here.

The podcast team chat to Chris Lee about his book Origin Stories, in which he charts the growth of the game in each major football country. We discuss the great stories in this fascinating book, exploring tales both familiar and less known from across the globe. 

Brazil's biggest football club, times are good at Flamengo as they make good on the promise of a star-studded squad. But they've been here before, of course, most notably in 1981 when greats like Zico and Júnior led them to world domination. From the highs to the lows - featuring Leônidas, Petković, Adriano, Romário, Ronaldinho and so much more - this is the story of Flamengo. 

The podcast team are joined for an exclusive chat with Gabriel Clarke, who talks about his wonderful new documentary charting Arsène Wenger's managerial career at Arsenal, discussing the concept and production of the film, along with anecdotes and an insight into what it was like to work with Wenger and a number of players from the Invincibles.

Perhaps the greatest World Cup final display of all time, the great Brazilian team of Pelé and his fellow magicians dazzled in the scorching Mexican sun. In this episode, we wax lyrical about the first World Cup final in colour with senior writer Aidan Williams and wallow in Canarinho memories.

We're often asked what writers and artists need to do if they want to become part of the team. There's no easy answer to the question, unfortunately. It's a matter of submitting work and having it being accepted and approved. In this episode of The Lob, we talk to Alex Roberts, one of TFT's newest and youngest team members, about his journey from being an aspiring writer to having his work up on our website and preparing to feature in a future magazine.

Forza Italia. Join us as we talk to commentator Adam Summerton about his long-term love of Serie A and his role as the voice of BT Sport's Sunday night coverage as part of James Richardson's excellent show, Golazzo.

Often described as one of the competition's most brutal and bruising encounters, the 1970 FA Cup final replay between Chelsea and Leeds has gone down in the annals of football history as part of an ongoing feud between the two clubs. A young Paul Mc Parlan travelled from his Liverpool home to Manchester to watch the game and joins us to discuss the legendary encounter.

The 1974 FA Cup final saw Liverpool lift the trophy as they comprehensively outplayed Newcastle. Along with lifelong Reds fan and all-round LFC doyen, Jeff Goulding, we discuss how Liverpool managed to give Bill Shankly a fitting send-off in his last game in charge of the Reds.

For the third fixture of the second season, The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with the super-talented sports illustrator, creative head behind Goalstar and all-round great guy, Karl Thyer. From his unique journey to being an established professional illustrator to working with the club he loves, Karl gives an insight into his love of training kits, expanding your portfolio with developing art directions, why John Barnes means so much ... and Karl the footballer.

In this episode of The Final Word, our series exploring the most memorable cup finals of all, we revisit the 1998 World Cup. We’re joined by Tom Scholes to try and unravel the mystery over Ronaldo’s appearance, the majesty of Zidane, and how France managed to lift the trophy for the first time in front of an expectant nation.

With the completion of the sale of Newcastle United, the podcast team discuss a number of issues raised by the takeover: the endless lust for money, the state of the Premier League and the impact on fans caught up in it all, and wrestling with morality and love for a club.

We are joined in the Centre Circle by our very own Steven Scragg, as he talks to us about the final part of his incredible European club competition book trilogy. The Undisputed Champions of Europe examines the glory days and the various periods of dominance of the greatest club competition in the world - when the European Cup truly gave us the best club in Europe.

The Final Word is These Football Times' new podcast series. In each episode, we invite a guest along to talk about their favourite final - from domestic football to the biggest international competitions. To kick off, writer Matthew Gibbs takes us back to the 2006 World Cup final to talk about Zidane, head-butts, Panenkas and more.

To celebrate the launch of the Bayern Munich magazine, the podcast team got together to discuss all things Bayern, from their remarkable rise in the 1970s - powered by all those immortal club heroes - to domestic dominance in the 1980s, Trapattoni, Hitzfeld and co in the 1990s and a modern rebirth under Heynckes and Guardiola.  

For the fourth fixture of season two, The Beautifully Designed Game host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with Glasgow-based designer and Creative Director of design agency Pim-Pam, Luke McCarthy. From table tennis to football, from working with local sports organisations to The Scottish FA and UEFA, Luke gives a real insight into connecting with sport through design, working with host Marcus on the HOME book series. Plus, learn how Marcus the goalkeeper loves to play with Luke the centre-back, and a lesson on Clydebank FC.

In the 1984/85 season, Everton had become champions of England for the first time in 15 years. The following season they had to watch their title slip away across Stanley Park to Liverpool, despite having the country's leading goalscorer wearing blue. By 1986/87, with Gary Lineker off to Barcelona, the chances of the title returning to Goodison Park looked remote. The Forgotten Champions, by TFT's Paul Mc Parlan, tells the story of how a Howard Kendall-inspired Everton battled against the loss of key men, a crippling injury crisis, and the perils of plastic pitches to emerge as champions once more.

Once more we are joined by one of These Football Times' favourite authors, Jeff Goulding, to discuss his wonderful new book about a Liverpool side almost lost to the mists of time. From the frontline of World War One to back-to-back league titles, this is the fascinating story of the club's first great team.

In the second podcast with The Football History Boys, Ben Jones and Gareth Thomas, we discuss football in education, not only from the benefits of a physical team activity, but also the use of the ball as a means to educate and engage children in a number of subjects and themes throughout formal education.

In the first of two podcasts with The Football History Boys, Ben Jones and Gareth Thomas, we discuss how football not only reflects society but can also influence its culture, and what it can teach us about the world away from a formal education setting.

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer writer Matthew Gibbs a chance to nominate his favourite four legends of St. Andrews to be immortalised on Birmingham City's own Mount Rushmore. Join us to reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to wear the blue shirt, the legends and the cult heroes.

For the second fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game host Marcus Marritt sits down with Scottish artist and independent designer, Craig Black. From his days as a professional footballer to life as an artist from his studio in Greenock, Craig gives an insight into his creative journey, making the most of social media, working with the club he loves, his connection to typography, and how his Fusion Series – Footballs grew from messy experiments to a dream TV advert.

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer senior writer James Sweeney a chance to nominate his four favourite Leeds United heroes to be immortalised on the club's own Mount Rushmore. Join us as we reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to dawn the all-white shirt across the decades and break down who makes James' cut.

With the new season underway, the podcast team cast their eyes briefly back to Euro 2020 and then forwards to the new season. They discuss the big-spender and the Premier League contenders, plus talk on Rafa Benitez, Brentford, Lionel Messi, booing more.

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer senior writer James Kelly a chance to nominate his four favourite Wrexham heroes to be immortalised on the club's own Mount Rushmore. Join us as we reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to dawn the red and white shirt across the decades, and discuss a bit about the bright future.

Renowned author and journalist Michael Calvin joins us again to discuss his latest book, which takes a look at the very soul of football, at a time when the world was crying out for the beautiful game to bring us some joy. Written against the backdrop of Calvin's life in the game, this is a heart-wrenching and heart-warming chat in equal measure.

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer writer Tom Scholes a chance to nominate his four favourite Tottenham heroes to be immortalised on Spurs' own Mount Rushmore. Join us as we reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to wear the white shirt across the decades.

To kick off our second season, The Beautifully Designed Game host Marcus Marritt sits down with legendary Manchester-based artist and illustrator, Stanley Chow. From his days as a fashion illustrator, to designing and producing his own line, capturing portraits,  his love of the red side of Manchester (and why they look so good in black), Stan gives an insight to life as a genuinely world-class talent and leading light in the illustration world. Oh, and an in-depth talk on fish 'n' chips! 

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer Paul Murphy a chance to nominate his four favourite Celtic heroes to be immortalised on the Bhoys' own Mount Rushmore. Join us to reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to wear the green and white hoops, how tricky Paul's selection was, and why he plumped for his four.

Alongside our magazine release on Internazionale, the podcast team have got together to discuss the club through the decades, from their favourite memories and players to the good times and bad. 

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer senior writer Paul Mc Parlan a chance to nominate his four ultimate Everton heroes to sit on his own Mount Rushmore. Join us to reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to wear the blue from a fan who's been on the Goodison terraces since the 1960s.

Goal celebrations can be as iconic and the ball crossing the line. From the traditional firm handshake to the latest choreographed routine and everything in between, Tony Rickson joins us to discuss his wonderful book which celebrates the celebration. 

In The Mount Rushmore Selection, we offer senior writer Aidan Williams a chance to nominate his favourite four legends of St. James' Park to be immortalised on Newcastle United's own Mount Rushmore. Join us to reminisce about some of the greatest players ever to wear the black and white shirt, the legends and the fans' heroes.

Join disciples of the 1970s and 80s, Stu, Steven, and Gary, as they grill Tom Whitworth about his dedication to all things 1990s and his wonderful book, When the Seagulls Follow the Trawler.

Michael Wagg joins the podcast to talk about his book, a journey back to the final season in the lost nation of East Germany. Revisiting the 14 clubs that made up the final ever Oberliga season, this is a wonderful discussion about a place and time already disappearing into the footballing mists of history.

South America is one of the hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different nations of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, in this episode we focus on Peru, whose international team has the coolest of shirts, but whose clubs have never triumphed in the Copa Libertadores.

The ponytail. The shimmies. The dribbles. The free-kicks. The genius. The divinity. Roberto Baggio was every footballer we've ever loved at once. The team discuss his life and career in this intimate podcast, released alongside the Baggio new magazine.

South America is one of the hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different nations of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed in the different nations of the continent; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, we conclude our odyssey with a visit to Argentina, whose relationship with Europe as much as with the remainder of the continent defined its identity and footballing development.

A struggling Korean football team within the post-2002 World Cup void; a newly-installed Scottish manager; and a football-hungry Canadian watching on from the sparsely populated stands. Join us as we talk to the author of the wonderful book Who Ate All The Squid, Devon Rowcliffe.

The podcast team cast their eyes back to the Champions League final, and forwards to the tournament summer at Euro 2020. They discuss the British domestic squabbles and prospects, plus the main contenders and a classic group of death.

In the final episode of our series celebrating the Scotland national team, the podcast team discuss the final two tournament appearances of the 1990s: Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup. Both were tales of frustration, but were nothing compared to the lows in the years that followed. We also discuss the two decades of deep lows, as the frustrating tournament exits became frustrating qualifying failures. We also look ahead to Euro 2020 and Scotland’s hopes at their first tournament in 23 years.

South America is one of the hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different nations of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. In this episode, we visit Paraguay and discover how and why this landlocked country with just seven million inhabitants has lifted two Copa América titles and produced the most famous goalscoring goalkeeper.

In part four of our celebration of the Scotland national team, the podcast crew discuss the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1992 under the stewardship of Andy Roxburgh. The frustrations of 1990 led to a good showing in Scotland’s first European Championship appearance, at a time when the nation lacked the stars of years past but still possessed the quality to maintain a presence on the world stage in their fifth successive World Cup appearance.

South America is one of the hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different countries of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time we're off to Bolivia, where two wars, geography and mining dictated the introduction and development of the game and why the national team didn’t play a home game until 1950.

Our Scotland series  takes us into the 1980s in episode three, as the podcast team discuss the national team at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups - from the greatness of David Narey’s wonder-goal against Brazil in 1982 through to the agonising, frustrating , infamous goalless draw with Uruguay four years later.

South America is one of the hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different countries of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time, we're off to Ecuador, who have never finished higher than fourth in the Copa América, but produced the best goalscorer in Copa Libertadores history.

The Beautifully Designed Game welcomes a very special guest host, Phil Galloway, who sits down with Glasgow-based goalkeeper, illustrator and graphic artist (and sometime podcast host), Marcus Marritt. From building compositions from a tight colour palette and life as a five and seven-a-side goalkeeper, to working with The FA and UEFA, Marcus gives an insight into life as a full-time illustrator and finding your own voice. Plus the two share a common love and appreciation for the work of Osvaldo Casanova.

In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be exploring how the game has developed in the different countries of the continent; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time, we're off to Uruguay - winners of the first World Cup and unbeaten in the competition for more than 20 years. How have they remained a powerhouse despite their modest size?

In part two of our series focusing on the Scotland national team, we move into the 1970s and the two iconic sides that went to the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. We talk Bremner, Dalglish, Gemmill and MacLeod, and discuss the legendary performances against Brazil and the Netherlands, the unbeaten heroics of 1974, and the deep frustrations of 1978.

In the 1970s, the bright orange flame of the Netherlands scorched the football pitches of the world, reflecting the rebellious nature of a growing societal revolution, but never claimed the big prize. In his new book, Gary Thacker tells the story of these teams, how they thrilled, entertained and captured the zeitgeist despite missing out on the silverware. How did Dutch football get there and what happened next?

It's been 30 years since the Sampdoria of Mancini, Vialli, Lombardo, Vierchowod and Boskov defied the odds to lift the Scudetto. The podcast team remember that legendary side, their greatest games, the star names, the unsung heroes and more.

To celebrate Scotland’s qualification for a first international tournament in 23 years, in the first episode of our new series looking at the nation's tournament history, we delve into their very first World Cups in 1954 and 1958, and the frustrations of the missed opportunities for the hugely talented squads of the 1960s.

Ricky Hill was one of the players who helped to define the English game in the 1980s. Making his debut for Luton at 17 in that iconic Littlewoods Cup final against Arsenal, he was one of the most talented players of his generation. Unfortunately, transitioning from playing to coaching wasn't quite as easy. This is a stunning two-part interview from the man who brought the Rooney Rule to the attention of English football and remains at the forefront of the fight against racism. 

Ricky Hill was one of the players who helped to define the English game in the 1980s. Making his debut for Luton at 17 in that iconic Littlewoods Cup final against Arsenal, he was one of the most talented players of his generation. Unfortunately, transitioning from playing to coaching wasn't quite as easy. This is a stunning two-part interview from the man who brought the Rooney Rule to the attention of English football and remains at the forefront of the fight against racism. 

The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with an artist who goes by the very relevant title of The Pencil Craftsman, photo-realism illustrator and football shirt collector, Liam Stokes-Massey. From his approach to playing on instincts in midfield, working with both traditional media and digital tools, the joy of long sleeve shirts to the detail in illustrating football boots, Liam gives us real insights into his way of working and love of the game. Plus host Marcus reveals all on his future plans for working with Liam.

In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, the team discuss fan protests, a number of issues around the European Super League, the betrayal of fans across the game, and the other problems in the modern game that the mood of protest could be focused on.

It's a club that has scaled football's grandest peaks. And yet, Valencia have sat in the gutter more times than they'd care to remember. From the heroism of Mundo and Kempes to relegation in 1986 and a rebirth in the 1990s, modern Valencia was carved through hard work and struggle. And then came Cuper, and Rafa, and Aimar, Lopez, Mendieta, Baraja, Villa, Mata, Silva, Parejo and more. Brilliant footballers. Nostalgic times. The podcast team discuss all things Valencia. 

Former player Steve Hunt joins us to talk about his book I'm with the Cosmos, looking back at a most sensational career that saw him star alongside Pele, Beckenbauer, Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto and Cruyff, as well as help Aston Villa, Coventry and WBA stay in Division One. It's a story that appears too unbelievable to be true - yet every single word of it is.

In this episode of The South America Files, we journey to the north-east of the continent: Venezuela. The country’s national team, La Vinotinto, has never qualified for the World Cup finals; guided by expert Dr Pete Watson, we examine why, look at the future of the game, and why influence from North America is so powerful.

It's Just a Ball is a book for anyone who lives and loves football. Based on the unique set of experiences of the author, These Football Times' senior writer, Jon Townsend, it's a personal exploration of the beautiful game. The podcast team chat to Jon about the book, his inspiration and a number of themes it raises from coaching to culture and much more in between.

In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be examining how the game has developed on the continent; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, in this episode we visit the 1962 World Cup hosts Chile, and discuss how that tournament proved a watershed moment in the nation's history.

An iconic player from the late 1970s and early-80s, Paul Power was the captain of  Manchester City who led his side in that iconic 1981 FA Cup final replay against Spurs. Paul would later go on to win a league title with Howard Kendall's Everton side in the 1986/87 season. As a coach, he would discover and bring Phil Foden to his beloved Manchester City. This is a special two-part podcast with an icon of the English game.

An iconic player from the late 1970s and early-80s, Paul Power was the captain of  Manchester City who led his side in that iconic 1981 FA Cup final replay against Spurs. Paul would later go on to win a league title with Howard Kendall's Everton side in the 1986/87 season. As a coach, he would discover and bring Phil Foden to his beloved Manchester City. This is a special two-part podcast with an icon of the English game.

In part two of The South America Files, we draw a focus on Brazil. With Dr Pete Watson as our guide, we look back at the history of the game, its development, trials and triumphs, and the future for the international team. How did the game take root there? How did ethnicity and politics influence its development, and why are the talents of Brazilian footballers lauded around the world? 

In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, our team discuss the clubs in the mix for promotion and relegation in the various domestic leagues this season, with tales of mismanagement and turmoil at one end contrasting with the solid foundations and high hopes at the other. Plus why the Scottish Cup is the best knockout competition around, and the potential game-changer of the BeNeLiga proposal.

South America is one of the great hotbeds of football, and in this series we explore the different countries of the continent. In each episode of The South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed in each nation, the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, we start off in Colombia and take a look at the World Cup that never was.

One of TFT's favourite authors is back. Jeff Goulding talks to us about his book that focuses on George Scott, one of the first players to be signed by Bill Shankly upon his arrival at Liverpool. An incredible tale, with a stellar cast, but the star of the story is the boy who ultimately had his dreams dashed by a man who would always be his guiding light and inspiration.

In the summer of 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson finally relinquished the manager's job at Manchester United having delivered the club its 20th league title. Eight years later, they still await their next one. Join us for End of an Era, as author Steven Bell discusses whether the cracks were already showing when David Moyes took the helm and whether Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho could have done more.

Former Manchester United player, Luke Chadwick, joins Stuart Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Bell for a fascinating talk about his time at Old Trafford, the nurturing side of Roy Keane, his loan spell at Royal Antwerp, and the mental health battles he faced, both during his playing career and once he hung up his boots.

The podcast team discuss this season's Champions League, the varied issues surrounding the three remaining English clubs in the competition - Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City - as well as the intriguing clash between PSG and Barcelona and the impact of the memorable tie the two played out in 2017.

The biggest football clubs always seemed immune to the threat of financial implosion, but then came 2012 and Rangers. Join us for episode five of End of an Era, as Lewis Henderson plots the path of what took Scotland's most successful club to the bottom rung of the domestic game and irrevocably changed the sport in Glasgow forever. 

Pro Vercelli, the first great dominant force of calcio, were Scudetto winners seven times in 14 years between 1908 and 1922, before sinking without any sign of a return to their previous glories. Join us for episode four of End of an Era, as Matthew Gibbs gives a majestic history lesson on the Italian game's most enigmatic club. 

To accompany the Anderlecht magazine - made alongside the club and featuring an exclusive interview with Vincent Kompany - the podcast team sit down to discuss their memories of a club that was once one of Europe's very best. From the great names of yesteryear to how they continue to churn out talent, this is the story of Anderlecht.

St Pauli is a football club like no other, standing at the forefront of equality and diversity. It fights injustice and embeds modern popular culture into its DNA. Author Natxo Parra joins us to talk about his book that not only opens a window into this fascinating club, but gets behind the skull and crossbones emblem to reveal a modern blueprint for clubs and their communities.

The Beautifully Designed Game host Marcus Marritt sits down with an artist so talented that, by the age of 23, has already worked for Match of the Day, COPA90, The FA and produced a number of stunning covers for These Football Times, Tom Griffiths. From his arts-based academic background to life as a commanding centre-back and those favoured Chelsea kits of the past, Tom gives us insights into his way of working, including breaking down the detail of his magazine covers.

When Liverpool won their 18th league title in 1989/90, nobody could have foreseen that it would be their last for 30 years. After 11 titles in 18 seasons, most pundits predicted more of the same for the new decade that stretched ahead. Join us for episode three of End of an Era, as author Jeff Goulding considers just how the club's most successful era came to an end.

Listen to Dr Kevin Moore as he joins us to talk about his latest book, which for some will change the way we see the footballing world forever and for other will provide some "I knew it" moments. A wonderful chat with a man who has imperiously researched the many myths and legends of the beautiful game and will make you rethink if you ever really knew anything about football at all.

In the latest fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game host Marcus Marritt sits down with a fellow Glasgow-based creative, a fine artist/illustrator producing world-class portraiture work for clients ranging from Variety, BT Sport, Adidas, COPA90 and Marvel Studios, Kevin McGivern. From an unexpected basement adventure with Henrik Larsson to his practical ways of working, Kevin gives us insights to his way of working, and what it’s like to score past Marcus on the 7s pitches of Glasgow. 

Just how does a club go from the perfect title-winning season to a 16-year title drought? Join us for episode two of End of an Era, as BT Sport, BBC and ITV commentator Seb Hutchinson discusses how Arsenal's most incredulous era came to an end. 

Black footballers have had to fight tooth and nail to prosper in the game, from the very start, subjected to the most horrendous treatment, not only from supporters and opponents, but even from their own teammates. While modern times like to see themselves as more enlightened, problems still persist in unsavoury corners of the game, towards a demographic that has given so much to the rich depth and history of the game. In celebration of their contribution - not only with the ball but in making those indelible first breakthroughs into the professional football environment - we talk to the authors of the wonderful book, Football's Black Pioneers, Bill Hern and David Gleave.

In the latest episode of Today's Football Times, the podcast team look at a multitude of issues around football's relationship with betting and the wider industry. We also discuss Chelsea's recent managerial change and clubs appointing favourite ex-players to big roles they are ill-suited for, plus we get the latest on Wrexham's Hollywood takeover from a member of Wrexham's Supporters Trust.

Join us for episode one of our new series, End of an Era, where a guest picks a team of choice to discuss how and why a defined era of success ended. For this episode, Paul Mc Parlan dissects why an Everton team that looked set to dominate the 1970s failed to build upon the foundations of their 1969/70 title-winning campaign, and the fabled School of Science midfield of Ball, Kendall and Harvey. We're now sponsored by the wonderful Manscaped. Get 20% off their products using promo code TFT20.

Former Tottenham captain and club icon Gary Mabbutt joins us to talk all things Spurs, FA Cup, Gazza and living life as an elite footballer with diabetes. In an enthralling and engaging conversation, Gary explains how his illness has led to him inspiring others and fighting for equality in the treatment of what can be a debilitating illness.

In this episode of The Lob, the team sit down with Adam Summerton, commentator for BT Sport and Amazon Prime. We discuss commentating during Covid and the differences this has led to, the FA Cup and commentator's goldmine of stories it can throw up, plus the impact of TV on National League and Women's football, and much more.

The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host Marcus Marritt sits down with Anthony Moore, an awarding-winning creative director, illustrator and art director who happens to not only be a good bloke with social causes close to his heart but is also the art editor of FourFourTwo. From his love of the Toon to what an art editor does, Anthony gives us a fantastic view behind the scenes of creating a world-class print publication, cover star heroes, Newcastle  in 1990s, and the simple pleasure of doing something you love for a living.

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the team look back on 2020, and also discuss the current season and where it may be heading in England, Scotland and across Europe in what are troubled and unusual times.

They were once the kings of England. And they so nearly came close to being the kings of Europe. As time ebbed and flowed, Leeds United would rise once more - twice, in fact - bringing the good days back to Elland Road through Howard Wilkinson and David O'Leary. And then, bang. Sixteen years of solitude. But Leeds are back where they belong today, gracing the Premier League once again thanks to Marcelo Bielsa. The team talk all things Leeds ahead of the new club issue focusing on the Elland Road outfit.

We're all a little bit of Diego Maradona - and that's what makes him so special, so unique. Through his good times and bad, his genius and mistakes, so many of us mere mortals could see ourselves in him. Never has there been a talent quite like El Pibe, and never will be there be a cult like his. The podcast team sit down to discuss the life and time of Maradona ahead of the tribute magazine release.

In the 11th fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game host Marcus Marritt attempts to keep his cool while talking to the man he describes as the Drew Struzan of the sporting creative world, Dave Merrell. From designing toys to producing world-class visual content for Nike, Adidas, ESPN, The FA and more, Dave talks through the three main loves of his life (outside of family), how he creates bespoke textures, why there is only one colour in Manchester … and getting drunk on your own art.  

In our latest Today's Football Times episode, our contemporary podcast, the team go big on the financial vacuum of the modern top-flight game in England, discussing a number of issues where football has and is still changing due to the influence of more and more money.  We also chat Maradona, paying tribute to arguably the greatest of them all.

In the tenth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the extraordinarily talented and general all-action bundle of creativity that is Mark Johnson. From winning the prestigious D&AD New Blood award in 2009 to his current design role at Umbro, host Marcus Marritt chats with Mark about his typographic series Premiership Legends, working from screen to 3D installation … and presenting Eric Cantona with his own bespoke shirt. 

In the ninth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with apparel designer, graphic designer, free safety, and founder of Dilley Studio, Marcus Dilley. From the start of his journey in product design to architectural design and now apparel, host Marcus Marritt chats with Marcus about the process behind a kit design brief, working with Major League Soccer, the challenge of stripes, a critique of this season's Norwich City third kit, and whatever happened to long-sleeved kits.

Steven Bell joins the podcast team to talk about his book which details an incredible story of meteoric rise followed by devastating tragedy and the green shoots of recovery and redemption at Chapecoense. This is Steven's story about how he came to fall in love with Brazilian football and ultimately document its biggest tragedy.

Join Gary, Steven and Stuart as the team speak to documentary maker Gabriel Clarke about his new film featuring the former World Cup winner who went on to transform the Republic of Ireland's international standing in the game, Jack Charlton. The documentary covers his time as manager at three major international tournaments as well as an incredibly poignant look at his final days at home dealing with dementia.

In a bonus edition of Today's Football Times, the team discuss Marcus Rashford and his ceaseless endeavours to highlight child poverty and campaign for greater support from the government. We talk about how he's used his platform as a footballer for good, the impact his actions have had, how his efforts have affected the perception of him and football, and what the future holds.

In the eighth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with sports branding specialist and brains behind the most unique of kit brands, Kit+Bone, Matt Pascoe. From the start of his journey designing the official kit for his hometown club to key insights in the print and production process, host Marcus Marritt chats with Matt about the birth of Bony, sharing kit memories, and how supporting global causes is at the heart of Kit+Bone. 

In the seventh fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the groundbreaking creative talent of Scott McRoy. From producing ad campaigns for football boots, the process of art directing others, how best to use social for sharing, designing kits for computer games vs the physical world, why ‘The Streets Will Never Forget’ … and the small manner of scoring three goals at Anfield.

Matt Wilkerson is the men's coach at Hanover Collete in Hanover, Indiana. Prior to arriving at Hanover, he was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator at the University of Kentucky (2003-2011), overseeing the transition of various young stars from collegiate soccer to the professional game, at Major League Soccer and beyond. He opens up on his methods, philosophy and success with host Jon Townsend. 

To accompany the new PSV magazine - made alongside the club and Puma - the podcast team sit down to discuss their memories of the Eindhoven giants, from the greats of the 1970s ad European Cup glory in 1988 to the abundance of world-class strikers and recent successes. 

The podcast team discuss a number of issues brought about by the current interpretation of the handball rules, as well as the troubled relationship between the England national team and the media. There is talk too of the impact of a lack of fans at non-league grounds, plus the great Nobby Stiles, the terrific Marcus Rashford, and bits on Saint Virgil and Jordan Pickford.

In the sixth fixture of the new season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the ever adaptable, and always world-class, talent of Dave Flanagan. From his days as a design director to the constant evolution of his visual style, the importance of a professional approach, and working outside of sport with CNN, host Marcus Marritt chats with Dave about his love of the game, how he develops his portfolio, his latest challenge as a football coach and being in the heart of the crowd for that Agüero moment. 

In the fifth fixture of the new season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the uniquely talented Javier Arrés. From his early days as a goalkeeper in the 1990s, to his incredibly detailed visual toys, fantastical cities, ink drawing to crypto-art, host Marcus Marritt chats with Javier about his heroes of football, how he creates his intensely elaborate art, the politics of Barcelona,  his life as a waiter in the city of Liverpool - serving food to the best of Spanish talent playing for the Reds - and how footballers are not always good tippers!

Our very own Stuart Horsfield joins us to discuss his debut book looking at the beautiful idealism of the Brazil side that captured the hearts and minds of so many at the 1982 World Cup. The podcast team discuss the impact this side had on an impressionable ten-year-old, thoughts on Santana, Zico, Sócrates and co, and yes, Paolo Rossi too, as well as the lasting legacy of this glorious failure, told in rare depth in his brilliant new book.

Our very own Steven Scragg joins us to talk about the follow-up to his Telegraph Sports Book of the Year-nominated Cup Winners' Cup book, A Tournament Frozen In Time. This time it is the UEFA Cup that gets the forensic treatment, as the halcyon days of the two-legged final and the different periods of domination by some of the "cool kids" of European football are explained and contextualised. This is very much literary version of ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory'.

In the fourth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game podcast sits down with the doyen of football shirt knowledge that is Phil Delves. From his role as content creator at Football Shirt Collective to his own YouTube channel, Phil's Corner, host Marcus Marritt chats with Phil about his visual connection to the game, the magic of South America, embracing kit sponsors, the conundrum of the centralised badge, and celebrating the trend of disruptive kit design.

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the podcast team share their thoughts on Scotland and their decline in recent decades. They breakdown a myriad of factors that have contributed to this, how a side that once boasted the world's best is perceived now, and what can be done to address the malaise.

In the third fixture of the new season, The Beautifully Designed Game podcast sits down with the uber-talented Federico Manasse. From his home city of Milan, Federico joins Marcus Marritt, discussing life balance as a freelance illustrator and content creative at 433, why he loves the red and black of AC Milan, being influenced by the stylings of Asterix and Tintin, the challenge of reactive content in the football world, and remembering the night Kaká tore through Old Trafford.

Our very own Gary Thacker has made his first foray into fiction and uses the beautiful game as the backdrop for his debut novel. Jon Moreton would have made it to the top-flight as a player: he had the mentality and ability, but his body let him down. An old friend, Charlie Broome, comes to the rescue and gives him a break. Managing struggling Spanish amateur side CD Retama, feathers are ruffled: he is mistrusted by the players and stand-in coach, Sophia Garrigues. Can he adapt to life in Spain and turn things around? There are plenty of twists and turns through the season in this outstanding tale of football, love and betrayal.

In our second fixture of the new season, The Beautifully Designed Game continues with an-depth chat with a true trailblazer in the sporting creative world, Dan Leydon. From his base in Sligo, Ireland, Dan sits down with Marcus Marritt, discussing the events of 2012 that led him to combine his passion for football and drawing, why "it means more" to work for the club he loves, being influenced by Tokyo street fashion, moving to a more project-based approach, learning motion, and why he loves Rafa.

Over the past few years, we've travelled around the world and back in time to look at the inevitable links between football and politics. As the curtain falls on Political Football, we've jumped into our DeLorean and headed into the future. Join us as we venture into the murky waters and the political implications surrounding the upcoming World Cup in Qatar in 2022. 

Guided by our guest Matthew Gibbs, we trawl through the traumas and trials of the backdrop of the 2018 World Cup, the first in Eastern Europe. There are tales of deception, deceit and double-dealing, dodgy deals and dirty deeds. How did the World Cup end up in Russia? What issues were ignored, and why? We also look at the activities within the tournament itself and consider if this was the most politically-charged World Cup of all time.

With echoes of social unrest and ethnic conflict causing tension in Germany, many thought the 2006 World Cup could be a political disaster for the hosts. After the tournament, however, the organisation, presentation and friendly atmosphere promoted made it an unmitigated success. As our guest Ewan Morgan explains, however, there were so many other things going both before and during the event that gave the 2006 World Cup a number of political undercurrents. 

In 1994, the World Cup travelled to the USA. In this episode, we look at a tournament was shaped by the political climate of the time and American culture. If other World Cups had been commercialised, this was another level and would set the framework for so many other tournaments to follow.

Neville Southall was the last line of defence in Howard Kendall's wonderful Everton side of the 1980s, an iconic figure throughout the decade. His new book is an incredible insight into one of British football's all-time greats, discussing many contemporary topics which impact not only on footballers but on society. Neville joins us to talk even more sense about topics ranging from Adrian Heath to Donald Trump and everything in between.

Kicking off the new season with an in-depth chat with sporting fine artist Phil Galloway, The Beautifully Designed Game brings you insights from a global squad of creative talent working in the football world. In this first episode, host Marcus Marritt sits down with Phil, discussing life as a full-time artist, his work in launching football kits and boots, illustrating Graeme Souness in a wig on Christmas eve, and how Fido Dido influences his choice of all-time favourite kit.

Paul Gascoigne's three years at Lazio were nothing but polarising, from the promise and mysticism of the early days to the tragicomedy of the end. Excelling when fit, showcasing his wild talent, but struggling with demons when injured, join the podcast regulars as they speak to Daniel Storey, the author of Gazza in Italy.

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the team share their thoughts on the current state of the Football League, and discuss the financial issues surrounding clubs at that level. We discuss the structure and any potential changes, salary caps, TV revenue, financial mismanagement and more.

To celebrate the launch of the Olympique de Marseille magazine, made in conjunction with the club and Puma, the podcast team share their thoughts on the club's greatest players, teams and managers, breaking down the highs and lows of the journey to date. 

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the team share their thoughts on the state of elite European football, its future, and its impact on the game at all levels, as well as FFP and super league proposals. They also discuss the recent rise of İstanbul Başakşehir to become Turkish champions, as well as our guests' soapbox moments.

Robert O'Connor discusses his book Blood and Circuses. Covering the game and how it was affected by the political upheaval in the former Soviet bloc, Robert takes us on a journey through a collection of nations - old, new and those yet to be confirmed -  seeking an identity through football. His odyssey has created an enjoyable and fascinating account, describing parts of Europe lost to mainstream understanding where football is both a social glue and ethnic definition.

In the second regular Today's Football Times episode, the podcast team share their thoughts on the FA Cup; its decline, its relevance and how it may be revived, as well as reminiscing about the good old days of the cup final. The team also talk Jack Charlton, Liverpool and Tranmere, among others, in a wide-ranging discussion of current football affairs.

Conor Nestor is a UEFA A-licensed coach from Limerick, Ireland. At just 36, he has coached in his native Ireland, the US, Australia, and is currently the head coach of Svay Rieng, a professional team and the current champions of Cambodia. He's a former Development Officer with the Football Association of Ireland and team coach with Limerick's under-19 team.

In a brand new podcast, Today's Football Times, the podcast team go contemporary as they convene once a month to discuss the going on in the sport today. In this episode, they discuss the Premier League's return and the implications surrounding it, including empty stadia, player fitness, relegation and lower leagues, and some long-term changes to the product we’d like to see come out of this unprecedented situation. There is also a look at what else is going on at These Football Times.

Ray Power is an experienced and innovative coach, the author of various books who's worked as an academy manager in the UK, Africa and Ireland. He joined host Jon Townsend to delve into the world of player and coach development, sharing unique insights in his philosophy and more. 

This episode of the Centre Circle covers one of the most celebrated football books. Danish Dynamite features the history of the Danish national team that exploded into football’s consciousness in the mid-1980s with stars such as Michael Laudrup, Preben Elkjær and Jesper Olsen. Dressed in that uber-cool shirts, they thrilled and entranced with some magical football. Where did they come from, what changed to make them succeed, and what happened afterwards?

Jess Ibrom is a professional coach holding a UEFA and USSF A License with more than  20 years of experience as a high-performance coach, elite youth developer, and coach developer. More than 20 players coached by Jess have gone onto to play elite professional and international football. From the UK and US to Mexico and New Zealand, his roles have been as varied as challenging. He sat down with host Jon Townsend to discuss all things development.

Bringing the story right up to date, the sixth and final part of our European Championship series centres on 2012 and 2016, from Spain's version of Mexico 70 at Euro 2012 to the pragmatic, perhaps fortunate, route that Portugal took to glory at Euro 2016. 

Fresh from the success of co-hosted Euro 2000, the 16-nation tournament had finally found its own personality, but the ethos of the winners of 2004 and 2008 couldn't be more different. From the pragmatism and shock of Greece in 2004 to the expansion and awe of Spain in 2008, this is part five of the European Championship series. 

In what might be the best Political Football podcast yet, it's difficult to imagine that any World Cup tournament before or since has been as politically-charged as Argentina 1978. Amid the carnage of a violent military junta, with talks of potential boycotts and campaigns across the world eventually failing to persuade FIFA to change venues, the 1978 World Cup was played out in the most febrile of atmospheres. Add in speculation about fixed results, historical antagonisms, heroic protests, and a home victory reinforcing the military authority, and this World Cup had everything.

Once an economist with a passion for football, after Rui Marques won two high-profile Fantasy Football competitions, it opened a door into professional scouting with the likes of Sporting Kansas and Legia Warsaw. He discusses his unique journey in the game.

The 1974 World Cup in West Germany was one of the most politically charged tournaments of all. In this episode, Steven Scragg talks through how politics decided the hosts and which stadiums would be used, the iconic confrontation between East and West Germany, competing countries under the heel of dictatorships, the internal politics of squads, and old enmities hanging on from 30 years earlier.

To celebrate the release of the Arsenal magazine, sub-editor and lifelong supporter Will Sharp joined the podcast to discuss Arsenal's place in the game and their history, from the legends of a bygone era through George Graham's success and Arsène Wenger's revolution. 

In part two, Mike Keeney, assistant coach for IFKH of Finland’s Veikkausliiga, joins Jon Townsend to discuss his journey as a professional coach. Mike shares his philosophy and discusses his insights into topics such as coaching education abroad, culture and football, club and international team dynamics, and the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for coaches of all levels.

In 1966, the World Cup arrived in England and, for many, the enduring memories of that tournament revolve around the final, Geoff Hurst, and  Nobby's dancing, but there was far more to '66. Paul McParlan talks us the North Korea paradox, an African boycott, European skulduggery, shady referees, a London-centric emphasis, and the first globally marketed tournament - not forgetting a mention or two of greyhounds and an inquisitive dog.

In part one of a two-part series, Mike Keeney, assistant coach for IFKH of Finland’s Veikkausliiga, joins Jon Townsend to discuss his journey as a professional coach. Mike shares his philosophy and discusses his insights into topics such as coaching education abroad, culture and football, club and international team dynamics, and the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for coaches of all levels.

Basking in sunshine, Euro 96 would prove to be the biggest and best European Championship yet - for four years, anyway. England, Holland and France would cry, while the Czech Republic won the hearts and a defiant Germany secured glory. Four years later, a brilliant edition would end in golden goal glory as a quite superb France, led by Zinedine Zidane, won in the final against a popular Italy. This is the story of Euros 96 and 2000.

In conjunction with the Celtic magazine's release, our senior writers get together to discuss the club's history; from the early pioneers and Lions of Lisbon, to centenary glory, fall, rise again and modern dominance. This is the story of Celtic, a club like no other.

Football isn't just a sport - it's a highly personal life journey for many. An experience shared with loved ones and strangers alike. The Lob speaks to Emma Case, daughter of Liverpool legend Jimmy, about her brilliant brainchild The Red Project, one she hopes will collate the visual and spoken memories of Liverpool supporters for the wider good. 

Flamengo 1980/81: the story behind the rise to continental and global glory of Cláudio Coutinho's Flamengo. Previous state championships paled into insignificance with the rise of a side containing Júnior, Leandro and the great Zico. Their dominance culminated in their first Copa Libertadores title and a comprehensive demolition of Bob Paisley's European champions, Liverpool, in that famous 3-0 Intercontinental Cup victory in Tokyo. 

For many football fans, the little-known 1938 World Cup is one often shaded in darkness. The last tournament before the Second World War was brimful of political interference, influence and infiltration. In this episode, we review the tournament and, given the ongoing situation in the world at the time, consider how politics' chess game inevitably cast its shadow over the finals.

The Netherlands in 1974 is the story of Rinus Michels' beautiful but ultimately heartbreaking World Cup campaign. With Johan Cruyff inspiring a side dripping with talent, boasting a style of play that bewitched the world, the Netherlands would come so close yet agonisingly so far from etching their name into history as perhaps the greatest world champions of all.

The last eight-team tournaments, and the polar opposites of one another, after the stylistic excellence of the Netherlands and the Soviet Union at Euro 88 came the largely sterile football of Euro 92, a tournament and era topped off by Denmark's improbable rise to glory and the fall of the Iron Curtain. 

Do you think that politic and finance influencing the World Cup is a new thing? In the first episode of Political Football: World Cup, we talk to Paul Mc Parlan about how the whole show got underway in 1930. Who promoted the idea and why did we need a global tournament? What came of the inaugural event in Uruguay and how was the game forever changed?

Abraham Klein is a man who had the best view of some of football's greatest fixtures. Refereeing at three World Cups, and withdrawing from the 1974 finals based on security grounds, Klein was in the middle for Brazil-England in 1970, Italy-Argentina in 1978 and perhaps the greatest World Cup game in history, Brazil-Italy in 1982. The Israeli shares his memories and opinions from Gentile to Banks, VAR to military dictatorships, and everything in between.

While Euro 1980 has long since faded to black, it was the first of the new tournament formats as West Germany, fired on by Klaus Allofs, triumphed over Belgium. Then, in 1984, the greatest individual showing at the finals, courtesy of Michel Platini's scarcely believable nine goals, would send a superb France team to their maiden international honour. 

Liverpool, with a rich, unique and storied history, to go alongside their hypnotic contemporary resurgence, meant that gravity was always going to lead These Football Times to a magazine in their honour. Featuring exclusive audio from our interview with Jamie Carragher, join Stuart Horsfield, Steven Scragg, Gary Thacker and Jeff Goulding as they discuss our upcoming release.

Sarah Starkey talks to us about Liverpool's 2005 Champions League campaign, culminating in that epic comeback in Istanbul against AC Milan. From an inauspicious start that almost ended in elimination at the group stage to what is arguably the greatest European Cup final of all, this is the story of how a Steven Gerrard-inspired side cemented a young girl's love of Liverpool.

The European Championship is a constant shape-shifting entity, though first five finals were only four-nation events. From forgotten legends of yesteryear to coin-toss triumphs and Antonin Panenka's genius, this is the story of the tournament from 1960 to 1976 - part one of a new series discussing dissecting all finals ahead of Euro 2020.

As well as having a volatile political history, Mexico is one of the world's most passionate football countries, so there's little surprise that these two components of the North American nation combine. In this episode, we draw a focus on Club Tijuana as Edd Norval gives us a guided tour of the side, its colourful owner, and it's rapid rise through the league structure. We discuss its history, relations with other clubs and fans, and how a location near the border with the US has created unique opportunities for development.

Hungary's Magical Magyars of the 1950s are one of the iconic sides in the history of world football. Their scintillating play took them to a World Cup final and a long unbeaten run, plus that infamous demolition of English superiority in 1953. Back at home, though, Hungary was anything but a happy place. Author and long-time Hungarian resident David Bailey guides us through the backdrop to those cherry-shirted magicians, looking at the various political powers of the time and how they influenced the development of Hungary's greatest generation.

We talk to Justin Walley, the president of CONIFA Africa and member of the organisation's Executive Committee, about the work they carry out and how the inevitable and often compromising tentacles of politics is something they seek to avoid. Following discussions about FIFA and some of their confederations in recent months, how is CONIFA different and what can they do to shape football's future?

For many of us, football is more than a sport. It can act as an anchor, in as pronounced a manner as our loved ones. More important than work, food and sleep, there is a generation of football watchers who straddle two different eras of the game - and they sometimes struggle to quantify their love. They cling to an era when the game hooked them, yet despair where it is today. It is within this spirit that we speak to the author of the wonderful book I Can't Help Falling In Love With You: Growing up as a Football Addict, Greg Whitaker.

Across the world, populist politics - the idea that society is separated into two groups at odds with one another: the "pure people" and the "corrupt elite" - is often centred on placing the blame on what is perceived to be outside influence, and it's becoming increasingly ubiquitous. Unsurprisingly, this is having an effect on football and how the game is both perceived and being used. What are the implications for football and can it lead to a return to the darker days of the game?

Football in America has been eclectic and polarising from the very start. From the pre-Wall Street Crash boom to Major League Soccer, via the incorrigible NASL, it has a marvellous story to tell, which so much of the world is unaware of. The Lob speaks to Tom Scholes who tells that story in his book Stateside Soccer.

CONMEBOL is one of FIFA's six continental confederations and, as they cover the South American region, it's also one of the most important, having World Cup winners Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, amongst other countries, plus the Copa Libertadores, within its remit. However, a never-ending mist of controversy, corruption and maladministration swirls around its activities. South American football expert Frederick Clayton guides us through the oft-tangled web of the organisation's activities and discusses its past, present and possible future.

When Arrigo Sacchi stepped through the San Siro doors in 1987, AC Milan would never be the same again. Through his glorious revolution, Capello's evolution, the doldrums of the late 1990s, and the 2000s rebuild under Carlo Ancelotti, the Rossoneri blessed football with some of its finest moments for 20 years. To celebrate the launch of the AC Milan magazine, we caught up with expert Matt Santangelo.

The team that humbled Wembley and taught England that there was an entirely different footballing world out there, The Lob talks to David Bailey, author of the excellent book Magical Magyars, all about the indelible Hungary side that was so brilliant led by Ferenc Puskás yet inexplicably failed to win the 1954 World Cup.

The 1934 World Cup is considered one of the most controversial in the history of the tournament. Held in Italy as Benito Mussolini's fascists were looking to cement control over the country and drive forward their idea of nationalism, it was used as a unique propaganda tool. Dubious refereeing, an influx of non-Italians to the national team, and dodgy organisation were just a few of the incidents. And away from the pitch, things were even more extreme.

Nat Lofthouse is a legendary figure in English football. In this episode, we chat with Matt Clough about his biography of the talismanic striker. We look at the environment that made "Lofty" the man and player he was, his success, trials and tragedy at Bolton, and his career wearing the white of England.

ITV and BT Sport commentator Seb Hutchinson recalls how a team boasting Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Rhian Brewster went to India and inspired a nation by lifting the Under-17 World Cup. Playing with a confidence and freedom seldom seen by any England side, it was a team and a tournament which restored the belief in the domestic game's ability to produce outstanding talent.

Internationally-acclaimed comedian Ashley Blaker recalls a season of epic gluttony as Liverpool lifted the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup, the latter two after thrilling finals against Arsenal and Alavés. With derby glory aplenty thanks to Gary McAllister's legendary winner and a squad that was as gifted as it was maverick, it remains one of Liverpool's most iconic campaigns.

Out on the southern tip of Spain, Andalusia is an outpost for football in the country, and while other clubs from the region may rise and fall, Sevilla and Real Betis - both based in Seville - remain giants. Indeed, when they play each other, El Gran Derbi is a game like no other. In this podcast, Colin Millar joins us to discusses his book The Frying Pan of Spain, which details the rivalry that both divides and unites the city, going back to the formation of the clubs, their histories, successes and failures.

Chris Weir talks to us about Arsenal's historic Invincibles campaign, which saw them match Preston North End's record of going an entire league season unbeaten. From a ridiculed statement of intent by Arsène Wenger to a nerve-wracking final day victory at Highbury, this is the story of the most historic Premier League campaign.

A season which started with fear and trepidation would become one of West Ham's most successful in recent times. While 2015/16 was dominated by Leicester's title win, Danny Lewis recalls West Ham's emotional final campaign at the Boleyn Ground. Losing just three home games all season, it all culminated in a momentous night under the lights as the Irons beat Manchester United in the final match at Upton Park - before the lights went out for good.

Dan Williamson joins us to discuss Manchester United's iconic treble. A season which started on the back of Arsenal winning the double, signalling a potential shift in power, and David Beckham being vilified for his sending off in the 1998 World Cup would see Alex Ferguson guided his side past the best in Europe to record British football's greatest triumph - and leave a generation with unforgettable memories.

It was a tournament like no other, called the awkward sibling of the European Cup and the UEFA Cup. These Football Times' Steven Scragg talks about his brilliant debut book chronicling the history of the Cup Winners' Cup, and the wonderful randomness that made it such an engrossing, unpredictable and much-missed tournament. Head around Europe as he takes you on a tour of unrelenting nostalgia.

Tom Scholes talks to us about how Pep Guardiola's Barcelona plan was crystallised into a single season which saw them finish above José Mourinho's Real Madrid in the league, as well as defeating them over two classic semi-final fixtures to set up a date at Wembley against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. It was a season of domination from a team that continued to refine the modern game.

Jimmy Greaves is arguably the greatest goalscoring talent English football has ever known, a precocious teenager at Chelsea who endured a doomed transfer to AC Milan but who later became a legend at Tottenham, battling alcoholism after retiring. We talk to David Tossell about his book on Greaves, Natural, and the striker's life.

Alcohol and football are strange but longstanding bedfellows. From the earliest origins of the game, the financial support of brewers and distillers has driven development. However, this relationship has hardly been chronicled. Bottled, by Ben Roberts, fills that gap and he joins us to discuss how alcohol has been and remains an important, divisive and tragic element in football.

An in-depth discussion and misty-eyed reminisce about one of the most exciting and exhilarating team's to ever play the game. Scoring 15 goals in five games, with each one a work of art, Brazil were the world's favourite side and seemed destined to win the World Cup playing a unique brand of Futebol Arte. Then they played Italy in one of the greatest World Cup fixtures of all ...

In what must be the most powerful and poignant episodes of the Political Football to date, Uri Levy takes us into the conflicted world of politics and football in Palestine. We discuss how the seemingly intractable issues of sovereignty, security, independence and liberty play out within the game across what is perhaps the most chronically troubled area of the globe. We look at players, clubs, governing bodies and fans, as Uri explains how football has developed in an environment overshadowed by conflict.

Searching for games that offer the warm glow of his years spent watching Salisbury with his late grandfather, we caught up with author Mat Guy to discuss his fantastic book, Another Bloody Saturday, which delves into the essence of football away from the clean, crisp, wealthy world of the Premier League. Just why do people head out on windswept Saturday afternoons and wet Wednesday evenings to watch lower and non-league teams play?

In the Basque city of Bilbao, supporting Athletic is less a sporting affiliation than an act of faith. Their policy of Basque-only players is a badge of honour, one that has cemented the club in the affections of the proud locals. Talking about Athletic without involving the politics of the region is a forlorn task, so we enlisted the help of Dan Parry, who's lived and taught in Bilbao for years.

The history of football in Northern Ireland is cross-cut with societal divides defined by religion and politics. Throughout the nation's turbulent history, the game has been buffeted - at times engulfed - by the waves of passion. It has also provided an arena where reconciliation, as well as rancour, can be displayed. Ben Roberts discusses his wonderfully empathetic book, Gunshots and Goalposts, which offers an accessible history to football in Northern Ireland.

Political Football heads back to South America to take a look at one of the lesser footballing lights of the continent. Political turmoil in Venezuela is nothing new, but how that impacts on football may just be. A country of 32 million had, until the 2019 Copa America, struggled to make any meaningful impression on the continent's biggest sport, but that's now changing. Baseball's supremacy is being threatened as football elbows its way into the peoples' consciousness and politics takes a hand, thanks in no small part to a certain Diego Maradona.

The Women's World Cup gave another boost to the growing momentum in women's football, as the success of the Lionesses captured the imagination of so many football fans, both male and female. Indeed, the semi-final between England and the USA produced the BBC's best viewing figures for the year so far. With women's football on a steep upward trajectory., Lynsey Hooper joined us to discuss how the game can fulfil its potential.

Some lost limbs, even heads; others just pride. Subbuteo was far more than just a game: it was a defining memento, a living organism, for a generation of children long before FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer.

Every club can boast one: the gifted youngster who defied expectations by not becoming the next George Best or the next Paul Gascoigne. Fated for greatness, only to fall by the wayside. On the latest episode of The Lob, we speak to author and journalist Ryan Baldi about his book The Next Big Thing, where he collaborated with a number of current and former players to tell the story of football's lost wonderkids.

Professional football in Indonesia may be relatively new, but its impact on society and politics has been immediate and far-reaching. Clubs owned by the elite in search of a laundered image, violent ultras that have come to dominate, and rampant corruption all form part of the game. Throw in a government that sees football as a diversion from its ills and you have a heady brew.

Author James Hendicott, the man behind the excellent CONIFA: the untold story of the alternative World Cup, joins Stuart Horsfield and Jordan Florit to discuss one of the game's most intriguing tournaments, bringing together displaced people and teams in a show of solidarity and opportunity markedly different from the world of FIFA.

An in-depth discussion with Steven Scragg and Jeff Goulding on how reigning champions Liverpool - led by Bob Paisley and featuring a star-studded line-up - overcame defeat in the first round of the European Cup to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest to produce a domestic season of such quality that it remains one of the greatest in English football history.

Senior writer Paul Mc Parlan, who watched Everton all season, discusses how Howard Kendall’s Toffees progressed from surprise FA Cup winners in 1984 to dominating the First Division, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup and narrowly missing out on the treble. A side full of youth and talent, spearheaded by the irrepressible And Gray and Graeme Sharp, this is the story of an Everton team like no other.

Academy Award-winning director and the man behind Senna and Amy joins the Lob to discuss his new film Maradona, and in-depth insight into the Argentine's turbulent time in Naples with Napoli.

After previously focusing on World War One, author and journalist David Díaz Bejarano returns to the series to discuss the interaction of football and politics before, during and after World War Two. We examine how the changes in the game in the inter-war years made football a potent political tool for the different ideologies as war approached, the way the football and footballers were often manipulated as pawns during the conflict, and how both on the battlefield and football field heroic stances were taken by those in the game to kick back against the established order.

The 1982 World Cup was a tournament of legendary highs, great games, wonderful goals and endless controversy. From Brazil's Ginga and Italy's catenaccio to the swagger of France and the machine of West Germany, for those who watched it, it remains a finals that England, too, should have excelled at, boasting a superb squad. Join Stuart Horsfield and Steven Scragg as they talk to Gary Jordan about his excellent book, Out Of The Shadows.

The FA Cup final, once the centrepiece of the football season and the game kids dreamed of scoring the winning goal in, was a unique match for many in the UK and beyond. Now largely an afterthought, join Stuart Horsfield, Steven Scragg, Aidan Williams and Dan Williamson as they recall their favourite finals and where the competition lost itself.

Author and journalist David Díaz Bejarano focuses on the interaction of football and politics before, during and after World War One. How did the global game continue, and progress, during the greatest conflict the planet had ever known? From women's football and the heroes who died in conflict, to using the sport as a propaganda tool, this is how the game remained relevant during the devastation.

With history weighing them down and defeat in the opening game, the world's best team, Spain - champions at Euro 2008 - were expected to crumble at the 2010 World Cup, the first in Africa. But they would rise to the challenge, becoming one of the greatest modern winners, cementing a generation of brilliant stars into folklore. Journalist and author Euan McTear recalls Spain's greatest vintage for My Side.

An in-depth discussion on Ajax's third successive European Cup-winning campaign for My Side, a celebration of the best teams we've ever seen. What impact did the departure of Rinus Michels to Barcelona and the arrival of Ștefan Kovács have on Europe's best team? How good was Johan Cruyff and his support cast? This is the story of how Ajax completed their domination of the continent in the early 1970s

The Political Football podcast launches into series three with a look at contemporary Spain and, in particular, the issue of potential independence for Catalunya. Expertly guided and advised by Madrid-based journalist and author Euan McTear, we discuss how current affairs have affected Spanish football and, should the independence movement triumph, what the implications may be for Barcelona and other clubs in the region, LaLiga and the national team.

Welcome to a new series - My Side - discussing writers' and fans' greatest teams over the years. First up is Newcastle's 1995/96 vintage, examining their thrilling if ultimately doomed exploits in the Premier League and what events led to this most iconic season. Who were the key protagonists? From Les Ferdinand's metronomic goalscoring to Kevin Keegan's "love it" speech, and arguably the greatest Premier League game, this is the story through senior writer Aidan Williams' eyes.

Thomas Gravesen was loved by the supporters of the teams he served, and underappreciated by the wider breadth of football. In the late-1990s he was part of a resurgent Hamburg midfield, before switching to the Premier League with Everton and eventually gaining a shock move to Real Madrid. Part of the Denmark side that made the finals of Euros 2000 and 2004, he also went to the 2002 World Cup. Energetic and eccentric, Gravesen is the subject matter of the latest book to be discussed in the Centre Circle, the work of prolific journalist and author Chris Sweeney.

Author Daniel Gray returns to discuss another of his evocative books. After a nostalgic ramble through football in bygone days with Black Boots & Football Pinks, we bring things up to date as Saturday, 3pm allows us to delve into the delights of the modern game. From the arrival of the new season’s fixture lists to local players making good and visiting grounds for the first time, to final-day shenanigans, join us as we stroll through Gray’s 50 delights of football today.

With the Euro 2020 qualifiers about to begin - six months later than traditionally the case due to the advent of the polarising Nation League - what's better for the continental game's fans, players and clubs? Should we advocate change or stick to the traditional, successful tournament-style qualifiers and finals?

To round off series two of Political Football, we move away from the connection between football and politics in specific countries in favour of a wider focus of the subject, examining at the growth of football academies in Africa. Are they beneficial for talented young African footballers, helping them to progress their careers and find fame and fortune in the richer football countries of the world, or just another example of exploitation endemic in capitalist societies? Does their purpose stunt domestic development in Africa?

Justin Walley has enjoyed a footballing odyssey like few others. As well as attending six World Cups, six European Championships, two Copa Americas, and having lived in eight different countries and visited 125, he has founded a football club in Latvia and developed a successful women's team there. He's since joined CONIFA and managed an international team, before taking Matabeleland to the CONIFA World Football Cup against the hair-raising tale of being in Zimbabwe as Robert Mugabe's regime fell.

For many fans, Peru are the hipster team of various World Cups. The iconic white shirts with the broad red sash are instantly recognisable and conjure up memories of great players from the past. Beneath that superficial veneer, though, there's a world of intrigue as politics and football mix to produce an intoxicating cocktail on a par with many other South American countries. Join expert Peter Galindo as he guides us through the murky waters of the domestic game in Peru and reveals the bribery, corruption and seething political intrigue redolent in football.

Crossing football fact with fictional is an art form in itself, which few authors can pull off. A genre popularised by Nick Hornby's iconic Fever Pitch and continued adeptly by Mr Shankly's Photograph, The Damned United and Red or Dead, join our regular hosts as they talk to Jeff Goulding, writer of the brilliant Stanley Park Story, the modern benchmark and successor to the football "faction" greats.

We talk to Uri Levy, the founder of BabaGol, about Egyptian football, a country that defines the intricate relationship between politics, society and the beautiful game, from club level to reverence for the national team's favourite sons. How did the Arab Spring change football in the country and what does the future hold in Egypt?

Bringing our managerial rivalries series to a close, we move to the 1990s, a decade that began with the Dalglish-Graham head-to-head seemingly set to dominate to the century’s end. Swiftly, however, with Dalglish abdicating his throne at Anfield and Graham falling at Highbury, Alex Ferguson came to the fore, where he was challenged for supremacy by the likes of Wilkinson, Dalglish again, Keegan and Wenger.

We return to Northern Ireland in the company of Ben Roberts to explore the various clubs based there and examine how history, location and fan base have formed the backdrop to their identity. Allegiances to either unionist or nationalist causes, Protestant or Catholic faith, and family heritage all play a part in the interweaving threads of political influence that join together to make up the fabric of the region and both define and refine the identity of the football clubs there.

The League Cup, with its countless changes of sponsorship and trophy, is a tournament has been a part of the English football calendar for almost 60 years, within which time it has been loved and scorned in equal measure, from the early years when many clubs opted not to take part, through its 1970s and 80s heyday, to an era where the top clubs give it a near-scant regard. However, the League Cup has been a stepping stone to greater successes for some, while upon occasion it has arguably changed the course of football history.

A polarising figure who became an icon at some of the clubs he passed through, the game sadly lost Graham Taylor over two years ago. A revolutionary at Lincoln and Watford and a saviour at Aston Villa, Taylor was vilified during his time as England manager, before the peaks and troughs of a spell at Wolves and return visits to Vicarage Road and Villa Park. Beyond coaching, Taylor won a new army of admirers through punditry. Lionel Birnie, the man who worked extensively with him on his autobiography, Graham Taylor: In His Own Words, joins us to discuss the humble Englishman.

Following the Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco’s nationalist forces took control of the country and introduced a reactionary government, centred on traditional values, the church and a centrally dominated, unified state. His dictatorship lasted until his death in 1975, and in that time all of Spanish life came under the purview of his Movimiento Nacional. Football was no different. In this pod, we discuss the implications for players, clubs and the national team during these turbulent times. It's a tale of contrasts and divisions, exploring how football struggled to survive sociological upheavals, an autocratic dictatorship and how the regime wrapped itself around the glory of Real Madrid and La Roja.

Kevin George is a former professional footballer who played for West Ham, Charlton and Lincoln. After finishing his playing career, he took courses in counselling and developed an interest in the human mind and behaviour. Kevin joins us to discuss his book Soccology, which examines the behaviour, psychology and emotional intelligence through the words of former and current professional footballers, digging deep into the psychology of what it means to work within football.

As well as being the home of Jogo Bonito, Brazil has a history of political discord that so often in the past has impacted on football. The recent election of Jair Bolsonaro suggests a fundamental change in the political outlook and social attitudes of the nation, and it seems inevitable that this will impact on the game. Indeed, a number of famous Brazilian footballers voiced their support for Bolsonaro in the election, while others, both players and fan groups, have spoken out against him. How will this seismic political shift affect Brazilian football?

What is life like for a commentator? How do they prepare for one of the most important and iconic roles in sports coverage? Adam Summerton, from BT Sport, UEFA and talkSPORT, gives us the lowdown on his day-to-day, the nuances between radio and television coverage, and the anecdotes of a career ranging from the Champions League to the Conference North.

The 1980s were a decade dominated by Liverpool, where they were led in the dugout by Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, all of whom kept the Anfield empire rolling toward regular league titles. Yet they were constantly challenged by the rise of an unexpected rival, be from Ron Saunders' Aston Villa and Howard Kendall's Everton to George Graham's Arsenal and Brian Clough's at Nottingham Forest. This is the story of a remarkable decade for English football.

In the first episode of series two of Political Football, we examine the UK in the 1970s and 80s, the tensions between football, its supporters and the establishment, and the Thatcher government. It was a time of disorder in society and football as economic and social cohesion came under pressure. What caused this and what were the effects on the game? Policing, hooliganism, tragedy and class all come under the microscope.

The savage 1970s was a decade in which social and political upheaval was equally matched in the football world. As a generation of iconic managers stood down midway through the 1970s while at the peak of their powers, the floor was left to Bob Paisley and Brian Clough to duel out the second half of the decade in England.

The 1960s was the decade in which the role of the football manager changed dramatically. With more autonomy from directors, the giants of English management grew quickly, becoming icons still celebrated to this day. Potts, Nicholson, Ramsey, Catterick, Shankly, Busby, Mercer, Revie and Greenwood all battled it out for the honours, in what was the most competitive decade of them all.

For 20 years, the concept of a European Super League has periodically risen. The idea that the elite of the European club game congregate to play each other on a weekly basis is one that makes the money men drool. UEFA are trying to protect the elite teams ever more, with 24 of this season's 32 Champions League group stage competitors gaining automatic entry to the tournament. So is a European Super League inevitable?

The more football changes the more it stays the same. The managerial rivalries and differences in approach taken to the contemporary game, from the mind-expanding football of Pep Guardiola to the pragmatism of Jose Mourinho, and every other shade in-between, nothing is new. Football's greatest modern-day ideas are simply recycled versions of something which went before. Managerial Rivals delves into five decades of rivalries and looks to draw some familiar sounding parallels to the game we watch today. In part one, we explore the 1950s.

Chris Slegg, BBC journalist and author of the excellent 2018/19 Women's Football Yearbook, joins expert Rich Laverty and hosts Stu and Steven as they explore the women's game, from its roots and early struggles to success today and rapid growth ahead.

In a sport losing touch with its lengthy and unique history, author Daniel Gray is shedding light on 50 lost wonders of the game, from goalkeeping trousers to pixelated scoreboards, in his new book Black Boots and Football Pinks. Join Gary, Steven, Stu and Daniel for this intimate look at a literary masterpiece and the things we miss.

The Lob speaks to Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday sportswriter Ian Herbert about his book Quiet Genius, which shines a light on the most unassuming but successful characters the game of football has ever known, Liverpool legend Bob Paisley.

For many, the European Cup remains the greatest tournament in football history, its iconic knockout format featuring just the champions of each nation. From the great teams of the early years through to the dominance of single clubs and nations, as well as the tragedies that shook the world, this is the story of a competition like no other.

With one hand, FIFA have helped make the game truly global, giving the fans a sport like no other in the process. But with the other, they've often taken away its soul, leaving behind a sport riddled with corruption and deceit. To conclude the Political Football series, FIFA comes under the microscope.

For 39 years, the Cup Winners' Cup was the black sheep of European club tournaments. An often random generator of sides qualifying for it via their domestic cups, no winner ever retained it the following year, while it eluded giants such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Internazionale completely. Its attained a cult status, is still missed by many fans today, and provided some of the European game's greatest memories.

In a special edition of The Lob, we talk to former footballer Drewe Broughton about his highs and lows in the game and how he forged a new path as a performance coach. In a fascinating window on the internal workings of the elite game, Drewe also talks about his forthcoming book Ego: The Silent Killer.

Football in Scotland is the product of a particular history, and the ideologies formed from that past shape some of the major clubs that play there. Religious divides and associations with other countries, combined with a prevailing national pride, weave together to produce the tartan fabric of Scottish football and the identities of a number of clubs. With Brexit imminent, and a potential return of independence, what would these developments mean for such identities and would they prove to be a boon or a bane for the game?

In the post-war years, Northern Ireland was crosscut with strident political, religious and ideological divisions. In such an atmosphere the very existence of Belfast Celtic, the city’s only Catholic professional football club, was threatened and ultimately extinguished. Its success, trials and demise serve as a reminder of times when the sectarian divide flared into violence. This is the story of events at the time, using football as a prism, and how the nation secured a brighter future on and off the pitch.

The UEFA Cup has been going since 1971 and this week's podcast is dedicated to the first three decades of the competition, when a number of incredible finals were played over two legs. There's a look at Ipswich Town and IFK Göteborg's famous wins, Real Madrid's back-to-back triumphs, the Italian dominance of the 1990s, and much more.

Football in Turkey is often turbulent but always passionate. Join us as expert James Kelly explores how politics, geography and a thirst for power fuels the cauldron that is the Süper Lig. From the players and managers to those in power in and out of the game, this is the story of state-run clubs, corruption, ultras and the undoubted talent of a nation that has often used the sport as a means of escape.

He was a footballer with a drink problem and various inner demons. And yet he was a genius; one of the greats. He was also a doctor and political activist - an icon for the working-classes of Brazil. There'll surely never be another Sócrates. Author of Doctor Sócrates, Andrew Downie, joined us to discuss the Corinthians legend and the book he authored on the man.

At a time when brutal military regimes were stifling society and the economy, football underwent vast changes in Argentina and Chile. From the decline of La Nuestra in Argentina to their World Cup glory of 1978 against the backdrop of torture just metres away, to the rise of Chilean football and how a select few stood up to the junta in acts of eternal defiance, this is the story of a murky relationship between fútbol and politics in these South American giants.

Ahead of what promises to be another epic season of European football, our experts sat down to discuss who's looking strong,, the underdogs, the weak links and the match-ups that make both the Champions League and the often underrated Europa League such brilliant competitions.

We examine the footballing history of the USSR. Not just those iconic red shirts with CCCP emblazoned across the front in bold white letters, but also how the Soviet authorities used football as a political tool; their successes, failures, bans and boycotts. How did Ukrainian football prosper behind the Iron Curtain, and what changed when the wall came down? In the end, was the 2018 World Cup merely another victory for Moscow's political power?

Award-winning author Michael Calvin joins the panel to discuss subjects from his outstanding new book State of Play, which explores football beneath its skin, from morality and mental health to its social impact and future.

With Cristiano Ronaldo now leading the Juventus charge but their rivals also strengthening, how will Serie A - slowly returning to glories of old - play out this season? And can a Ronaldo-less Real Madrid dismantle the Barcelona powerhouse in Spain? What about Atlético Madrid? Join us for this and a touching tribute to our former colleague, Jim Hart, who passed away last week.

The Premier League season is upon us, and a raft of questions and queries surround each team. Whose made the best signings? Who has gone backwards? Can anybody topple Manchester City and who'll be languishing in the relegation zone? Join us for this and more as our experts tackle the campaign ahead.

Football is an ever-evolving sport, often shaped by the minds of a few. The dreamers. The thinkers. What we have today is the result of systems that have transcended borders and time to give us the greatest sport in the world. This is an exploration of those philosophies.

It's a fickle business, that of predicting football; even more so when it's the World Cup in question. So how did panellists from The Lob fare during Russia 2018? We reconvene to review the finals and hear from Andrew Flint, on the ground in Moscow, as well as the regulars.

It's that time again: the 2018 FIFA World Cup is upon us, so join hosts Jim Hart and Steven Scragg along with guests Stuart Horsfield and Gary Thacker as we wrap up a series that's covered every finals in history.

As Spain shook off their demons playing a brand of football as good as anything in World Cup history in 2010, Germany emulated them with a devastating blend of power and skill in 2014. These are the key stories and figures from two memorable modern finals.

We review senior writer Gary Thacker's brilliant new book, Cheers, Tears and Jeers: A History of England and the World Cup, chronicling the story of the Three Lions and the planet’s biggest football tournament from the early days of the game right up to the present day.

Outside of the region, little is known about Costa Rica and Panama ahead of their odysseys on the global stage. Along with powerhouse Mexico, we preview what the 2018 World Cup has in store for the North American sides.

The first World Cup held outside of Europe and the Americas, 2002 in Japan and South Korea was a momentous event, full of surprise, intrigue and controversy. Four years later, Italy would lift the World Cup title amid the crippling effects of Calciopoli, uniting the nation for one of the modern eras finest tournaments.

Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Steven Scragg and Dan Williamson as they look back at the iconic USA 94, inclusive of Brazil's stunning win and Roberto Baggio's flawed moments of legend, and how France overcome a nation divided to claim the ultimate prize for the very first time.

Oliver Sifkovits is a high-performance coach who has worked with athletes from different sports, levels and age groups since 2009 in multiple countries. Host Jon Townsend caught up with the author and coach to discuss the optimisation of performance and how to make marginal gains in this multi-faceted and engaging podcast for all coaches and trainers.

Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Steven Scragg and Stuart Horsfield as they look back at Diego Maradona's sublime 1986 finals, taking Argentina to glory, and perhaps the most romanticised World Cup in history: Italia 90.

Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Steven Scragg, Dan Williamson and Stuart Horsfield as they examine two contrasting finals - the 1978 edition, won by Argentina mid huge controversy, and the glory of Italy in 1982, perhaps the greatest finals of all.

Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as they analyse what many consider to be the two greatest World Cups - 1970 and 1974. From the majestic Brazil side of Pelé and Jairzinho to Johan Cruyff's runners-up, this is the story of tournaments that ushered in a new era.

During his 18-year career, Matt Smith has juggled life and football during stints at the top as a young player in England and professional in Australia and Thailand. Host Jon Townsend caught up with the international defender to find out more about the professional game a rung away from the glitz of Europe.

From the Camp Nou to the Santiago Bernabéu, Spain boasts some of the most iconic stadiums in history, but the country hasn't hosted a major tournament since 1982 and some grounds are beginning to decline. In this edition of The Lob, we take a look at the current Spanish stadia situation, asking how and when venues can be improved, while also getting nostalgic and picking out the best grounds in the country.

The first of an eight-part series. Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as they analyse the growth of the tournament, from the early powers, Uruguay and Italy, to the rise of Brazil, Germany and Hungary, and how an unstable world changed the face of football. Immerse yourself in legendary names, great games and teams that set the benchmark for later editions.

Tariq Panja is a leading journalist focusing on the business and politics of football. Author of Football's Secret Trade - How the Player Transfer Market Was Infiltrated, his work has been featured on The New York Times and Bloomberg amongst many others.

Jon Townsend talks technical development for players of all ages with coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, a one-on-one coaching specialist whose clubs include Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the founder of My Personal Football Coach.

When it comes to pure football romance, the number 10 position is in a class of its own. With the greatest names having worn the shirt, we discuss the position, what makes it so special, trends and a host of legends in this special podcast to celebrate the launch of our new magazine, The Battle of the 10s.

Jamie Hamilton is one of the most engrossing writers in the game today, with a focus on merging modern trends in coaching with the tactical progression of the game. He sat down with host Jon Townsend to discuss his outlook on the game, philosophy and more.

Jonathan Wilson is the acclaimed author of Inverting The Pyramid, The Outsider and Angels With Dirty Faces, as well as the founder and editor of The Blizzard. Join host Jim Hart and senior writer Christopher Weir as they sit down with the affable and knowledgable Wilson to discuss all things football in this wide-ranging conversation.

In the first of a new series of podcasts hosted by Jon Townsend, Johnny Mckinstry, the former manager of Sierra Leone and Rwanda, and now of Kauno Žalgiris in Lithuania's top-flight, talks about his coaching journey, which has led him to all parts of the world before the age of 32, and how he goes about his day-to-day.

Join host Jim Hart and senior writer Chris Weir as they interview long-time Marca journalist and FC Barcelona content editor Jason Pettigrove about his first book, a biography of Chelsea, Stoke and Arsenal legend Alan “Huddy” Hudson. Joining is also the managing director of St David Press, Ashley Drake.

To coincide with the release of Robbie Dunne's fantastic book Working-Class Heroes: The Story of Rayo Vallecano, Spanish football experts Euan McTear, Robbie, Colin Millar and Chris Weir delve deep into the singular world of the special Madrid club.

One of the game's finest writers, Gabriele Marcotti, talks about one of the game's most treasured leagues, Serie A, in this wide-ranging delve into Italian football. Gab is joined by TFT's Jim Hart, Luca Hodges-Ramon and Jon Townsend.

Uli Hesse is the best-selling German author of Tor!, Bayern Munich: Creating A Global Superclub and Alles BVB. He sat down with Jim Hart and Luca Hodges-Ramon to discuss the Bundesliga, the German national team and a bit of baseball.

Kenny Sansom, Arsenal legend and recipient of 86 hard-earned England caps, has incredible stories to tell, not least those concerning his alcohol dependence and the stories of Diego Maradona from the 1986 World Cup. Our partners at Beyond The Pitch sat down with the former Three Lions hero.

An original Beyond The Pitch production. As manager of Liverpool, Roy Evans had the club playing some of the most swashbuckling football seen in the Premier League in the 1990s. A stalwart of the club, giving up decades of his life to serve his beloved Anfield side, Evans lifts the lid on the inside happenings at the club and much more in this revealing interview.

Jim Hart and Jon Townsend speak to Euan McTear, author of 'Eibar The Brave', about Atlético Madrid and their penetration of the Real Madrid-Barcelona strangehold in Spanish football, which forms the basis of his new book, 'Hijacking La Liga: How Atlético Madrid broke Barcelona and Real Madrid's duopoly'.

One of football's most respected and influential coaches, Tom Byer has led youth revolutions in Japan and China, and his work spreads across the world to a generation of young players and trainers. Jim Hart and Jon Towsend sat down with Byer to discuss his methods and secrets.

Host Jim Hart, senior writer and coach Jon Townsend and commentator and analyst Juan Arango examine how players are evaluated during the development stage, what methods are used and whether statistics are the answer.

Join host Jim Hart alongside FSF Blogger of the Year 2016 and TFT senior writer, Andrew Flint, Paul Sarahs, a commentator for major media outlets around the world, and Nima Tavalleay of Goal and Sempre Inter for this fascinating and high energy debate about the governance of football.

Join host Jim Hart and co-host and senior writer for TFT Jon Townsend for a unique interview with former Bayern Munich and Germany under-21 midfielder Frank Gertser. Frank talk about his career and his exciting project, German Football Experience, a unique football school in Frankfurt where he has partnered with Justin Rose.

Jim Hart hosts a one-off special celebrating the game's greatest one-club men, with guests Chris Darwen from Tales from the Top Flight, Luca Hodges-Ramon, editor of The Gentleman Ultra and TFT regular, and Jon Townsend, TFT's longest-serving senior writer.

Join host Jim Hart and Italian football experts Luca Hodges-Ramon, Blair Newman and Emmet Gates as they break down some of the articles from TFT's recently released Calcio magazine as well as wider Serie A topics and what Chinese money may mean for the future of the Italian game.

We cover the controversial topic of Safe Standing in the British game. Joining host Jim Hart is Pete Daykin from The Football Supporters' Federation, Dave Tomlinson, the Supporters Liaison Officer from Crewe Alexandria and a Safe Standing advocate, and TFT's award-winning senior writer Andrew Flint.

Jim Hart hosts a special podcast to discuss the Chapecoense air disaster. Joining Jim is South American football expert, Miami FC commentator and CONCACAF announcer, Juan Arango, along with beIN SPORTS analyst George D Metellus. The panel discuss the tragedy, along with the state of wider Brazilian and South American football.

Host Jim Hart holds a discussion with former US national team player and former under-17 head coach and MLS manager, Erik Imler. Also joining Jim is senior writer Jon Townsend, who is a youth coach in St. Louis and one of the most respected writers on the US game. Erik and Jon discuss the impact of Bruce Arena taking over from Jürgen Klinsmann as national team head coach as well as what it means for the development of players in America.

It's tough to predict what the future of Catalan football holds. In a region dominated by talk of political independence, host Euan McTear and special guests Alexandra Jonson, Samuel Marsden, David Cartilidge and Igansi Torné look at the state of FC Barcelona and La Masia, the rise of smaller regional teams, and wider issues from a spectacular football landscape.

In part two of The Football Italia Years, host Jim Hart spoke to calcio writers and experts Blair Newman, Luca Hodges-Ramon - authors of the written series - and Dominic Bliss to talk about the Italian game in the 1990s, how it ruled the world, and the legacy of Channel 4's excellent coverage in the UK.

To accompany our series The Football Italia Years, host Jim Hart caught up with calcio writers and experts Blair Newman, Luca Hodges-Ramon - authors of the series - and Dominic Bliss to talk about the Italian game in the 1990s, how it ruled the world, and the legacy of Channel 4's excellent coverage in the UK.

In the history of the United States national team, only four men have made more appearances than Marcelo Balboa's 127. We caught up with the former midfield star to talk about his three World Cup experiences, player development, the national team today and his roots in Argentina.

Following yet another big tournament disappointment for England, the attention has now shifted onto what what wrong and how we can learn from the countless mistakes of yesteryear. We break down the issues from the methods of coaching deployed at the grassroots levels and at academies to the professional game, and why English players are still lagging behind their main competitors from the continent.

Football blogging has, on the surface, never been in a better state. With blogs popping up daily and many bloggers going on to write for some of the major online media outlets, we examine the truth behind the world of online football writing. With TFT senior writers Jon Townsend, Andrew Flint, Jim Hart and host Omar Saleem - who share some of their own secrets - we break down how to become a better writer, the best independent sites out there, and what constitutes good football writing.

In two years' time the world will descend upon Russia for the FIFA World Cup, and we have brought you the inside story on what makes their football tick. Our panel consists of Moscow-based Alan Moore, a columnist for Russia's largest sports news portal Championat, Manuel Veth, Editor-in-Chief of Soviet football site Futbolgrad, Toke Theilade, Editor-in-Chief of Russian Football News, and Andrew Flint, senior These Football Times writer. Join regular host Jim Hart as he directs a discussion that loops from behind the Iron Curtain through to the modern day.

The Copa América Centenario, which takes place in the US from June 4-26, promises to be one of the most nostalgic and fascinating in the tournament's history. The Lob's distinguished panel of experts, previewing the tournament, includes Tim Vickery, who covers football for the BBC and ESPN, Juan Arango, who will be performing the Spanish language broadcasts of the Copa América for CONCACAF, and Roberto Rojas, the co-host of Low Limit Football and a writer for VAVEL. Join host Jim Hart as he brings you a discussion on the major points ahead of the tournament.

How do the professionals go about their business in the areas of analysis, scouting, coaching and player development? We find out by speaking to Jed Davies (consultant to an international head coach), Kevin Nicholson (Cardiff City under-21 manager), Johnny McKinstry (Rwanda national team manager) and Joey Lombardi (regional talent manager for the Canadian Soccer Association).

Deconstructing American Soccer (part II) is a discussion of the economics of the American version of the game. Joining us is award-winning economist from the University of Michigan and author of Soccernomics and Money and Soccer, Stefan Szymanski. This in depth interview, hosted by Jim Hart and Jon Townsend, takes a look at why Major League Soccer is structured so differently than most other leagues from around the world. Stefan walks us through the issues facing MLS methods and the challenges it faces in an ever competitive landscape.

How can football in Northern Ireland and the Republic improve? From a lack of players plying their trade at the highest levels of the game, to development issues in youth coaching, Colin Millar (NI Football Daily, The Mirror), Conor Kelly (The Final Third, FourFourTwo) and Matt Gault (The Guardian, FourFourTwo) break down the challenges facing Irish football and look ahead to the Euros.

What is the reality behind the state of football in the US? With MLS deemed by many to be quickly becoming one of the best leagues in world football, and talked up by Commissioner Don Garber as having the potential to be a world leader by 2022, what are the challenges hindering progress? Jon Townsend, Jim Hart and Nate Abaurrea break down the US game in The Lob: Deconstructing American Soccer.

Basque football represents one of the most intriguing stories in the global game. A small region of Spain, it continually produces some of the best young talent in the nation as well as sporting stories at club level. We break down the regional game with Euan McTear, author of Eibar The Brave, Nate Abaurrea, host of World Soccer Talk, Jon Arregi, director of the Eibar Foundation, and Salvador Acha, founder of Mr Pentland.

Has the standard of defending declined in the modern era? By looking around at the depth in talent across the upper echelons of the game, it's clear that fewer world-class players are around today in defensive positions compared to just a decade ago. With special guest Jamie Carragher - a man who made over 700 appearances for Liverpool - These Football Times examine the state of defending in The Lob, episode 1.