These Football Times

On to Old Trafford - yes, really - for the 1970 FA Cup final replay and Chelsea and Leeds are about to produce another game for the ages, one of the most enduring cup finals of all time, while simultaneously doubling as a useful handbook on guerilla warfare. Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler take you through the game and do work of vital national importance by concluding how we can return the Elgin Marbles, yet still be a country with a greater cultural bank balance.

Jonathan Wilson joins Steven Scragg in the centre circle to discuss his monumental new history of the World Cup, in all its glory and in all its gory detail. What further persuasion to listen could you possibly need?

It’s the turn of the ESPN documentary The Two Escobars to feature in our Reel Football series. It explores how the very different lives of Colombia international Andrés Escobar and drug baron Pablo Escobar became inextricably linked by the 1994 World Cup. Matthew Gibbs and Dr Pete Watson pick apart an extraordinary and tragic tale.

Our Reel Football series alights upon Asif Kapadia’s 2019 documentary about Diego Maradona, revolving around his time in Naples and the 1986 World Cup. Matthew Gibbs, Dr Pete Watson and Steven Scragg revel in one of the great football films.

Less Citizen Kane, more 'Citizen Harry Kane', Matthew Gibbs and Rob Fletcher alight upon the cinematic treasure that is the Goal! trilogy. Whether treasure in this context means it’s full of gold, or that it should simply have stayed buried forever, we’ll find out by the end of the pod.

Donning the mantle of Mark Kermode, Matthew Gibbs sets sail on a new series delving into the world of football on film. In this first episode, he’s joined by Rob Fletcher and Chris Lepkowski to take a closer look at The Damned United. So the first thing you can do is chuck all your medals and all your caps and all your pots and all your pans into the biggest dustbin you can find and pay attention to this.

We return to the Centre Circle with our guest Dominic Hougham to talk about his new book Veni Vidi Vici: When Italian Football Ruled Europe. If you are a fan of the golden age of Serie A in the 1980s and 90s, this is the book – and podcast – for you. Rob Fletcher and Steven Scragg, cappuccinos in hand, are along for the ride.

Our 70s series returns and not with a mere bonus track but a supplementary book of learning that brings you everything you needed to know about each of the decade’s FA Cup finals.We start at Wembley, where there’s barely a blade of grass to be seen as Leeds and Chelsea join battle in a final that sets the tone for the rest of a golden decade in the FA Cup. Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler take you through a truly magnificent 120 minutes of football and ask the eternal question: what would Norman Hunter make of pickle juice?

Rob Fletcher is joined by Ivan McDouall who talks about his excellent new book Only The Real Thing, which charts Aston Villa’s glory days in the League Cup from 1993 to 1996, as they carried off the Coca-Cola sponsored trophy twice in short order. Coke floats all round.

The latest club magazine from These Football Times explores Aston Villa, from the days when they were central to forming the Football League through trials and tribulations in the third tier, on to winning the European Cup, and the current resurgence piloted by Unai Emery. TFT’s resident Villan, Ivan McDouall, joins Aidan Williams to discuss all the goodies you’ll find inside.

Continuing our series where members of the team look at the relationships between their teams, Steven Scragg and Ivan McDouall discuss Liverpool against Aston Villa. Covering favourite games between the sides, nightmare afternoons, players for both teams guilty pleasures and otherwise, just how does these two teams rub up against each other?

Everton prepare to leave their home of 133 years, Goodison Park, later this month, so we felt that we had to pay tribute to this venerable institution, one of the great cathedrals of English football. Dave Bowler is joined by Paul McParlan, a Goodison regular since the 1960s, to recall the Holy Trinity, the Boys’ Pen, Pele and Eusebio and plenty more in our farewell to the grand old ground.

Kicking off a new series where members of the team look at the relationships between their teams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler discuss Liverpool against West Brom. Covering favourite games between the sides, nightmare afternoons, players for both teams, guilty pleasures and otherwise, just how do these teams rub up against each other?

Coming soon to a podcast outlet near you. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, These Football Times brings you a new series, covering the glories of the 1960s. Steven Scragg, Paul McParlan and Dave Bowler will be your spirit guides through a remarkable decade. As a teaser, here are the kinds of things you can expect to hear all about.

Author Chris Evans is in the Centre Circle to talk with Aidan Willians and Chris Lepkowski about his new biography of Gary Lineker. From Filbert Street to the J League and all points in between and beyond, we discuss the impact of one of the game’s great goalscorers.

We talk with Chris Lee about his new book Shades Of Green, a journey of discovery around Ireland to learn about one of the world’s oldest football cultures. Along the way, Chris talks to fans, historians and academics. He uncovers a complex story of politics, identity and division, but also one of hope, reconciliation and glory.

There’s cost cutting aplenty at Manchester United as Jim Ratcliffe ushers in a period of austerity, especially if you are a former player, a staff member without a packed lunch or, indeed, one without a job anymore. And yet, at the same time, United are trumpeting plans for a new stadium, albeit one that barely nods in the direction of their history. Is Ratcliffe’s tin-eared PR sustainable or is cutting spending to the bine the only way to see the club prosper again? Alex Ireland and Rob Fletcher delve deep.

The 1990s was a golden period for English strikers. Rob Fletcher and his guest, Michael Hamlen, trawl the decade to reminisce on Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Teddy Sheringham, Dion Dublin, Kevin Phillips, Chris Armstrong, Chris Sutton and Stan Collymore.

Newcastle carried off the League Cup at Wembley, ending a trophy drought that exceeded the lifespan of TFT’s twin presenters, Aidan Williams and Steven Scragg.Likely lad Aidan reacts with the bemused excitement of someone who has no idea what winning means, while Steven takes it all with the magnanimity of someone whose team are about to lift the Premier League. Hilarity – and a bad montage – ensue.

As two giants of English football, Liverpool and Newcastle , prepare to meet at Wembley  in the final of the League Cup, so two giants of TFT, Steven Scragg and Aidan Williams, preview a game that has consequences for both sides. Will Liverpool extend their League Cup record wins and take their first step towards a trophy double, or will Newcastle finally end a trophy drought that goes back to 1969 and carry off the League Cup for the first time? Will it be a repeat of the 1974 FA Cup final or, without Malcolm Macdonald, do the Magpies have a chance this time around?

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Dave Bowler and Rob Fletcher bring a little je ne sais quoi to proceedings by discussing Zinedine Zidane.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Rob Fletcher talks to Gary Thacker about one of the more unassuming figures among our icons, the great Dane, Michael Laudrup.

What goes up must come down? More than 350 years since Isaac Newton penned his laws of gravity, it appears to apply to the teams newly promoted to the Premier League as, for the second season running, all three new arrivals are struggling to avoid the immediate drop. Is this just a blip or the emergence of a new trend? Rob Fletcher and Dave Bowler investigate.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Aidan Williams delves into the glorious career of Michel Platini the footballer; we’ll worry about the administrator another time.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Andrea Pirlo is up next as Dave Bowler discusses the hipster’s choice with Gary Thacker. 

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Steven Scragg gives us chapter and verse on the career of Kevin Keegan.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Gary Thacker talks to Rob Fletcher about the man who ignited the Fergie era at Old Trafford, Eric Cantona.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Dave Bowler talks about a player who was Best by name and best by nature. 

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Connoisseur of all things Anfield, Steven Scragg, reflects on the career of Kenny Dalglish, on the field and off it.

Turning the tables for the final episode in the series, it’s Gary Thacker’s turn to talk about the team he supports, Chelsea. Why, best and worst moments, favourite players and those they’d like to forget plus the nuclear question: could you ever support anyone else? Blue is the colour as Paul Mc Parlan asks the questions.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Hungary’s Galloping Major, Ferenc Puskás, scourge of England, Billy Wright and Eintracht Frankfurt, is next up as Aidan Williams talks Rob Fletcher through a remarkable post-war career.

Gary Thacker quizzes another member of 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? Chris Lepkowski ruminates on a life following West Bromwich Albion.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Der Bomber, Gerd Müller, a goalscorer so natural and so prolific that, in the end, you didn’t count his goals, you just weighed them. Dave Bowler and Rob Fletcher turn the clock back to the 70s and his dominance of the game.

The Football Association’s Challenge Cup, with over 150 years of great names, huge stories and mighty giantkillers to choose from, means this episode of the Mount Rushmore Debates is perhaps our most eclectic. Aidan Williams, Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler try to convince Gary Thacker that their candidates are the most worthy to go up on the mountain.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. It’s the turn of R9, the real Ronaldo, to come under the microscope as Rob Fletcher explains his enduring admiration for the great Brazilian.

The latest club magazine from These Football Times delves into all things Newcastle United from the golden days of Hughie Gallacher in the 1920s, onto Jackie Milburn’s FA Cup exploits, Kevin Keegan’s entertainers, and Eddie Howe’s modern day Magpies, along with all points in between. To discuss the magazine, TFT’s resident member of the Toon Army, Aidan Williams, is joined by Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler.

Following the Icons magazine, lovingly detailing 60 of the game’s greatest names, we decided to delve a little deeper into some of them in this podcast series. Kicking things off, Gary Thacker tells Rob Fletcher why Johan Cruyff deserves his legendary status.

It’s trebles all round as we come to the final episode in our 1990s odyssey. There’s the usual mix of weird transfers, weirder kits, and in depth look at the Premier League season in particular. But in the end, it all comes down to Manchester United winning the treble. Football. Bloody hell. 

Gary Thacker quizzes another member of the  team about the team 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? It’s a grand old podcast with Paul Mc Parlan. 

In a quick break before our final seasonal episode of the 90s, we are joined by TV producer and author Jonathan Grade to discuss one of the biggest cultural elements of that decade: Channel 4’s Football Italia.

Bring Me That Horizon: A Journey To The Soul of Portuguese Football is the subject of this Centre Circle pod as author Miguel Pereira discusses his epic tome with Rhys Richards, Steven Scragg and Aidan Williams.

Young managers, five subs, sky high ticket prices, no concessions, eight grands worth of fireworks and the end of the Saturday 3pm live TV blackout. Are we entering the second era of 21st century football?

Arsene Wenger’s revolution at Highbury means everyone starts loving Arsenal. Except Alex Ferguson that is, who sees his Manchester United side beaten to the title by them. Manchester City slump to the third tier – that’ll be them finished – and Paul Merson shares a house with Gazza. There goes the neighbourhood.

Another title for Manchester United; Newcastle  splash the cash on Alan Shearer; Middlesbrough reach two cup finals, don’t reach Blackburn, can’t reach Emerson and do reach relegation. All human life is here in our look back at 1996/97. 

Gary Thacker quizzes another member of 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? Matthew Gibbs keeps right on with Birmingham City. 

Taking a leaf from David Bowie’s book, we are looking into the next five years, but for Manchester United alone. What would represent success for them over that period, will they return to the summit, or will there still be five years left to cry in? From an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long, Rob Fletcher and Alex Ireland look for the answers.

Do you reckon that you can’t win anything with kids? Would you love it if the entertainers came through and took a first Premier League title back to Tyneside? Are you in raptures at the arrival of some Ruud sexy football? Do you want to hear everything you ever wanted to know about Juninho but were afraid to ask? Then you’ve come to the right place.

There seems to be a stat for everything those days, but are they truly helpful or is it just a case of lies, damned lies and statistics? And is the fascination with numbers turning football from an art form into a science? Rob Fletcher and Matthew Gibbs have their spreadsheets to hand.

A season of chaos, controversy and that kung-fu kick. Eric Cantona takes matters into his own hands at Selhurst Park, leaving newly-signed Andy Cole without a strike partner at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Blackburn's SAS make hay while the sun shines, Joe Royle’s dogs of war win the FA Cup and, all around the land, managers fall on their swords with gay abandon. Meanwhile, there are match-fixing scandals, brown paper bags full of fivers, taxi drivers fearing for their lives, drugs, gambling and plenty more. Yes, it’s 1994/95.

Gary Thacker quizzes another member of the team about the team 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? Steven Scragg gives us the lowdown on his love for Liverpool.