How It All Played Out

Some of the most iconic victories have come after the longest waits. England's historic Ashes victory in 2005 came after an 18-year drought. They famously secured the urn with a 2–1 series victory by drawing the final Test at The Oval.2025 saw Crystal Palace end a 119-year wait for a major trophy, Newcastle United end a 56-year wait by winning the Carabao Cup, and, over in golf, Rory McIlroy ended one of the most agonising waits in modern sport by winning the Masters to complete the Grand Slam. Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward bring you the story behind the 2005 Ashes triumph, Rory’s historic win and Amrullah, the horse who famously never won a single race despite competing 74 times over a 10-year career.A little extra bonus to tie you over after Season 2, enjoy! Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Introducing Bloomin’ Legends! The podcast where Johnny Vaughan and Gavin “The Woodman” Woods uncover the wildest, most unbelievable, and downright legendary true stories from history.In this episode, we dive into the unbelievable life of Max Woosnam, the man who might just be the greatest British sportsman of all time. A gentleman athlete who captained Manchester City, won Olympic gold, lifted the Davis Cup, scored a century at Lord’s, and even beat Charlie Chaplin at table tennis (using a butter knife).Woosnam was the definition of a Bloomin’ Legend, a man who did it all, and somehow made it look easy.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:⚽ Footballing Glory – From captaining Man City to facing off against England’s elite🎾 A Racket and a Revolution – Olympic tennis champion and Wimbledon Doubles hero🎬 The Chaplin Challenge – When Hollywood’s biggest star met his match🏅 The Forgotten Legend – Why one of Britain’s greatest athletes vanished from fame🎥 Watch the full episode now on the Bloomin’ Legends YouTube channel!Join the Conversation!📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @BloominLegends📩 Got your own legendary story? Whether it’s epic, absurd, or just plain bonkers, send it to [email protected] and we’ll decide if it’s Bloomin’ Legendary or not!👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help more people discover Bloomin’ LegendsListen now to all episodes on Global Player.Download Global Player from your app store or visit www.globalplayer.comThis is a Global Original podcast, produced by Ben Fairclough.

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1000th game as a coach at the Etihad on the weekend as his Manchester City side defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the Premier League. In that time Guardiola’s teams - Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City - have won an outstanding 71% of those 1,000 matches, lifting 12 domestic league titles, 3 Champions Leagues and numerous Cups - really just too many to mention.But his influence extends far beyond the mere winning of trophies. Playing out from the back has filtered its way down the leagues and Guardiola has spawned a number of coaches, two of whom are top of the Premier League and the Bundesliga.So on today's How It All Played Out Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward are asking - just how much has Pep Guardiola impacted world football? And is he still the same coach as he was in game one?Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Tottenham’s lamentable performance in their 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on Saturday was bad enough for their fans - but then worryingly for them manager Thomas Frank was snubbed by 2 of his players, Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven as they came off the pitch.So Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward are asking, What happens when players and managers appear to fall out very publicly? What’s the long term impact for everyone concerned - and for the club? Hear stories of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo & Adel Taarabt!Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: George Sexton-KerrHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Liverpool’s defeat at Brentford on Saturday night was their fourth Premier League defeat of the season in a row - that's as many as they suffered in the whole of last season. In the past decade three reigning champions have lost that many in a row before - Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool themselves. So Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward are asking, why do some Champions fall off so alarmingly when trying to defend their title? How did the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson famously buck that trend? And does this show footballers are human after all? Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyAssistant Producer: Jasmine Wissart Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Cricket’s oldest and greatest rivalry resumes next month when the first Ashes Test starts in Perth. But a month out the phoney war has already started - the sledging is underway. It’s two former players who are at the forefront this time - Australian opener David Warner and a man who got him out for fun during the last Ashes, Stuart Broad.So, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward are asking, what’s the history to this sledging? What purpose does it really serve? And does it ever work?Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

After Jude Bellingham’s shock omission from the latest England squad, surely Thomas Tuchel couldn't leave him behind for the World Cup? Well, it has happened before... Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward tell the story of when Glenn Hoddle didn't take England's star player Paul Gascoigne to the 1998 World Cup - still one of the most controversial moments in English football history. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] And find us on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis Pratsides & Adem WatermanProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

At 17 years old boxer Barry McGuigan won Commonwealth Gold for Northern Ireland but just two years later he fought at the 1980 Moscow Olympics for the Republic. So how did the Featherweight World Champion straddle the border and unite Ireland at the height of The Troubles, where bombs, bullets and killings were all too common?Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] And find us on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adem Waterman & Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts, Content and Production: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Russell Martin is looking for a new job after becoming the shortest serving manager in Rangers' 153 year history. As we record on Monday morning, Ange Postecoglou is clinging on at Nottingham Forest after the defeat at Newcastle - it’s no wins in 7 for Forest since the Australian took over 27 days ago. If Postecoglou leaves soon he would become the shortest serving Premier League manager. But who currently has that unwanted title? What happened there? And which manager only lasted the length of a pressed conference? Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward open the history books. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] And find us on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

1965-1975: A time when Sport Was A Lot More FunIn this episode of How It All Played Out, Paul Hayward takes Mark Pougatch on a personal journey through his favourite sporting decade - an era of flair, freedom, and unforgettable drama. From the dancing feet of Pelé to Johan Cruyff's total football, and Sir Gareth Edwards’ legendary try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973. This is a celebration of sporting magic, unpredictability, artistry, and moments so jaw-dropping they may never come again.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producers: Adem Waterman & Adonis Pratsides Producer: Sophie Penney Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

The ‘Battering at Bethpage’, the ‘Legend of Long Island’... this weekend was a Ryder Cup for the history books. Europe held off a late comeback from the Americans to win 15-13 in New York - the first away win since the Miracle of Medina 2012. Have other captains got it as wrong as Keegan Bradley before? Does history show that rowdy crowds have worked for the Americans in the past? And what is it about team golf that links world number one Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods? Mark is joined by the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman to discuss all that and more. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] And find us on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

After the tragic passing of Ricky Hatton, this week's bonus episode of How It All Played Out takes you back to the defining fight of his career. On June 4 2005 a raucous crowd in Manchester watched Ricky Hatton fight Kostya Tszyu for the IBF Light welterweight title.Hatton - the popular, skilful, combative, Mancunian Everyman - walked into the MEN Arena to sounds of his beloved Manchester City’s “Blue Moon,” his hands thrust deep into sky blue boxing gloves.That night was the high point of Hatton’s career as he brilliantly dethroned the Australian-based Russian Tszu - who had held the title for over a decade. Hatton had arrived. What made him one of the most popular British boxers of all time? And why did he - and so many sportsmen and women - find life so hard once the cheering had stopped? Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] And find us on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adem Waterman & Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler but I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the president either" - Jesse OwensIn the concluding episode of Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward’s Adolf Hitler’s 1936 Olympics trilogy, the pair uncover the lasting legacy of the Berlin Games and how they shaped athletes, politics, and global sport for decades to come.From Jesse Owens’ post-Olympic struggles and forced European tour, to Luz Long’s unlikely friendship across racial divides, and the rise of the Hitler Youth, this episode explores both the human stories and the Nazi political propaganda that defined the era.This episode reveals how the 1936 Olympics became the blueprint for modern-day sportswashing - influencing how nations like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia use global sporting events for power and image-building.Nearly 90 years later, the shadow of Hitler’s Olympics still looms large over the world of sport.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"The Americans should be ashamed of themselves, letting Negroes win their medals for them. I shall not shake hands with this Negro” - Adolf Hitler, 1936In Part Two of the Adolf Hitler's 1936 Olympics trilogy, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward head to Berlin, 1936, as athletes from 49 nations arrive for the games. Determined to showcase Germany as a modern, powerful, and orderly nation, the Nazi regime orchestrated the most expensive Olympics in history, complete with a groundbreaking opening ceremony and a propaganda machine unlike anything the world had ever seen.Hitler envisioned the Games as proof of Aryan supremacy - but one man shattered his myth. Jesse Owens, the grandson of a slave from Alabama, stunned the world by winning four gold medals, humiliating Hitler and cementing his place as one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history.Behind the spectacle, however, foreign politicians and dignitaries were being courted by Nazi leaders, all while the regime escalated its brutal campaign of antisemitism, violence, and sportswashing.This episode examines:How the 1936 Berlin Olympics rewrote the rulebook for opening ceremonies and global sporting eventsThe propaganda machine of the Third Reich and its manipulation of international opinionHelene Mayer, Hitler’s token Jewish athlete, who controversially gave the Nazi salute on the podiumHow the world looked away as Nazi Germany used sport to mask persecution and murder on mass scaleStep inside the stadium where history, politics, and ideology collided - whilst the world watched and did nothing.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"It's a project of Jews & Freemasons, and a play inspired by Judaism which cannot possible be put on in a Reich ruled by national socialists"In Part One of this gripping trilogy of How It All Played Out, award-winning journalists Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward take listeners back to 1930s Berlin to uncover the dark truth behind the 1936 Olympic Games.Discover how Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime lobbied to host the Olympics, transforming them into a powerful tool of propaganda, nationalism, and the inception of sportswashing. Behind the spectacle lay a chilling reality: the rise of antisemitism in Germany, the early installation of concentration camps, and the global community’s blind eye to the signs of tyranny.This episode explores:How Nazi Germany won the right to host the Olympics in 1931 and Hitler's continual opposition Adolf Hitler’s vision for the Games and the IOC’s complicityThe devastating impact on the Jewish community and marginalised groupsThe origins of using sport as a weapon of politics, racism, and ideologyStep into history where sport, politics, and propaganda collide - revealing a blueprint for how dictators manipulate global events to secure and maintain power.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

How It All Played Out is taking a brief pause, but Season 2 is gearing up to be bigger than ever.In this bonus episode, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward pull back the curtain on what’s ahead. You’ll get a taste of stories ranging from the Ryder Cup’s infamous War by the Shore, to how Italia ’90 reshaped British football. Hear about athletes and teams who waited decades for their moment of glory, and the night Barry McGuigan united Ireland through a single boxing match.Season 2 is packed with drama, triumph, and unforgettable moments - there’s something here for every sports fan.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Wearing your country’s crest. Stepping onto the field for the pride of a nation. It’s every athlete’s dream - but for some, it only happens once.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward explore the stories of the sports stars who made a single international appearance. From legendary goalkeeper William 'Fatty' Foulkes to football’s Michael Ricketts, Arnie Sidebottom, and Welsh rugby’s David Bishop, these “one-cap wonders” may not have had lengthy international careers, but their moment on the big stage is unforgettable.Tune in as we celebrate the passion, pride, and pressure of representing your country — even if just for one game.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

How do you judge greatness?The 2003–2004 Premier League season stands alone in football history. Arsenal didn’t just win the title - they went the entire campaign unbeaten, becoming The Invincibles.With footballing legends like Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Sol Campbell leading the charge, this Arsenal side achieved something no other Premier League team has matched.But does that incredible feat make them the greatest team in Arsenal’s history?In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look back at that unforgettable season, comparing the Invincibles to other great teams of the era - including Manchester United and the infamous rivalry with Arsenal, Real Madrid’s Galácticos, and Barcelona under Guardiola. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"Neville Neville, their in defence. Neville Neville, their futures immense. Neville Neville, they ain't half bad. Neville Neville the name of their dad"The Brits are a nation of music lovers. From The Beatles to The Smiths, David Bowie to Kate Bush, just about every iconic artist has had one of their hits transformed into a football chant.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward explore some of the greatest terrace anthems - beloved by fans of Liverpool, West Ham, Exeter, Manchester United, and beyond.From the rude, crude and damn right funny, sometimes football is just a pure joy. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"I just don't think they're doing it without drugs"In the scorching heat of Seoul during the 1988 Olympic Games, the world watched as two titans of track and field prepared to battle for gold in the men’s 100m final. Carl Lewis - the outspoken American faced off against Ben Johnson, the quiet Canadian powerhouse and world record holder. What followed wasn’t just the fastest race ever run - it was the most controversial in Olympic history.In this episode of How It All Played Out, hosts Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward unpack the dramatic story behind the 1988 men’s 100m final - a race that ended in scandal, forever changing athletics as we knew it. From performance-enhancing drugs and doping cover-ups to the fierce international rivalry of the U.S.A vs Canada, systemic corruption, racism, and homophobia, this episode dives deep into the events that turned a moment of glory into one of the biggest Olympic scandals of all time.Whether you're a history buff or discovering this story for the first time, this is essential listening about the dark side of sport.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

It's home, again! In this special episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward celebrate England's Lionesses' thrilling Euro 2025 victory. Sarina Wiegman's squad conquered Europe for the second time asking, being the first senior international British football team to lift a trophy on foreign soil. From the heroics of Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton and Michelle Agyemang to the tactical masterclass on offer with quality subsitions The Lionesses did it again - and the world was watching.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

In this episode of How It All Played Out, sports broadcaster Mark Pougatch and award-winning journalist Paul Hayward reveal their all-time favourite sports films - and why everyone should watch them.From the gritty realism of The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, to football drama The Damned United, the World War II classic The Great Escape, and Asif Kapadia’s stunning documentary Diego Maradona, this episode is packed with must-watch recommendations for sports and movie lovers alike.Plus, there’s a nostalgic shoutout to the iconic British TV show Minder. Whether you're into football, boxing, motorsport, or great storytelling, discover the best sports films and hidden gems to add to your watchlist...for when you're not listening to this podcast of course.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

For every sporting legend, there's someone on the receiving end of their brilliance.Maradona, Shane Warne, Pete Sampras, Johan Cruyff - all icons whose talent truly lit up the world. But what about those who stood in their shadow? The ones left stunned, outclassed, or simply embarrassed by being on the wrong side of a moment of magic.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look and at some of sport’s most unforgettable highlights, shining a light on the athletes who, despite remarkable careers of their own, are often remembered for being on the receiving end of genius.From Tony Underwood’s encounter with Jonah Lomu at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, to Mike Gatting's infamous dismissal by Shane Warne’s 'Ball of the Century'; the intense rivalry of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, to Terry Butcher and Peter Reid watching Diego Maradona tear up the pitch in front of their eyes, it’s a journey into the other side of greatness.Every iconic moment has another story - the one behind the headline.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Sport is no stranger to scandal but few events mix chaos and tradition quite like the World Conker Championships.Is it really a sport? Is there a secret technique? And just how far will some go to claim victory with the perfect nut?In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward dive into the quirky, competitive world of conkers — exploring its surprising history, the art (and science) of the swing, and how to win fair and square…or not in some cases.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"Football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged"On Boxing Day 1920, more than 50,000 fans packed into Goodison Park to watch a football match between Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helens Ladies - raising funds for wounded World War One soldiers . It was the largest crowd ever recorded for a women’s football game in England, a record that would stand for over 90 years.The Dick, Kerr Ladies, a team formed by workers from a Preston munitions factory, featured 15-year-old sensation Lily Parr, a gifted winger who quickly became a national star. But within a year after that historic match, the Football Association banned women from playing on its grounds — a ban that lasted nearly 50 years.In this episode of How It All Played Out, ITV’s Mark Pougatch and journalist Paul Hayward delve into the politics, prejudice, misogyny and missed opportunities behind this story. They’re joined by Arsenal and England legend Karen Carney to explore the ban’s long-lasting impact — and how the history of women’s football might have taken a very different path.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Achieving a single world record is remarkable. Breaking multiple, in under an hour, is the stuff of legend. But in 1935, Jesse Owens did exactly that.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward revisit one of the most extraordinary moments in sports history. They explore how Owens, battling injury, fatigue, and a deeply divided society, delivered a performance that defied belief and redefined greatness.Join us as we unpack the legacy of a man who didn’t just outrun his rivals—but also the racism and obstacles that faced him. It's a story not to be missed. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"No one wants to pay to watch you birds play"Travel back to September 1973 in this episode of How It All Played as Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look at one of the most infamous tennis matches to ever take place - The Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.More than 50 years on, this is a tale that encompasses equal pay, equitable treatment and women's rights on the one hand, whilst on the other, an inveterate showman and addicted gambler with friends in shady places who was desperate to get back into the limelight.It wasn’t just a tennis match, but a major cultural moment in the fight for gender equality in sports. But how did it all come about and was it all rigged from the very beginning?Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

We all lose our cool sometimes - but this takes it to another level.In this bonus episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward head to Argentina to revisit the infamous football match that saw a staggering 36 red cards handed out. Yes, thirty-six.From that chaotic clash to some of the most jaw-dropping dismissals in football history including Zidane’s headbutt, Jens Lehmann’s Champions League madness and Wayne Rooney’s World Cup moment, the pair explore the wildest reasons players have been sent packing.Red cards, rage, and ridiculousness - this one’s not to be missed.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"If we don't beat you, we'll knock your bloody blocks off"As soon as a sport star reaches Mount Olympus, you can guarantee that somebody is waiting in the wings to bring them crashing back down to earth. Fair or foul, an opponent will find any means to defeat a rival, restricting them from their usual tactics and well drilled gameplay.In one of the most bitter and controversial Ashes series ever played, England set their sights on cricketing legend Don Bradman. Their method? A brutal, calculated strategy known as Bodyline—a tactic so aggressive it sparked outrage, strained diplomatic ties, and forever changed the spirit of the game.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward break down the origins of Bodyline, the logic behind "fast leg theory," and why Australia viewed it as nothing short of an assault on fair play.Was it genius strategy or just plain unsporting? And why did it cause such a deep rift between two cricketing giants?Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

From a sport historians to fashionistas, In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward read an intriguing email from listener Scott, who claims to know why tennis players flip their collars up. But does the theory hold up?The pair also discuss other sporting attire, exploring how and why certain garments are used in the way they are. And they give their honest opinion on England's grey Euro 96 kit. Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"Sit down son, it's all over. No one will ever forget what you did here today"In part two of this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward cover the last two fights in the legendary trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. From the buildup to Super Fight II to the searing heat and savage intensity of the Thrilla in Manila, they explore the bitter rivalry, racial tensions, and raw physical toll that made this clash more than just a boxing match—it was a war.Step into the 1970s, where insults flew on TV, faces swelled beyond recognition, and two icons pushed themselves past the limits of endurance in a fight that left one man near blind and the other physically and mentally broken.This is more than sport. This is unfiltered, unforgettable history.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Commiserations to last place. With Wales getting the Wooden Spoon for two years running in the Six Nations, Mark and Paul discuss how and why the 'prize' came about and they also talk NFL with the Mr. Irrelevant award.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"If we were twins in the belly of our mama, I'd reach over and strangle him"Sport is all about debate. Who is the best, who is the most famous and who has had the most impact? Many would say that Muhammad Ali is the greatest figure in sport, but you could argue that he’s one half of the greatest rivalry in world sport of all time as well with Joe Frazier.In this episode of How It All Played Out Mark and Paul start in 1964 to understand how these two boxing titans became who they were and how their fighting history, mixed with politics fueled a fierce rivalry. It involves religion, war, class, money and race relations to build a feud like no other. From the war in Vietnam to Madison Square Garden, this trilogy of fights not only remains iconic today, but would go on to change the face of boxing forever. Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

We're used to seeing sports being played in 60,000 seat stadiums under humongous flood lights with a roaring crowd. But did you know astronaut Alan Shepard once played golf on the moon?Join Mark and Paul in this bonus episode of How It All Played Out as they find out about some of the more unusual places humans have played sport. From the trenches of World War I, river football in the Cotswolds and cricket down a mine in the Lake District. Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

“Few Tears, No Blood as Snow White Beats Poison Dwarf”Sport is fueled by rivalries. They are rooted in religion, social class, bitterness and some in plain jealousy. Think Revie vs Clough, Ali vs Frazier or Senna vs Prost.In this episode of How It All Played Out Mark and Paul travel to a cold, damp America in 1994 where figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is exiting the ice after a routine practice session. She's warming up for the US National Championships, expecting to qualify for the Winter Olympics that are to be held in just a few weeks time.Moments later, she's attacked by a man wielding a baton who strikes her on the knee. A cameraman is close by and captures her screams of “Why me?” But why indeed was she attacked? And what role did fellow ice skater Tonya Harding play in what would soon turn into the biggest sporting scandal of the decade?This is a story that involves manipulation, greed, jealousy and the FBI.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

It doesn't really make sense, does it? Football in the rain, hail, and snow. Why not in the lovely summer months? Surely the Premier League would look glorious in the sun. But there are reasons why the Brits play in December & January, and we can blame the private school system.Join Mark and Paul in this bonus episode of How It All Played Out as they find out the why we play football in the winter, and how it came about.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"Is he in?"For this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark and Paul travel to the home of Head Groom Jim Fitzgerald on a stormy night in County Kildare in the Republic of Ireland and investigate one of the most shocking stories from the 1980s - The kidnapping of racehorse Shergar. This story involves the IRA, a ransom of 2 million pounds and a mystery that is still to be solved.From masked gunmen with submachine guns, fraud, rumours, Irish country policemen and three leading journalists being flown to Belfast to negotiate Shergar's safe return, travel back in time to explore a bizarre sporting story like no other.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

What is deep backward point or a third man? And does the term 'Silly point' make sense?Join Mark and Paul in this bonus episode of How It All Played Out and find out why cricket fielding positions are called what they are.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

In 1966 England won the World Cup with a 4-2 win against West Germany...they even won it on home soil.With players such as Gascoigne, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane it remains a mystery as to how they haven't won it again...but they haven't even hosted the tournament again.It may seem strange, but there are reasons as to why. Join Mark and Paul as they chart the history of the World Cup, from its inception to modern day, exploring the politics behind why the England men's team have failed ever again to be the host nation of the most coveted prize in football, and why the FA are now more focussed on winning the competition than staging it.From doomed bids, bribes, conspiracy theories and hatred from other nations, this episode of How It All Played Out peels back the curtain to answer: Why does England never stage the men's World Cup?Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Travel back in time to South Africa 1995 and join Mark Pougatch & Paul Hayward as they take a look at the Rugby World Cup.It was a watershed moment for the sport, marking South Africa's return to the international stage after the dismantling of apartheid. But how did President Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned for 27 years, and rugby, unite South Africa ? And what significance did it have in changing the landscape of a divided nation? In this, the first episode of How It All Played Out, the duo are joined by legendary Springbok winger Bryan Habana, a boy in the crowd at the 1995 Final and a World Cup winner himself in 2007, to discuss what lasting legacy this historic moment had on the country.Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Before the very first episode of How It All Played Out is released, join Mark Pougatch & Paul Hayward as they explain what their exciting new podcast is all about.They will also take a brief tour in time to explore the fascinating history of The Oval stadium where they find out that it's not just a cricket ground, but the home of so many British sports.New episodes are released every Tuesday & Thursday.Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too! We'd love to hear from you! Email us - [email protected] Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Join broadcaster Mark Pougatch and journalist Paul Hayward as they look back at sports greatest stories in this fascinating weekly podcast - attempting to dissect the biggest moments from the courts, fields and stadiums from around the world.They'll look at sporting icons of football, rugby, cricket, boxing and more. From era defining matches, ferocious rivalries and jaw dropping moments, they'll peel back the layers of the greatest and, often, most bizarre stories in sports history.Subscribe to never miss an episodeThis Is How It All Played Out. Executive Producer: Adem WatermanHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells