My new book 'The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism' is out on 10 Oct. In this launch episode, I am interviewed by journalist James Hendicott about the book. We discuss the legacy of Mussolini, football against the dictatorships of Franco and Salazar, resistance fighters in World War II, modern progressive movements and much more...
My guest is Kit Holden whose new book covers the complex history and recent rise of 1. FC Union Berlin. This fascinating club from Berlin's southeastern suburbs has something of a cult following and is now enjoying regular European football. How? Find out here...
My guest is Chris Foley, author of a new book on the impact British and Irish coaches have made on Asian football. From Cambodia to Pohnpei, there are some incredible stories...
I am joined by James Kelly, author of a new book charting the history of Belgian football. We look over some of the country's 'golden generations' that nearly managed to take home silverware, while also exploring the domestic scene.
I welcome Aidan Williams back onto the show to discuss his new book on the greatest sides never to have won the World Cup. We've covered Brazil '82 and the Dutch sides of the '70s before, so we major on Hungary '54, Italy '90 and some lesser-discussed sides.
This extended version of the football travel podcast is a collaboration with the Borussia Dortmund London Fan Club Podcast and we’re discussing the critical topic of sustainability in football.
From clubs to fans to football authorities, what can we all do to make the sport more environmentally friendly? The debate features:
- Benjamin McFadyean, host of the Borussia Dortmund London Fan Club Podcast and a football academic at the University of East Anglia
- Moritz Eckhert from Guterfussball.club
- Katie Cross from Pledgeball
I welcome Daniel Williamson back onto the podcast to discuss his second book on the Intercontinental Cup, which pitted the club champions of Europe and South America against each other from the 1960s until the early 2000s. This tournament was never far from controversy...
My guest is Michael Cox, author of The Mixer and Zonal Marking, and journalist with The Athletic. We're discussing the recent history of football tactics and also modern football journalism.
My guest is Dominic Bliss, whose biography of the legendary Hungarian coach Ernö Egri Erbstein led not only to the refounding of an historic Budapest football club, but also a new tournament in his name.
The second edition will be held in South-West London over the weekend of 23-24 July and features Corinthian-Casuals, Budapesti Atletikai Klub, the world's oldest club Sheffield FC, and Fall River Marksmen of the USA.
It's going to be fascinating...
My guest is Steven Scragg - for a record fourth appearance - discussing his new book on the Mexico '86 World Cup
Author Andrew Downie tells us all about Brazilian football, from its origins to the present day. We particularly discuss Mexico 1970 and Socrates, which have been the topics of Downies' books.
My guest is James from the Menorca Football blog. He fills us in on football in Menorca and we look at the other Balearic Island clubs, like Real Mallorca and Ibiza.
I'm joined by Jon Spurling, author of 'Get It On', a new book about football in the 1970s. We look at a pivotal and controversial decade in English football.
My guest is Gaizka Atxa, one of the founders of the Mr Pentland Club, a London-based fan club of Athletic Club de Bilbao. We discuss the long history of one of the most unique clubs in the world.
My guest is Wayne Girard, who writes about Italian football, specifically AS Roma. We're discussing the Roman derby - Lazio v Roma.
My guest is writer and podcaster Paul Whittle, whose new book looks at the last decades of the Football League before the shake-up that led to the formation of the Premier League in 1992.
Gary Jordan is my guest. He's written a book about AFC Wimbledon and the return of the club to Plough Lane, SW19, the same road as the original Wimbledon FC.
Jonathan O'Brien's book covers the Euros from the tournament's inception in 1960 to the delayed 2020 championship. We look at how the tournament has evolved, controversy, politics, and its highlights.
The world's oldest Association rules football tournament, the FA Cup, turns 150 in season 2021-22. My guest is Phil Annets, whose new book 'FA Cup 150' lists key events from the tournament's history.
I discuss the past, present and future of Europe's most-attended football club, Borussia Dortmund, with Benjamin McFadyean, who also runs the London supporters' group for BVB.
My guest is Stu Carrington, whose book 'Blowing the Whistle' covers the psychology of football refereeing. We discuss the data behind the influence of the crowd, of managers' mind games, and VAR...