These Football Times
Episodes
Scotland at Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, and 20 years of frustration that followed
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of our series celebrating the Scotland national team, the podcast team discuss the final two tournament appearances of the 1990s:...
A history of Paraguayan football, the sleeping giant of South America
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Am...
Scotland at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1992
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The story of Bolivian football, from war and mining to some of the game's best club names
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The ecstasy and agony of Scotland at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The contradiction of Ecuador: from Copa Libertadores greats to Copa América failures
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Phil Galloway
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Beautifully Designed Game welcomes a very special guest host, Phil Galloway, who sits down with Glasgow-based goalkeeper, illustrator and graphic ...
How Uruguay, a nation of three million, punches so far above its weight in football
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Scotland's iconic teams at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje: Gary Thacker talks the Netherlands in 1974 and 1978
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1970s, the bright orange flame of the Netherlands scorched the football pitches of the world, reflecting the rebellious nature of a growing soc...
The story of Sampdoria's legendary Scudetto 30 years on
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 reme...
Scotland at the 1954 and 1958 World Cups and the missed opportunities of the 1960s
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ricky Hill talks talent, the Littlewoods Cup final against Arsenal and racism (part two)
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ricky Hill talks talent, the Littlewoods Cup final against Arsenal and racism (part one)
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Liam Stokes-Massey
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with an artist who goes by the very relevant title of The Pencil Craftsman, phot...
Fan protests, the European Super League and the betrayal of our clubs
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, the team discuss fan protests, a number of issues around the European Super League, the betrayal ...
A journey through the world of Valencia, past and present
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 hero...
I’m with the Cosmos: the Steve Hunt story
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Pe...
Football's battle to win the hearts of Venezuela
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
It's Just A Ball: exploring the complexity of a simple game, with Jon Townsend
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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' senio...
How the violent 1962 World Cup changed the face of Chilean football
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 despa...
An interview with Manchester City icon Paul Power (part two)
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
An interview with Manchester City icon Paul Power (part one)
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How did Brazil become a football superpower?
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 deve...
Life on the cusp of promotion or relegation, the BeNeLiga proposal, and the "special" Scottish Cup
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, our team discuss the clubs in the mix for promotion and relegation in the various domestic league...
The story of Colombian football and the World Cup that never was
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Remembering the incredible tale of George Scott, the lost Shankly boy
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Manchester United post-Ferguson: from 13 titles in 20 years to none in eight
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
A chat with Luke Chadwick
20 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Former Manchester United player, Luke Chadwick, joins Stuart Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Bell for a fascinating talk about his time at Old Traf...
The Champions League, the English challenge and Barcelona's woes
20 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The podcast team discuss this season's Champions League, the varied issues surrounding the three remaining English clubs in the competition - Liverpoo...
The story of Rangers post-liquidation
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The legend of Pro Vercelli and their fall from grace
07 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pro Vercelli, the first great dominant force of calcio, were Scudetto winners seven times in 14 years between 1908 and 1922, before sinking without an...
The story of Anderlecht, from European power to developing talent
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To accompany the Anderlecht magazine - made alongside the club and featuring an exclusive interview with Vincent Kompany - the podcast team sit down t...
St Pauli: another football is possible
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Tom Griffiths
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The decline of Liverpool post-1990, with Jeff Goulding
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 seas...
What you think you know about football is wrong
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Kevin McGivern
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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/i...
Arsenal beyond the Invincibles: from perfection to 16 years of frustration
14 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
The story of football’s black pioneers, with Bill Hern and David Gleave
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Football and betting, Chelsea's managers, and Wrexham's Hollywood takeover
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 wi...
End of an Era: why Everton's fabled School of Science failed to dominate the 1970s
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Tottenham legend Gary Mabbutt talks Spurs, FA Cup, Gazza and diabetes
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 diabe...
Commentating in these unusual times - a discussion with BT Sport's Adam Summerton
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Beautifully Designed Game with Anthony Moore
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host Marcus Marritt sits down with Anthony Moore, an awarding-winning creative director, illustrator and art dir...
A look back on 2020 and a forward glance to 2021 with hope and trepidation
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
The story of Leeds United: from the feast to 16 years of solitude
03 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 onc...
A tribute to Diego Maradona
03 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, s...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Dave Merrell
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
The soulless financial vacuum of modern football
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Engla...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Mark Johnson
06 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the tenth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the extraordinarily talented and general all-action bundle of creativ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Marcus Dilley
29 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the ninth fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with apparel designer, graphic designer, free safety, and founder of Dille...
From triumph to tragedy: the Chapecoense story
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
Finding Jack Charlton
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
The great deeds of Marcus Rashford
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a bonus edition of Today's Football Times, the team discuss Marcus Rashford and his ceaseless endeavours to highlight child poverty and campaign fo...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Matt Pascoe
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Scott McRoy
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the seventh fixture of the season, The Beautifully Designed Game sits down with the groundbreaking creative talent of Scott McRoy. From producing a...
Matt Wilkerson: how to develop footballers for MLS and beyond
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 c...
Welcome to the brilliant world of PSV
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, fr...
The trouble with the handball rule and discord between England and the media
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The podcast team discuss a number of issues brought about by the current interpretation of the handball rules, as well as the troubled relationship be...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Dave Flanagan
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Flanag...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Javier Arrés
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 goa...
The glorious failure of Brazil at the 1982 World Cup
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 min...
Where the cool kids hung out: the chic years of the UEFA Cup
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Phil Delves
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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. F...
The decline of Scotland's national team: how, why and is it terminal?
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Federico Manasse
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Games People Play: Gary Thacker talks his new football fiction masterpiece
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 hav...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Dan Leydon
23 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
The murky waters of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 curta...
The deception and dodgy deals of Russia's awarding of the 2018 World Cup
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
The political undercurrent that cut through the 2006 World Cup's friendly facade
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 hos...
The commercialisation of USA 94 that set a future blueprint
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 cul...
Neville Southall talks social justice, the highs and lows of football and more
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Beautifully Designed Game with Phil Galloway
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 glo...
The story of Paul Gascoigne in Italy
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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. Exc...
What is the future of the Football League?
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 iss...
Dissecting the wonderful world of Olympique de Marseille
16 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The state of elite European football, its future, and its impact on the rest of the game
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Blood and Circuses: how post-Soviet nations used football to create unique identities
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
The FA Cup: its decline, its relevance and how it may be revived
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Conor Nestor discusses a path to coaching glory in Cambodia aged just 36
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 return of the Premier League: what does it mean across the football pyramid?
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 tod...
Ray Power talks player and coach development across the world
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 joi...
The rise and fall of the Danish Dynamite
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the Centre Circle covers one of the most celebrated football books. Danish Dynamite features the history of the Danish national team t...
Elite coach and player development from the UK to Mexico, with Jess Ibrom
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The story of Euro 2012 and 2016: Spain's zenith, Portugal's fortune and bloated tournaments
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Me...
Euro 2004 and 2008: the shock of Greece and the splendour of Spain
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
The story of the 1978 World Cup: violence, protests, controversy and a stunning home glory
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 politica...
Rui Marques talks about his journey from Fantasy Football success to the pro game
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Once an economist with a passion for football, after Rui Marques won two high-profile Fantasy Football competitions, it opened a door into professiona...
The politically-charged story of the 1974 World Cup
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 politi...
The best of Arsenal, from a 1980s rebirth, George Graham's '89 pinnacle, and Wenger's wonders
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ga...
Part 2: Mike Keeney discusses coaching abroad, club and national team dynamics and more
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In part two, Mike Keeney, assistant coach for IFKH of Finland’s Veikkausliiga, joins Jon Townsend to discuss his journey as a professional coach. Mi...
The North Korean paradox, African boycott and European skullduggery: the politicised World Cup of 1966
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mike Keeney discusses coaching abroad, club and national team dynamics and more
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
The story of Euro 96 and Euro 2000, and new peaks for the tournament
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Basking in sunshine, Euro 96 would prove to be the biggest and best European Championship yet - for four years, anyway. England, Holland and France wo...
The Celtic magazine: in celebration of the greats, the pioneers and the winners
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How The Red Project aims to improve the fan experience, with Emma Case
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The story of Flamengo 1980/81: Zico, Coutinho and the intercontinental kings
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Flamengo 1980/81: the story behind the rise to continental and global glory of Cláudio Coutinho's Flamengo. Previous state championships paled into i...
The politics of the 1938 World Cup, played with global war on the horizon
12 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...