Celebrating Gareth Bale, iconic European clubs and iconic domestic cups
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.
1hr 4m Jan 16, 2023
1hr 4m
Vialli remembered and VAR dismembered
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.
1hr 15m Jan 11, 2023
1hr 15m
Colombian football past and present: exploring the highs and lows
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.
1hr 46m Jan 08, 2023
1hr 46m
The Magic of the FA Cup: Third Round
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 …
58m Jan 06, 2023
58m
Pelé: farewell to the king
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.
53m Jan 01, 2023
53m
The greatest World Cup finals
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.
1hr 41m Dec 16, 2022
1hr 41m
The greatest World Cup semi-finals
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.
1hr 40m Dec 11, 2022
1hr 40m
The greatest World Cup quarter-finals
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.
1hr 26m Dec 11, 2022
1hr 26m
The South America Files: Medellín
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.
1hr 18m Dec 07, 2022
1hr 18m
The greatest last-16 games of the World Cup
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.
1hr 23m Dec 04, 2022
1hr 23m
The greatest group games of 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.
1hr 14m Nov 26, 2022
1hr 14m
How to win the World Cup: insights from international football's top managers
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.
1hr 9m Nov 24, 2022
1hr 9m
Blood on the Crossbar: The Dictatorship's World Cup
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.
1hr 28m Nov 22, 2022
1hr 28m
Wales in the 21st century and their unprecedented success
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.
1hr 45m Nov 16, 2022
1hr 45m
Wales in the 1980s and 90s: two decades of frustration
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.
1hr 15m Nov 14, 2022
1hr 15m
From Huddersfield to Atalanta with a few World Cup detours
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.
1hr 21m Nov 11, 2022
1hr 21m
Wales at the 1958 World Cup and the glory and pain of the 1970s
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 Jor...
1hr 7m Nov 08, 2022
1hr 7m
From the FA Cup to the World Cup, with a few stops in between
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.
1hr 14m Nov 05, 2022
1hr 14m
The life, career and legacy of Johan Cruyff
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.
1hr 29m Oct 31, 2022
1hr 29m
Ipswich impress, Sevilla struggle, binning "banter": it’s an alliteration avalanche
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.
1hr 18m Oct 25, 2022
1hr 18m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Scotland
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?
1hr 34m Oct 23, 2022
1hr 34m
From Lazio to Linlithgow: in search of football’s remaining romance
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 ...
1hr 20m Oct 18, 2022
1hr 20m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Crystal Palace
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.
1hr 16m Oct 17, 2022
1hr 16m
A Premier League giant and a Premier League struggler, and some international detours
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.
1hr 7m Oct 13, 2022
1hr 7m
Andy Gray: Everton and beyond, and breaking into broadcasting
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.
50m Oct 06, 2022
50m
Andy Gray: the early years of a lifetime in football
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.
56m Oct 06, 2022
56m
A journey from the Premier League and Serie A to the wilds of the non-league
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.
1hr 13m Oct 03, 2022
1hr 13m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Manchester United
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.
1hr 29m Jun 28, 2022
1hr 29m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Brighton & Hove Albion
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.
1hr 1m Jun 19, 2022
1hr 1m
Golden: why Belgian football is more than one generation
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. 
1hr 13m Jun 12, 2022
1hr 13m
In the heat of the midday sun: the indelible story of the 1986 World Cup
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.  
1hr 32m May 30, 2022
1hr 32m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Swindon Town
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.
1hr 1m May 22, 2022
1hr 1m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Fiorentina
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. 
1hr 8m May 15, 2022
1hr 8m
The greatest forwards in African football history
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. 
1hr 25m May 08, 2022
1hr 25m
The nearly men: the greatest teams that failed to win the World Cup
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.
1hr 32m May 02, 2022
1hr 32m
The Mount Rushmore Selection: Exeter City
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? 
1hr 3m Apr 19, 2022
1hr 3m
The Beautifully Designed Game with Mark Johnson
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 gushi...
1hr 5m Apr 15, 2022
1hr 5m
From kids to champions: a history of the FA Youth Cup
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.
1hr 25m Apr 11, 2022
1hr 25m
Out of the Blue: the story of Chelsea's 2012 Champions League glory
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.
1hr 28m Apr 07, 2022
1hr 28m
Adidas in football: the faces, stories, highs, lows, boots, balls and kits
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 g...
1hr 26m Apr 03, 2022
1hr 26m
Everton's malaise and the fight for survival
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.
57m Mar 31, 2022
57m
The Beautifully Designed Game with Mary Axon-Smith
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 run...
1hr 1m Mar 28, 2022
1hr 1m
The Beautifully Designed Game with Dave Will
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.
1hr 24m Mar 24, 2022
1hr 24m
The South America Files: La Plata
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 ha...
1hr 21m Mar 21, 2022
1hr 21m
Fiorentina through the decades: the high, lows, triumphs and tragedies
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.
1hr 22m Mar 14, 2022
1hr 22m
The South America Files: Guayaquil
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 ha...
1hr 22m Feb 27, 2022
1hr 22m
The South America Files: Cali
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 ha...
1hr 24m Feb 21, 2022
1hr 24m
The Beautifully Designed Game talks HOME with Luke McCarthy
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.  
1hr 3m Feb 10, 2022
1hr 3m
The South America Files: Buenos Aires
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 ha...
1hr 32m Feb 06, 2022
1hr 32m
The South America Files: Bogotá
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 ha...
1hr 27m Jan 31, 2022
1hr 27m