My guest is Derek Air, whose book 'Land of the Giants' explores Subbuteo culture. We're talking ahead of the Subbuteo World Cup 2024, hosted in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, where the game was invented.

Everton is one of the grand old names of English football. Founder members of both the Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992), Everton have the second-longest run in the top-flight of English football after Arsenal, with seven decades without a relegation - although they have come close. I discuss Everton's history with author Rob Saw…

While their Lamington Cake bakes in the oven, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Olympic Football from ‘Krølben’ Nielsen’s magnificently talented bandy legs to fearsome Willie Hastie via Hitler’s first match. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 445, Record Breakers brings us a Red Star r…

I'm joined by Claus Bermann, whose company Rome Derby organises match tickets and tours for groundhoppers visiting the Italian capital to watch AS Roma and SS Lazio matches, or meetings between the two - the 'Derby della Capitale' (the Derby of the Capital).

Euphoric having found the Croatian equivalent of Toffifee, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Bargain Buys from Jimmy Case’s freebie to Ian Wright’s weight exchange via Bobby Collins’ mercifully short arms. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 444, Record Breakers brings us a Basque bange…

I am joined by Christopher Evans, author of 'Los Leones', a book on the history of Athletic Club de Bilbao. We're looking at the Basque Derby - Athletic Club v Real Sociedad. It's an iconic derby wrapped up in fierce Basque identity.

My guest is Ceylon Andi Hickman, director of the charity Football Beyond Borders (FBB). We're discussing how football is making a positive change to young people's lives, especially in their education. The charity has worked with footballers, including Marcus Rashford and Chris Smalling, and is proven to help children do well at school. Ceylon is a…

My guest is Marius Helgå as we discuss groundhopping in Norway. It's Western Europe's longest country at 1,750km with clubs stretching from the south right up to the Arctic Circle. We discuss some big names like Vålerenga, Lyn, Odds, Viking, and Bergen, plus some smaller clubs and the national side. We also look at Norwegian fan culture and its inf…

Leaving aside deep thoughts about the demise of Happy Shopper outlets, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Forgotten Euros Heroes, from shirty Latvians to an infamous coin via an unfortunate case of whistle flatulence. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 443, Record Breakers brings us a S…

My guest is Aidan Williams, whose new book 'Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw'. Back when the Euros was a proper elite eight-team tournament, France provided a sublime and dramatic tournament spearheaded by Michel Platini, who bagged nine goals in just five games as France won its first major tournament.…

My guest is Ben Jackson, whose book The Africa Cup of Nations: The History of an Underappreciated Tournament came out in time for the 2024 edition of AFCON. We look back at the tournament's roots, its key moments and players, plus where does it go from here?

Plumping their inflatable cushions and popping some chocolate limes, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss ‘What If…?’ moments, from Bill Shankly at Boro to Maradona the Mackem via Bryan Gunn’s ankle. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 442, Record Breakers brings us a Brazilian banger, and…

My guest is Roberto Pennino, whose book 'Immortal Torino' covers the story of 'Il Grande Torino' - the Great Torino FC side that dominated Italian football in the 1940s. Tragically, the team and coaching staff all died as their plane descended into Turin on the way home from a friendly match in Lisbon against Benfica, crashing into the Basilica di …

My guest is Phil Harrison, whose debut book explores football in Europe's last communist state, Albania. It's a fascinated story of football in a secretive and isolated country.

My guest is Ruben Clark (RM Clark), whose new book Winner Stays On covers his travels around England following clubs through every round of the FA Cup, trailing the winner of matches into the next round all the way up to the final. It's a fascinating insight into the English regions and the football pyramid.…

Beyond cock-a-hoop at reaching podcast 100, in this special centenary episode (i.e. there’s no guest, just a bit more of them talking) magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss issue 100 of WSC magazine, published in June 1995. There is also chatter of some things 100, from the Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy …

My guest is Miguel Lourenço Pereira, who's written a number of football books, but his latest is his first in English, Bring Me That Horizon. It's all about getting to know Portugal through its football. We discuss Portugal's footballing roots and history under the long Salazar dictatorship and the role of football in its demise. We discuss the gre…

My guest is Peter Cinnamond from the Kicking Match podcast, which covers the Irish League/NIFL. We discuss groundhopping in Northern Ireland, covering famous clubs like Linfield and Glentoran, as well as some of the many great grounds that groundhoppers can discover in Belfast and beyond. We also look at some of the political history of the Irish L…

Deploying a white Crème Egg as a game-changer, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Football in Far-Flung Places, from the Naval Frigate Captains’ Derby to the Well-Padded Hand of God via a Patagonian mystery and the Bellboys of St Helena. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 440, Record Br…

After a successful 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, what does the future hold for women's football? My guest is journalist and author Carrie Dunn, who discusses some of the topics she raises in her latest book 'Woman Up: Pitches, Pay and Periods. The Progress and Potential of Women's Football'

My guest is Stephen C. Brandt, whose latest book explores the history of one of Brazil's most famous clubs, Flamengo. We discuss the history of the carioca club from its roots at a rowing team's footballing branch up to Copa Libertadores champions.

My guest is Matt Riley, who spent several years in Thailand exploring its football. He has chronicled the Thai game in his new book, 'Thai Football Tales: A Beautiful Madness'. His stories are quite something, give it a spin...

Dodging the Dripping Pan ducking stool, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Football Art and Statues from Jody Craddock’s paintwork to The Erratic Clown of Belgrade via Arsene Wenger’s Miss Marple likeness. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 439, Record Breakers brings us a Beckenbauer b…

My guest for his third appearance is Daniel Williamson as he discusses his new book on Ronaldo Nazário - the original Ronaldo for people of a certain age... We look at his career from his teen breakthrough in Brazil through to his moves to PSV, Barça, Inter, Madrid, Milan and, of course, his international career.…

My guest is Alex Ireland to discuss his book 'Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt'. We cover everything from the origins of football shirts, to the emergence of numbering, sponsors' logos, new technologies and the retro appeal of football shirts.

With the Random Topic Generator in for its annual service, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray deploy a special festive tombola to prompt chatter of Christmas cards from football figures, Boxing Day fixtures, football presents and much more. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 438, Record Breaker…

My guest is Harry Robinson, author of 'The Men Who Made Manchester United: The Untold Story'. We're looking at the foundation of the club in a railway yard in Newton Heath through to the handover to Matt Busby in 1945. The club came very close to collapse on several occasions. It's a fascinating listen, even if you don't support Manchester United.…

Londres es la casa del fútbol; aquí se formaron los leyes originales en 1863 y la ciudad contiene algunos de los nombres más famosas y historicos en el deporte. En este episodio, introduzco los clubes de Londres, sus historias en breve, sus culturas y zonas, hinchas y más.

My guest is Conor Curran, author of Soccer and Society in Dublin: A History of Association Football in Ireland’s Capital. We discuss a wide range of topics, from why Dublin lagged way behind Belfast in soccer development, conflict with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the challenges faced by the women's game, and more...…