Sport Is History

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with racing driver Billy Monger to hear the story behind one of motorsport’s most remarkable comebacks. Billy takes us through his journey from a young driver with a passion for racing, to the crash that changed his life, and the incredible road back to the racetrack. He opens up about the physical and mental challenges he faced, the people who supported him...

Few athletes have transformed their sport quite like Jonah Lomu. A force of nature on the rugby pitch and a global icon beyond it, his story is one of extraordinary talent, cultural identity, personal struggle and an enduring legacy. In this episode, Mark and Marcuas are joined by acclaimed director Gavin Fitzgerald, co-director of the documentary LOMU, for a fascinating conversation about the man...

From a championship game that began in the 1960s to one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, the Super Bowl has come a long way! In this episode, we take a fun trip through the history of the game, exploring the moments, teams, players, traditions, and cultural milestones that helped turn the Super Bowl into a global phenomenon. We’re also joined by sports creator George on Sports for a l...

The Solheim Cup has grown into one of the prime vents in the sporting calendar. A tournament comprised of emotion, unforgettable moments and controversy (in part). It's certainly helped transform the landscape of the women’s game. In this episode, we take a journey through the history of the Solheim Cup, from its beginnings in 1990 to the global sporting spectacle it has become today. Along the wa...

What makes a cyclist truly great? Is it the number of victories, the biggest races won, or the ability to produce moments that fans remember for generations? In this episode, we explore the remarkable rise of Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian phenomenon who has transformed from a promising young rider into one of the defining figures of modern cycling. From teenage prodigy to multiple Grand Tour a...

From generating little to no money to becoming one of the world’s most followed sporting competitions, the history of the football league is a story of ambition, money, innovation and dramatic change. In this episode, we take a journey through the origins and evolution of league football in the UK, we speak to special guest football historian Peter Kenny Jones and explore how the world's most popu...

If you think modern English cricket can be chaotic, cast your mind back to the summer of 1988. England were confronted by perhaps the most formidable team in world cricket: Viv Richards' West Indies. What followed was a summer of battered batsmen, terrifying fast bowling, captaincy turmoil and one of the most extraordinary Test series in English cricket history. The West Indies arrived with Malcol...

What do you think when you hear the word Cricket? A gentlemen's game, sandwiches at tea time, cable knit sweaters. You may not necessarily think of a sport doused in corruption and scandals, well, in today's episode that's exactly what we're looking for! Mark and Marcus look into some of the most blatant forms of cheating the sport has had to offer, from Bancroft's sandpaper fiasco against South A...

What happens when an umpire and a captain go head-to-head? Back in 1987, England cricket captain Mike Gatting and somewhat controversial umpire Shakoor Rana came to blows in one of cricket's most fiery encounters. In this episode, we revisit the explosive confrontation between the two during England's 1987 tour of Pakistan—a dispute that brought play to a halt, dominated headlines around the world...

What curse lasts for 75 years? Is it true? Is it a myth? Well, the wait for silverware is finally over for Mayo. After supposedly being cursed by a priest 51 years, the Gaelic football team managed to get their hands on the Sam Maguire Cup with victory against Kerry this past weekend but the story behind the victory is one passed on from generation to generation. In this episode, Mark and Marcus p...

And it's over...well, not quite yet. From Cape Verde's wondrous antics to Harry Kane's broken voice interview, join Mark and Marcus as we relive all the crazy twists and turns from the 2026 World Cup. Whilst full of standout events such as Ferran Torres' winning goal in the final, Lionel Messi's remarkable final World Cup campaign and Kylian Mbappé's Golden Boot-winning tournament, in this episode...

It's time! After a month of hard fought battles, VAR controversy, unbelievable goals and heartbreak, the World Cup final is finally here. In this episode, Mark and Marcus build-up to the big game between Spain and Argentina Sunday night whilst not forgetting the two high profile semi-finals that have come before including France and England. The pair take a look at the somewhat tactical mistakes f...

The World Cup has seen players, coaches and matches that will forever stay in memory but what about those moments that fly under the radar? Well, in this episode Mark and Marcus explore some of what can only be described as ONE-HIT wonders! From players who produced unforgettable performances to countries engulfed in political pressure, the pair unpack Italy's Toto Schillaci, North Korea's triumph...

Every World Cup-winning team has legendary players—but behind every champion stands a mastermind on the touchline. In this episode, we dive into the brilliant minds that shaped football history, exploring the tactics, personalities, and leadership of four standout coaches of all time, Franz Beckenbauer, Alf Ramsey, Vittorio Pozzo, and Helmut Schön. From endearing personalities to unforgettable tri...

They think it’s all over, it is now! There have been some UNBELIEVABLE games throughout World Cup history but some simply take your breathe away and in this episode Mark and Marcus step back in time to unpick some of the most exciting matches in the history of the tournament. From the scintillating Brazil squad of 1982 to the six-goal thriller final in 2022, we look back at games full of passion,...

What happens when a dog finds a stolen trophy? Or when a referee brandishes 3 yellow cards...to the same player. Well, in this episode Mark and Marcus take a look at some of the craziest moments the World Cup held host to. From violent games to catastrophic bookings, the pair relive the events of Pickles the dog, Gazza vs Germany, the battle of Santiago and Graham Poll's yellow card fiasco. We wan...

Watching England isn't always the most enjoyable process, however, the team has provided some unforgettable moments (both good & not so much). In this episode, Mark and Marcus choose their best and worst England games at the World Cup, from dreary 0-0 draws and ghost goals to impressive wins and penalty shootouts. The pair look back on games from the 1982, 1986, 1998 & 2010 World Cups. We want to...

From countless backflips to collective team routines, the World Cup has had it's fair share of wild celebrations and in this episode Mark and Marcus take look back at some of the stand ones from tournaments gone by! We take look back at everything from South Africa's 'Diski Dance' against Mexico in 2010 to the king of the somersaults in Julius Aghahowa...who performed SEVEN backflips in a row in 2...

Narrow fairways. Brutal rough. Lightning-fast greens. Every year, the U.S. Open arrives with a simple mission: identify the best golfer in the world by asking the toughest questions in the game. In this episode, Mark and Marcus explore some of the greatest stories the tournament has had to offer through time, from Francis "the father of amateur golf" Ouimet to the vibrant Payne Stewart, the U.S. O...

Bad fouls, iconic dances and loveable coaches. What makes someone a hero or a villain in the greatest competition in world football? Well, Mark and Marcus are here to tell you their favourite players and managers who are liked and disliked for a variety of different reasons. In this episode, the pair look at Toni Schumacher's infamous challenge in 1982, Jack Charlton's reign as manager of Ireland,...

What happens when historic champions get humiliated, underdogs roar and hopes of a nation are crushed before they get going? In this episode, we're diving headfirst into some of the biggest World Cup SHOCKS! These are the matches that left fans speechless, newspapers furious and history books needing a rewrite. From stunning upsets to contentious moments, Mark and Marcus relive the chaos, drama, a...

It's WORLD CUP TIME! From Gianluigi Buffon to Gerd Müller...we're here! Mark and Marcus walks us through their all-time World Cup XI from multiple World Cup winners to charismatic managers, we run through the very best in the world past and present to form the ultimate international team. We want to hear from you! Let us know about YOUR greatest World Cup XI by emailing us at sportishistory@spirit...

Bullseyes, pints and fancy dress, welcome to the whirlwind that is darts. So how did a game once only known for being played in pubs and clubs engulfed in cigarette smoke, make the miraculous rise to becoming a spectacle headlining huge venues on prime time television? In this episode, Mark and Marcus run us through what made the sport so encapsulating back in the 1970s and 80s, the characters tha...

So it's time. With the Champions League final imminent, Mark and Marcus pull together their joint best PSG & Arsenal XI as well as unpacking some of the stories behind why these two GIANTS of European football have been thought of as two of the most dangerous teams in the game. From Raya to Doue and beyond, this episode is the perfect Champions League Final breakdown ahead of an epic clash of styl...

In 1983 Yannick Noah became the first French player to win at one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar, Roland-Garros. It wasn't all about sensational drop shots, ferocious serves or legendary backhands, it was about spirit. Noah wasn't only a star on the court but away from the game he maintained a successful music career playing in front of thousands, he stole hearts and above all made h...