These Football Times

In the final episode of our series celebrating the Scotland national team, the podcast team discuss the final two tournament appearances of the 1990s: Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup. Both were tales of frustration, but were nothing compared to the lows in the years that followed. We also discuss the two decades of deep lows, as the frustrating tournament exits became frustrating qualifying failure...

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 America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. In this episode, we visit Paraguay and discover how and why this landlocked country with just seven million inhabitants has lifted two Copa Am...

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 Roxburgh. The frustrations of 1990 led to a good showing in Scotland’s first European Championship appearance, at a time when the nation lacked the stars of years past but still possessed the quality to maintain a presence on the world stage in thei...

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 America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time we're off to Bolivia, where two wars, geography and mining dictated t...

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 the greatness of David Narey’s wonder-goal against Brazil in 1982 through to the agonising, frustrating , infamous goalless draw with Uruguay four years later.

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 America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed; the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time, we're off to Ecuador, who have never finished higher than fourth in...

The Beautifully Designed Game welcomes a very special guest host, Phil Galloway, who sits down with Glasgow-based goalkeeper, illustrator and graphic artist (and sometime podcast host), Marcus Marritt. From building compositions from a tight colour palette and life as a five and seven-a-side goalkeeper, to working with The FA and UEFA, Marcus gives an insight into life as a full-time illustrator a...

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 players, the joys and despairs. Guided by South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, this time, we're off to Uruguay - winners of the first World Cup and unbeaten in the competition for more than 20 years. How have they remained a powerhouse desp...

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 Cups. We talk Bremner, Dalglish, Gemmill and MacLeod, and discuss the legendary performances against Brazil and the Netherlands, the unbeaten heroics of 1974, and the deep frustrations of 1978.

In the 1970s, the bright orange flame of the Netherlands scorched the football pitches of the world, reflecting the rebellious nature of a growing societal revolution, but never claimed the big prize. In his new book, Gary Thacker tells the story of these teams, how they thrilled, entertained and captured the zeitgeist despite missing out on the silverware. How did Dutch football get there and wha...

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 remember that legendary side, their greatest games, the star names, the unsung heroes and more.

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's tournament history, we delve into their very first World Cups in 1954 and 1958, and the frustrations of the missed opportunities for the hugely talented squads of the 1960s.

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 final against Arsenal, he was one of the most talented players of his generation. Unfortunately, transitioning from playing to coaching wasn't quite as easy. This is a stunning two-part interview from the man who brought the Rooney Rule to the attent...

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 final against Arsenal, he was one of the most talented players of his generation. Unfortunately, transitioning from playing to coaching wasn't quite as easy. This is a stunning two-part interview from the man who brought the Rooney Rule to the attent...

The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host, Marcus Marritt, sits down with an artist who goes by the very relevant title of The Pencil Craftsman, photo-realism illustrator and football shirt collector, Liam Stokes-Massey. From his approach to playing on instincts in midfield, working with both traditional media and digital tools, the joy of long sleeve shirts to the detail in illustrating football...

In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, the team discuss fan protests, a number of issues around the European Super League, the betrayal of fans across the game, and the other problems in the modern game that the mood of protest could be focused on.

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 heroism of Mundo and Kempes to relegation in 1986 and a rebirth in the 1990s, modern Valencia was carved through hard work and struggle. And then came Cuper, and Rafa, and Aimar, Lopez, Mendieta, Baraja, Villa, Mata, Silva, Parejo and more. Brilliant foo...

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 Pele, Beckenbauer, Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto and Cruyff, as well as help Aston Villa, Coventry and WBA stay in Division One. It's a story that appears too unbelievable to be true - yet every single word of it is.

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 never qualified for the World Cup finals; guided by expert Dr Pete Watson, we examine why, look at the future of the game, and why influence from North America is so powerful.

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' senior writer, Jon Townsend, it's a personal exploration of the beautiful game. The podcast team chat to Jon about the book, his inspiration and a number of themes it raises from coaching to culture and much more in between.

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 despairs. Guided by South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, in this episode we visit the 1962 World Cup hosts Chile, and discuss how that tournament proved a watershed moment in the nation's history.

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 replay against Spurs. Paul would later go on to win a league title with Howard Kendall's Everton side in the 1986/87 season. As a coach, he would discover and bring Phil Foden to his beloved Manchester City. This is a special two-part podcast with an...

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 replay against Spurs. Paul would later go on to win a league title with Howard Kendall's Everton side in the 1986/87 season. As a coach, he would discover and bring Phil Foden to his beloved Manchester City. This is a special two-part podcast with an...

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 development, trials and triumphs, and the future for the international team. How did the game take root there? How did ethnicity and politics influence its development, and why are the talents of Brazilian footballers lauded around the world? 

In Today's Football Times, our contemporary podcast, our team discuss the clubs in the mix for promotion and relegation in the various domestic leagues this season, with tales of mismanagement and turmoil at one end contrasting with the solid foundations and high hopes at the other. Plus why the Scottish Cup is the best knockout competition around, and the potential game-changer of the BeNeLiga pr...