These Football Times

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 South America Files, we'll be looking at how the game has developed in each nation, the clubs, the players, the joys and despairs. Guided by our South American football expert Dr Pete Watson, we start off in Colombia and take a look at the World Cup...

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 by Bill Shankly upon his arrival at Liverpool. An incredible tale, with a stellar cast, but the star of the story is the boy who ultimately had his dreams dashed by a man who would always be his guiding light and inspiration.

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. Eight years later, they still await their next one. Join us for End of an Era, as author Steven Bell discusses whether the cracks were already showing when David Moyes took the helm and whether Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho could have done more.

Former Manchester United player, Luke Chadwick, joins Stuart Horsfield, Gary Thacker and Steven Bell for a fascinating talk about his time at Old Trafford, the nurturing side of Roy Keane, his loan spell at Royal Antwerp, and the mental health battles he faced, both during his playing career and once he hung up his boots.

The podcast team discuss this season's Champions League, the varied issues surrounding the three remaining English clubs in the competition - Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City - as well as the intriguing clash between PSG and Barcelona and the impact of the memorable tie the two played out in 2017.

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 of an Era, as Lewis Henderson plots the path of what took Scotland's most successful club to the bottom rung of the domestic game and irrevocably changed the sport in Glasgow forever. 

Pro Vercelli, the first great dominant force of calcio, were Scudetto winners seven times in 14 years between 1908 and 1922, before sinking without any sign of a return to their previous glories. Join us for episode four of End of an Era, as Matthew Gibbs gives a majestic history lesson on the Italian game's most enigmatic club. 

To accompany the Anderlecht magazine - made alongside the club and featuring an exclusive interview with Vincent Kompany - the podcast team sit down to discuss their memories of a club that was once one of Europe's very best. From the great names of yesteryear to how they continue to churn out talent, this is the story of Anderlecht.

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 into its DNA. Author Natxo Parra joins us to talk about his book that not only opens a window into this fascinating club, but gets behind the skull and crossbones emblem to reveal a modern blueprint for clubs and their communities.

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, COPA90, The FA and produced a number of stunning covers for These Football Times, Tom Griffiths. From his arts-based academic background to life as a commanding centre-back and those favoured Chelsea kits of the past, Tom gives us insights into his...

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 seasons, most pundits predicted more of the same for the new decade that stretched ahead. Join us for episode three of End of an Era, as author Jeff Goulding considers just how the club's most successful era came to an end.

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 other will provide some "I knew it" moments. A wonderful chat with a man who has imperiously researched the many myths and legends of the beautiful game and will make you rethink if you ever really knew anything about football at all.

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/illustrator producing world-class portraiture work for clients ranging from Variety, BT Sport, Adidas, COPA90 and Marvel Studios, Kevin McGivern. From an unexpected basement adventure with Henrik Larsson to his practical ways of working, Kevin gives u...

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 and ITV commentator Seb Hutchinson discusses how Arsenal's most incredulous era came to an end. 

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 from supporters and opponents, but even from their own teammates. While modern times like to see themselves as more enlightened, problems still persist in unsavoury corners of the game, towards a demographic that has given so much to the rich depth an...

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 wider industry. We also discuss Chelsea's recent managerial change and clubs appointing favourite ex-players to big roles they are ill-suited for, plus we get the latest on Wrexham's Hollywood takeover from a member of Wrexham's Supporters Trust.

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. For this episode, Paul Mc Parlan dissects why an Everton team that looked set to dominate the 1970s failed to build upon the foundations of their 1969/70 title-winning campaign, and the fabled School of Science midfield of Ball, Kendall and Harvey. W...

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 diabetes. In an enthralling and engaging conversation, Gary explains how his illness has led to him inspiring others and fighting for equality in the treatment of what can be a debilitating illness.

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 differences this has led to, the FA Cup and commentator's goldmine of stories it can throw up, plus the impact of TV on National League and Women's football, and much more.

The Beautifully Designed Game podcast host Marcus Marritt sits down with Anthony Moore, an awarding-winning creative director, illustrator and art director who happens to not only be a good bloke with social causes close to his heart but is also the art editor of FourFourTwo. From his love of the Toon to what an art editor does, Anthony gives us a fantastic view behind the scenes of creating a wor...

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, Scotland and across Europe in what are troubled and unusual times.

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 once more - twice, in fact - bringing the good days back to Elland Road through Howard Wilkinson and David O'Leary. And then, bang. Sixteen years of solitude. But Leeds are back where they belong today, gracing the Premier League once again thanks to Ma...

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, so many of us mere mortals could see ourselves in him. Never has there been a talent quite like El Pibe, and never will be there be a cult like his. The podcast team sit down to discuss the life and time of Maradona ahead of the tribute magazine relea...

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 as the Drew Struzan of the sporting creative world, Dave Merrell. From designing toys to producing world-class visual content for Nike, Adidas, ESPN, The FA and more, Dave talks through the three main loves of his life (outside of family), how he crea...

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 England, discussing a number of issues where football has and is still changing due to the influence of more and more money.  We also chat Maradona, paying tribute to arguably the greatest of them all.