It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper bring a two-part special focussing on the decline of one of the greatest footballers ever, Diego Maradona. In part one, our co-hosts talk about Maradona's struggles with drug addiction, failed drug tests, and his eventual 15-month ban from football after a positive cocaine test in 1991. Despite these challenges, Maradona's impact on both the Napoli and Argentina national teams remained significant. Discover the infamous 5-0 defeat of Argentina by Colombia in 1993 and explore why the nation clamoured for Maradona's return to save their 1994 World Cup hopes. The episode provides a comprehensive look at Maradona's turbulent years leading up to his attempts at making a comeback. Join us on Friday for Part Two. 00:00 Introduction and Context 00:30 The Decline of Diego Maradona 02:01 The Infamous Argentina vs. Colombia Match 04:57 The Fallout and National Disgrace 10:48 Maradona's Cultural Significance 16:04 Maradona's Turbulent Life in Naples 23:51 Maradona's Decline and Struggles with Fitness 25:19 Cocaine Scandal and Legal Troubles 26:53 The Fake Penis Incident and Drug Test 30:53 Maradona's Radical Detox and Support System 34:17 Political Context and Maradona's Popularity 39:52 Return to Football and Move to Sevilla 44:04 Struggles in Sevilla and Final Decline 47:52 Personal Breakdown and Return to Roots ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. With the Club World Cup underway, we wrap up the week with Part Two of our Origin Story series, focusing on Manchester United’s chaotic 2000 Club World Cup campaign in Brazil. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper unpack United’s controversial decision to withdraw from the FA Cup, the disorganised nature of the tournament, and the fiery clash between European entitlement and South American intensity. Plus, we'll hear about the now-legendary story of Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, and Nicky Butt hang gliding over Rio - doing their best to stay out of sight of Sir Alex Ferguson! If you're enjoying It Was What It Was, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode, and consider leaving us a five-star review to help others discover the show. Thank you for listening! And don't forget to subscribe to our new show Stick to Cricket, wherever you get your podcasts! 00:00 English Expectations and Brazilian Strength 00:48 Introduction to the Double History Podcast 00:58 The Infamous 2000 Club World Cup 02:01 FIFA's Ambitions and the Club World Cup 03:36 The Controversial Decision: Manchester United's Dilemma 04:27 Global Participation and FIFA's Motivations 07:09 Political Pressures and England's World Cup Bid 22:09 Manchester United's PR Disaster in Brazil 25:18 The Tournament Begins: Double Header in Sao Paulo 26:17 The Shabby Stadium and Initial Matches 27:16 David Beckham's Red Card Incident 28:22 United's Aloof Image and Public Relations Disaster 29:26 Tournament Progress and Group Stage Results 30:07 Vasco's Dominance Over Manchester United 33:11 Gary Neville's Struggles and Team Support 38:37 United's PR Disaster in Rio 40:13 Impact on United's Season and Future Tournaments 42:06 Reflections on the Club World Cup 50:43 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week, with the Club World Cup underway, Rob and Jonathan delve into its chaotic and often violent origins! They explore how the early intercontinental tournaments were organised, from the first attempts in the late 19th century to the ultimate establishment of the Toyota Cup. We'll hear about infamous clashes between Celtic and Racing Club, and Manchester United and Estudiantes. Join us for part two on Friday, where we continue the journey into the modern era of the tournament and discuss the controversial 32-team format in the USA. (Apologies for a few audio issues with Rob's mic this week!) 00:00 Introduction and Financial Woes 00:21 The Club World Cup: Origins and Early Years 01:31 Early International Competitions 03:59 The Quest for a World Champion 08:07 The First Recognized World Club Tournament 13:41 The Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy 16:50 The Copa Rio: A New Era 23:16 Controversial Withdrawal and Unsatisfactory Victory 23:37 Rebranding and Decline of the Tournament 24:02 Violence and Domestic Dominance 25:01 The Little World Cup in Venezuela 26:46 The International Soccer League in the US 28:47 European and South American Club Competitions 30:45 The Birth of the Intercontinental Cup 35:34 Violence and Controversy in the Intercontinental Cup 41:36 Decline of the Intercontinental Cup 44:06 The Toyota Cup Era 45:23 The Expanded Club World Cup 46:33 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Please note: Apologies for the audio issues in the first 10 minutes of the show. Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast, with co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson. Today we are joined by special guest David Owen, former sports editor of the Financial Times and author of multiple books on sports history. In this episode, the trio delves deep into the significant alteration of the offside rule on June 13, 1925, and how this monumental change impacted football. From the tactical transformations it spurred, like the introduction of the WM formation and the rise of the centre half role, to its broader effects on the game's entertainment value and popularity, the discussion covers it all. Join us as we explore one of the most pivotal adjustments in football history and its lasting legacy. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:08 The 1925 Offside Rule Change 02:21 Historical Context of Offside Rule 02:55 Early 20th Century Offside Tactics 05:01 Impact of the 1925 Rule Change 12:27 Adaptations and Innovations 19:04 Immediate Effects in England 26:03 Notable Goal Scoring Feats 27:42 Astonishing Cup Run and Relegation Drama 29:05 Impact of the 1925 Offside Law Change 32:03 Defensive Strategies and Adaptations 34:15 Tactical Innovations and the WM Formation 42:04 Evolution of Player Roles and Transfer Market 53:32 Global Differences and Final Thoughts ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In today’s episode, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper explore one of the most powerful stories in football history: Zambia’s remarkable triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Jonathan, who covered the 2012 tournament on the ground, shares firsthand reflections of what he calls the most emotional press box moment he’s ever experienced.  Nineteen years after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of their national squad, Zambia rose from the ashes to claim continental glory. This episode retraces their journey - from the tragedy off the coast of Gabon in 1993, the rebuilding efforts led by legendary captain Kalusha Bwalya, right through to their unforgettable victory on penalties in the very same country that witnessed their darkest hour. 00:00 The Final Match: A Battle Beyond the Pitch 00:15 Introduction to an Inspiring and Tragic Football Story 00:36 Zambia's Uplifting Victory After Tragedy 02:26 The 1993 Plane Crash: A National Tragedy 04:37 Zambia's Football Rise in the Late 80s 08:15 The Aftermath of the Crash and the Struggle for Resources 18:42 Rebuilding the Team: The Role of Kaia and New Coaches 24:01 The 2012 African Cup of Nations Journey 25:06 The Quarterfinals and Beyond 27:01 Gabon vs. Mali: A Penalty Heartbreak 27:30 Unexpected Journey to Bata 31:12 Ghana's Complacency and Zambia's Rise 38:38 The Emotional Beach Ceremony 40:27 The Dramatic Final Against Ivory Coast 51:10 Zambia's Historic Victory 52:16 Reflecting on the Significance ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.