Nessun Dorma Retro Football Podcast

We round off season 1986/87 with one of the turning points in late 20th century English football as a favourite son returned to Highbury to restore a faded country house. Jon Spurling joins Martyn to discuss the original choices before Graham, how he set about reconnecting Arsenal with its past, some signs of what was in store in the future and that first silverware on the board even when Ian Rush had scored the opening goal... Jon's book on the era is All Guns Blazing and can be found here https://amzn.eu/d/0c0DV54h If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For all the changes implemented in the era, this was a quiet revolution. Quietly adopted as a mechanism to help adjust the number of teams in the First Division, it was quickly obvious that there was something to it and so, a dramatic end of to season was born. Richard Foster, author of The Agony and The Ecstasy: The Comprehensive History of the Football League Play-Offs, joins Martyn to explain why and how they began, those first matches and how it evolved into something very different. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The years between English and Italian dominance of European competition is perhaps best exemplified by 1986/87. Porto's persistence pays off with a European Cup Final goal that should be better remembered, Dundee United make history in the Nou Camp but come up agonisingly short again and a young Ajax side pick up silverware courtesy of the new sensation in European football.  Martyn and Michael Hamlen from 80s&90sFootball take a look at all three competitions and take in stories from Wrexham to Real Madrid in the process. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of the seismic decisions that have shaped the football history of the 80s and 90s have been external to the actual business of the game itself. However, 1986/87 saw the most significant managerial change of the era at Old Trafford. Gary Cook from Retro Football Network joins Martyn to re-assess Ron Atkinson's time in the job, the specifics that led to his dismissal in November 1986, the reception for Alex Ferguson and just how difficult it is to turn around a big club. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If winning the World Cup with Argentina in favourable conditions was one thing then guiding Napoli to their first ever league title was a completely different challenge. The south was not supposed to win Scudetti after all. Dominic Hougham and Martyn review a famous season in Italy, discuss whether or not it would be possible without the World Cup win and if this is the greatest 12 months that one footballer has ever enjoyed. Furthermore, on our epic journey through football history, Serie A's time has now very much begun. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The images of Everton's successes in 1984 and 1985 and burned onto the collective memory. So too, perhaps, their agonising failure in missing out on the Double in 1986. But why is their title win in 1986/87 so hidden in the shadows of time? Gary Naylor joins Martyn to throw some light on the triumph despite injuries and the sale of a goal machine and why the season as a whole does not find resonance at all. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn is joined by Gary Cook from the brilliant Retro Football Network to talk about his new publication, the importance of preserving the past online, arrested development and if younger generations have the need to search out history when they have so much of the present to consume. The physical copy of Retro Football can be found at https://amzn.eu/d/049QCZzk If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Post Heysel, everyone in English football had resigned themselves to losing their best players east and south onto the continent's highest stages. Nobody considered that some may travel north. Martyn and John Mackay gladly recount just how Scottish football was turned upside down, the traditional flow of talent was reversed and how Graeme Souness found instant success. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back on our journey through the 80s and 90s as we start our series on 1986/87. The second half of the eighties was arguably the greatest run of FA Cup Finals and this season's may sit above them all. From the fourth round victory at Old Trafford, Coventry City's joint managerial team of John Sillett and George Curtis were adamant that this could be their year. Standing in the Wembley Way would be a Spurs side whose treble dreams had faded but who still had the opportunity to send Glenn Hoddle off in style. Author Richard Chamberlain joins us to discuss the most famous season in Coventry's history as well as some other great FA Cup stories along the way. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final part of our book showcase this summer features the unheralded tale of the US team's journey to Italia '90, so important as it was in laying the foundations for what was to come. Adam Elder is a writer for the New York Time and the New Yorker amongst many other publications and his story of an unlikely bunch of players resurrecting soccer in a country who wanted to forget pretty much anything associated with the 1970s is a fascinating read. The book is now available on paperback https://amzn.eu/d/0gXiYFKz Normal Nessun Dorma returns soon with our big series on 1986/87! If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stuart Steelyard, the man behind the excellent Stu's Football Flashbacks on social media, joins Martyn to talk about his first book on the chaotic and fun hinterland between Italia '90 and the birth of the Premier League, two years characterised by the sponsorship of the League Cup by Rumbelows. Thrills, spills, sprint challenges and televisions being won by the man of the match, so much was crammed into two seasons. This fun, well-researched and evocative read can be found here and in the usual places. https://amzn.eu/d/000I3FC4 If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Fletcher returns to the show to talk about his new book on the famous Champions League Final of 1994 when AC Milan defied all the odds and predictions by eviscerating Johann Cruyff's famous Barcelona Dream Team. Martyn and Rob discuss the managers, the all-important preparation and what this final says about football at the time. The Final is a brilliant read and is highly recommended. https://amzn.eu/d/0gyEdIXU If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking for a World Cup history book to set you up for the big event - or indeed help you through the bloated mess - then you are in luck as Jonathan O'Brien has three volumes ready to go! He sits down with Martyn to chat about the writing process, the most enjoyable tournament to research, the future of the competition and what ingredients make the perfect World Cup. All three volumes are released on 18 May and can be pre-ordered here https://amzn.eu/d/0ajPI50q https://amzn.eu/d/0hP1ahCu https://amzn.eu/d/0fQHkGTD If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first of a series of book specials, the journalist and columnist Robert Taylor joins Martyn to discuss his new book about following England throughout the last 50 years. They chat about obsessive fandom, the curse of big injuries and early goals, how critical we should be of England managers, why England underperform and indeed if they actually have and a lot more. This is a great read and can be found here and in the usual places ⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tears-England-Obsession-Heartbreak-Football/dp/1836804210/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YJ4TL0UIPDQK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ks-sMRPOaAuITDIy-3ajNSMMbden4XS_rOU-zjz0yy8.XegXOVjDU-dm0WDBNXCTTyxyG-5MTibGC3JfdX5ecuY&dib_tag=se&keywords=tears+for+england&qid=1777837183&sprefix=tears+for+england%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1⁠ If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The easiest draft in football history? Let's see. Reigning ND World Cup Draft Champion Dominic Hougham returns to compete with Mac, Michael Hamlen and author of the brilliant 'The Heroes of Mexico 86' Richard Mulligan to find the best unique XI based purely on performances at the tournament. With Martyn left to judge on defence, midfield, attack and overall balance it might just be more than who gets the number 1 draw and gets first pick... More importantly, let us know what you think of the four sides! The Heroes of Mexico 86 can be found here https://www.curtis-sport.com/all-programmes/The-Heroes-of-Mexico-86-p826871016 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We started back in January with the qualifiers and now we are at the Azteca, bursting with 114,000 people for the World Cup Final of 1986. Aidan Williams and Dominic Hougham join Martyn to discuss the team selections and possible alternatives, the game, the impact of the last 20 minutes, the fascinating live coverage and debate where this Final and the tournament as a whole sits on the World Cup pantheon. Argentina v West Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw1zBZC--AY If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And then there were four. Mac and Martyn attempt to make sense of another French failure against their arch nemesis but give some justified praise for an excellent West German defensive performance. Belgium did everything right for the best part of an hour before the real Diego masterclass from Mexico got underway. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn, Mike and Rob settle down to revisit one of the great weekends in World Cup history. France and Brazil produce a classic and a goal that would be lionised if the result had been different, the hosts suffer a fate that many will over the years: defeat to West Germany on penalties, the surprise package carry on and England v Argentina provides enough for an entire series. France v Brazil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6pRNMS4KE Mexico v West Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI46dXRrj9E England v Argentina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3382Hx8pag Spain v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQRWxyRm_og If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup author Dominic Hougham joins Martyn to see France break a bit of a hoodoo, West Germany bore their way past Morocco, Bobby's boys march on despite another shaky start and Denmark absolutely losing their collective mind. Italy v France - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV1Ocz4GyzY Morocco v West Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNA2e_cdt4I England v Paraguay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J672j5Ko_xg Denmark v Spain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9FHL5bFXYo If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's knockout time! Michael Hamlen from the brilliant 80s&90sFootball is here to look at the first two rounds of Last 16 matches including the first classic of the competition between the USSR and Belgium, Brazil coming to life against Poland, the hosts progressing and Diego warming up for immortality. Mexico v Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9JPDvqeMso&t=2s USSR v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K9R8BLHOXs Brazil v Poland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K726pfbVRW0 Argentina v Uruguay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KDJOIJ2r0&t=5s If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices