It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In today's episode, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper look back on the rich history of Goodison Park, Everton's storied home ground, as it approaches its final days.From setting the history into the building of the iconic stadium to picking out unforgettable matches to legendary players, relive iconic moments such as Dixie Dean's record-setting 60 goals in one season, Eusebio's praise at the 1966 World Cup, the famous 1994 relegation battle against Wimbledon and Wayne Rooney's spectacular goal against Arsenal.Join us as we celebrate the legacy of one of England's most beloved football stadiums. What's your favourite Goodison Park memory? Get in touch on @ItWasPod on X.Please don't forget to leave a review and recommend to your friends!00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:33 The Significance of Goodison Park01:44 Architectural and Historical Insights04:32 Memorable Matches and Moments07:11 Archibald Leitch's Legacy26:15 Everton's last day survival in 1994 and Match-Fixing Scandal29:33 The1966 World Cup40:34 Dixie Dean's 60th Goal of the season47:27 Wayne Rooney's Stunning Debut Goal49:44 Farewell to Goodison Park

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.Today co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper speak of the remarkable journey of Harry Kane, who recently clinched the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich; the first trophy in his career. Recounting his early days at Arsenal youth, to multiple rejections, and loan spells that nearly derailed his career, the episode highlights Kane’s undeterred determination and resilience. Discover how pivotal moments and key influences, such as Mauricio Pochettino and a documentary on Tom Brady, transformed him into one of football’s greatest strikers. We end with a quiz, as Rob tests Jonathan's knowledge of British and Irish players who won major league titles abroad!00:00 Introduction: A Childhood Memory00:35 The Arsenal Release: A Turning Point00:43 Celebrating Harry Kane's Achievements01:02 The Early Struggles and Resilience02:36 Harry Kane's Background and Family03:06 Youth Football Journey05:38 Challenges and Determination14:27 Loan Spells and Growth18:40 Millwall Experience and Growing Up21:34 Norwich Loan: A Tough Period27:16 Unexpected Laughter and Player Comparisons28:02 Struggles at Leicester City29:36 Turning Point: The Tom Brady Inspiration31:13 Breakthrough Under Sherwood32:33 Skepticism and Early Success35:04 Pochettino's Influence and Physical Transformation38:36 Near Misses and Final Disappointments43:12 Legacy and Comparisons with Other Greats47:43 Quiz on British and Irish Players Abroad52:59 Conclusion and Reflections on Harry Kane's Career

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.In this week’s episode, we turn our attention to Liverpool’s extraordinary journey through their history, culminating in Arne Slot’s Premier League title-winning side.Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper trace the club’s legacy from its early 20th-century triumphs to modern-day glory. They explore the tactical revolutions under legendary managers like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, the brilliance of iconic players in Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, and the resurgence under Jürgen Klopp. The episode also highlights how Arne Slot has carried that legacy forward, building on the foundations laid by his predecessors.Where does the 2024/25 Liverpool title winners rank amongst the club's greatest ever teams? Get in touch with @ItWasPod on X to let us know!00:00 Introduction to Liverpool's Journey01:42 Early Liverpool Champions: 1901-192302:42 The Impact of Tom Watson06:24 Liverpool's Defensive Strengths07:46 Post-War Liverpool: Nutrition and Success08:46 The Rise of Billy Liddell10:17 Jack Balmer's Unlikely Heroics15:20 Liverpool's First Five Titles16:34 Bill Shankly's Legacy20:55 Bob Paisley's Tactical Brilliance26:18 Liverpool's Dominance in the Late 70s27:12 Liverpool's Dominant Back Four27:52 Dalglish vs. Keegan: Who's Better?29:08 The Greatest Liverpool Side of All Time?29:54 European Cup Draw and Unfortunate Knockout33:29 Transition to the Kenny Dalglish Era37:53 Impact of Hillsborough and the 1989 Season41:55 Liverpool's Modern Era and Klopp's Influence46:46 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Liverpool wrapped up their 20th English league title at the weekend, so today co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper focus on the fascinating career of manager Arne Slot who has won the Premier League at his first attempt at Anfield. Beginning with his unique upbringing in a football-centric Dutch Bible Belt town, we explore how watching his father coach from a young age shaped Slot's tactical mind, travel through his early playing days, his reputation as a tactician, and his impressive managerial stints that led him to win the Eredivisie with Feyenoord and now the Premier League with Liverpool. On Friday, Jonathan and Rob will assess where Slot's Liverpool title winners sit in Liverpool's glorious history.00:00 Introduction: A Coach's Son00:40 Early Life and Background of Arne Slot01:26 The Dutch Football Culture03:01 Influence of Johan Cruyff and Total Football05:02 Arne Slot's Youth and Early Football Education07:11 Professional Career Beginnings13:40 Tactical Innovations and Coaching Philosophy21:58 The Early Coaching Journey of Arne Slot23:14 Challenges and Successes at Cambuur25:56 Influence of Pep Guardiola and Data Analytics29:10 Rise at AZ Alkmaar34:43 Success at Feyenoord and Coaching Style43:45 Legacy and Future Prospects

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.It's time for Part Two of Pep vs Jose! As Barcelona and Inter prepare to face off once again in this year’s Champions League semi-final, we look back at the original - a tie that shaped modern football.Guardiola vs Mourinho. All-out attack vs. tactical defiance. Ideology, rivalry - maybe even good vs. evil?Fifteen years ago, Pep’s all-conquering Barcelona met Jose's Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final that didn’t just decide who reached the final - it helped define a footballing era.Having set the scene in part one, Rob and Jonathan relive the incredible semi-final battles, where Mourinho would ultimately dethrone Guardiola in an incredible second-leg at the Nou Camp - which saw a controversial sending off, late drama and an iconic pitch celebration.If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:45 The Clash of Philosophies: Mourinho vs. Guardiola01:32 The Tactical Battle Begins04:32 The Volcano Eruption and Its Impact10:24 First Leg Highlights and Analysis13:18 Ibrahimović's Conflict and Mourinho's Mind Games18:06 The Build-Up to the Second Leg25:23 The Myth of the Decision25:41 The Controversial Red Card26:54 Conspiracy Theories and Psychological Influence27:52 The Clash of Good vs. Evil28:34 Tactical Fouling and Pep's Cynical Side29:59 Marina's Critique of Barcelona's Tactics31:37 Inter's Defensive Masterclass34:13 The Struggle Against Possession Football36:38 The Final Moments and Disallowed Goal40:03 Marino's Triumphant Celebration43:16 The Aftermath and Legacy46:43 The Tactical Evolution in Football48:58 The Importance of Non-Possession Football50:28 Conclusion and Reflections

Welcome to It Was What It Was.As Barcelona and Inter prepare to face off once again in this year’s Champions League semi-final, we look back at the original - a tie that shaped modern football.Pep Guardiola vs. José Mourinho. All-out attack vs. tactical defiance. Ideology, rivalry - maybe even good vs. evil?Fifteen years ago, Pep’s all-conquering Barcelona met Mourinho’s Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final that didn’t just decide who reached the final - it helped define a footballing era.In Part One, Rob and Jonathan set the scene: how Mourinho’s Inter came to challenge the most dominant team in the world, the tactics he used, the battles he fought in Italy, and how both sides arrived at this collision point chasing domestic and European glory.Part Two drops Friday, where Rob and Jonathan break down the epic semi-final itself.00:00 Barcelona's Football Perfection01:48 Mourinho vs. Guardiola: A Rivalry Begins02:47 The Dark Side of Mourinho03:25 Star Wars Analogies and Football Tactics06:53 Mourinho's Seven-Point Plan07:45 Mourinho's Philosophy and Evolution08:43 Mourinho's Journey to Inter Milan09:58 Cultural Expectations and Pragmatic Football12:23 Mourinho's Press Conference Antics13:44 Mourinho's Linguistic Brilliance14:49 Mourinho's Training Philosophy20:04 Key Matches and Tactical Shifts21:16 Mourinho's First Season at Inter22:27 Transfer Drama: Stars on the Move23:51 Barcelona's Dominance and Challenges26:40 Inter's Journey to the Semifinals28:57 Mourinho's Tactical Mastery32:29 Controversies and Confrontations40:24 The Road to the Semifinals43:57 Setting the Stage for the Epic Semifinal

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.In today's episode, hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by journalist David Walsh to explore how the modern fortunes of Manchester United are intertwined with one of the greatest racehorses in history.This is the extraordinary story of Rock of Gibraltar, the famed racehorse part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson - and how his connections and relationships with John Magnier, and JP McManus would ultimately impact the Glazers' takeover of Manchester United. David Walsh shares insider details from his investigative work on the story, making this one of the most fascinating sports sagas of recent times. Tune in on Friday for part two, and the implications of the Glazers' takeover - and Manchester United's decline.00:00 The Tale of the Lost Kingdom00:25 Introduction to the Podcast and Special Guest00:35 The Story of Rock of Gibraltar01:25 David Walsh's Insights02:28 The Connection Between Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magner07:36 The Rise of Rock of Gibraltar17:21 The Dispute Over Ownership19:26 The Financial Implications29:04 Ownership Dispute and Legal Battle29:52 High Court Drama and Stakeholder Tensions30:50 Public Fallout and Media Frenzy34:02 Settlement and Aftermath38:39 The Glazers' Takeover41:35 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities49:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome to It Was What It Was for part two of our interview with Brendan Batson, a trailblazer in English football.Brendon tells Jonathan and Rob about his impactful time at West Bromwich Albion as part of the iconic 'Three Degrees' with Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham. We discuss his teammates, the tragic losses and his work to combat racism. Brendon also gives us an insight into the personal impact of his former manager Ron Atkinson's notorious comments on live television.00:00 Introduction and Overview01:07 Brendan Batson's Early Career and Challenges03:00 The China Tour Experience06:20 The Three Degrees Phenomenon12:32 Impact and Legacy of Black Players18:37 Knee Injury and Career Transition20:10 Coaching Courses and Philosophies24:24 The Evolution of a Coaching Philosophy24:42 The One-Size-Fits-All Approach25:50 Player Welfare and Career Transitions27:59 Tragic Losses and Their Impact28:38 The Legacy of Laurie Cunningham32:33 Racism in Football: A Personal Betrayal38:20 The Complexity of Racism in Football41:21 The Fight Against Racism: Past and Present46:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections