It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

The Overlap
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It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast Podcast

Welcome to The Overlap's historical football podcast, It Was What It Was. Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in football history that have shaped the footballing world today. The show will be discussing the best stories from football's past, giving insights to the personalities involved. providing details from behind the scenes and offering vital historical context. If you enjoy the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Manchester City Guilty! The 1904/05 Scandal

    4 DAYS AGO

    Manchester City Guilty! The 1904/05 Scandal

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. On this week's episode we travel back to one of the biggest financial scandals in early English football—the 1904-05 Manchester City scandal. Journalists Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper unravel the events that saw Manchester City, fresh off their FA Cup win, embroiled in controversy over illegal player payments. It Was What It Was explores how the Football Association’s wage cap led to the club’s downfall, forcing manager Tom Maley and 17 players—including star winger Billy Meredith—banned. You’ll hear how this scandal not only rocked Manchester City but also paved the way for Manchester United's rise, reshaping the footballing landscape in ways that still echo today with City currently facing 115 charges as of September 2024. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  2. Heroic Villains: Aston Villa's European Miracle

    17 SEPT

    Heroic Villains: Aston Villa's European Miracle

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. As Aston Villa return to Champions League football this week, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take a deep dive into the club's most iconic moment: their 1982 European Cup triumph. It Was What It Was revisits this historic victory, made even more remarkable by the fact that manager Ron Saunders resigned midway through the season, leaving Tony Barton to step in and guide Villa to European glory. Jonathan and Rob walk us through the unforgettable campaign, which saw Villa travel to Germany and Ukraine before defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final. The win became even more legendary when first-choice goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer was forced off with an injury, only for his inexperienced replacement, Nigel Spink, to step up and deliver a crucial performance in just his second-ever first-team appearance, cementing his place in Villa's history on one of the club’s greatest nights. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. ***Please note this episode was recorded before the death of the late Gary Shaw.*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  3. Messi: Making the GOAT

    10 SEPT

    Messi: Making the GOAT

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. This week, our hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper dive into the extraordinary journey of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. With his 2022 World Cup triumph marking the pinnacle of an already legendary career, Jonathan and Rob take a journey back to Messi’s beginnings. They explore his childhood in Rosario, the crucial role his family played in his development, and his time at Newell's Old Boys, where he faced and overcame a growth hormone deficiency that almost ended his dream before it began. In this episode of It Was What It Was, they delve into his life-changing move to Barcelona at just 13, joining the iconic Class of '87 alongside future stars like Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué, where Messi would go on to become the greatest player in the club’s storied history. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m

  4. 3 SEPT

    Chelsea's Roman Empire: The Abramovich Takeover

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. This week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper tell the story of probably the most-consequential football club takeover ever: When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003.   Before sportswashing was even a word and in an age when Financial Fair Play didn’t exist, we examine the background to the most-startling and unexpected deal in Premier League history. And the extraordinary impact it would make, as Chelsea splurged what was at the time an eye-watering £100m in that first summer transfer window, laying the foundations for Chelsea to become a super club that would win 18 major trophies in the Roman era.   It transformed the Premier League, threatened Fergie, ruined the latter years of Arsene Wenger’s career, caused UEFA to dream up new FFP rules to curb them and paved the way for the era of nation state investors at Manchester City, Paris St Germain and Newcastle United.   It Was What it Was goes back to that stunning summer which changed the game and debates whether football was ever the same after the Roman Conquest. Please subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 16m
  5. Puskas and Postecoglou: The Legacy of Ange Ball

    27 AUG

    Puskas and Postecoglou: The Legacy of Ange Ball

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. This week, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper explore the connection between Ferenc Puskas and Ange Postecoglou, and how the Hungarian idol influenced the Australian coach. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Ferenc Puskas’s post-playing career saw him manage across the world, including stints in Spain, America, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. It was in Australia where Puskas, the manager, coached Postecoglou, the player, at South Melbourne Hellas. Jonathan and Rob detail Ange Postecoglou’s life, including the influence of his Greek father, and how Puskás's coaching philosophy left a lasting impact on him. Discover how these experiences shaped Postecoglou’s approach to management and contributed to his success. As Postecoglou gets underway in his second season with Tottenham Hotspur, join us to uncover the enduring legacy of Ferenc Puskas on one of today’s most innovative coaches. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 22m
  6. The Premier League’s Greatest Game – Part Two

    22 AUG

    The Premier League’s Greatest Game – Part Two

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was.    In Part One, journalists Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper set the scene for Liverpool’s incredible 4-3 win over Newcastle in April 1996. We now delve into the game itself and the consequences that follow.    Having been 12-points clear in the run for the Premier League title, Jonathan and Rob provide an in-depth look into how this game symbolically ends Newcastle’s title chances and ultimately leads to Kevin Keegan leaving the club.   We look closely into the teams, the goals, the players and the atmosphere, as well the aftermath of the game, giving a real resonance of what will happen in football in the next 10 years.    If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  7. The Premier League’s Greatest Game – Part One

    20 AUG

    The Premier League’s Greatest Game – Part One

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was.    In this week’s episode, we take an in-depth look into the true classic that was Liverpool v Newcastle in April 1996, as The Reds snatched a victory in the final moments in front of the Kop.   Journalists Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper delve into the backstory of the season, giving context coming into the game, including Newcastle’s 12 point-lead as they looked to be in the clear for the Premier League title.   The second part of this, which focuses on the game and the consequences that follow, will be out on Thursday 22nd August    If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  8. How Pep Guardiola Became A Football Genius

    13 AUG

    How Pep Guardiola Became A Football Genius

    Welcome to the latest episode of The Overlap’s football history podcast, It Was What It Was. In this week’s episode, journalists Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take an in-depth look at Pep Guardiola's journey to becoming a football legend. Focusing on the early stages of his coaching career and the political landscape at Barcelona, Jonathan and Rob explain how the Catalonian club turned to Pep during a turbulent period. Under his leadership, Barcelona experienced its most successful era in history. As we anticipate the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, where Pep aims for an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title at Manchester City, join us to discover how he evolved into the tactical mastermind celebrated as one of the greatest football managers of all time. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
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About

Welcome to The Overlap's historical football podcast, It Was What It Was. Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in football history that have shaped the footballing world today. The show will be discussing the best stories from football's past, giving insights to the personalities involved. providing details from behind the scenes and offering vital historical context. If you enjoy the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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