It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

• Red Devils on The Brink: United’s Dramatic Demise 1985-86

  Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson delve into Manchester United’s 1985-86 season - a campaign filled with promise, passion, and ultimately, heartbreak.A year that began with soaring hopes and a record-breaking unbeaten run, unravels in a whirlwind of injuries, off-field drama, and missed opportunities. We’ll explore the highs and lows of Ron Atkinson’s final full season in charge, from the electric atmosphere at Old Trafford to the heartbreak of falling short in the title race. Expect in-depth analysis of key matches, player performances, and the pivotal moments that defined the season as Rob and Jonathan relive the excitement, the agony, and the legacy of 1985-86.00:29 – The 1985-86 Season: High Hopes and Early Promise01:49 – Ron Atkinson’s Arrival and United’s Managerial History04:38 – The Big Ron Era: Style, Successes, and Setbacks08:41 – The Bryan Robson Factor: United’s Dependence13:23 – Squad Building, Transfers, and Team Dynamics17:13 – Cup Runs, League Frustrations, and Dressing Room Drama24:50 – The State of English Football in the Mid-80s25:59 – The 1985-86 Season Kicks Off27:50 – United’s Record-Breaking Start32:41 – The Winning Streak and Early League Dominance39:13 – Injuries, Draws, and the Beginning of the Decline43:34 – Mark Hughes’ Transfer Saga and Off-Field Turmoil47:03 – The Drinking Culture and Its Impact49:43 – The Collapse: Losing Form and the Title54:56 – The End of the Atkinson Era59:18 – The Arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson & Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• A Long Road to Glory: The Lionesses Origin Story | Part Two

  Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast hosted by Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper. In this second episode of a two-part special, we delve into the pivotal moments that lifted the 50-year ban on women's football in England. From the formation of the Women’s Football Association, to looking at the birth of the Lionesses and their first official international match. This episode looks at the pioneering women and their allies who revived the game in the 1960s, building grassroots clubs, fighting for recognition to pave the way for women’s football today. Tune in to hear all about the history of the women’s game.00:00 The End of the Ban00:28 Picking Up the Pieces: Women’s Football After the Ban00:53 The 1960s Revival: Grassroots and New Teams03:10 The Impact of England’s 1966 World Cup Win07:54 Building a Movement: Key Figures and Early Clubs10:56 Struggles for Facilities and Recognition12:50 International Influence21:22 The Formation of the Women’s Football Association24:32 The FA’s Changing Attitude and Official Recognition27:20 The First Women’s FA Cup and International Competitions29:40 Tensions: Unofficial vs. Official Tournaments36:52 The Lost Lionesses: Mexico 1971 and Unrecognised Pioneers40:26 The First Official Lionesses Game: Scotland vs. England, 197245:44 Media Coverage and Social Attitudes47:44 Timeline: From the First Match to Modern Success50:08 Reflections: The Legacy of the Pioneers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• A Long Road to Glory: The Lionesses Origin Story | Part One

  Welcome back to another episode of It Was What It Was with hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper as they delve into the history of The Lionesses and the true story behind the first ever women's Euros. This episode explores the struggles and triumphs of women's football, from the controversial FA ban in 1921, to England's historic victory in the 2025 Euros. Rob and Jonathan look into the pioneering efforts of teams like the Dick, Kerr Ladies and the Manchester Corinthians, looking at how women's football overcame a 50-year ban to shine on the world stage. Join us as we uncover the groundbreaking stories and resilient pioneers behind this incredible journey through a century of women's football history.00:00 Introduction: Girls and Football00:51 The Ban on Women's Football01:37 The Struggle and Triumph of Women's Football03:02 The Dick, Kerr Ladies and Their Legacy04:22 The Impact of the FA Ban07:00 International Tours and Recognition12:59 Manchester Corinthians: A New Hope18:34 Cultural Contrasts in Women's Football20:48 The First Women's Euros: A Hidden History22:10 The Rise and Fall of the International Ladies Football Association26:21 Manchester Corinthians: Pioneers of Women's Football32:21 Missed Opportunities and Reflections38:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Spurs '91: Gascoigne, Gold, and the FA Cup with Ewan Flynn

  Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper welcome special guest Euan Flynn, author of 'When the Year Ends in One,' to discuss Tottenham Hotspur's momentous 1990-91 season. The episode delves into Paul Gascoigne's tearful departure due to a career-threatening injury during the FA Cup final and the financial turmoil facing the club, which saw a potential world-record transfer deal collapse. The podcast covers the epic highs and disastrous lows of that pivotal season, from Gascoigne's mesmerizing FA Cup run to the behind-the-scenes financial entanglements involving Irving Scholar and the club's eventual acquisition by Alan Sugar. Tune in for an in-depth look at how this season had ramifications far beyond the football pitch.00:00 Gascoigne's Injury and Tottenham's Financial Crisis00:37 Introduction to the Special Episode01:41 The Pivotal 1990-91 Season02:19 Tottenham's Financial Woes and Ownership Issues04:03 The Year Ending in One: A Superstition Explained05:21 Gascoigne's Meteoric Rise and Media Frenzy08:02 The Illusion of a Title Challenge10:18 Irving Scholar's Takeover and Financial Missteps21:13 The Culture and Discipline at Tottenham23:46 The FA Cup Run Begins31:36 The Pressure on Young Athletes32:28 The Semifinal at Wembley34:00 Venables and the Mysterious Financier40:34 The FA Cup Final Build-Up47:23 The Dramatic FA Cup Final54:36 The Aftermath and Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Before Maradona and Messi: The Tragic Tale of Oreste Corbatta

  Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.This week co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson delve into the life of OrestesCorbatta, a legendary Argentine footballer whose story combines brilliance and tragedy. Known for his dazzling dribbling skills and audacious playstyle, Corbatta played a crucial role in Argentina's 1957 Campeonato Sudamericano win. However, despite his football genius, Corbatta's life was marred by alcoholism and personal struggles.The episode explores his rise from a rural town to becoming a national icon, his struggles with illiteracy, and the personal traumas that impacted his career. Draper and Wilson also discuss the broader significance of Corbatta's style in the context of Argentine football, drawing parallels to legends like Maradona and Messi.Join us as we remember the poetic yet tragic life of Omar Orestes Corbatta, a player whose legacy continues to influence Argentine football today.00:00 Introduction 01:31 The Significance of the 1957 Campeonato Sudamericano04:39 The Evolution of Argentinian Football09:34 The Five Simbas and Their Impact16:08 The Role of Radio in Argentinian Football Culture19:31 The Decline and Shift in Argentinian Football23:42 The Duality of Argentinian Football: Beauty and Cynicism26:15 The Tragic Figure of Coba27:25 Early Life and Struggles29:49 Rise to Fame and Personal Challenges33:50 The Decline Begins38:46 Final Years and Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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