Nessun Dorma

Once upon a time in the Midlands, there was a moneyball miracle. Come and join Lee, Gary and Mike as they travel all the way back to 1980, one of the outer markers of the Nessun Dorma time period, to look at Aston Villa’s epic achievements at the start of that decade.In part one we take a look at how that team was assembled by manager Ron Saunders, running the rule over players like Allan Evans, Dennis Mortimer, Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley, Peter Withe and one of English football’s greatest lost talents, Gary Shaw. Firstly though we kick things off with our Player of the Pod, and reflect on the career of jet-heeled winger Andrei Kanchelskis See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1983, Ajax decided not to renew the contract of Johan Cruyff, reasoning he was past it at the age of 36. So Cruyff, in the highest possible dudgeon, signed for their bitter rivals Feyenoord – and then won the Double with them, despite an 8-2 defeat at Ajax along the way. Rob talks to Andy Bollen, author of Fierce Genius, about that extraordinary final season and what it tells us about one of the greatest footballers of all time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part Two, Keegan goes into full Keegan mode, with the smiles broad as England take a 2-0 lead against Portugal in their first group match. The panel reflect on why David Beckham was right in his belief that it was a precarious lead as Portugal eventually cruised to an easier victory than the 2-3 scoreline suggests.After a 1-0 win over a ponderous Germany in which Keegan’s lack of tactical nous mattered less than his ability to motivate players, the epic drama concludes with the tragicomic defeat to Romania, Phil Neville’s impetuous late foul and the subsequent penalty leaving England, with Fowler, Owen and Scholes looking on from the bench, needing a goal that doesn’t come.In the epilogue, a miserable farewell to the miserable old Wembley Stadium sees Didi Hamann skid in a long-range winner and Keegan resign in the toilets, some players in tears and Keegan himself writing his obituary as an England manager - "I'm not up to it”. He may not have been, but Rob, Lee and Gary, with the perspective of 20 years, find that there’s much to commend about the lad from Doncaster whose heart was always to be found just below the T-shirt line we hear so much about these days. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Keegan - England manager? What a loser!Lee, Rob and Gary unwrap that reductive statement and conclude that while Joseph Kevin Keegan may have lost, he was no loser. In Part One, the initial focus is on the optimism that beamed out of little KK, striding out at Wembley in the sunshine, basking in the love of a capacity crowd, Poland seen off in a Euro 2000 qualifier, a Paul Scholes hat-trick the high for both player and manager in an England shirt / blazer. After an examination of the curious relationship between Keegan and Michael Owen, the remainder of England’s qualifying campaign is tracked through to its conclusion in a nervy 0-1 home loss to Scotland after a 0-2 win in the play-off first leg, England stumbling into the Euros. It was a portent of things to come.Player of the Pod this month is Chelsea’s charismatic Number 10, the man we loved to love, Gianfranco Zola.The panel track his career from the footballing backwater of lower league Sardinia to understudying Maradona (and more) at Napoli, European success at Parma, then bringing his crooked smile and dancing feet to Stamford Bridge. There's goals and glory in the Chelsea years before he keeps his word to fans on the island of his birth and finishes his playing career at Cagliari. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsène? Who could ever forget him. Yet in September 1996 Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger was a relative unknown in the UK when he left Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan to take charge of Arsenal. Gary, Rob and Mike discuss his early impact at the club, from broccoli to booze restrictions and how boring, boring Arsenal would eventually become breathtaking. We then take in the early part of their 1997-98 season, where Denis Bergkamp was on fire and Ian Wright broke the club scoring record. Don’t be too put off though, Spurs fans: the episode kicks off with us taking more care of Steve Archibald by inducting him into our Underrated Hall of Fame. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve arrived at the last eight in France, and Gary, Rob and Mike have much to discuss.Settle in for a chat about two of the greatest World Cup matches of the modern era, one of the most celebrated goals in the history of the tournament, the bombshell story that broke just before the final and a Petit goal that’s anything but.We also reflect on the tournament as a whole, picking our favourite moments and matches, and run the rule over the FIFA All-Star squad. Then – and only then – are we done with the 1998 World Cup. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That isn’t a misprint – we really have spun the thick end of two hours out of one round of World Cup football. Gary, Rob and Mike return for a review of the last 16 in France. We look at a devastating performance by Ronaldo, the World Cup’s first ever golden goal and there’s an extended segment on an epic tussle between England and Argentina that goes on almost as long as the game itself. Around that we also take a look back at the career of Michel Platini and note the recent passing of Liverpool and England goalkeeping legend Ray Clemence. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, then you're Nessun Dorma's target demographic. We're back, and to open season four we're focusing on the last World Cup of the twentieth century. Part 1 of our review of France 98 takes in the group stages - Brazil as a Nike product line, the Blanco hop, Des Lynam wondering why you're not at work, Ivan Zamorano's energetic singing, Sunday Oliseh's half-volley humdinger and much more besides. As a bonus feature we also take a look back at the career of The Cannonball Kid, Charlie Nicholas See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Middlesbrough’s 1996-97 season was the mother of all rollercoasters. They reached two cup finals, lost them both and were relegated – yet they were talk of the football world. Rob talks to Tom Flight, author of Yer Joking Aren’t Ya?, about Boro’s madcap season: the AWOL superstars, the hat-trick of 3-3 draws, the three-point deduction that ultimately sent them down - and the sheer joy of watching Juninho. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s 25 years since Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League title in incredible circumstances. In the last episode of our current season, Rob talks to John Duerden, author of Rovers Revolution, about Blackburn’s dramatic rise under Jack Walker, the monstrous brilliance of Alan Shearer – and that unforgettable afternoon at Anfield. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Possibly the oldest football we have ever discussed, as we take on the 1981 film about a match in the 1940s. Join Lee, Scott Murray and Carrie Dunn as they ramble about the film that all people in their right mind should adore. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary and Mike are joined by special guest Lionel Bernie, ghost writer of the fantastic Graham Taylor autobiography 'In His Own Words', for a look at the Watford managerial legend's time in charge of the national side. It's all here - Euro 92, subbing off Gary Lineker, that documentary, some reprehensible tabloid coverage, the doomed bid to reach USA '94 and an inspiring speech in Rotterdam that makes our eyes very moist indeed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now that Silsoe’s “Aztec Gold” has faded out, it’s time to put on “Aztec Lightning” by Heads. Gary, Rob and Mike are back to complete their review of the 1986 World Cup with a look at the knockout phases in Mexico, and there’s an awful lot going on here. Tuck in for two of the greatest World Cup matches of all time, a heart-breaking 5-1 thrashing and one man taking over the tournament like never before. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Strike up "Aztec Gold" by Silsoe, because we’re about to take you on a 2-part journey back to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In this first episode Gary, Rob and Mike discuss (among other things) qualification, mascots, altitude, the group stages and Bobby Robson putting his faith in Everton for a crucial match against Poland See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our next episode is here as we take a good, long (and believe us when we say it's long) look at Euro 88. Netherlands triumph, bicycles in the air, BELANOOOOOOV, that volley, that other volley, England folding like a broken concertina - it's all here.There's also another Underrated Hall Of Fame nominee and our latest glorious, mulleted, bow-legged Journeyman Of The Week See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come with us back to 1994, when Tottenham went mad under Ossie Ardiles and played The Famous Five. We have a good old chat about what that was all about and also consider the team's legacy and whether they have been harshly judged.There's a Coventry player considered for the Underrated Hall Of Fame (not, it's not Cobi Jones), and perhaps the most journeymannish journeyman yet in our latest Journeyman of the Week See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Rob Smyth and Scott Murray are here on our return episode to consider an addition to the Underrated Hall Of Fame, another Journeyman Of The Week and have a long chat about Liverpool & The Perch. (You'll want to listen to understand what the bloody hell this perch this is all about, surely?) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Rob and Mike are back for a special episode to celebrate the 25th anniversary of World Cup USA94. We take a good old deep dive into all the talking points and maybe a few you haven't talked about. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we allow Lee to wallow in the gorgeous warm waters of a time when his football club didn’t cause him abject misery as we take a look at the glorious days of Oldham Athletic between 1989 and 1994. A tale of over achievement, cup runs, promotion, playing with one centre back and a rollercoaster ride that ultimately ended in relegation... so many relegations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Rob and Mike chat all about November 17, 1993, the last great night of international tournament qualification; an evening that ended careers, made reputations, left a legacy a certain Welsh fullback could do without and caused David Ginola to have his parentage questioned. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for Season 2 and we kick-off with a good old deep dive into the opening fixtures of the 1996-97 season. Lee, Mike and Gary consider Beckham's introduction to the wider world, Richie Humphreys' thunderbolt and decline, Super Kevin Campbell and the general pizzazz and razzamattaz that was the Premier League in the post Euro 96 miasma of self assurance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Rob and Mike chat about 1992-93, the season that United finally threw the 25 year old monkey off their back and hoisted the league trophy. There's also an attempt to make and XI out of the best players who didn't play in either the European Cup or the Champions League. Also, as per, Lee manages to somehow make a lot of United' title win about Oldham Athletic. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take leisurely ramble through football as experienced throught the cathode ray tube screen. Lee is joined by Scott Murray and Rob Bagchi to talk theme tunes, Saint & Greavsie, the Sky revolution, FA Cup Final day marathons and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The tenure of Glenn Hoddle at the helm of the national side is pored over by Lee, Mike Gibbons and Adam Hurrey. Is he in credit or debit after his World Cup 98 showing? Was he a good coach? Why couldn't he fit Le Tissier in? What is the relevance of Kenny G and Where is Eileen Drewery now? All of these questions and more are answered. There's also another Brazilian as our Journeyman Of The Week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take off our shoes and paddle in the genius of the greatest of all time, El Diego. What made him so special and the impact he had on football and for us as viewers lucky enough to see him. There is also a full rundown and rating of those crowned The New Maradona in the past 30 years. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time to have a chat about the Jack Charlton period as manager of Ireland. We talk long balls, white baseball caps, Liam Brady's magazine based rebellion, Paul McGrath's genius and the many errors of Packie Bonner with Paul Doyle of The Guardian. We also find time to have a squint at the 1989 Ballon D'or list and ask, just who is Robby Langers and how did Derby County get in there? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part 2 of our ramble through the British transfer record from Trevor Francis's million pound move to Forest all the way to Shearer's £15m switch to Newcastle and everything in between. This episode takes us from 1990 to Shearer’s world record breaker in 1996. Given the hefty subject it turned into quite a marathon that we have split over two parts, Part 1 is already available. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part 1 of our ramble through the British transfer record from Trevor Francis's million pound move to Forest all the way to Shearer's £15m switch to Newcastle and everything in between. This episode takes us from 1979 to 1989 and there's also a pause to consider another Journeyman of the Week: Paul Merson.Given the hefty subject it turned into quite a marathon that we have split over two parts, so look out for the second installment later this week See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss the summer of 1996 was quite as glorious as we all remember it with Lee Calvert, Rob Smyth and Mike Gibbons, author of When Football Came Home about Euro 96.There is also a retrospective of some of our favourite manager outburst, featuring Peter Reid, Big Ron, Sitton, Keegan, Jock Wallace and a quite magnificent set-piece marking related Neil Warnock fury among others. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We chat the Redknapp and Di Canio West Ham years with Jacob Steinberg, remember the late, great Cyrille Regis and have a long chat about one of our favourite 90s legends, Roberto Baggio. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A chat about the Liverpool Spice Boys with Rob Smyth and Scott Murray: the players, tactics, stories and whether those bloody white suits caused history to judge them too harshly. There's also another Journeyman Of The Week and we pick some of our favourite festive period matches. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss the Howard Wilkinson period at Leeds United with journalist Rob Bagchi and also find time to reflect on another defuncy competition from the 1980s and also a great goal you may not remember. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A long chat about Everton's greatest season This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee Calvert and Rob Smyth are joined by Adam Hurrey to talk the backpass law, an underrated Arsenal cup win, the great Barry vs Motty debate and to select our first ever Journeyman Of The Week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee is joined by Mike Gibbons and Scott Murray to talk about King Kenny's first spell in charge at Anfield. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee is joined by Mike Gibbons and Luton's own Carrie Dunn to talk about the Hatters' great 1987-88 season, plus a look back at England's last international trophy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee and Rob consider those players who looked great on the biggest stage and then were not so much afterwards before having a chat about two games that were pivotal for different reasons; one for from Serie A in 1991, the other at Stamford Bridge in 1999. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Rob & Gary have a chat about Denmark's miracle win in 1992. Why did Michael Laudrup leave the squad? Were they really all on holiday beforehand? And what exactly was the CIS? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was it really the stinker everyone remembers? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices