The Football History Boys

Step back in time with World Cup Rewind: 1930, the first episode in our brand-new series exploring every tournament in World Cup history. In this deep-dive podcast, we break down the very first FIFA World Cup, hosted by Uruguay, and uncover how the foundations of modern football were built.We explore why Uruguay became hosts, how the Estadio Centenario was constructed for the tournament, and the political tensions that shaped the competition. We analyse the best matches, including Argentina’s 6–3 thriller vs Mexico and the dramatic Uruguay vs Argentina final, where the hosts completed an iconic 4–2 comeback.Hear all about the tournament’s biggest stars — José Nasazzi, Héctor Scarone and Golden Boot winner Guillermo Stábile — plus the best goals, tactical trends, and controversies such as the European boycott and the famous two-ball final.We close with a look at the tournament’s legacy, how Uruguay became the first world champions, and why the 1930 World Cup still shapes football today.Perfect for fans of football history, classic tournaments, and deep-dive analysis.The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup available here! https://amzn.eu/d/dkLRQ0mKeywords: World Cup 1930, Uruguay football history, first FIFA World Cup, Uruguay vs Argentina final, football podcast, World Cup rewind, vintage football, classic matches.Hashtags: #WorldCup1930 #FootballHistory #Uruguay #WorldCupRewind #SoccerPodcast #FIFAHistory

Netherlands 1974: The Greatest Team Never to Win the World Cup? | How Good Were They?In this episode of How Good Were They?, we revisit the legendary Netherlands 1974 World Cup squad, a team that changed football forever through Total Football. Led by Johan Cruyff and coached by Rinus Michels, this Dutch side wowed the world with their fluid positional play, pressing, and attacking brilliance. But despite their revolutionary style, they fell short in the final against West Germany.We explore the stars — Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Ruud Krol, Rob Rensenbrink, Johnny Rep — and how Ajax’s dominance at club level shaped this golden era of Dutch football. We relive iconic moments, including their goal in the World Cup final before West Germany even touched the ball.Then come the curveballs: can you be considered truly great without winning a trophy? What if Cruyff had played in the 1978 World Cup? And did their commitment to beautiful football cost them the ultimate prize?With quotes, fan opinions, and a deep dive into their lasting legacy, we ask: Was Netherlands 1974 the greatest team never to win it all?🎧 Listen now and join the debate.#Netherlands1974 #TotalFootball #Cruyff #WorldCup #FootballPodcast #Oranje

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we explore the legendary career of Mia Hamm, one of the greatest icons in the history of football. Hamm wasn’t just a prolific striker — she was a pioneer who changed the perception of women’s sport worldwide.From her early dominance with the North Carolina Tar Heels to her professional career with the Washington Freedom, Hamm always delivered. But it was with the U.S. Women’s National Team that she became a global superstar — scoring 158 goals in 276 appearances, winning 2 FIFA Women’s World Cups (1991 & 1999), 2 Olympic gold medals, and earning back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2001 and 2002.We dive into her style of play — pace, dribbling, intelligence, and leadership — while also exploring curveballs: did playing in a dominant U.S. team boost her reputation, how much did the lack of media coverage limit her global reach, and does her shorter professional club career affect her GOAT case?Featuring quotes, fan opinions, and a deep dive into her legacy, we ask: Was Mia Hamm truly one of the greatest footballers of all time?🎧 Listen now and join the debate!Hashtags:#MiaHamm #USWNT #WomensFootball #SoccerIcons #HowGoodWereThey #FootballPodcast #WomensWorldCup #SoccerLegend

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we dive deep into the career of Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with a staggering 260 goals. From his explosive rise at Southampton, to his title-winning heroics at Blackburn Rovers, and his legendary status at Newcastle United, Shearer’s story is one of goals, grit, and loyalty.We break down his stats, his iconic hat-tricks, and his trademark celebration — that famous one arm in the air. But was Shearer truly a complete striker, or just a ruthless finisher?The curveballs come in: Did his loyalty to Newcastle cost him more silverware? Would his style thrive in today’s faster, more technical Premier League? And how does his record stand in an era dominated by players like Haaland and Kane?With quotes from teammates, opponents, and managers, plus fan opinions and a deep dive into his legacy, we ask the ultimate question: Was Alan Shearer one of the greatest strikers in football history, or simply the Premier League’s sharpest poacher?🎧 Listen now and join the debate!Hashtags:#AlanShearer #PremierLeague #NewcastleUnited #BlackburnRovers #FootballPodcast #PLGOAT #HowGoodWereThey #StrikerGOAT #Shearer260Ask ChatGPT

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we dive into the legendary career of Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful football manager in British history. From winning European silverware with Aberdeen to transforming Manchester United into a global powerhouse, Ferguson's reign reshaped modern football.We explore his 13 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League wins, and unforgettable moments like the 1999 Treble. But was it just trophies — or something deeper? We unpack his man-management skills, his tactical adaptability, and his unmatched ability to rebuild title-winning squads across decades.Then come the curveballs: Was his European record slightly underwhelming? Would he survive the modern era’s lack of patience? And did United’s financial dominance give him an unfair advantage?With insight from legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Pep Guardiola, plus fan verdicts and legacy talk, we ask the ultimate question: Was Sir Alex Ferguson truly the greatest manager of all time?🎧 Hit play and relive the era of mind games, last-minute winners, and managerial genius.Hashtags:#SirAlexFerguson #ManchesterUnited #PremierLeague #FootballPodcast #ChampionsLeague #FootballHistory #HowGoodWereThey #FergusonEra #SoccerLegends #GOATManager

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we celebrate the magic of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the Brazilian genius who turned football into pure art. From his early rise at Grêmio and PSG to his unforgettable peak at Barcelona, Ronaldinho lit up the world with skill, flair, and joy rarely seen at the highest level.We relive his Ballon d’Or 2005 win, his role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory, and his iconic moments: that audacious free‑kick against England, the night he received a standing ovation at the Bernabéu, and countless tricks that left defenders helpless. But was he truly one of the all‑time greats, or was his brilliance too brief?In our trademark style, we throw in three curveballs: Was his prime too short? Did his off‑field lifestyle hold him back from even greater heights? And was he too much of a luxury player for modern systems?With quotes from legends like Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry, plus listener opinions, we explore Ronaldinho’s influence on a generation and his lasting legacy in world football.🎧 Listen now and fall in love with football all over again.Hashtags:#Ronaldinho #FCBarcelona #BrazilFootball #FootballPodcast #BallonDor #HowGoodWereThey #SoccerLegends #FootballHistory #LaLiga #WorldCup2002

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we take a deep dive into the legendary England 1966 World Cup-winning team — the only Three Lions squad to ever lift the World Cup. Led by Sir Alf Ramsey and captained by the iconic Bobby Moore, this side beat West Germany 4–2 in a dramatic final at Wembley, thanks to a hat-trick from Geoff Hurst and key performances from legends like Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks.But beyond the glory, how great was this team? We break down their style of play, tactical legacy, and the players who made history — while also throwing in three curveballs that might change how you remember 1966. Would they still have won with VAR? Did they truly dominate their era? And how would they cope in the modern game?From football nostalgia to cold, hard reassessment — this is the definitive podcast episode on England’s most iconic team.Keywords:England 1966 podcast, World Cup history, Geoff Hurst hat-trick, Bobby Moore legacy, Alf Ramsey tactics, England football legends, 1966 final VAR, classic football analysis, Three Lions historyHashtags:#England1966 #WorldCupHistory #ThreeLions #FootballPodcast #HowGoodWereThey #BobbyMoore #GeoffHurst #EnglandLegends #ClassicFootball #VARDebate

In this episode of How Good Were They?, we dive into the remarkable and often underappreciated career of John Charles — the Welsh icon known as The Gentle Giant. From his goal-scoring brilliance at Leeds United to his legendary status at Juventus, Charles was one of the rare players to excel as both a centre-forward and a centre-half. Voted Juventus’ greatest-ever foreign player and included revered by Pele, Charles is a name that deserves to be remembered — but is often overlooked.We cover his unique playing style, extraordinary discipline (never booked!), and his lasting legacy in both English and Italian football. Plus: three curveballs that make us re-evaluate how his story is told. Was he a victim of football’s pre-TV era? Would he be recognised as an all-time great in today’s game?Hit play to find out: How good was John Charles, really?Keywords:John Charles podcast, Leeds United legend, Juventus history, Welsh football greats, FIFA 100 players, football GOATs, 1950s football, dual-position footballers, underrated footballers, Serie A history, football nostalgiaHashtags:#JohnCharles #FootballPodcast #LeedsUnited #Juventus #WalesFootball #GOATDebate #FIFA100 #FootballLegends #SerieAHistory #HowGoodWereThey

🎙️ How Good Were They? – Episode 4: Ferenc PuskásIn this episode, we explore the legendary career of Ferenc Puskás, the Hungarian icon whose name still defines goal-scoring greatness. From his early dominance at Budapest Honvéd to his stunning comeback with Real Madrid, Puskás racked up over 700 career goals and became one of football’s most influential figures.We take you through his rise with Hungary’s Mighty Magyars, his iconic performance in the “Match of the Century” against England, and his remarkable late-career success in Spain — including four goals in a European Cup final. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing: exile from Hungary, a lost World Cup final, and years out of the game raise key curveball questions about how we measure his greatness.Was he a stat-padder? Was his legend inflated by nostalgia? Or was he simply one of the most complete attackers in football history?Packed with historical insight, legendary quotes, fan opinions, and a legacy that lives on in the FIFA Puskás Award, this is the definitive verdict on one of the game’s true icons.✅ Keywords: Ferenc Puskás, Puskas Award, Real Madrid legends, Hungary golden team, greatest footballers, football history podcast, European Cup, Zico, Di Stéfano, classic goals#Puskas #FerencPuskas #RealMadrid #MightyMagyars #FootballLegends #HowGoodWereThey #FootballPodcast #WorldCupHistory #GOATdebate

In this episode, we explore one of football’s most beloved yet bittersweet stories — the legendary Brazil 1982 World Cup squad. Led by Telê Santana and featuring icons like Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, and Éder, this team played some of the most beautiful football the world has ever seen. But despite dazzling fans and scoring sensational goals, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Italy in one of the World Cup’s most iconic matches.We break down their fluid tactics, midfield magic, and unmatched flair — but also ask tough questions. Did their lack of defensive structure cost them greatness? Has nostalgia inflated their legacy? And what if they’d played in a different era?Featuring legendary quotes, tactical insights, fan opinions, and our signature curveball section, we ask the ultimate question: Can a team that didn’t win still be truly great?Perfect for fans of football history, World Cup nostalgia, and the eternal debate of style vs substance.✅ Keywords: Brazil 1982, Zico, Sócrates, World Cup history, best football teams, Joga Bonito, greatest teams never to win, Brazil vs Italy 1982, Paolo Rossi, Telê Santana, football podcast, classic World Cup moments.

🎙️ How Good Were They? – Episode 2: Marco van BastenIn this episode, we dive into the dazzling yet tragically short career of Marco van Basten — the Dutch maestro whose name still echoes in football folklore. From his prolific goal-scoring spells at Ajax and AC Milan to iconic moments like that volley against the USSR in Euro ‘88 and his unforgettable hat-trick against England, we explore what made Van Basten a phenomenon.We break down his playing style, his legendary partnerships with Gullit and Rijkaard, and how he redefined what it meant to be a complete striker. But we also throw in a few curveballs — how his career was derailed by injury, the eternal “what if” surrounding his potential, and the curious lack of a World Cup legacy.You’ll hear quotes from the likes of Maldini, Sacchi, and Thierry Henry, plus opinions from our followers. In the end, we answer the big question: Was Marco van Basten truly great — or just a fleeting genius?Hit play to find out.Follow and subscribe for deep dives into the icons of football’s past. New episodes every week.#MarcoVanBasten #FootballLegends #HowGoodWereThey #Podcast

🎙️ Welcome to this special episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the legendary career of one of football’s greatest defenders — Paolo Maldini. From his debut as a teenager with AC Milan to becoming a symbol of elegance, discipline, and loyalty, Maldini defined what it means to be a world-class player.In this episode, we explore what made Maldini so special. Was it his flawless positioning, his tactical intelligence, or the way he made defending look effortless? We break down his most iconic performances, his leadership on and off the pitch, and his influence on generations of defenders that followed.Whether you watched him dominate Serie A and the Champions League, or you’ve only heard his name in GOAT debates, this is your chance to understand why Paolo Maldini isn’t just one of the best defenders — he’s one of the best players in football history.📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your favorite Maldini moment!#Maldini #PaoloMaldini #ACMilan #FootballLegends #GOATDefender #Podcast #SerieA #ChampionsLeague

The Football History Boys are back and are thinking about what makes football so great. Often it isn't the 90 minutes on the pitch, it is the whole day out that goes with it, or the thinking about football you do in the week. So we are trying to narrow down our 'best thing about football' and are holding a tournament to find the best over on Twitter. Do you love sticker collecting? Fantasy football? Football video games? Away days? Football down the pub? Then this episode is for you! Make sure you get in touch with your thoughts and cast your votes at: @TFHBs.

The Football History Boys are joined by journalist and author @ChrisEvansWrite to discuss his new book, 'How to Win the World Cup: Secrets and Insights from International Football’s Top Managers'. Join us as we chat the difference between international and club management, the perils of qualification campaigns, the curse of attempting to retain the trophy and World Cup managerial controversies. We also hear Chris' predictions for the tournament ahead with less than two weeks to go till it all kicks off. Make sure you get in touch with your thoughts over on Twitter: @TFHBs, and don't miss out on Chris' book here.

The Football History Boys are back with a special 10th birthday episode! We remember the early days of TFHB and share our top 10 moments from 2013-2022, check out Ben's choices here, and Gareth's here. We also make our predictions for the end of this season, will Liverpool make the top 4? Will Cardiff survive in the Championship? Get involved over on Twitter: @TFHBs

The Football History Boys are back for a World Cup preview podcast. Join us as we chat about our disappointment of where this World Cup will take place, reminisce of our interaction with disgraced former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer, discuss our favourite World Cup matches of all time, share our hopes for Wales at the tournament, run through our World Cup wallchart of predictions & invent a new game! We also hear your predictions for the tournament ahead as well as your memories of World Cups past. Make sure you get in touch with your thoughts over on Twitter: @TFHBs.

TFHB are back from an 18 month hiatus to celebrate Wales' qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. We discuss our feelings about Wales' first World Cup qualification in 64 years, our favourite World Cups in our living memory, our iconic World Cup moments and take some of your views too. ... Plus we have some exciting personal news for us both! Make sure you check out our Twitter to continue the conversation: @TFHBs.

TFHB are searching for the 100 best women's footballers to have ever played the beautiful game. We discuss the players who have made the long-list, your opinions, who would make our top 5 and are joined by some special guests. Make sure you head over to our Twitter to vote so your favourite doesn't miss out in our finals tournament. A big thank you to Emma Coolen, Professor Laura McAllister, Alex Culvin and Girls On The Ball! Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our first book is now available to BUY here, or pre-order book 2 here!

As we approach our 8th birthday, we are looking for the 100 best men's footballers to have ever played the game. We discuss the players who have made the long-list, your votes so far and who would make our top 5. Make sure you head over to our site to vote so your favourite doesn't miss out! We also consider the sacking of Frank Lampard from Chelsea, and think ahead to Euro 2020... held in 2021!  Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our first book is now available to BUY here, or pre-order book 2 here!

Our second season is back after a long break, but hopefully back with a bang! We dicuss some of football's finest late goals, some of the best Manchester United v Liverpool games from years gone by, the FA Cup and let you know all about our exciting new book. Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our book is now available to BUY here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footballs-Fifty-Most-Important-Moments/dp/178531632X.