This week we take a look back at the fairly farcical attempts by the Football League to celebrate its centenary year. The Wembley stage was set for the best of the League against the best of the world. The main man would make them wait though… Usual places

This week we start our 9 part look at 1987/88 and a game that diverted the sport onto a new path. Alex Fynn joins us to discuss his Super League plan, how Berlusconi turned his head and why the issue has never gone away. A fascinating insight into a pivotal time in history. Out in usual places.

We are finishing up our 1986/87 series this week with a look at George Graham’s first season at Arsenal but 1987/88 is just around the corner. Any favourite memories from that season?

This week we start our series on 1986/87 and what better place to start than with one of the greatest FA Cup Finals of all time. Richard Chamberlain joins us to talk Coventry’s finest day, a Spurs collapse, the amazing Clive Allen and that year’s competition as a whole. Usual places

Looking for a World Cup book? How about three? This week Jonathan O’Brien joins us to talk about his 3 volume history of the World Cup and what elements are needed for a classic tournament to take shape. Books out on Monday. Pod in usual places

We leave Mexico ‘86 in true ND fashion as @dominichougham.bsky.social Mac, @80s90sfootball.bsky.social & Richard Mulligan battle it out to pick the best unique XI of the tournament. Will first pick guarantee victory or is there more to a team than Diego? Usual places

Loved this series. If you’ve got fond memories of Mexico ‘86, dive in…

Nessun Dorma Podcast@nessundormapodcast.bsky.social · 4mo ago

And now we’re at the Final! Join @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social & @dominichougham.bsky.social as they assess what West Germany could have done differently, the impact of that crazy final 20 mins on the collective memory, why 84 and 86 were dominated by one player and where this whole tournament sits.

And now we’re at the Final! Join @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social & @dominichougham.bsky.social as they assess what West Germany could have done differently, the impact of that crazy final 20 mins on the collective memory, why 84 and 86 were dominated by one player and where this whole tournament sits.

My love for the World Cups 1982-94 cannot be topped. 98 at a push. The epic journey of @nessundormapodcast.bsky.social into Mexico 86 is immense. Love a bit of Pique and the theme tune to the BBC’s coverage. Still have my Ladybird guide to the tournament somewhere.

A bumper edition this week as Martyn, Mike and Rob revisit that epic quarter final weekend. We look at one of the greatest games of all time, two of the greatest goals, debate the moral reaction and re-assess Robson’s handling of the moment. Oh, and two other games as well! In the usual places

This week it’s sudden death as Mexico ‘86 reaches the knockouts. The brilliant @80s90sfootball.bsky.social is here as Brazil finally get going, Diego sees off Uruguay, the hosts progress and the USSR machine comes unstuck Usual places

This week we wrap up the group stages of Mexico ‘86 with Josimar making a remarkable debut, Denmark looking unstoppable and Uruguay picking up the role of the “scum of world football” Usual places

@nessundormapodcast.bsky.social I'm up to the episode about the back-pass law. We had a one-legged keeper, and our manager's 1st pre-match team talk went: "You're champions. Go out and play like champions. If you have to pass back to Simon, put it on his right leg as his left may come off"

On this week’s show, England’s World Cup gets back on track, Morocco find out what’s possible when they cross the halfway line, Italy remain unconvincing and some love for Jorge Valdano In the usual places

On this week’s show we enjoy some Danish Dynamite as Laudrup and co run riot against Uruguay, Scotland can’t clear the second hurdle (or ad hoardings) and France and the USSR wind down ahead of bigger tests Out in all the usual places

Mexico '86 - Part Seven: 8th and 9th June

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This week @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social in on as England’s World Cup goes from bad to worse, Northern Ireland can’t repeat the trick against Spain, the greatest clearance of all time and much more. In all the usual places now open.spotify.com/episode/0nYw...

Mexico '86 - Part Six: 6th and 7th June

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In this week’s episode @garynaylor85.bsky.social and debutant John Mackay revisit Scotland’s opening match against the late Sepp Piontek’s glorious Danes. Also, Uruguay choose violence, France & the USSR run out of energy in the sun and there’s an underrated Diego goal. In the usual places!

On this week’s show: Passarella has a dig at Diego in the training camp before the entire South Korean team take turns on the field, both to no avail. USSR smash Hungary, Northern Ireland & Algeria miss out and Bobby Robson picks a starting XI who have never lined up before… Usual places.

And we’re off! Jonathan O’Brien is here to look back at the first two days of Mexico ‘86. What were the reigning world champions up to, who did the European champions look to score goals and Spain and Brazil provide a great advert for VAR. Out now in the usual places

Wow, that Jonathan o Brian is the best guy you get on your brilliant show. His attention to obscure, interesting and relevant detail is very engaging. I really enjoy when you get him on, more of that please ! Bravo

We’re on the road to Mexico! Rob and @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social discuss the European qualification with Lineker’s late arrival, drama in Cardiff and one of European football’s great sliding doors. Out now, wherever you get your pods!

One reason for writing The Glory Years, was to put the #oufc story of the 1980s back in its rightful place. Nobody chronicles it with as much precision as @nessundormapodcast.bsky.social , so it was great to tell the story here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s... open.spotify.com/episode/15Xy...

Season 1985/86 Episode 4 - Milk and Maxwell

Podcast Episode · Nessun Dorma Retro Football Podcast · 14/11/2025 · 1h 23m

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After the horrors of 1984/85, football coverage was in dire need for levity. Step toward Saint and Greavsie! @garynaylor85.bsky.social & @unforgivenrb.bsky.social reflect on their impact and their legacy. In all the usual places podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n... open.spotify.com/episode/5CL0...

We kick off 1985/86 with a story of heartbreak. As May dawned, Hearts were on the brink of an incredible league and cup double. The Guardian’s Ewan Murray tells us how they got there, how it ultimately fell away & the impact years later. Out now wherever you get your pods!

We kick off 1985/86 with a story of heartbreak. As May dawned, Hearts were on the brink of an incredible league and cup double. The Guardian’s Ewan Murray tells us how they got there, how it ultimately fell away & the impact years later. Out now wherever you get your pods!

Out now! Our wider sport episode for 1985 is the Black Ball Final between Davis and Taylor, with 18m watching beyond midnight. Mike Gibbons takes us through the action after Dominic Sandbrook explains the cultural opportunity that snooker enjoyed and that football couldn’t grasp.

Outstanding deep dive into the social, political and economic context behind the 84/85 season on @nessundormapodcast.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0vdp...

This week we have one of the best stories that we’ve covered so far. It’s 1984/85, Diego has landed in Serie A and it’s just about to take over the world. No-one saw Hellas Verona beating them all. @rickhough.bsky.social is here to tell us how it happened. Wherever you get your pods NOW!

There were doubts over Everton’s championship chops in December 1984. Injuries and suspensions mounted & strange points dropped too. What happened in the 1985 is the stuff of legend. Join @garynaylor85.bsky.social @gavinbuckland1.bsky.social for Part 2 of that story. Wherever you get your pods!

We’re back to normal this week and there’s only one place to start our look at 1984/85 as @garynaylor85.bsky.social and @gavinbuckland1.bsky.social begin the story of Everton’s greatest ever season. Out in all the usual places! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n... open.spotify.com/episode/4uHf...