Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by guest Jan Åge Fjørtoft to explore the groundbreaking transfer of Brazilian footabller Juninho to Middlesborough in 1995. The discussion explores the players’ previous career highlights, the unique challenges they faced adjusting to English football, and the cultural impact of Juninho's arrival on the Premier League. Special focus is given to the transformational role this transfer played in attracting world-class talent to mid-level English clubs.

Jan gives insightful stories and personal anecdotes surrounding how Juninho became a beloved figure at Middlesborough and his lasting legacy in English football history.

00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic

01:12 Early Career and Move to Rapid Vienna

02:32 Transition to English Football

04:49 Joining Middlesborough and Early Impressions

13:26 The Impact of Janio's Signing

16:51 Cultural Adjustments and Training Challenges

19:07 Middlesborough's Transformation and Community Connection

30:28 Cultural Insights from Middlesborough

31:02 Tactical Evolution in English Football

31:45 Adapting to English Football's Physicality

36:23 Weather and Training Challenges

40:25 The Impact of Foreign Signings

50:10 Middlesborough's Tumultuous Season

59:09 Legacy of Jan Nino and the Premier League

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.

In Part Two of our series on Don Revie's Leeds United, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson explore the origins of the 'Dirty Leeds' tag. This episode delves into the notorious 1964 match against Everton that cemented the club's aggressive reputation. It discusses the reactions from fans and media, the role of football associations, and Revie's responses.

Our conclusion also examines the cultural and tactical shifts in football during the 1960s and how Leeds' image became a point of controversy and unity for the team and its supporters.

Tune in to uncover the complexities behind one of football's most infamous labels.

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00:00 Introduction

01:36 The Dirty Leeds Tag

03:46 Don Revy's Management Style

27:43 Promotion and the Great Moral Panic

29:21 The Notorious Game against Everton at Goodison

30:37 Media and Public Perception

31:47 Football's Changing Landscape

33:04 The Birth of 'Dirty Leeds'

41:30 Revie's Reaction and Amplification

56:04 Conclusion and Legacy

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.

In this episode, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson discuss the significant impact of Don Revie on Leeds United and English football. The episode covers Revie's early career, his transition into management, and his influence on Leeds United.

The narrative delves into the challenges Leeds faced before Revie's arrival, his innovative approaches, and the beginning of Leeds' transformation. This is the first part of a series exploring the legendary 'Dirty Leeds' era, their historical context, and whether they really were 'dirty' or just misunderstood.

Join us for Part Two on Friday.

00:00 Introduction

01:03 The Controversial Reputation of Leeds United

03:21 Historical Context of Leeds United

04:26 The West Stand Fire and Financial Crisis

06:42 Managerial Struggles and Relegation

17:33 Don Revie's Appointment and Early Life

26:08 Revie's Early Career and Influence of Smith

28:34 Revie's Superstitions and Misfortunes

35:37 Transition to Manchester City and the Revie Plan

41:17 Billy Bremner's influence

47:59 Revie's Managerial Beginnings at Leeds

49:41 Conclusion and Teaser for the Part Two

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Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper bring part two into the fascinating and tragic story of Red Star Belgrade's triumphant 1991 European Cup campaign. They discuss Red Star's status as underdogs against Bayern Munich in the semifinal, their intricate path to victory amidst the backdrop of Yugoslavia's impending civil war, and the dramatic events of the legendary matches.

This episode highlights not just the team's achievements on the field, but also the historical, cultural, and political context that made their victory the last moment of unity for Yugoslav football before the nation's fragmentation. Additionally, the episode covers the aftermath of the war on Red Star and the once-great football culture of the region.

00:00 Introduction

03:18 Quarter-Final Against Dynamo Dresden

04:43 Political Tensions and the Road to the Semi-Final

08:36 The Complexities of Yugoslavia's Ethnic Divisions

12:36 The Semi-Final Against Bayern Munich

21:13 The Dramatic Second Leg against Bayern Munich

35:43 The Aftermath and Celebrations

36:16 Final against Marseille

44:13 Post-Match Reflections and Legacy

49:43 Impact of War on Red Star Belgrade

53:48 Croatian Football's Success

56:59 Conclusion

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson explore the history of Red Star Belgrade, focusing on their monumental 1991 European Cup win against a backdrop of Yugoslavia's political turmoil and impending civil war.

This episode explores the club's founding, cultural significance, and key players, including the dramatic escape of Miodrag Belodedici from Romania. They also detail the influence of notorious figures like Arkan and the emotional scenes in Belgrade during this turbulent time.

Part Two will release on Friday.

00:00 Introduction

06:19 Political Tensions and Football

09:31 The Riot at Maksimir Stadium

16:36 Arkan's Criminal Background

25:04 Arkan's Bonkers Wedding and Return to War

27:23 The Rise and Fall of Arkan

29:39 Red Star Belgrade: Historical Context and Formation

31:13 The Intellectual and Working-Class Roots of Red Star

36:24 Red Star's European Struggles and Triumphs

39:52 The Escape and Signing of Miodrag Belodedici

44:32 The 1991 Season and Key Changes

47:48 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this episode, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson bring their second and final part of their series on the Death Match, one of the most mythologized football games of all time.

Occurring in Nazi-occupied Kyiv, Ukraine, this match between Start, a team formed mostly of former Dinamo Kiev players, and Flakelf, a Luftwaffe team, has become a symbol of resistance. The hosts discuss the brutal context of the occupation, the complex legacies of the players, and the role football played in these extraordinary historical circumstances. Jonathan Wilson critically examines how much of the narrative is based on verifiable facts and how much may have been post-war Soviet propaganda.

This episode provides a nuanced understanding of how football intersected with geopolitics, resistance, and national identity during one of history's darkest periods.

00:00 Introduction to the Death Match Series

01:27 Historical Context: Nazi Occupation and Football

02:26 The Rise of Team Start

03:07 Early Matches and Growing Tensions

04:21 Embarrassing Defeats for Axis Teams

05:28 Public Perception and Propaganda

06:29 The Turning Point: German Concerns

14:13 The First Clash with Flakelf

18:05 Setting the Stage for the Death Match

26:06 The Referee's Influence and Game Dynamics

27:10 Halftime Tensions and Orders to Lose

28:39 Second Half and Controversial Moments

32:35 Post-Match Arrests and Interrogations

35:50 Life in the Prison Camp

43:10 Escape and Kyiv's Liberation

44:33 Legacy and Mythology of the Death Match

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.

This week, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper delve into the harrowing tale of 'The Death Match,' a match played under Nazi occupation in Ukraine.

They explore the brutal conditions faced by Ukrainian footballers, the formation of a remarkable team, and the resonances with modern-day conflicts. In Part One, learn how football resurfaced amidst atrocities, with bakery manager Yosyp Kordyk forming a team from former stars. The discussions cover the political intricacies and personal tragedies, setting the stage for the match itself.

Join us for Part Two on Friday, where the details of the game itself and its far-reaching consequences are revealed.

00:00 Introduction to the Yard Brigade

00:26 Welcome to the Podcast

00:53 The Mythologized Football Match

02:44 Escape to Victory and Its Origins

04:16 Introducing Joseph Cordick

05:49 The Nazi Occupation of Kiev

07:37 The Struggles of Mik Trivi

14:21 The Fall of Kiev and Its Aftermath

25:51 Ukrainian Nationalism and Football Under Nazi Occupation

27:34 The Horrors of Nazi Occupation in Kyiv

29:43 Football as a Means of Normalization

30:32 Resistance and Brutality in Kyiv

31:30 Formation of the Start Football Team

33:06 The Struggles and Symbolism of Playing Football

37:16 The First Match and Its Consequences

39:09 The Complexities of Resistance and Collaboration

49:14 The Aftermath and Public Perception

51:07 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast hosted by Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson.

Today we bring you the fascinating story of the El Dorado League in 1940s Colombia. Discover how the government, amid a brutal civil war and the assassination of liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, turned to football to pacify an unsettled population. Learn about the league's extraordinary formation, iconic players like Alfredo Di Stefano and Adolfo Pedernera, and the league's ultimate collapse. Join us for an in-depth look at an astonishing chapter in football history and its lasting impact.

00:00 The Role of Football in Political Control

01:43 The Assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

03:33 The Aftermath and Civil Unrest

14:12 The Rise of the El Dorado League

22:51 The Impact of Global Events on Colombian Football

29:29 Player Transfers and Union Arguments

30:36 Colombian Football's Golden Era Begins

32:30 The Arrival of International Stars

34:59 Challenges and Discontent Among Players

38:32 The Decline of the El Dorado League

50:00 Political Turmoil and Football's Role

54:54 Legacy and Modern Parallels

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