The Halcyon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rob MacDonald, Adam Bushby
We Lose Every Week author Andrew Lawn is joined by Football Cliche's Adam Hurrey to discuss myriad elements of football chanting: including but not limited to origins, tunefulness, relevance, outlook and favourites.
Get your copy of We Lose Every Week from us at Halcyon Publishing and check out Adam's excellent Football Cliches podcast on the Athletic
Andy reads another extract from We Lose Every Week, focusing on the origins, humour and art of self-deprecating football chanting.
A fascinating extract from We Lose Every Week, read by Andy Lawn, covering the naming, evolution and singing of Liverpool's famous Kop End.
It's another Halcyon podcast mini-series and in this one, we're focusing on the brilliant We Lose Every Week by Andrew Lawn. We Lose Every Week is a history of football chanting, from its beginnings in the late nineteenth century to its growth across the game and its effect on the people, clubs and societies in which it takes place.
In this episode, Andy reads from the introduction of the book itself; we've got another couple of extracts hot on its heels and also a brilliant chinwag between Andy and the legendary Adam Hurrey of Football Cliches.
You can get We Lose Every Week at a special price direct from the Halcyon website, or if you're particularly interested in monumental acts of self-sabotage to your own wallet, publishing and the world at large, you can also buy it in other places too. And if you'd like to be criticised about your inherent life choices further, why not follow us on Twitter or whatever it is now @HalcyonPublish1.
Welcome back to the Halcyon podcast and more specifically to another exclusive mini-series in which we're (re-)introducing the magnificent 'Soul: Beyond the Athlete' by Jonathan Harding.
Soul investigates how much football cares about developing the person as much as the player, and (spoiler alert!) how much more there is to do to address the real cost of being in football and the unhealthy playing field that currently exists.
In this short introduction Rob does some blethering and then Jonathan shares the Prologue. We've also got two exclusive audio chapters, and then an extended conversation between Jonathan and Ryan Hunn of the Stadio podcast about some of the issues around people and performance raised in the book.
Soul is NOW AVAILABLE ON SALE FROM US! Less than a tenner for a little more soul in your life - what's not to love about that.
Special thanks to Ryan and also to Jonathan for all their audio efforts. Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast for more features and interviews, and follow us on social media for announcements, new titles and special offers.
Ad and Rob are joined by polymath, brilliant footballer, writer and broadcaster Pat Nevin for a thoroughly enjoyable chat for which we had loads of questions written down, but ultimately asked none of them (that's a good thing, honest).
We talk to Pat about the latter part of his football career, most notably his time as a player AND Chief Executive at Motherwell. There's a lovely meander into the fate (and slow resurgence) of 'proper #10s' in British football, books, Ted Lasso and of course, the transcendental beauty of football.
Pat's new book, Football and How to Survive It, is out very soon and if it's anything like his first, is well worth a read. Don't forget too that despite us interviewing some of the greatest people around, we also sell really good books.
If you enjoyed the podcast, do feel free to subscribe and leave us a nice complimentary review. Cheers! x
Joining Rob and Adam on this episode of the Halcyon Podcast is two-time William Hill Sports Book of the Year and THREE-time Sports Interviewer of the Year Don McRae, who very kindly put up with us/being on the other side of the mic for a little while.
Don talks to us about his upbringing and routes into football and boxing growing up in South Africa, his move to London to 'be a writer', whatever that meant, and his early years in the industry.
We also get an amazing insight into the development of Don's career as the Guardian's sports interviewer (20 years and counting), as well as his processes, preparation and experiences of talking in such depth with sportspeople at their peak.
If you like this episode please do sling us a like and/or a review and subscribe to the podcast. You can find Don's website at donaldmcrae.com, and our books at halcyonpublishing.co.uk
Rob and Adam sit down with commentating legend (and the gaming purists' favourite) Jon Champion for a hugely enjoyable and engaging chat, covering everything from escaping the orchestra to be with York City, to the 2026 World Cup, and a lot of stuff in between.
Jon tells us about his unlikely journey into the commentary box and we discuss the life and times of a commentator alongside other diversions into TV rights, working (or not) for Sky and hot-sauce-sponsored red cards.
Thanks so much to Jon for appearing - this one could have been twice as long! As it is, if you enjoy it and want to automatically get lots of other episodes like this one, please like and subscribe to the podcast. You can even leave us a review if you're feeling generous (or even if you're not).
Rob and Adam are joined by podcaster, writer and author Sam Delaney for a comprehensive journey through football fandom past, present and future (albeit not necessarily in that order).
We discuss Sam's lifetime of supporting West Ham, the fan experience or otherwise at London Stadium and our favourite topic, 'legacy fans' are explored in some detail.
Sam also talks to us about his illustrious writing career and his new book, the superb and affecting Sort Your Head Out: Mental Health Without All the Bollocks, which is well worth a read, especially if you're a 'legacy man'.
For more from us (imagine!), don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, or follow us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1
Danny, Part 5: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Danny, Part 3: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
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Danny, Part 1: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Danny, Part 2: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Danny, Part 4: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
No cards on Valentine's Day: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Ad and Rob are joined by football writer and author Ian Plenderleith to kick off a special series of podcast episodes inspired by Ian's latest book, Reffing Hell.
As well as this interview, we're posting a series of exclusive audio chapters from Reffing Hell, in which Ian documents the (occasional) highs and (very much more frequent) lows of being a referee in amateur football. The interview, the podcasts and the book are vital listening and reading for anyone involved with the game, and match officials, at any level.
We discuss how Ian became a referee in the first place, his experiences of refereeing in different countries and whether it looks like discipline on the pitch and the sidelines shows any signs of improving (spoiler... not likely).
If you enjoy this series you can get a copy of Ian's book from us at Halcyon Publishing. Please also like and subscribe to the podcast to ensure you're getting all the good stuff as soon as it appears.
Putting out fires: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Needy ref: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
Come on you reds: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.
Click here for your copy
The final instalment of our Reffing Hell series of podcasts sees some unprecedented ref/writer on ref/writer action as Ashley Hickson-Lovence, author of the phenomenal Your Show, joins Ian Plenderleith, author of the equally brilliant Reffing Hell, for a chat about... well, reffing and writing.
It's another must-listen as Ian and Ashley discuss their experiences of being the lone man in the middle, the catharsis of the writing process and the genesis and reception of both of their excellent books.
If you enjoyed this episode you can buy Reffing Hell from us and Your Show wherever you get your books. If you've enjoyed this series, please like and subscribe to the Halcyon podcast - there's plenty more coming up this year that we don't want you to miss.
In quite the turn up for the books, Adam* is joined by double European Cup winner (as player), multiple trophy winner at Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic, raconteur and all-round football legend Martin O’Neill.
Martin explains what made him love football (Gaelic and soccer) in the first place, playing against Barcelona for Distillery in 1971 that led to the move to Nottingham Forest that would change his life, those European Cup wins, and a game that he played in that made its way into our World Cup upsets anthology, Against All Odds, when Northern Ireland stunned hosts Spain in 1982. And of course, Cloughie gets a passing mention.
Martin’s new autobiography, On Days Like These, is out now, is absolutely brilliant and heartily recommended by us, while you can pick up your copy of the Halcyon titles mentioned in this episode from us here.
*Rob will be back from a suspension for ungentlemanly conduct soon.
Rob and Adam are joined by Simon Hart, author of the fabulous 'World in Motion: The Inside Story of Italia 90' and 'Against All Odds' contributor, to talk about Cameroon's famous victory over Diego Maradona's World Cup-holding Argentina in Milan in 1990 - possibly the most extraordinary result in World Cup history and certainly one of the most extraordinary opening matches.
We chat to Simon about the importance of that tournament but also the effects of that Cameroon team's run on football in their home country, which, it probably won't surprise you to learn, haven't been 100% positive.
Thanks very much to Simon for coming on the pod and if you liked the episode, don't forget to pick up your copy of Against All Odds, like the podcast and subscribe to make sure you don't miss future episodes.
New year, new podcast! In this episode Rob and Adam are joined by sports writer and journalist Paul Doyle to discuss his phenomenal chapter in Against All Odds, in which Ireland overcame Italy 1-0 in the USA in 1994.
We talk about Paul's unfortunate work commitments that meant he missed out on attending the game himself, the Jack Charlton effect and the changes that the game and indeed the Charlton era effected in Ireland at the time and since.
Thanks very much to Paul for coming on and if you're interested in a copy of Against All Odds, you can get your hands on one (or more) at halcyonpublishing.co.uk.
Rob, Adam and Richard are joined by sports journalist and broadcaster Kate Mason for a special episode of World Cup Nuggets as the group stages draw to a close.
We unearth some brand new nuggets from this brand new World Cup and look back at England's performances so far (as well as their potential in future). Some our our more outlandish predictions are revisited with varying results and we also stop by Roger Milla's Last Chance Saloon to see who's finishing up before heading home.
As a reminder, the most comprehensive World Cup fact book in existence is available from us directly - you can buy World Cup Nuggets (with free p&p... it must be Christmas!) on our website.
Special thanks indeed to Kate for coming on - make sure that you catch her excellent podcast series 'Inside the Qatar World Cup', which is truly essential listening - here are the links to Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3.
Adam and Rob are joined from Doha by Guillem Balague, who looks back on his chapter in Against All Odds in which Spain were defied by a combination of bad luck, conspiracy and corruption - or were they?
We discuss how revisiting that game gave Guillem and many other pause for thought, and how great a role hubris and self-fulfilling prophesies might have played in the result. Guillem also looks back on his experience in Japan and South Korea covering the tournament.
As well as being a collection of the greatest writers telling the stories of the greatest upsets, Against All Odds would be one of the greatest Christmas presents and is available direct from us at halcyonpublishing.co.uk.
Rejoice! The Halcyon Podcast is back for a second series in conversation with the great and the good of football writing.
Loosely based on our new book Against All Odds (available from all good stockists), today Adam and Rob sit down with acclaimed author Harry Pearson to discuss his fabulous chapter in Against All Odds, which covers the USA amateurs' shock victory over England's (tired, jaded, overheating) professionals in 1950.
We discuss the preconceptions and reactions to this momentous World Cup upset on both sides of the pond, and whether or not the old 10-1 / 1-0 reporting story is a complete myth or not.
For Harry's brilliant chapter on this match, as well as a dozen others, head to our website to get your hands on a copy of the book.
Rejoice! The Halcyon Podcast is back for a second series in conversation with the great and the good of football writing.
Loosely based on our new book Against All Odds (available from all good stockists), Adam meets up with South American football expert Tim Vickery to chat about a result that sent shockwaves through Brazil in 1950.
Adam and Tim discuss the game, the tournament and the resulting fortunes from both sides of the story, exploring whether or not it was really an upset at all and the key role of historical and political context in telling the story.
To get your hands on Tim's brilliant chapter on this match, as well as a dozen others, head to our website to get your hands Against All Odds.
THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER. IT IS NOW!
It's the FINAL episode of World Cup Nuggets Daily and last but by no means least are Wales, hoping to cause the sort of damage they did in their last World Cup, a scarcely believable 64 years ago.
Rob, Adam and Richard tease out some Nuggets from that 1958 tournament and look at Welsh chances in the group, which in case you need reminding includes the might of the world's 20th best team, the USA and the small matter of the English.
Richard completes our World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz - we'll be putting out info on submitting your answers and letting you know who's won in due course.
In the meantime, thanks for listening, do give us a rating and let us know you've enjoyed the podcast, and we'll see you during the tournament.
It's the penultimate episode of World Cup Nuggets Daily - not long to go now troops! Today's nuggets centre on the very unimaginatively nicknamed Stars and Stripes - it's the USA.
Rob, Adam and Richard look at the various permutations of a group that as everyone knows also features Wales and England - spoiler, it's going to be close. There are even some red-hot gambling tips hidden within.
Richard also sets the next-to-last question (I've run out of permissible uses of 'penultimate') in the World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz, which you'll soon be able to find in its entirety here.
You can also BUY WORLD CUP NUGGETS HERE.
World Cup Nuggets Daily enters the home straight and up next it's everyone's second or maybe third or maybe not at all favourite team, Uruguay.
Richard, Adam and Rob look at their illustrious early World Cup history and slightly less further back in time where we find their next-most controversial contribution, which will at least serve to set up the mother of all grudge matches in their group.
Beyond that there's a culinary expansion beyond nuggets and then very quickly back again via the delights of Fray Bentos, and Richard poses the 30th question in our mammoth World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz.
The links you need:
World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz questions
Buy World Cup Nuggets direct from us
A sensational nickname, a side who currently hold an international trophy and a particularly outlandish prediction are the key ingredients for today's World Cup Nuggets Daily.
Rob, Adam and Richard preview Tunisia's chances, which in truth don't look great in a group that seems to have a fairly clear delineation between the top and bottom half - or does it?!*
It may be a fairly predictable path for the Tunisians but what's much more difficult to predict is the outcome of our World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz, for which Richard provides one of the final questions.
And finally a reminder, as if one was needed, that you can buy World Cup Nuggets on the Halcyon website. Get it while they're hot / stocks last! Because cold Nuggets are horrible.
- Yes. Yes it does.
Up next on World Cup Nuggets Daily it's the Swiss, whose despite their slightly confusing nickname showed ample clarity of thought when it came to their qualification for the World Cup in Qatar.
Richard, Adam and Rob assess a potential 'dark horse' (some caveats apply) and look forward to a potential final group game winner-takes-all showdown, because who doesn't love one of those.
We also ask the 28th (28th!) question in our World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz - the previous 28 and now this one can be found on our blog. And as if you needed any more reminders, you can buy World Cup Nuggets on the Halcyon website. If you're quick, there MIGHT still be some great value bundles left on there as well.
La Furia Roja are next up on World Cup Nuggets and Richard, Adam and Rob are by and large predicting good things for Spain in Qatar, even if they have a few questions about Luis Enrique's squad selection (well, two questions, but they are legit).
We also look at their propensity for goals and clean sheets and welcome another very special guest on the podcast to ask today's World Cup Nuggets quiz question.
The questions are available in their entirety on this blog post - the person to submit the most correct answers to us will win the entire suite of Halcyon Publishing books. If you want to buy World Cup Nuggets to brush up on your tournament facts and figures before it all kicks off at the weekend, you can do so here.
It's probably right to begin this with an apology to Serbia fans - you do feature, honest, but you also don't feature for long stretches of this episode.
Richard, Adam and Rob comb over the usual Nuggets in relation to not-a-one-man-team-but-still-quite-reliant-on-one-man Serbia, including yet another encounter with their old mates Brazil and a tough-looking group.
Things also get completely irrelevant for a time, including foreign football trips, the England-supporting priorities of a Scotland fan and where or where not one of us may have been sticking fireworks in our twenties. You can skip those bits.
Richard also sets the latest question in our Halcyon quiz, which you can find on our website. The winner gets the full suite of Halcyon books, a heady prize indeed - details on submission to follow.
Next up to get the Nuggets treatment are Senegal, who join the hosts, the Dutch and Ecuador in a group that Richard, Rob and Adam expect them to escape, even if that is somewhat dependent on the fitness of Sadio Mane.
Plenty of Nuggets to get your teeth into here including their most famous World Cup performance against France in 2002. Richard also enlightens us on the regulations that may see Senegal miss out on qualification in a particularly cruel way for the second time in their history and we also go completely off-piste for a bit, which is always fun.
The latest quiz question and indeed all the quiz questions are now up and available on our blog, and as if you need reminding, you can buy World Cup Nuggets on the Halcyon site.
What do Saudi Arabia, Jimmy Hill and exorbitant amounts of nuggets have in common? They all feature in today's World Cup Nuggets Daily podcast - not quite in even amounts, but nevertheless, it's a diverse episode, to say the least.
Rob, Adam and Richard discuss Saudi Arabia's chances in a not-quite-Group of Death but nonetheless very tricky set of games, and speculate as to the precise length of Jimmy Hill's legacy on their football (if you've not heard the story, it's worth listening for that alone).
Richard also sets the next question in our World Cup Nuggets quiz, and the answer to the eventual tie breaker MIGHT be in this very episode. For all the questions just check out this page and for all the books up for grabs (and to buy Nuggets!), click here.
It's the turn of the hosts on today's World Cup Nuggets Daily and Richard, Adam and Rob are back to discuss whether or not Qatar are a glorified pub team or if a lengthy training camp under a manager of pedigree could see them spring a shock or two.
Either way a group stage exit looks likely, although opinion is slightly split over just how close it'll be. Richard also sets the latest question in our World Cup Nuggets Daily quiz.
To view what you could win if you enter/get the most questions right, and to browse all Halcyon books INCLUDING World Cup Nuggets, head over to our website.
Next up to be poked and prodded in World Cup Nuggets Daily are Portugal, a team with a wealth of talent but a big job on their hands to work out how to use it properly.
Rob, Adam and Richard look at the likelihood of you-know-how playing and contributing, Portugal's likely qualification from their group and their overall prospects, accompanied by a healthy serving of little-known nuggets.
Richard also provides the next question in our World Cup Daily quiz, the winner of which will be taking home/being sent the full suite of Halcyon books - to see those, and to buy World Cup Nuggets, head to halcyonpublishing.co.uk
World Cup Nuggets Daily continues and today it's the turn of Poland, who have already been previewed on this podcast as 'dark horses' and 'sh*t' by a pundit who shall remain nameless.
Boasting goal machine Robert Lewandowski and a decent World Cup pedigree, Poland will either fall at the first hurdle or qualify out of the group by virtue of the order of games, depending on who you feel like listening to in this podcast.
Richard sets the next question in our World Cup quiz, the winner of which will be receiving a package of books fit for a king in time for Christmas. To see all those available and to buy World Cup Nuggets, head to halcyonpublishing.co.uk
Today on World Cup Nuggets Daily it's the turn of the eternal bridesmaids, the Dutch. Looking far stronger at the back than in recent years and with both flair players and 'big items' (ask Richard) up top, we're predicting big things for them in Qatar... within reason, obviously.
A rich World Cup history, an experienced manager and for once, a straightforward group all come under the microscope and Richard sets the next question in our massive World Cup quiz.
To buy World Cup Nuggets or any of our World Cup and non-World Cup books, just head to the Halcyon website. Impress your friends, or endear yourself to family members with thoughtful football gifts. You're welcome.
World Cup Nuggets Daily continues and today it's the turn of the formidably nicknamed Atlas Lions, who much to Adam and Rob's disappointment no longer include either of Premier League legends Mustapha Hadji or Youssef Chippo in their ranks.
They do nevertheless have plenty of players of pedigree but despite that the omens aren't particularly good for their progress out of a challenging group. Join us to comb over some insightful nuggets from Richard and our daily quiz question.
If you'd like to buy World Cup Nuggets, you can do so on the Halcyon website, along with a plethora of other football books, some World Cup related and some just plain old brilliant.
Episode 18 of World Cup Nuggets Daily is here and nachos temporarily take over from nuggets... it's Mexico!
Richard, Adam and Rob look at 'El Tri''s chances of qualification from the group and whether or not they look likely to go further than their perennial last-16 berth. There's also a World Cup stalwart to induct into the Roger Milla Last Chance Saloon who may or may not find himself responsible for catering.
Richard sets the next question in our daily quiz, the winner of which will be getting a full suite of Halcyon books for Christmas. To get a headstart, why not get yourself a copy of World Cup Nuggets from the Halcyon website.
Sticking with Asian World Cup representatives, next up for the World Cup Nuggets Daily treatment are South Korea, who not unlike their Japanese counterparts find themselves in a tricky group with not a lot of firepower at their disposal to help them get out of it.
What they do have, though, is a defensive wall that could well be made entirely of Kims, which as well as being just one example of the cracking nuggets in this episode leads on to a quite baffling tangent about 1980s British pop duo Mel and Kim.
Rob, Adam and Richard discuss all this and more, as well as setting the next question in the World Cup Nuggets quiz.
A reminder you can buy World Cup Nuggets and all manner of excellent World Cup and football-related literature on our website.
Next up on World Cup Nuggets Daily it's the Samurai Blue, Japan. Boasting a quite staggering disciplinary record (in a good way), it seems their niceness also extends to not sticking the ball in the goal. In a tricky group, could that spell a few problems?
They were also the first to release their World Cup squad and so Richard, Adam and Rob take a quick look over the key men included - and omitted.
Add to that a 16th World Cup Nuggets quiz question and it's a packed halfway episode. You can keep up with them all on our website, halcyon publishing.co.uk, where you can also buy Richard's book, World Cup Nuggets.
England's first opponents Iran are up next in our World Cup Nuggets Daily previews. Rob, Adam and Richard discuss their surprising world ranking, their surprising choice of coach and the potential for needle/fireworks/poppies/doves in the 'Mother of all Matches' pt.II against the USA.
There's a short and wholly unnecessary digression to Iran's most famous World Cup exploits against Scotland in 1978 and the latest question in our World Cup quiz, concerning prolific goalscorer Ali Daie.
And as if you need reminding/haven't got it already, you can purchase World Cup Nuggets direct from us with free p&p between now and Christmas. The perfect gift for yourself or for someone who loves nuggets in all their forms.
World Cup Nuggets rumbles on towards the halfway point and today it's Ghana, whose by-now-very-chilly dish of revenge will be heading in Uruguay's direction in what looks like a very tasty group.
Adam, Richard and Rob get to grips with the Black Stars' chances in Qatar, including where their goals may or may not be coming from and whether or not they can make history...
Our daily quiz question is set and much more in today's World Cup Nuggets Daily.
Buy World Cup Nuggets - revised and updated for 2022. Buy it now!
It's the third big gun in succession as World Cup Nuggets Daily hops over to Germany for today's episode. The German nugget concerns arguably one of the greatest World Cup upsets EVER, so it's well worth a listen for that alone.
We welcome yet another big name special guest, live from Germany, to reflect on the current levels of anticipation (spoiler alert - they're minimal) and to set the latest quiz question for your desperate Googling pleasure.
You can of course find the majority of the answers by thumbing through your brand new copy of World Cup Nuggets, which you can buy from us with just ONE CLICK (and free shipping) while stocks last.
Allez les nuggets, it's time for France! Les Bleus are defending champions, which if you know your nuggets, isn't a very promising omen. However they have a fair old depth of squad and a long and storied history with the World Cup, so it promises to be an enjoyable ride whatever happens.
Rob, Adam and Richard discuss all that and more, welcoming a couple of new patrons to the Roger Milla last chance saloon and setting the 12th (12th!) question in our World Cup Nuggets quiz.
A reminder that World Cup Nuggets is OUT NOW and available to buy on the Halcyon website.
Next up in our Nuggets Daily podcast series is England, a team from whom much is expected at every tournament and who - depending on your relationship with the Nations League - HAVE started to deliver in recent years.
Adam, Rob and Richard pick over the chances of Gareth Southgate and his team, who begin with a group that isn't as easy as you might think, particularly given the national side's penchant for goalless draws.
For the first time also welcome a colossally special guest to set our daily quiz question - the inimitable Pete Davies, renowned author of All Played Out talks to Ad.
We can also celebrate that actual physical copies of World Cup Nuggets 2022 are now available to buy (insert fanfare here), and you can do so at halcyonpublishing.co.uk.
World Cup Nuggets #10 is here and we're previewing Ecuador, a team who always give themselves a pretty good chance of getting out of their World Cup groups.
Adam, Rob and Richard share the first spelling-related Nugget of the World Cup and discuss the controversy surrounding 'La Tri''s qualifying campaign.
Richard also sets the tenth question of our World Cup quiz which Ad does VERY well not to give away almost immediately. Keep track of these, because if you submit the most correct answers at the end of the run you can win the entire Halcyon stable of books - and that is a very well populated stable at this moment in time.
It's World Cup Nuggets Daily Episode 9 and every European's second favourite team Denmark are next to be nuggeted.
Adam, Richard and Rob discuss the Danish Dynamite's habitual class and formidable qualifying record, halted only by a Scottish retribution 35 years in the making.
Richard sets our ninth (ninth!) quiz question, a real crowd-pleaser for aficionados of football merchandise and for anyone who wants to see Ad modelling the kit in a censored yet dignified manner at a later date.
Finalists at the 2018 World Cup Croatia are the focus of today's World Cup Nuggets Daily, which means Adam, Richard and Rob mostly swoon over Luka Modric gliding around the Roger Milla Last Chance Saloon, mineral water in hand.
We also assess their chances in Group F (very good), as well as their chances of returning to a second consecutive final (probably not quite as good, but not terrible) in 2022. And Richard sets a question about that most famous of Croatian chip-merchant, Davor Suker.
World Cup Nuggets Daily is back with all the facts and trivia about Costa Rica that you never knew you needed.
Adam, Richard and Rob fail to discuss the translation of Costa Rica's nickname, 'Los Ticos', as none of us know what it means (later Googling reveals that it's essentially a term for the Costa Rican people... who knows what terms they'll be using for us if this episode ever finds its way to them).
Despite finding themselves in the neutrals' favourite 'Group of Death' in this tournament, Costa Rica can at least find some hope in their performance in 2014, where they not only competed in a Group o'Death, but won it. More superlative trivia like that and our latest quiz question in today's daily nugget.
It's World Cup Nuggets Daily Episode 6 and that means it's the turn of questionable plurals 'The Maple Leafs' (or, as you and I might refer to them, Canada).
Adam, Rob and Richard discuss whether or not they're likely to break their World Cup goalscoring duck, their range of speedy talent and what a luxury it must be to have already qualified for the next tournament as well as this one.
Richard also sets the next questions in our Nuggets quiz, which is rapidly haring towards being a quarter complete. If you missed any of the questions, we'll be launching a blog post soon on which we'll update the questions each day. You still have to listen to the pod though.
Run to the corner flag and wiggle your ageing hips, it's Cameroon! Episode 5 of World Cup Nuggets Daily focuses on the Indomitable Lions, including the new Roger Milla, the old Roger Milla and how they're basically going to win the whole thing.
Just time too for another question in the World Cup Nuggets quiz - submit your answers at the end of the run of podcasts for a chance to win the WHOLE Halcyon back catalogue, which is a thing of beauty indeed.
Episode 4 of World Cup Nuggets Daily tackles the big dogs - Brazil! Most successful World Cup team ever, very strong squad, but, surprisingly, not as many wins in recent history as you might think.
Adam, Rob and Richard chew over this and more nuggets about the Seleção and Richard sets the next question in our World Cup quiz - you can see the prospective list of prizes on the Halcyon website, maybe while you're online desperately trawling Google for some of the answers. Good luck and see you tomorrow!
Another day, another nugget, and this time it's Belgium, the World Cup's 'inverted commas' team - a 'Golden Generation', perennial 'nearly men', could 'win' but also 'might not'.
Richard, Adam and Rob discuss more nuggets around the Red Devils' tournament history, squad and prospects, Ad comes over very profound indeed and we set the next question in the Nuggets World Cup quiz, for which the price is a princely collection of all the titles from the Halcyon Publishing stable.
It's the second episode of World Cup Nuggets daily, our mini-podcast previewing each of the 32 teams taking part in Qatar.
It's unquestionably a lot of nuggets for two men. Luckily we've got renowned football author and historian Richard Foster to help us, whose new book, World Cup Nuggets (see what we did there?) is a) an indispensable guide to the World Cup's weird, wild and wonderful stories and b) out on 24 October.
This episode is about Australia. A questionable approach to goals, a tough start, a potential talisman and much more. Enjoy!
It's the first episode of Halcyon’s World Cup Nuggets daily, our mini-podcast featuring a short preview and a ‘nugget’ about each of the 32 teams taking part in Qatar.
That’s a lot of nuggets. But to help us we've got renowned football author and historian Richard Foster, whose new book, World Cup Nuggets (see what we did there?) is a) an indispensable guide to the World Cup's weird, wild and wonderful stories and b) out on 24 October.
So here's episode 1, on Argentina. Good form, straightforward-ish group, Lionel Messi and much more. It's nearly World Cup time!
A mere 509 days since the last podcast, Adam and Rob reunite to provide a few teasers about what the next couple of months have in store on the book and podcast front. In a true sign that they're returning to form, they also forget the end of the alphabet.
We'll be back in a few days with the first of our World Cup Daily nuggets with special guest Richard Foster. In the meantime you can check out the bigger and better than ever offerings on the Halcyon website and grab your copies while stocks last.
Adam and Rob are joined by multi-award-winning author and journalist Michael Calvin for a wide-ranging and actually very moving chat about... well, everything really.
In this second part, we discuss the cleansing experience of Leicester City and the 2021 FA Cup final, as well as how the club is run and how that reflects on the 'Super League plotters' - remember them?.
We also talk in more depth about Mike's experiences researching Whose Game is it Anyway and how he approaches his stories and his craft. Mike also shares some profound and touching stories about carers in football and gives us a small but fascinating insight into his current project away from sport.
If you'd like to buy a copy of our anthology on glorious defeat, From the Jaws of Victory is available on the Halcyon website - use the imaginative discount code 'PODCAST' for 15% off. Shipping's free too.
And if you'd like to get in touch with us, we're on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 for books and @magicspongers for everything else (and also quite frequently books as well).
Adam and Rob are joined by multi-award-winning author and journalist Michael Calvin for a wide-ranging and actually very moving chat about... well, everything really.
In this first part, Mike talks to us about his earliest memories of football, being in the privileged position of ballboy at Vicarage Road in his formative years and 4am starts to queue for FA Cup Fourth Round replay tickets (ask your dad, kids) at the ground.
We also cover the fundamental nature of being a football fan in light of some of Mike's experiences researching Whose Game is it Anyway and the documentary film 'Ours', and make ourselves sound very old by asking if fans are still being created by the same process we identify so heavily with.
If you'd like to buy a copy of our anthology on glorious defeat, From the Jaws of Victory is available on the Halcyon website - use the imaginative discount code 'PODCAST' for 15% off. Shipping's free too.
And if you'd like to get in touch with us, we're on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 for books and @magicspongers for everything else (and also quite frequently books as well).
Adam and Rob welcome The Guardian Football Weekly’s host Max Rushden, who is still on a high after Cambridge United’s automatic promotion from League 2.
Max explains why he was initially reluctant to appear on the pod until promotion was secured considering our remit focuses on glorious defeat and Cambridge were making a complete hash of gaining one point from their last three games.
He talks to us about how he first fell for the football, which includes Pavarotti, Gazza’s tears, a Cambridge side fronted by Dion Dublin in the early 90s and running Arsenal close in the FA Cup.
We also talk to Max about his broadcasting career, which includes counting baked beans live on radio, stroppy indie bands, talking to Rob’s brother on Soccer AM and heading up the most successful football podcast in the world (not this one, sadly).
You can show your support for the Halcyon Podcast and also for health and safety regulations so Adam and Rob can safely get into their bathrooms without stepping over boxes of books by buying a copy of Jaws of Victory here. And as ever, you can get in touch with us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 or @magicspongers.
Enjoy!
Adam and Rob are joined by the legendary Patrick Barclay for a joyful journey down memory lane to the famed Dundee side of the early 1960s.
Paddy talks to us about how he first fell for football at Dens Park and both the famous title win of '62 and subsequent European Cup campaign, back when the European Cup was for champions ONLY.
We also talk to Paddy about his illustrious career in football writing, including the dread of the Saturday match report, pretending to be a player at the world's greatest stadia and even getting on the pitch at some of them (and then quickly off again).
Paddy also shares his proudest by-lines with us and has some unexpected advice on the best way to extricate yourself from precarious situations in Medellin, the murder capital of the world.
To read Paddy's outstanding chapter alongside 22 others, why not get yourself a copy of Jaws of Victory? And as ever, you can get in touch with us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 or @magicspongers.
Adam and Rob break with tradition to look at current affairs this week, specifically the Premier League 'Big Six''s affair with a closed-shop anti-competitive collective of glorified friendly-seekers. Ahem.
They're joined by From the Jaws of Victory contributor and author of 'Can We Have Our Football Back', John Nicholson, who's written brilliantly on the subject for Football365 in the past ten days.
We discuss the origins of both the Premier League and the Super League, and how much the very nature of football and society in England is geared around a model that encourages them to at best chance their arm, and at worst succeed, in completely monopolising the game.
We also look at whether or not the Super League is inevitable at some point anyway, and John offers some small doses of optimism about how football could be revolutionised for the better, as well as going in two-footed on a couple of members of the Cabinet, which we've always got time for.
As ever, you can get in touch with us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 or @magicspongers.
Adam and Rob are joined by the author of one of the best football books ever written, Pete Davies, whose book, All Played Out, so perfectly summed up the many highs and some lows of following England at Italia ‘90.
This episode is all the more pertinent given the events of the past few days, as we discuss a time when the Premier League was merely a glint in Rupert Murdoch’s eye, when Gazzamania was born, when the tabloid press were even more vicious than now and when England made a splash as a glorious surprise, ending in no-less glorious defeat.
We also discuss the (to a contemporary audience at least) unprecedented level of access that Pete gained to the England squad and Bobby Robson, their siege mentality born out of an exasperation with the British press, Pete’s travails around Italy and quite why that fateful semi-final lives so long in the memory of football romantics.
Also covered is the how Pete wrote All Played Out in a mind-boggling 58 days, the ensuing writer’s block and how this pleasantly came to an end in 2017.
As ever, please rate and subscribe to the pod to keep getting more from us, and get in touch with us on Twitter @magicspongers or @HalcyonPublish1
Adam and Rob are joined by Neil Atkinson of the Anfield Wrap to discuss his brilliant From the Jaws of Victory chapter on the Liverpool side of 2013-14 and much more besides.
We cover the various contributing factors to Neil's chapter being such an emotional punch in the face (in a good way) and the impact of 2013-14 on Liverpool's 2018-19 (very) near miss and their 2019-20 title victory. We also discuss how the club had to change in that time to gear itself up for two consecutive 90-point seasons and what the future holds for them and others in the Premier League, particularly once Guardiola buggers off.
Away from football Neil tells us about the genesis and growth of the brilliant Anfield Wrap and its journey from a series of podcasts to civic institution (watch out York!), gives us some quality tips on who to read next and of course gives us possibly the captain of our Nearly Men XI, if we were to judge it on unfortunate prescient rallying calls.
As ever, please rate and subscribe to the pod to keep getting more from us, and get in touch with us on Twitter @magicspongers or @HalcyonPublish1
Adam and Rob break with tradition by welcoming two guests onto the pod to tell the tale of West Ham’s remarkable 1985-86 season. They are joined by Stuart Fuller, author of two Football Tourist books, former football blogger and current chairman of Lewes FC, to discuss his chapter in From the Jaws of Victory and what it was like to be a fan during that famous season for the Hammers.
Adding colour to Stu’s story in his own inimitable style, we are delighted to welcome the undisputed star of that side, Frank McAvennie. While Stu talks of what it was like to be a teenager in thrall of his heroes on the pitch, while having to choose between a girl and West Ham, Frank discusses his experiences of coming so close to glory but ultimately just missing out.
We also cover the time Frank bumped into his pal Billy Connolly while filming Saint and Greavsie, his appearance on Wogan, the underrated talent of Alan Devonshire, almost signing for Luton instead of the Hammers, coming second in the Golden Boot race to Gary Lineker, Mexico ‘86 and more.
We hear from Stu on the rude health of Lewes FC during lockdown and his search for a new manager, a shortlist for which may or may not include Frank or another West Ham legend, Julian Dicks.
As ever, you can buy Jaws of Victory from us directly (or the ebook on Amazon if that's your thing), and follow us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 and @magicspongers
Adam and Rob are joined by broadcasting and football legend Barry Davies for a chat covering everything from the great man's commentating career to VAR and Monday Night Football.
Barry talks to us about notable World Cup stories and his first assignments in 1966, as well as the Euros in 1996, Gazza, and his favourite tournaments, stories and performances.
We ask Barry how on earth he managed to learn so much about ice skating and all the other sports he covered, and whether or not he still commentates either in his head or out loud when watching sport at home these days.
Barry has also had some very kind words to say about Jaws of Victory, which you can buy from us directly (or you can the ebook on Amazon if that's your thing). And if you want to get in touch, follow us or send us a message on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 and/or @magicspongers
Adam and Rob are joined from Berlin by the brilliant Uli Hesse, writer at 11 Freunde and author of - among other things - Tor! The Story of German football and Building the Yellow Wall.
We discuss the nature of glorious defeat in Germany in relation to both the national team and Uli's club, Borussia Dortmund, as well as the relatively late-blooming Bundesliga and the remarkable fact that West Germany's 1954 World Cup win was achieved prior to professionalism in the country.
Uli also takes us through the finer points of fan ownership, so often a standard-bearing idea in the UK, and we get the full story on whether RB Leipzig broke the rules and whether it can be said that they cheated (they did, and it can).
We also talk to Uli about how he started his career, what it's like working full-time at a magazine now compared to freelancing and authoring, and his favourite football books and writers.
As ever, you can buy Jaws of Victory from us directly (or the ebook on Amazon if that's your thing), and follow us on Twitter @HalcyonPublish1 and @magicspongers
Rob and Adam are joined by renowned football writer Marcela Mora y Araujo for a thoroughly enjoyable chat about her chapter in From the Jaws of Victory - the Argentina national team in a period of contrasting fortunes from 2006-2014, dubbed 'the Messi years' (by us) despite the Messi years being demonstrably not over yet.
We cover World Cups and Copa Americas, the philosophical question of the win vs. the journey, and the similarities and differences between Argentinian and British fans. We also discuss the state of domestic football in Argentina and whether or not it's time for supporters to take a stand and refuse to follow their teams to other continents, or indeed deserts with appalling human rights records, in protest against being held in such contempt by the powers that be.
Marcela also tells us about her route into football writing and we find out about the (Dutch) genesis of long-form anthology football writing, thereafter embraced by Marcela on the brilliant Perfect Pitch. We also add the newest nearly man(ager) to our Nearly Men XI.
Don't forget to rate the pod wherever you get your podcasts and say nice things to us on Twitter @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1
This week, Adam and Rob welcome minute-by-minute pioneer, author and Guardian stalwart Scott Murray to the pod to shine a light on the Matthews final in 1953, including whether Blackpool’s 4-3 win over Bolton should actually be named after hat-trick hero Stan Mortensen instead and how you might go about getting your name on a cup final anyway.
We cover the role of television and the coronation in football consumption in the 50s, as well as the innate ridiculousness of not allowing subs on, even when players were hobbling around on one leg (or fewer). We also take a moment to celebrate the gentlemanly conduct of the olden days, despite overwhelming evidence that players were just as prone to kicking each other to pieces as they are now.
Scott explains the birth and growth of the hugely popular minute by minutes at The Guardian and discusses his favourite things to write and read, mainly centred around the fact that – as we can all agree – football really shouldn’t be taken very seriously.
You can read Scott’s brilliant chapter, as well as 22 more, by sticking From the Jaws of Victory in your shopping cart, direct from us at the Halcyon Publishing website, and say nice things to us on Twitter @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1
Adam and Rob are joined by the multi-talented John Nicholson to talk about Middlesbrough's famous UEFA Cup run, in which Boro saw off a litany of big European names with a litany of big European comebacks.
We talk to John about what's happened to football in the age of the Premier League, where the soul of the game is hiding these days and how we once wrote a very prescient article about Alan Pardew.
John also share some insights from his journey into writing both football and non-football titles, and nominates a nearly man for the XI. Unfortunately we don't get time to talk about Eddie van Halen, but we'll do that next time.
John's books, in particular Can we have our football back? and Can we have our football back yet? can be found at www.johnnicholsonwriter.co.uk
And, as ever, you can get From the Jaws of Victory from us at the Halcyon Publishing website, and follow/chat to us on Twitter @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1
We're joined by Andi Thomas to talk World Cups, statues, conspiracies and World Cup statue conspiracies as we revisit his brilliant Jaws of Victory chapter on the Wales side of 1958. A real 'What if' story, we also talk to Andi about how imagining and engaging with what could have been is a big, if not the biggest part of supporting a football team.
We also chat about how Andi got into writing about football in the first place, notable people or stuff that he's read recently and Mel Charles misses out yet again as a fabled Welshman is put forward for the Nearly Men XI.
If you're liking the pods and want to get in touch with us about football or books, we're @magicspongers and @HalyconPublish1
Andi also mentions arguably Wales's greatest World Cup goal, scored by Ivor Allchurch, which is worth admiring ... 'the Hungarian goalkeeper wasn't amused' is a lovely touch.
From the Jaws of Victory contributor Rich Hall joins Adam and Rob to shed light on perhaps the greatest side we never saw at a World Cup. Marking something of a departure from the other chapters in the book, Rich explains how the Yugoslavia side weren’t beaten on the pitch, but were instead denied by history.
Chucked out of Euro ‘92 just 11 days before the tournament began, leading the Danish to happily throw away their beach towels and then go on to win the thing, the world of football was robbed of a ‘could’ve been great’ Yugoslavia.
We’ll be talking about USA ’94, wonderful Yugoslav playmakers, such as Dejan Savicevic, Dragan Stojkovic and Robert Prosinečki, and whether or not kicking a policeman in the head can start a war.
If you want to talk about geopolitical matters or just the football, hit us up @magicspongers and @HalyconPublish1
Rich also mentions a notable friendly between Brazil and Yugoslavia, played after the 1994 World Cup.
In the first ever episode of the Halcyon podcast, Adam and Rob are joined by... each other to introduce Halcyon and talk about their chapters in our latest book, From the Jaws of Victory.
First up it's the Dutch and Johan Cruyff, the embodiment of style over substance, the exoticism of a World Cup in colour, and how losing one final might be considered unfortunate, but two...
We also discuss Scotland's widely-heralded 1967 victory over England and attempt to place it in the context of a decade in which, success against the Auld Enemy aside, a vintage group of players took part in precisely no major tournaments. A different era to now, of course.
Then we kick off our Nearly Men XI with two players you'd be very hard pushed to call Nearly Men, paving the way for future contributors to completely blow us out of the water.
You can get stuck into us on social media @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1
Enjoy! x
Rob and Adam are joined by Ross MacDonald, an as-yet-unknown percentage of The 1975, to talk about all manner of near misses, from being pipped at the post by David Ginola to hitting the post you may or may not have been aiming for on national television.
As one of the top three or possibly two most famous Macclesfield Town fans, we also talk to Ross about what it means when your club ceases to exist overnight, especially when it returns very soon after in a same-but-different condition.
Ross gives us his nomination for our Nearly Man XI, old Silverball(s) himself, Il Divin Codino, and admits to having read at least one chapter of From the Jaws of Victory.
Join in the nostalgia/nonsense on Twitter @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1
Enjoy! x