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The Slum Sport: The Pivotal 1985/86 English First Division with Chris Lepkowski

Football Travel by Outside Write

Release Date: 11/16/2025

Manchester United's 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Triumph, with Dan Williamson show art Manchester United's 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Triumph, with Dan Williamson

Football Travel by Outside Write

Dan Williamson joins me for a fourth time to discuss his latest book, 'If I Hadn't Seen Such Riches', which chronicles Manchester United's 1991 Cup Winners' Cup run. This is the last of the current series. I'll be back in the early summer for a one-off World Cup special episode with Jonathan Wilson. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and . If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the...

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Scotland's Ultra Scene, with Derek Watson and Rory Bryce show art Scotland's Ultra Scene, with Derek Watson and Rory Bryce

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guests are Derek Watson, who's involved in the ultra scene at Motherwell FC, and Rory Bryce from the Football Heritage podcast. We're discussing the Scottish ultra scene in the wake of a recent three-part BBC documentary on the topic. The podcast I mentioned in the episode on the history of the ultrà movement is . Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and . If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers...

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A Football Odyssey: Passion, Politics & the Beautiful Game, with Rob Potts show art A Football Odyssey: Passion, Politics & the Beautiful Game, with Rob Potts

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest is Rob Potts, whose new book, 'A Football Odyssey: Passion, Politics & the Beautiful Game', looks at 80 great stadiums from around the world, their significance, plus groundhopping tips. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and . If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ...

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The Edinburgh Derby: Hearts v Hibs, with James Stephen show art The Edinburgh Derby: Hearts v Hibs, with James Stephen

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest is James Stephen, whose book 'Auld Foes' chronicles the history of the world's oldest top-flight derby, Heart of Midlothian versus Hibernian in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and . If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ...

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The History of the USSR National Side, with Conor Kenny show art The History of the USSR National Side, with Conor Kenny

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest is Conor Kenny, whose new book, Sbornaya, looks back at the history of the USSR national side. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

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Politics and Identity in Chilean Football, with Gonzalo Tobar show art Politics and Identity in Chilean Football, with Gonzalo Tobar

Football Travel by Outside Write

I am joined by Gonzalo Tobar, who writes about Chilean football on Substack. We're discussing the politics and identity of football in Chile.  If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A...

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Football in Madrid with Dermot Corrigan show art Football in Madrid with Dermot Corrigan

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest today is Dermot Corrigan, who writes about Spanish football for The Athletic. We're discussing the football scene in Madrid, including both the big clubs, but also some of the more interesting stories from the 'barrios' (neighbourhoods) in Rayo Vallecano, Leganés and Getafe.   If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ...

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Mundiales: The World Cup from the South American Perspective, with Mark Biram show art Mundiales: The World Cup from the South American Perspective, with Mark Biram

Football Travel by Outside Write

I am joined by Mark Biram, co-author with Tim Vickery of a new book on the World Cup from the South American perspective called 'Mundiales'. We look back at how South America, in many ways, created the World Cup as we know it, and what South American success means to countries. We focus on Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The...

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The History of Real Madrid with Miguel Pereira show art The History of Real Madrid with Miguel Pereira

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest is Miguel Pereira to discuss his new book, The Greatest, which covers the history of Real Madrid, majoring on some of the lesser-known or misunderstood elements of the club's history. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ...

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Groundhopping in Serbia with Nebojša Marković show art Groundhopping in Serbia with Nebojša Marković

Football Travel by Outside Write

My guest is Belgrade-based sports journalist Nebojša Marković, and we're discussing groundhopping in Serbia. We also discuss the history of football in the country, including that great Red Star team of 1991. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit  for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on  and Check out Chris Lee’s three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against...

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More Episodes

My guest is Chris Lepkowski, whose new book, The Slum Sport, tells the story of the difficult post-Heysel, post-Bradford fire season, when English football was at its lowest ebb and hooliganism was rife. Chris argues that the 1985/86 season was, in many ways, a turning point that led ultimately to the creation of the Premier League in 1992.

Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history.

Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky, Instagram, and X

Check out Chris Lee’s three books:

·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World

·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism

·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football