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

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram. 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

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 here over on Football Heritage. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram. 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 ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram. 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 ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram. 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 ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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  

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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  

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 Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram 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