Best Nessun Dorma Podcasts (2025)

1
Sliding Doors - Argentina '78 59:04

Play Pause

6d ago59:04

59:04

It is Gary's turn to change one moment in tournament history and run us through the consequences. This time it is the Dutch penalty against Scotland - slightly soft and against the run of play - that is removed from time. Could Ally's Army actually march far? Would Scottish football fans ever be allowed to be optimistic about anything ever again? H…

1
Sliding Doors - France '98 57:39

13d ago57:39

57:39

England didn't have the best squad of the 1998 World Cup. Not even in the top four. And yet, it isn't always that simple. Martyn lays out his case to Rob that this was an underrated lost opportunity for England and it had nothing to do with the Argentina game. And we also missed out on one of the best World Cup semi-finals of all time. If you want …

1
Sliding Doors - Italia '90 1:03:17

20d ago1:03:17

1:03:17

The 1990 World Cup is one that we know so well that we can almost say for sure where we were when we watched every game. But what if one moment was changed? What if Nery Pumpido had managed to smother François Omam-Biyik's header in the San Siro? Would we have had a better football tournament as a result? Rob and Martyn enjoy some counterfactual hi…

1
Patreon Taster - This Week w/c 7 July 2025 1:08:03

24d ago1:08:03

1:08:03

As a one-off summer treat we are making our weekly Patreon show open to all. This Week is available every Monday morning and has two Nessun Dorma regulars picking out seven stories from football history that coincide with the coming seven dates in the week. Rob and Martyn have plenty to work with this week and they reflect upon three World Cup Fina…

1
Euro '84 Episode 7 - La France, C'est Platini 1:39:46

27d ago1:39:46

1:39:46

And so it is time to bid adieu to Euro '84 as France and Spain meet in the final and so much of Europe craving a home victory for the good of the game. Martyn, Aidan and Jonathan look at a final ruined by nerves, assess the tournament's legacy, where Platini's individual performance sits among the greats and put together their best XI of the Champi…

1
Euro '84 Episode 6 - Danish Despair 1:18:52

1M ago1:18:52

1:18:52

After the European football public had caught their breath following the first semi final, most assumed that the finale itself had the potential to be the best of all. Denmark were strong favourites to beat Spain - who were extremely fortunate to still be active in the competition - and set up a beautiful footballing conclusion to an enjoyable tour…

1
Euro '84 Episode 5 - Tigana, Platini, Motty 1:16:01

1M ago1:16:01

1:16:01

Aidan Williams and Jonathan O'Brien return to luxuriate in perhaps the greatest European Championship match of all time. With time ticking by, it felt like it was all going wrong again for France, destined forever to come up short at the big events. Within five minutes, the entire narrative was changed. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, wan…

1
Euro '84 Episode 4 - Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye! 58:31

2M ago58:31

58:31

"The German monster has survived too long" opined Le Soir on 21 June 1984. And that was one of the more sober conclusions. After the way France's World Cup had ended, schadenfreude was not in short supply when the reigning European Champions went home before the real action started. It was also one of the two games that was shown live in the UK. Jo…

1
Euro '84 Episode 3 - Sacre Bleu! 1:38:21

2M ago1:38:21

1:38:21

If the host nation were nervy in that opening night in Paris, they quickly shrugged it off throughout the rest of Group 1. Platini's seven goals in three games, the young promise of Scifo and Stojković, the shackles around the Romanians and the disgrace that derailed Belgium give Martyn and Aidan Williams lots to talk about in a group that produced…

1
Euro '84 Episode 2 - The Qualifiers: Part Two 1:15:50

2M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

Martyn, Rob and Aidan are back to finish off this memorable qualifying story. Italy were seemingly on a post-World Cup gap year, Northern Ireland managed to beat West Germany home and away and still finish second - a tale of glorious failure that would become more familiar for some home nations - and the Netherlands were booking their hotel after s…

1
Euro '84 Episode 1 - The Qualifiers: Part One 57:07

2M ago57:07

57:07

It is tournament time again in the Nessun Dorma marathon and this time we revisit one that was, in the words of one writer, 'the greatest tournament you never saw'. That writer was Aidan Williams and he joins Rob and Martyn in the first of two parts that tell the remarkable story of qualification for Euro '84, a tale that is almost as dramatic as t…

1
Nessun Dorma Special - Veni, Vidi, Vici: When Italian Football Ruled Europe 1:19:45

3M ago1:19:45

1:19:45

Never before or since, has one league been as strong throughout European football. Author and friend of the show, Dominic Hougham joins Martyn to talk about his upcoming new book charting the years between 1988/89 and 1998/99 when Serie A bestrode the continent like a colossus. Owners were as famous as the galaxy of star managers and players as meg…

1
The Los Angeles Olympics of 1984 53:52

3M ago53:52

53:52

With season 1983/84 all done and dusted, it is time to take a sporting break as the excellent writer David Goldblatt joins Martyn to discuss that summer's Olympic Games. The epitome of an increasingly commercialised sporting world, these Games made money like never before. David takes us through just how they did, why it will never happen again, th…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 6 - Yellow, Blue and Gray 1:34:16

3M ago1:34:16

1:34:16

Mac and Gary are suited and booted and ready to return to Wembley as they revisit the day that their respective sides went head-to-head in the FA Cup Final. Questionable pre-match entertainment, the coming of age of young and exciting side and a controversial decider. What a way to round off the season! If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, wan…

1
The Sport Draft - 1984 1:18:00

3M ago1:18:00

1:18:00

Gary carries his title into an action-packed Olympic year with plenty for him, Mike and Mac to choose from. Two Olympic games, one international tournament, some legends enhancing their reputations while others were just emerging alongside some controversy on the track and a rocket man over the stands. But who will be able to convince Martyn that t…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 5 - Glory, Glory 1:19:00

3M ago1:19:00

1:19:00

With Europe firmly in the grip of English dominance, it was the turn of one of the country's best cup teams to step up. Gareth Dace, historian of Tottenham Hotspur in the 1980s and 1990s, joins Martyn this week to take us through the UEFA Cup winning run of 1983/84. Battle-hardened by narrow exits to Barcelona and Bayern Munich in recent seasons, i…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 4 - I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It 1:41:47

3M ago1:41:47

1:41:47

It was another season of domestic dominance for Liverpool but after two consecutive disappointments beyond the Iron Curtain, it was time to regain their European crown. Tony Evans returns to discuss the Souness farewell tour, mental strength, Joe Fagan, Roma fans and much more. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ad…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 3 - The Tottenham Flotation 41:30

4M ago41:30

41:30

We move from the pitch to the boardroom this week as football finance expert Kieran Maguire joins Martyn to reflect upon Tottenham Hotspur's decision to become the first football club to float on the stock exchange in 1983. How much of an impact did it have on the wider game, the influence of Irving Scholar and the catalyst to further commercialisa…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 2 - 25 April 1984 2:06:58

4M ago2:06:58

2:06:58

Rob and Martyn bring you a bumper episode this week as they relive the events of one of British football's most remarkable days. On the morning of Wednesday 25 April 1984 there was a chance that all six of Europe's finalists that season would be British. Intrigue, corruption, class and heartbreak all feature as we run down the day and night as it u…

1
Season 1983/84 Episode 1 - Trebles, Saints and Scottish Strikers 1:26:50

4M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Gary and Mac join Martyn to kick off our 1983/84 series with a roundtable discussion on the First Division season. Three in a row for Liverpool, a surprise runner-up, the one that got away from Big Ron, three Scottish strikers having varying impacts at their new clubs, how Venables became El Tel and much more! If you want some exclusive bonus shows…

1
Nessun Dorma Special - Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon 1:11:55

5M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

As we have a break in between seasons, Martyn sits down with the football writer Chris Evans to chat about his current book, a biography of one of English football's most revered sons. They discuss the extent to which Lineker evolved as a player, how difficult it was to hold onto that England role, how forgotten so much of his playing career is and…

1
The Sport Draft - 1983 57:29

5M ago57:29

57:29

It is Draft time again as our valiant trio fight it out in the sporting year of 1983. From Seve Ballesteros and Carl Lewis to Marjolein Eijsvogel and Keith Deller, we've got you covered. But who won it for you? If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDorma…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 6 - The Retirement of Bob Paisley 59:08

5M ago59:08

59:08

We finish our six part look at 1982/83 with a look back at the career of one of English football's greatest managers as Bob Paisley left Anfield with the League Championship trophy in his hand. Tony Evans joins Martyn to examine just how he and the famous Boot Room worked, how football management has changed in the last 40 years and where Paisley's…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 5 - Hamburg and Juventus 1:20:44

5M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

With the European Cup approaching its 50th anniversary, there were still some members of the footballing aristocracy who were aching to join the ranks of champions. Juventus were Italy's team but still lagged behind the Milanese giants when it came to continental dominance. In their way in 1983 was an ambitious German club with a sharp general mana…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 4 - Watford and Luton 1:23:44

5M ago1:23:44

1:23:44

All the focus this week is on the unlikely footballing counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire as Mac Millings takes us back to the season when his footballing horizons were opened up. Newly promoted the season before, both Watford and Luton Town had memorable seasons in the top flight with Watford shooting themselves to second place to the anno…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 3 - Origin Story 50:49

6M ago50:49

50:49

Forget local derbies. Forget even the 'Derby of England'. Arguably the most compelling story of rivalry, bitterness and drama in the modern era of English football has been that between Manchester United and Arsenal. It would reach its peak in the Wenger era but Rob Smyth takes us back to the season of five games that sparked it all off... If you w…

1
The Sport Draft - 1982 1:13:16

6M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Mike, Gary and Mac are back to provide a little sporting palate cleanser in the middle of our footballing feast. What was the biggest surprise in the world of sport in 1982? What was the most defining minute of action? Who were the standout individuals and which was the best team? Martyn is on hand to award points for argument as the boys compete t…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 2 - The New Firm 1:50:15

6M ago1:50:15

1:50:15

From 1979 to 1986, life was very different in Scotland. Instead of Glasgow's big two slugging it out, the centre of power was wrestled north east towards Aberdeen and Dundee with two exciting young teams and two exceptional managers. Michael Grant from The Times and Alan Pattullo from The Scotsman tell the story of the era's peak. 1982/83 saw Aberd…

1
Season 1982/83 Episode 1 - And Smith Must Score... 58:47

6M ago58:47

58:47

Gordon Smith joins us this week to kick off our run through the season of 1982/83. He talks honestly about his experience at Brighton as a whole, the deal that inspired him to get into football agency, his guitar session with Paul McCartney and of course, the famous FA Cup run, his goal and his miss. If you want to support the podcast or want your …

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 8 - The Draft 1:35:51

6M ago1:35:51

1:35:51

We finish our series on the 1982 World Cup in true Nessun Dorma fashion by subjecting the tournament to a draft. Rob, Gary and Mac are joined by Dominic Hougham to see who knows their Socrates from their Sammy McIlroy. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/Nes…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 7 - The Round Up 55:44

7M ago55:44

55:44

Jonathan, Rob and Martyn sit down to round up the other stories from a remarkable World Cup. How Italy won, what happened to Spain and Argentina, did it lack a dominant individual performance and why it is impossible to have a tournament like it now. f you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier th…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 6 - The Two Greatest Games 1:04:48

7M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Part of the enduring legacy of these finals is in part due to it playing host to two of the finest football matches to have been been played. Different in style but never lacking a beat of drama, Brazil v Italy and France v West Germany had everything. Beauty and the beast. Poets versus anti-heroes. Images that still shine bright decades later. Jon…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 5 - Brazil '82 51:03

7M ago51:03

51:03

Just why do men of a certain age devote such space in their heart for a side who didn't make the semi-finals of the World Cup? Do they deserve the worship over 40 years on? Pete Watson returns to discuss just why this football team retains such strong resonance and affection and why the political and cultural backdrop played such a huge part. If yo…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 4 - Algeria and Cameroon 1:10:41

7M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

982 was arguably the year that the continent of Africa first made its impression at the World Cup. African football expert Paul Doyle joins Rob and Martyn to discuss the exciting flair of Algeria, the Disgrace of Gijon, the indomitable lions of Cameroon and the debut of the 30 year-old Roger Milla. If you want to listen to the next three episodes o…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 3 - Northern Ireland 1:30:18

7M ago1:30:18

1:30:18

They might have exited the tournament at the same stage as England but Northern Ireland's World Cup experience was very different indeed. Not fancied to get through the first group - especially when it needed a win over the hosts in Valencia - they made history and could possibly have gone further. Author Evan Marshall tells the story through the e…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 2 - Scotland 1:27:52

7M ago1:27:52

1:27:52

Scotland travelled to Spain with arguably their strongest ever World Cup squad desperate to atone for the humiliation of Argentina but with a devilish group to overcome. Author Tom Brogan joins Martyn as they find some catharsis from an interesting campaign and try and rank the five World Cup efforts from 1974 to 1990. As of Monday 23 December Epis…

1
World Cup 1982 Episode 1 - England 1:26:49

8M ago1:26:49

1:26:49

As the nights grow longer and colder, settle in with some blistering Spanish sun as Nessun Dorma goes back to the 1982 World Cup for eight episodes. This week, Martyn is joined by Gary Naylor and Rob Bagchi to look back at England's campaign. Ron Greenwood's management, a stumbling qualification, the injured talismen and how it could have been bett…

1
Season 1981/82 Episode 4 - The Spanish New Firm 1:07:33

8M ago1:07:33

1:07:33

Between 1981 and 1984, something odd was happening in Spanish football. You wouldn't find either Barcelona or Real Madrid at the top of La Liga at the season's end. Nor even Valencia. Instead, the power was centred in the Basque region - San Sebastian and Bilbao to be precise - as Real Sociedad and Athletic won two league titles each. Scott Oliver …

1
Season 1981/82 Episode 3 - Sven, Göteborg and the UEFA Cup 1:00:27

8M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Before England and Serie A, before Ulrika and Nancy and before "Life Kaiser, life" there was winning the UEFA Cup with IFK Gothenburg. Rob and Martyn recount arguably the most remarkable triumph of Sven-Göran Eriksson's career as well as looking back at a very enjoyable competition as a whole. If you want to support the podcast or want your episode…

1
Nessun Dorma Special - Interview with Elton Welsby 1:09:00

8M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Martyn sits down with the legendary Elton Welsby and Gary Cook of Retro Football Network fame to discuss a fascinating career anchoring English football in the 1980s. Elton's new book 'Game For A Laugh' is available for sale at eltonwelsby.com and this episode looks at his breakthrough into the media, international tournaments, the pressure of live…

1
The Sport Draft - 1981 51:43

8M ago51:43

51:43

Gary, Mac and Mike are back to do battle to try and convince Martyn how well they know the sporting year of 1981. The year of Ian Botham and Steve Davis. Liverpool and Aston Villa. Bob Champion and Ricky Villa. And, of course, Maxi Gnauck. Who do you think has the best draft card? Who did they boys miss out on? Head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaP…

1
Season 1981/82 Episode 2 - Go To War! 1:08:31

8M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

With the Spanish World Cup on the horizon and the Argentinian flag being raised in Port Stanley, fears were high that England may not even get to go. Trouble off the field - both historical and hypothetical - would shape the English game in the 1980s. In his brilliant new book 'Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s', Jon Spurling brings out …

1
Season 1981/82 Episode 1 - Sporting Gravity and Rising Stars 1:11:08

9M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

After the Christmas freeze of 1981, Liverpool sat 12th in the First Division table with John Toshack's Swansea City leading the way. How they reeled in the field to ultimately grab the title, the psychological impact of a feared chaser, Luton and Watford's rise out of the Second Division, QPR's plastic pitch and much more are on the agenda for a ro…

1
Botham's Ashes? 1:28:05

9M ago1:28:05

1:28:05

After every football season deep dive we will take a short break into the wider world of sport and in 1981 there really was only one story for us to pick up. That summer's Ashes series has forever been synonymous with one man: Ian Terence Botham. His heroics with bat and ball transformed the prospect of another miserable summer into a famous win. H…

1
Season 1980/81 Episode 6 - The Sacking of Dave Sexton 1:16:37

9M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

With a schedule so in keeping with recent events, this week's episode is about the sacking of a Manchester United manager in 1981 but with so much relevance to the current day. The author Wayne Barton joins Martyn and Rob to talk about the weight of the job in difficult times, the tension between the technocrat and the force of personality and how …

1
The Pop Culture Draft - 1980 1:29:51

9M ago1:29:51

1:29:51

In order to add more colour and cultural relevance to our trip through footballing history, the Draft has been applied to popular culture. Lawrence Donegan, David Edgar and Jonny McFarlane battle it out to try and pick the strongest card from 1980 containing a film drama, film comedy, band, album, tv show and news story. Three strong cards to choos…

1
Season 1980/81 Episode 5 - The Return Of The Kings 1:12:19

9M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

1980/81 was a very poor domestic season for Liverpool by their own high standards but, even though they were a side in transition, they were still able to regain their European crown. Author and former football editor of the Times, Tony Evans, is on great form as he talks Martyn through a campaign with bags of goals, semi-final tension and characte…

1
Season 1980/81 Episode 4 - The 'Team of the Eighties' 1:12:53

10M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

The Crystal Palace side that was promoted to the First Division in 1979 under Terry Venables had so much youthful promise that some considered the coming decade to be theirs to grab. They could be, it was reported, the team of the 1980s. What went wrong is the subject of this week's episode as Martyn sits down the with American author Stephen Brand…

1
The Sport Draft - 1980 1:00:02

10M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

The Draft is back on Nessun Dorma and this time with a sporting twist. Gary, Mac and Mike join Martyn to try and convince him and then you the listener, that they have the strongest draft card that best captures the world of sport in 1980. But, there can be no crossover in the six categories whatsoever. Male, Female, Team, Single Achievement, Surpr…

1
Season 1980/81 Episode 3 - Ipswich, Villa and Spurs (Part Two) 1:25:34

10M ago1:25:34

1:25:34

It is April 1981 and Ipswich Town look set for a historic treble. With a talented English manager blending the best of British with Dutch flair, it all looked on. Wobbles, comebacks, replays and momentum shifts are everywhere in the conclusion to this fantastic season as three clubs grab their own share of the glory. If you want shows early and ad-…