How It All Played Out

"Neville Neville, their in defence. Neville Neville, their futures immense. Neville Neville, they ain't half bad. Neville Neville the name of their dad"

The Brits are a nation of music lovers. From The Beatles to The Smiths, David Bowie to Kate Bush, just about every iconic artist has had one of their hits transformed into a football chant.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward explore some of the greatest terrace anthems - beloved by fans of Liverpool, West Ham, Exeter, Manchester United, and beyond.

From the rude, crude and damn right funny, sometimes football is just a pure joy.

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Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"I just don't think they're doing it without drugs"

In the scorching heat of Seoul during the 1988 Olympic Games, the world watched as two titans of track and field prepared to battle for gold in the men’s 100m final. Carl Lewis - the outspoken American faced off against Ben Johnson, the quiet Canadian powerhouse and world record holder. What followed wasn’t just the fastest race ever run - it was the most controversial in Olympic history.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, hosts Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward unpack the dramatic story behind the 1988 men’s 100m final - a race that ended in scandal, forever changing athletics as we knew it.

From performance-enhancing drugs and doping cover-ups to the fierce international rivalry of the U.S.A vs Canada, systemic corruption, racism, and homophobia, this episode dives deep into the events that turned a moment of glory into one of the biggest Olympic scandals of all time.

Whether you're a history buff or discovering this story for the first time, this is essential listening about the dark side of sport.

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We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

It's home, again! In this special episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward celebrate England's Lionesses' thrilling Euro 2025 victory.

Sarina Wiegman's squad conquered Europe for the second time asking, being the first senior international British football team to lift a trophy on foreign soil. From the heroics of Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton and Michelle Agyemang to the tactical masterclass on offer with quality subsitions The Lionesses did it again - and the world was watching.

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

In this episode of How It All Played Out, sports broadcaster Mark Pougatch and award-winning journalist Paul Hayward reveal their all-time favourite sports films - and why everyone should watch them.

From the gritty realism of The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, to football drama The Damned United, the World War II classic The Great Escape, and Asif Kapadia’s stunning documentary Diego Maradona, this episode is packed with must-watch recommendations for sports and movie lovers alike.

Plus, there’s a nostalgic shoutout to the iconic British TV show Minder. Whether you're into football, boxing, motorsport, or great storytelling, discover the best sports films and hidden gems to add to your watchlist...for when you're not listening to this podcast of course.

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

For every sporting legend, there's someone on the receiving end of their brilliance.

Maradona, Shane Warne, Pete Sampras, Johan Cruyff - all icons whose talent truly lit up the world. But what about those who stood in their shadow? The ones left stunned, outclassed, or simply embarrassed by being on the wrong side of a moment of magic.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look and at some of sport’s most unforgettable highlights, shining a light on the athletes who, despite remarkable careers of their own, are often remembered for being on the receiving end of genius.

From Tony Underwood’s encounter with Jonah Lomu at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, to Mike Gatting's infamous dismissal by Shane Warne’s 'Ball of the Century'; the intense rivalry of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, to Terry Butcher and Peter Reid watching Diego Maradona tear up the pitch in front of their eyes, it’s a journey into the other side of greatness.

Every iconic moment has another story - the one behind the headline.

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We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Sport is no stranger to scandal but few events mix chaos and tradition quite like the World Conker Championships.

Is it really a sport? Is there a secret technique? And just how far will some go to claim victory with the perfect nut?

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward dive into the quirky, competitive world of conkers — exploring its surprising history, the art (and science) of the swing, and how to win fair and square…or not in some cases.

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"Football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged"

On Boxing Day 1920, more than 50,000 fans packed into Goodison Park to watch a football match between Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helens Ladies - raising funds for wounded World War One soldiers . It was the largest crowd ever recorded for a women’s football game in England, a record that would stand for over 90 years.

The Dick, Kerr Ladies, a team formed by workers from a Preston munitions factory, featured 15-year-old sensation Lily Parr, a gifted winger who quickly became a national star.

But within a year after that historic match, the Football Association banned women from playing on its grounds — a ban that lasted nearly 50 years.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, ITV’s Mark Pougatch and journalist Paul Hayward delve into the politics, prejudice, misogyny and missed opportunities behind this story. They’re joined by Arsenal and England legend Karen Carney to explore the ban’s long-lasting impact — and how the history of women’s football might have taken a very different path.

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We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Achieving a single world record is remarkable. Breaking multiple, in under an hour, is the stuff of legend. But in 1935, Jesse Owens did exactly that.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward revisit one of the most extraordinary moments in sports history. They explore how Owens, battling injury, fatigue, and a deeply divided society, delivered a performance that defied belief and redefined greatness.

Join us as we unpack the legacy of a man who didn’t just outrun his rivals—but also the racism and obstacles that faced him. It's a story not to be missed.

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"No one wants to pay to watch you birds play"

Travel back to September 1973 in this episode of How It All Played as Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look at one of the most infamous tennis matches to ever take place - The Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

More than 50 years on, this is a tale that encompasses equal pay, equitable treatment and women's rights on the one hand, whilst on the other, an inveterate showman and addicted gambler with friends in shady places who was desperate to get back into the limelight.

It wasn’t just a tennis match, but a major cultural moment in the fight for gender equality in sports. But how did it all come about and was it all rigged from the very beginning?

Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

We all lose our cool sometimes - but this takes it to another level.

In this bonus episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward head to Argentina to revisit the infamous football match that saw a staggering 36 red cards handed out. Yes, thirty-six.

From that chaotic clash to some of the most jaw-dropping dismissals in football history including Zidane’s headbutt, Jens Lehmann’s Champions League madness and Wayne Rooney’s World Cup moment, the pair explore the wildest reasons players have been sent packing.

Red cards, rage, and ridiculousness - this one’s not to be missed.

Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells