This is the 292nd episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview English Author and Podcaster Mr. Rocco Dean, discussing his book ‘Sergeant Wilko’s Defending Champions: Leeds United at the Dawn of Modern Football (2026).’

Mr. Dean was previously interviewed on the podcast regarding his books, ‘The Sons of Revie: Leeds United's Decade of Dominance.’ (2024) and ‘The O'Leary Years: Football's Greatest Boom and Bust (2022).’

In addition to the book, we will discuss, Mr. Dean is the Author of many Leeds United related books, such as  

‘The Sons of Revie: Leeds United's Decade of Dominance.’ (2024)

Marcelo Bielsa vs The Damned United: The Extraordinary Story of a Club Reborn (2021)

League One Leeds: A Journey Through the Abyss (2022)

Marcelo Bielsa v The Premier League: Living, Loving and Losing Bielsaball (2023).

He is also a presenter on Leeds United related podcast, ‘Leeds, That!’ @LeedsThat.

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Dean’s contact info:

Twitter: @roclufc

Twitter: @leedsthat

Link to Mr. Dean’s book:

https://www.amazon.com/Sergeant -Wilkos-Defending-Champions-Football-ebook/dp/B0GSG9JLGF

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rocco-Dean/author/B0945M96RF?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/68vRlJnztRCfbqLb6NtkhW?si=oDK86ZLlQZW3Xq-xe1M5Ew&nd=1&dlsi=d061f61eac974882

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-292-interview/id1601074369?i=1000773814100

Youtube Link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvBwk-MexvQ

Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_01016772382.html

Support the show

This is the 291st episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’. 

For this episode, I interview English Author Mr. Richard Mulligan, as we discuss his book, ‘The Heroes of Mexico 86’ (2026). 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us: 

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. 

https://linktr.ee/sp1873 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ 

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’ 

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. 

Mr. Mulligan’s contact info: 

Twitter (X): @Mexico86HQ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mexico86hq/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583764568403&sk=about 

Link to Mr. Mulligan’s book: 

https://www.curtis-sport.com/all-programmes/The-Heroes-of-Mexico-86-p826871016 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heroes-Mexico-86-Richard-Mulligan/dp/1068570733 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: 

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/327nGh8D9OFp3gunV9tTWa?si=0WobPQFKTwW5NAyeJUKwNQ&nd=1&dlsi=fde37148e213454b

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/id1601074369

Youtube Link: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJidH0ivuqw

 Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0872036419.html

Support the show

This is the 290th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview Writer and Sports Historian, Dr. Mark Orton as we discuss his book ‘From Moore to Messi: A History of the Argentine National Football Team 1902-2026’ (2026). 

Dr. Orton is also the author of the following books:

El El Más Grande: The Story of River Plate, Argentina's Biggest Club (2023)

Football and National Identity in Twentieth-Century Argentina: La Nuestra (Palgrave Studies in Sport and Politics) (2023)

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Dr. Ortons’s contact info:

Twitter (X):  @MarkAOrto

Bluesky: @markaorton.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markortontheargentimes/

Link to Dr. Orton’s books:

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/moore-messi

https://www.amazon.com/Moore-Messi-Argentine-National-1902-2026-ebook/dp/B0GHP8LGS6

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/38Myp5ZRzJCuhXup8Cu397?si=8RGr6zncQtafcgCoPvzzfQ&nd=1&dlsi=e1cb28ffbd8e4389

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-290-interview/id1601074369?i=1000773032006

Youtube Link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukAWrsjWJ-s

Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0241437791.html

Support the show

This is the 289th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’. 

For this episode, I interview American Author and Journalist Mr. Michael Lewis, as we discuss his book, ‘Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportwriter’s perspective’ (2026)) 

Mr. Lewis is also the editor of the Substack, ‘Front Row Soccer’. 

He has covered 13 World Cups (8t men, 5 women), seven Olympics and 28 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. He is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com and has written seven books about the beautiful game including ‘Alive and Kicking: The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. ‘ 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us: 

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. 

https://linktr.ee/sp1873 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ 

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’ 

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. 

Mr. Lewis’ contact info:

Twitter (X): @Soccerwriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soccerwriter1/

Bluesky: @soccerwriter.bsky.social

Substack: https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/

Link to Mr. Lewis’ books: 

https://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Cup-Years-sportwriters/dp/B0H1M3NFL4 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: 

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/168hzVJvvArJYJdeLk9Z9W?si=69Iu2o__RuWsT7CQ4-M8AA&nd=1&dlsi=abf20ed3713048f5

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-289-interview/id1601074369?i=1000772648594

YouTube Link: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKqV4H4mUKE

Blog Link: 

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0360464412.html

Support the show

This is the 288th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’. 

For this episode, I interview German Journalist Mr. Achim Schregle and German Football fan Mr. Torge R. as we discuss the matches of the West Germany National Team for the 1984/85 season. 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us: 

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. 

https://linktr.ee/sp1873 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ 

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague 

You may also follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’ 

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. 

Mr. Schregle’s contact info: 

Email: [email protected] 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: 

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZTXGrLzmkBZRWvygsDDhr?si=KNFcxZ0UTMORIHxzXbnAyQ&nd=1&dlsi=896ebc95c9b04886

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-288-interview/id1601074369?i=1000772423462

Youtube Link: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0tFC9cGzj0

Blog Link: 

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0337714395.html

Support the show

This is 287thepisode of the ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.  Part 2 and continuation of interviews with frequent guests sharing their memories of the 1986 World Cup in its 40th anniversary. 

For this second part, the following shared their memories of the 1986 World Cup: 

Mr. Laurent Bellaiche (from France)   

Mr. Jean-Marc Richard (from Belgium) 

Mr. Roberto Amorosino (from Italy) 

Mr. Stephen Murray (from Scotland) @Stephen4_2 

Mr. Clemente Lisi (from USA) @ClementeLisi 

Myself and Mr. Paul Whittle (@real1888letter) also included our own memories in the end. 

Once again, we would like to thank everyone who participated in this special two-part podcast. 

These include: 

Mr. Nacho Dimari (from Argentina) @ElOleg 

Mr. José Inácio Werneck (from Brazil) @WerneckInacio @brasilcopa70 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota (from Italy) 

Mr. Gavin Buckland (from England) @GavinBuckland1 

Mr. Jan Roskott (from the Netherlands) @DutchSoccerSite 

Mr. Achim Schregle (from Germany) 

Mr. Jean-Marc Richard (from Belgium) 

Mr. Roberto Amorosino (from Italy) 

Mr. Laurent Bellaiche (from France) 

Mr. Stephen Murray (from Scotland) @murraystep26506

Mr. Clemente Lisi (from USA) @ClementeLisi 

and Mr. Paul Whittle @real1888letter 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us: 

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. 

https://linktr.ee/sp1873 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ 

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’ 

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. 

Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: 

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/32dOmjTGGUi7HH92EQEyMl?si=5KtfYN0WS6CaNOGhtH2R6A&nd=1&dlsi=3e6b75d8c005482f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-287-1986-world/id1601074369?i=1000771768963

YouTube Link: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-blvxPNSvQc

Blog Link: 

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_01303443582.html

Support the show

This is part one of the 286thepisode of the ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’. 

Back in 2022, Mr. Paul Whittle and I did a special two-part podcast commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1982 World Cup, by interviewing some of our regular guests, who would have been around and lived through the World Cup.

This was not meant to be in-depth or analytical analysis of the tournament.

We just want to hear personal memories of the event and then compile everyone’s responses spread into one or two podcasts.

As this is the 40th anniversary of the 1986 World Cup, I did the same thing and interviewed some of the frequent guests and their memories of the 1986 World Cup.

At the end, myself and Mr. Paul Whittle also shared our memories.

For this first part, the following shared their memories of the 1986 World Cup:

Mr. Nacho Dimari (from Argentina) @ElOleg, 

Mr. José Inácio Werneck (from Brazil) @WerneckInacio @brasilcopa70, 

Mr. Jan Roskott (from the Netherlands) @DutchSoccerSite, 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota (from Italy)  

Mr. Gavin Buckland (from England) @GavinBuckland1

Mr. Achim Schregle (from Germany) 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cJFNMOocMlFGa7PnvNGwQ?si=UuEu1c3_TNaR_GHR0f5Rqg&nd=1&dlsi=16a8f037c95a463e

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-286-1986-world/id1601074369?i=1000771453174

YouTube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX2nIa9Jp8c

Blog Link:
https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_02073702735.html

Support the show

This is the 285th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview Irish Author Richard Fitzpatrick, as we discuss his book, ‘HH: Helenio Herrera – Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts’ (2026).

Mr. Fitzpatrick is also the author of: 

El Clasico: Barcelona v Real Madrid: Football's Greatest Rivalry (2012)

He is a football writer based in Barcelona and has written on football for the BBC, Bleacher Report, The Blizzard, Business Post (Ireland), El País, Guardian, Howler, The Herald (Scotland), Irish Times, New York Times, Panenka and talkSPORT.

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Fitzpatrick’s contact info:

Twitter (X): @Richard_Fitz

Books:

https://www.amazon.com/HH-Helenio-Herrera-Footballs-Original-ebook/dp/B0FKZHW58Q

https://www.amazon.com/El-Clasico-Barcelona-Footballs-Greatest-ebook/dp/B008BJ3L6M?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/50BJ9fLlN5NzTXVXyz3Lsb?si=kiTLkqRkRn61GnhRNLkgsA&nd=1&dlsi=60efd35a361a4966

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-285-interview/id1601074369?i=1000771070685

Youtube Link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMZw3RtrMt0

Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_01577420246.html

Support the show

This is the 284th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview English Podcasters Mr. Steven Toplis and Mr. Jeremy Davies, as we discuss the Nottingham Forest FC in the decade of the 1980s.  

Mr. Toplis and Mr. Davies are on the Nottingham Forest related podcast, 1865: The #NFFC #PremierLeague Podcast

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and now on Google and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Toplis’ contact info:

Twitter: @steven_toplis 

Podcast Twitter: @nottm_forest 

Link to Mr. Paul Whittle’s book (Before the Premier League: A History of the Football League's Last Decades):

https://the1888letter.com/book-before-the-premier-league/

http://www.wibblepublishing.com/bpl.html

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OCCNCJnea8kS2tHuNSFlB?si=jnCgNwpXRfyNocx1wKvglw&nd=1&dlsi=50a0c295e7ce4585

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-284-interview/id1601074369?i=1000770657067

Youtube Link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BdzRvPdrQ

Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode.html

Support the show

This is the 283rd episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview Mr. Carles Lozano as we discuss FC Barcelona in the Louis Van Gaal era (1997-2000). 

Mr. Lozano is a Spanish economist and former Catalan City Councilor. He is also a member of CIHEFE (El Centro de Investigaciones de Historia y Estadística del Fútbol Español), Spanish Center of Investigation Of Futbol History.

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and now on Google and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Lozano’s contact info:

twitter: @carleslozano

Link to Mr. Paul Whittle’s book (Before the Premier League: A History of the Football League's Last Decades):

https://the1888letter.com/book-before-the-premier-league/

http://www.wibblepublishing.com/bpl.html

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ArfvIhKr9DkoLhVgLi8bP?si=BDqAuRdpSVS4E9blc5NsBg&nd=1&dlsi=8b59b143952b4df0

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-283-interview/id1601074369?i=1000770328651

Youtube Link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP5VKaOrfKg

Blog Link:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/05/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0947434867.html

Support the show