The Halcyon Podcast

Danny, Part 2: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.

Click here for your copy

Danny, Part 1: An exclusive audio chapter from Reffing Hell, read by author Ian Plenderleith.

Click here for your copy

Ad and Rob are joined by football writer and author Ian Plenderleith to kick off a special series of podcast episodes inspired by Ian's latest book, Reffing Hell.

As well as this interview, we're posting a series of exclusive audio chapters from Reffing Hell, in which Ian documents the (occasional) highs and (very much more frequent) lows of being a referee in amateur football. The interview, the podcasts and the book are vital listening and reading for anyone involved with the game, and match officials, at any level.

We discuss how Ian became a referee in the first place, his experiences of refereeing in different countries and whether it looks like discipline on the pitch and the sidelines shows any signs of improving (spoiler... not likely).

If you enjoy this series you can get a copy of Ian's book from us at Halcyon Publishing. Please also like and subscribe to the podcast to ensure you're getting all the good stuff as soon as it appears.

In quite the turn up for the books, Adam* is joined by double European Cup winner (as player), multiple trophy winner at Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic, raconteur and all-round football legend Martin O’Neill. 

Martin explains what made him love football (Gaelic and soccer) in the first place, playing against Barcelona for Distillery in 1971 that led to the move to Nottingham Forest that would change his life, those European Cup wins, and a game that he played in that made its way into our World Cup upsets anthology, Against All Odds, when Northern Ireland stunned hosts Spain in 1982. And of course, Cloughie gets a passing mention. 

Martin’s new autobiography, On Days Like These, is out now, is absolutely brilliant and heartily recommended by us, while you can pick up your copy of the Halcyon titles mentioned in this episode from us here. 

*Rob will be back from a suspension for ungentlemanly conduct soon. 

Rob and Adam are joined by Simon Hart, author of the fabulous 'World in Motion: The Inside Story of Italia 90' and 'Against All Odds' contributor, to talk about Cameroon's famous victory over Diego Maradona's World Cup-holding Argentina in Milan in 1990 - possibly the most extraordinary result in World Cup history and certainly one of the most extraordinary opening matches.

We chat to Simon about the importance of that tournament but also the effects of that Cameroon team's run on football in their home country, which, it probably won't surprise you to learn, haven't been 100% positive.

Thanks very much to Simon for coming on the pod and if you liked the episode, don't forget to pick up your copy of Against All Odds, like the podcast and subscribe to make sure you don't miss future episodes.

New year, new podcast! In this episode Rob and Adam are joined by sports writer and journalist Paul Doyle to discuss his phenomenal chapter in Against All Odds, in which Ireland overcame Italy 1-0 in the USA in 1994.

We talk about Paul's unfortunate work commitments that meant he missed out on attending the game himself, the Jack Charlton effect and the changes that the game and indeed the Charlton era effected in Ireland at the time and since.

Thanks very much to Paul for coming on and if you're interested in a copy of Against All Odds, you can get your hands on one (or more) at halcyonpublishing.co.uk.

Rob, Adam and Richard are joined by sports journalist and broadcaster Kate Mason for a special episode of World Cup Nuggets as the group stages draw to a close.

We unearth some brand new nuggets from this brand new World Cup and look back at England's performances so far (as well as their potential in future). Some our our more outlandish predictions are revisited with varying results and we also stop by Roger Milla's Last Chance Saloon to see who's finishing up before heading home.

As a reminder, the most comprehensive World Cup fact book in existence is available from us directly - you can buy World Cup Nuggets (with free p&p... it must be Christmas!) on our website.

Special thanks indeed to Kate for coming on - make sure that you catch her excellent podcast series 'Inside the Qatar World Cup', which is truly essential listening - here are the links to Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3.

Adam and Rob are joined from Doha by Guillem Balague, who looks back on his chapter in Against All Odds in which Spain were defied by a combination of bad luck, conspiracy and corruption - or were they?

We discuss how revisiting that game gave Guillem and many other pause for thought, and how great a role hubris and self-fulfilling prophesies might have played in the result. Guillem also looks back on his experience in Japan and South Korea covering the tournament.

As well as being a collection of the greatest writers telling the stories of the greatest upsets, Against All Odds would be one of the greatest Christmas presents and is available direct from us at halcyonpublishing.co.uk.

Rejoice! The Halcyon Podcast is back for a second series in conversation with the great and the good of football writing.

Loosely based on our new book Against All Odds (available from all good stockists), today Adam and Rob sit down with acclaimed author Harry Pearson to discuss his fabulous chapter in Against All Odds, which covers the USA amateurs' shock victory over England's (tired, jaded, overheating) professionals in 1950.

We discuss the preconceptions and reactions to this momentous World Cup upset on both sides of the pond, and whether or not the old 10-1 / 1-0 reporting story is a complete myth or not.

For Harry's brilliant chapter on this match, as well as a dozen others, head to our website to get your hands on a copy of the book.

Rejoice! The Halcyon Podcast is back for a second series in conversation with the great and the good of football writing.

Loosely based on our new book Against All Odds (available from all good stockists), Adam meets up with South American football expert Tim Vickery to chat about a result that sent shockwaves through Brazil in 1950.

Adam and Tim discuss the game, the tournament and the resulting fortunes from both sides of the story, exploring whether or not it was really an upset at all and the key role of historical and political context in telling the story.

To get your hands on Tim's brilliant chapter on this match, as well as a dozen others, head to our website to get your hands Against All Odds.