The Pioneers

Podcast: Blackburn Olympic, the first working-class FA Cup winners

Our recreation of Athletic News' headline of Olympic's FA Cup triumph Have you been watching The English Game on Netflix?…

5 years ago

Ten essential books about football’s early history

Queen's Park Football Club of Glasgow. One of the most important football clubs in history [Credit: Queen's Park FC] If…

5 years ago

Podcast: What was the ‘Ruhleben Football Association’?

We welcome back Paul Brown onto the podcast to discuss his new book, The Ruhleben Football Association. The book looks…

5 years ago

Podcast: Forgotten Football Clubs

Our guest is Philip O'Rourke, who runs the Forgotten Clubs blog. Join us as we delve back into the archive…

5 years ago

Podcast: The History of Football Rule-Making

Our guest is archivist Petra Tabarelli, who researches and blogs about the history and evolution of football rules. Join us…

5 years ago

The Rebirth of Wanderers FC: The First FA Cup Winners

The 21st Century Wanderers [Credit: Andy Nunn] Our guest is Mark Wilson, who in 2009 refounded Wanderers, the original winners…

5 years ago

‘Soccer’ is not an Americanism; It’s a very English word

The man with the ball at his feet coined the word 'soccer' [Credit: Corinthian-Casuals FC] There’s a lot of snobbery…

5 years ago

Podcast: The Invincibles

Michael Barrett at Preston's Deepdale ground [Credit: Michael Barrett] In the very first season of the Football League, 1888-89, Preston…

5 years ago

Podcast: England’s Oldest Football Clubs

The earliest known image of the world's oldest association football club, Sheffield FC (credit: Sheffield FC) We chat to Martin…

6 years ago

Podcast: Football in Israel and Palestine

Nicholas Blincoe, author of 'More Noble Than War' We're joined by Nicholas Blincoe, author of More Noble Than War: The…

6 years ago