Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper focus on the 1984/85 season that changed English football, with Part One focussing on the numerous fan violence incidents then the tragedy of the Bradford fire as 56 fans lost their lives.

Today, in part two, Tony Evans, former sports editor at The Times and author of 'Two Tribes' and 'Far Foreign Land' joins the show to talk about Heysel.

In this episode, Tony Evans shares his harrowing experiences and poignant reflections on the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, when 39 football fans tragically lost their lives during the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus. The discussion covers the chaotic events leading up to the disaster, the atmosphere in Brussels, and the aftermath, both immediate and long-term, for football and fan culture.

Don't miss this in-depth exploration of one of the darkest days in football history.

00:00 Introducing the Podcast and Special Guest Tony Evans

02:15 Liverpool in 1985: A City and Club in Turmoil

02:30 The Violent Year: Football and Social Unrest

05:09 The Day of the Heysel Disaster: Personal Accounts

07:46 Chaos in Brussels: The Build-Up to Tragedy

16:57 The Collapse: Mismanagement and Miscommunication

27:45 The Aftermath: Reactions and Reflections

30:35 The Aftermath of the Tragedy

31:43 Personal Recollections and Impact

32:26 Documentary Insights and Victim Stories

34:56 Chaos and Confusion at the Stadium

38:25 The Decision to Continue the Game

49:08 Reflections on Fan Behaviour and Consequences

51:27 The Broader Context and Political Reactions

53:48 Long-term Changes in Football Culture

58:38 Concluding Thoughts on the Tragedy

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Welcome to It Was When It Was, the football history podcast.

This week we're focussing on the 1984-85 footballing season - arguably the bleakest time in English football history - that changed the game forever.

Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper begin the first of two episodes covering the violence, tragedy, and upheaval of this period and the wider context of football hooliganism in the first half, whilst the second half of part one pays tribute to the horrific Bradford Fire that claimed 56 lives 40 years ago.

Explore gripping firsthand accounts, the reactions of key figures, and the societal and institutional issues that plagued the sport, leading to safety measures and ultimately, a transformation in football culture.

Join us on Friday as we are joined by Tony Evans to talk about the Heysel tragedy that happened at the end of May in 1985.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:09 Reflecting on the 1984-85 Season

02:47 The Bradford Fire Tragedy

04:00 Football's Decrepit Stadiums

06:31 Chelsea vs. Sunderland: Milk Cup Semi-Final Chaos

12:36 Luton vs. Millwall: FA Cup Violence

26:35 Birmingham vs. Leeds: Championship Decider Mayhem

29:10 Fans Fight Back and Prolonged Chaos

30:52 Medieval Fortress and Perimeter Fences

31:59 Racism and Aggression in Football Culture

33:15 Introduction to the Bradford Fire

35:04 The Start of the Fire and Initial Reactions

36:16 Rapid Escalation and Desperate Attempts to Escape

38:20 Heartbreaking Personal Accounts and Immediate Aftermath

47:16 Investigations and Controversies

50:57 Negligence and Legal Consequences

57:30 Broader Implications and Future Changes

59:24 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

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Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast! Join co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper as they welcome special guest Richard Hough, author of 'Verona Capone, the Miracle of 85'. In this episode, Richard delves into the extraordinary story of Hellas Verona's incredible 1984-85 Serie A title win. From the chaotic Italian football landscape of the 1980s, managerial masterstrokes, and key foreign signings, to the unforgettable moments and lasting impact on the city of Verona, this episode is a deep dive into one of football's most romantic underdog stories. Join us as we explore how a small provincial team conquered giants like AC Milan and Juventus to achieve an unexpected and historic league victory.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:02 Setting the Scene: 1980s Italian Football

02:21 Verona's Rise to Glory

03:28 Economic and Social Context

05:08 Key Players and Strategic Moves

12:15 Tactical Insights and Coaching Philosophy

15:15 Foreign Players and Their Impact

22:55 The Perfect Season Opener

25:04 The Opening Goal and Season Kickoff

25:29 Verona's Iconic Moments and Key Players

30:05 The Turning Point in the Season

33:01 The Final Stretch to the Title

40:42 Celebrations and Legacy

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