This week, Adam and Rob welcome minute-by-minute pioneer, author and Guardian stalwart Scott Murray to the pod to shine a light on the Matthews final in 1953, including whether Blackpool’s 4-3 win over Bolton should actually be named after hat-trick hero Stan Mortensen instead and how you might go about getting your name on a cup final anyway.
We cover the role of television and the coronation in football consumption in the 50s, as well as the innate ridiculousness of not allowing subs on, even when players were hobbling around on one leg (or fewer). We also take a moment to celebrate the gentlemanly conduct of the olden days, despite overwhelming evidence that players were just as prone to kicking each other to pieces as they are now.
Scott explains the birth and growth of the hugely popular minute by minutes at The Guardian and discusses his favourite things to write and read, mainly centred around the fact that – as we can all agree – football really shouldn’t be taken very seriously.
You can read Scott’s brilliant chapter, as well as 22 more, by sticking From the Jaws of Victory in your shopping cart, direct from us at the Halcyon Publishing website, and say nice things to us on Twitter @magicspongers and @HalcyonPublish1