69. Substitute!

The use of substitutes began in the English Football League at the start of the 1965-66 season.  After years of the Wembley “hoodoo” it was initially a simple system of ensuring that matches were not spoiled by 10 men playing against 11 because of a bad injury.  From that sensible position in 1965 we seem to have arrived at a situation today when an entire second team is sitting on the bench waiting to come on.  Does anyone think that has been a change for the better?  Jon Holmes, Paddy Barclay and Colin Shindler discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Football Ruined My Life is the new podcast about old football.  Colin Shindler, author of the best selling Manchester United Ruined My Life, joins with the distinguished football journalist Patrick Barclay and the Super Agent Jon Holmes (think Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Tony Woodcock etc.) to talk about football as it used to be in the days before the invention of the Premier League.  The podcast views those days fondly - though not uncritically - in comparison to today's game, which it views critically though not unfondly. We welcome everyone who wants to remember Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton, Brian Clough and Bill Shankly and the days when you went to a Football League ground to watch your football and didn't wait for it to arrive on television.  Nostalgic? Yes. Well informed? Certainly. But above all, it glories in the football of our youth when the game seemed charmingly innocent, full of skillful, good hearted, kindly men like Norman Hunter, Ron Harris and Peter Storey. Join us every week for a romp through the 1960s, 70s and 80s that will warm you like a cup of scalding hot Bovril.  Produced by Paul Kobrak. Contact the team at footballruinedmylife@gmail.com