By Association

In 1970, a football legend was born. Inspired by a NASA satellite and motivated by a global television audience, Adidas created an iconic match ball that would leave a lasting legacy. Support the show.

It's one of the most challenging and criticised jobs in football; what motivates someone to be a referee? We explore what it takes to be an official at the highest level, and how technology is changing the role of the ref. Support the show.

Determined to fulfil a boyhood dream of playing international football, Paul Watson went searching for a minnow team that would provide an easy path to a national cap. But in discovering the remote Pacific island of Pohnpei, who's side was dubbed 'the worst in the world', Paul found himself on a new quest: to coach a national football team. Support the show.

The origin story of the United States Women's National Team, and their historic victory at the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991.  Support the show.

The story of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, and the global campaign that saved his life. Support the show.

This is By Association, human stories from the beautiful game. Support the show.

On the 21st of February 1897, in a cafe in Paris, a football club was born. It was founded on inclusive values, which it still upholds today. This is the story of Red Star, the last romantic football club in France.   Support the show.

What does it take to be a professional footballer? From childhood dream to playing in a World Cup, former Danish international and Premier League goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen reflects on life in the game and competing at the highest level.   Support the show.

Football is often said to be a universal language. If you can play it, you can communicate with anyone around the world. But as the sport has embedded itself into cultures, so too has the way we write about it and talk about it. From match reports and opinion pieces to radio broadcasts and fan discussions, the words and phrases we use continue to evolve, in order to articulate what we see unfolding in front of us. Football has established a vernacular all of its own. This episode is a special collaboration with The Expressionists podcast. Support the show.

On January 22 1927, BBC Radio broadcast a football match for the very first time. It was thought that radio coverage would affect match attendance and newspaper sales, but by 1931 the BBC were broadcasting over one hundred games a season. Six years later, they aired the first match on live television. As football has grown, so too has the way we consume the sport. TV coverage now dominates, but radio still plays a crucial role. And at the core of these experiences is the human voice - the football commentator.   Support the show.

It was November 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War when an international football tournament was held in Saigon - and Australia's national team was sent to compete. Support the show.

As the world game, football is a reflection of our global society. It has the power to transcend political, religious, cultural and social barriers. But that also means there is still work to do when it comes to representation, equality and inclusion. For gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people, being your true self isn’t always easy - and in the football world it can be even harder.   Support the show.

Whether you’re a player on the pitch or a fan in the stands, the highs and lows over the course of a football match test our nerves and pull at our emotions. It’s a unique experience where intense feelings are concentrated and heightened. There’s also a parallel with emotions we experience in our own lives. This is especially felt by those who struggle with mental health issues. But football can often be an outlet and a comfort when we need it most. Aaron Wolfe shares his story of how the game helped him overcome anxiety and depression. Support the show.

This is the story of the worlds oldest football trophy and the games first knockout tournament. Before the FA Cup, there was the Youdan Cup.  Support the show.

Association football may be the most popular sport in the world but in many regions the development of the game remains a work in progress. For countries that are still trying to build their own football culture, the very globalisation of the game can sometimes have the opposite effect on local football.    Support the show.

FIFA, football’s world governing body, established in 1904 to oversee the international game. Today, it’s comprised of 211 member associations. That’s more than the United Nations. But of course, there are many nations outside of FIFA. That’s where CONIFA comes in. The Confederation of Independent Football Associations.   Support the show.

In collaboration with The Blizzard - The Football Quarterly, we present 'The Silenced Crowd'. The greatest scandal in British football in the first half of the twentieth century, as a group of players from two of the country’s greatest sides colluded to fix a match. The Silenced Crowd by Richard Fitzpatrick, originally published in Issue 10 of The Blizzard and featured on Episode 40 of The Blizzard Podcast. Support the show.

It's a scene that plays out every weekend around the world during the football season. People flock to their local community clubs to watch, play, coach and volunteer. On this episode we explore why grassroots football is the lifeblood of the game.    Support the show.

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own football club? This is the story of some football fans who went several steps further. They created an entire league. Le Ballon, the coolest amateur football league in the world.  Support the show.

As a global sport football is integral to so many cultures around the world and naturally, we see it represented in many different art forms, including film. In this episode we take a look at some of the best (and worst) football films and explore the ways in which the beautiful game is represented on screen.  Support the show.

A nation torn apart by war and the football team that defied all odds to achieve the impossible. This is the inspirational story of how Iraq became Champions of Asia.  Support the show.

Football video games have become a major part of soccer fandom. We explore their role in modern football culture and the growing influence they're having on the sport itself.  Support the show.

This is the story of Dylan Tombides. The young Australian footballer who’s brave battle with testicular cancer inspired the Foundation in his name and left a legacy that aims to educate and raise awareness, throughout the football community and beyond.    Support the show.

2004 saw the demise of Australia’s National Soccer League, which existed in various forms from 1977 as the top level of the game in the country. It made way for a new national competition, which commenced in 2005 - the A-League - consisting of eight foundation clubs. One of those clubs was to be located in Melbourne, a city with the most competitive sports market in Australia. Naturally, the governing body were concerned about the viability of a new Melbourne team. But the establishment of Melbourne Victory would become one of the A-League’s biggest success stories. Support the show.

Football's success stories are well documented. Like the youth players that rise through the ranks of the academy system to make it as professionals. But what about the ones who don't make it? Ignacio Martin was just like any young football fan. He dreamed of playing professionally for his boyhood club. But when the opportunity to join Real Madrid's prestigious Youth Academy finally came along, it didn't quite live up to expectations. Support the show.

In 1921, with the popularity of football growing rapidly throughout Europe, Englishman, Harold Searles Thornton wanted to create a game that replicated football that people could play in their homes. Inspiration struck with a box of matches. The matches were lying parallel across the top of the box, extending past the edges. This idea was developed into a tabletop game that plays very similar to its real life counterpart. He called it ‘Foosball’.   Support the show.

For many of us, our love for the game begins from a young age and it's these early experiences that often define our relationship to football and the connection we have to our favourite club. This was certainly the case for Andy Jackson. Growing up a diehard Aston Villa fan in Birmingham, the 1980-81 season was one he would never forget.  Support the show.

Football writer, Musa Okwonga talks about his connection with football, his love for Manchester United and capturing the beauty and simplicity of the world game through poetry.    Support the show.

In July 1936, The Civil War broke out in Spain and the La Liga season was put on hold as tensions grew around the country. Aligning with the Republicans, FC Barcelona were a club under threat. On the verge on bankruptcy, it was the actions of the club's then manager that saved Barcelona from financial ruin. Irishman, Patrick O’Connell.   Support the show.

An amateur pub team embark on a football tour of the Far East. But what they find when they arrive, nobody would have expected.    Support the show.

In 1992 the European Cup became the Champions League. Not only was it the introduction of a new group stage format, it also gave us a piece of music that would become iconic in its own right.   Support the show.

The story of the 1975 Portland Timbers. Author, Michael Orr and original '75 Timbers player, Mick Hoban document the establishment of the football club and their debut season in the North American Soccer League.   Support the show.

A life-long Arsenal fan travels from Australia to London in the hope of witnessing the clubs last ever match at Highbury. Support the show.