Explore every episode of the podcast Magnificent Goal!
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnificent Goal meets: Gary Newbon | 13 Jun 2026 | 00:44:20 | |
In this special episode of Magnificent Goal! Steven Toplis is joined by one of the most familiar faces in British sports broadcasting, Gary Newbon. Across a remarkable career spanning over 50 years, Gary covered seven World Cups and numerous European Championships for ITV, enjoying a front-row seat to some of England's most memorable moments. Gary shares his memories of covering the Three Lions at major tournaments, including what life was like around the England camp during football's biggest events. He recalls the extraordinary experience of looking after Brian Clough on the night England were famously denied a place at the 1974 World Cup by Poland, and later acting as a chaperone for Sir Alf Ramsey during the tournament itself. During his career with ITV and Sky Sports he interviewed and worked with England football royalty including the likes of Jimmy Greaves, Billy Wright, Peter Shilton and Geoff Hurst, and he shares some of those experiences here. This is a fascinating conversation packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and unique memories from a lifetime in broadcasting. | |||
| When England played New Zealand twice in a week | 06 Jun 2026 | 00:44:15 | |
With England facing New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Saturday, host Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from EnglandFootballOnline.com to look back at the last time the two nations met - twice in the space of just five days in 1991. We look at how Graham Taylor's England side went on a lengthy tour that took in Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand, uncovering stories that go far beyond the football. We look at the camaraderie that developed between the England and New Zealand squads, the evenings out that saw David Platt driving the team van, and a spectacular missed chance from Geoff Thomas that deserves to be far better remembered. Join us for a fascinating glimpse into a different era of international football, when long overseas tours, post-match socialising and back-to-back fixtures against the same opponents were all part of the England experience. Follow Magnificent Goal! on X @MagnificentGoal | |||
| England's most controversial squads | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:59:06 | |
Magnificent Goal! is back for World Cup 2026 as we dive into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the tournament. We assess the biggest selections, omissions and surprises before comparing Tuchel's choices with some of the most controversial and memorable England squad calls in Three Lions history; from Gazza's heartbreak in 1998 to Theo Walcott's surprise inclusion in 2006. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com and author and journalist Robert Taylor, who has recently published his new book 'Tears for England: Obsession, Hope and Heartbreak with the England Football Team.' Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss any of our World Cup 2026 specials in the weeks ahead. | |||
| England v Argentina 2005: The Greatest Friendly Ever? | 30 Nov 2025 | 00:56:35 | |
In this episode of Magnificent Goal! we dive into one of the most thrilling friendlies in modern history; England v Argentina in November 2005. The game in Geneva was another memorable chaper in the history of England-Argentina fixtures. Far from a casual exhibition, this match delivered drama, world-class skill and a finish that still lives vividly in England fans' memories. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com to relive events of 20 years ago. Having qualified for the World Cup in 2006, this game was seen as a real test of England's ambition ahead of the following summer's tournament in Germany. Delivering a rollercoaster of emotions, individual brilliance and a remarkable comeback, this episode dives deep into why the 2005 meeting between England and Argentina remains one of the most entertaining international matches of all time. | |||
| England Late Shows | 05 Jul 2024 | 00:58:41 | |
Following Jude Bellingham's heroics against Slovakia at Euro 2024 on Sunday, Magnificent Goal! looks back at some other occasions when England left it late to score a crucial goal. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com and writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen to examine those dramatic late strikes that changed the course of matches and, in some cases, football history. We also look at where Bellingham's goal ranks among the all-time great England moments. Contact the show at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter/X by heading to @MagnificentGoal. | |||
| England v Germany - Euro 2000 | 01 Jul 2024 | 00:53:09 | |
This week Magnificent Goal! continues its Euro 2024 themed shows with a look back at a forgotten meeting between England and one of their most famous foes. The Three Lions were pitted in a tough group at Euro 2000, alongside Portugal, Romania and Germany and it's the meeting between England and Germany in Charleroi that we're taking a look at. The match was by no means a classic but at the time represented a significant milestone for England as they finally overcame Germany in a tournament setting for the first time in over 30 years. Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from England Football Online and writer Ben Jones from The Left Sided Problem to look back over the game and the wider context around Kevin Keegan's reign and how England's Euro 2000 campaign panned out. Contact the show at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter/X by heading to @MagnificentGoal. | |||
| Magnficient Goal! Draft: England at the Euros | 24 Jun 2024 | 00:54:01 | |
This week Magnificent Goal! is doing something a bit different. To coincide with Euro 2024, we're picking an XI from players who have appeared for England at the European Championship. Steven Toplis is joined by David Walker from the Football Cliches podcast and author John McNicoll to choose their sides from the 138 players who have played for the Three Lions in the Euros (not including 2024). There are a few rules:
Let us know on Twitter/X who you think has won the draft. Head to @MagnificentGoal to get your votes in! | |||
| England v Holland - Euro '96 | 17 Jun 2024 | 01:06:38 | |
With Euro 2024 in full swing, Magnificent Goal! looks back at one of England's finest performances in the European Championship and of all time - their 4-1 dismantling of the Dutch 4-1 at Euro '96. Led by Terry Venables, the Three Lions needed a point from their final group game against Holland to finish top of the group and guarantee a return to Wembley for the quarter-final against Spain. What followed was a night that no England fan will ever forget. Steven Toplis is joined by writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen from @80s90sFootball on X (Twitter) as well as author Rob Fletcher to revisit a balmy evening in the summer of 1996, when it really did feel like football might be coming home. | |||
| England at Euro 2004: 20 Years On - The Finals (Part 2) | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:53:44 | |
In the final part of our look back over England's Euro 2004 campaign we pick things up with Sven's men looking to bounce back from their dramatic defeat to France as they face Switzerland and Croatia - with a certain 18-year-old stealing the show. Then it's on to face the hosts in the quarter-finals on a night packed with drama, emotion, injustice and - yet again - penalties. Steven Toplis, Davey Naylor and James Dixon take a look at where things went wrong for the Golden Generation in Portugal and why to this day the tournament is still regarded as one of England's great what-ifs. You can follow the show on X/Twiiter by going to @MagnificentGoal or email us at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com. | |||
| England at Euro 2004: 20 Years On - The Finals (Part 1) | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:42:55 | |
Magnificent Goal! continues it's journey through England's Euro 2004 campaign by reaching the finals themselves in Portugal. Steven Toplis, Davey Naylor and James Dixon look back over the squad that Sven would take to the finals and revisit the dramatic opening group game against France, where it was all going so well until implosion and the genius of Zinedine Zidane kicked in. | |||
| England at Euro 2004: 20 Years On - Qualification (Part 2) | 10 Jun 2024 | 00:31:49 | |
Magnificent Goal! continues its look at England's qualification campaign for Euro 2004. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com and author and podcaster James Dixon as Sven's England navigate a tricky tie away to Liechtenstein and overcome the off-field fallout of Rio Ferdinand's missed drug test, before going into their final qualifier in Turkey with qualification still on the line. You can follow the show on X/Twitter by going to @MagnificentGoal or email us at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com. | |||
| England at Euro 2004: 20 Years On - Qualification (Part 1) | 10 Jun 2024 | 00:38:53 | |
Euro 2024 is just around the corner, so Magnificent Goal! is taking a trip back 20 years to revisit England's Euro 2004 campaign in Portugal. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com and author and podcaster James Dixon to look back on a tournament that to this day remains one of the Three Lions' great missed opportunities. Before we get to the tournament itself we have a look back through England's qualification campaign, which proved to be an eventful one. We talk about Sven taking charge of his first full qualification programme as England boss, the emergence of a 17-year-old wonderkid and conduct a reassessment of David Beckham's penalty-taking technique. You can follow the show on X/Twiiter by going to @MagnificentGoal or email us at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com. | |||
| Sir Bobby Charlton: The England Years - Part 2 | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:25:19 | |
Magnificent Goal! continues its tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton by looking at the latter period of his England career, from 1966 to 1970. Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from England Football Online to chat about how Charlton's Three Lions career continued after glory in '66, including falling just short at Euro '68, winning his 100th cap in 1970, his involvement in the infamous Bogota Bracelet incident before the 1970 World Cup and how his illustrious Three Lions career came to an end in Mexico. | |||
| Sir Bobby Charlton: The England Years - Part 1 | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:36:12 | |
Magnificent Goal! pays tribute to one of English football's true greats by looking back over the career of Sir Bobby Charlton. In a 12-year career for the Three Lions Charlton achieved the lot; he scored goals, broke records and won the greatest prize football has to offer. Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from England Football Online to look back over Sir Bobby's England years. In part one, they look at how a young lad from the North East overcame tragedy to break into the England side, how he established himself as one of the key men in the team and reflect on that glorious day in 1966 when Bobby - alongside older brother Jack - played his role in England's World Cup triumph. | |||
| England Managerial Debuts | 07 Aug 2023 | 01:48:07 | |
There have been 15 England managers since the position was first created in 1946 and it's a job that brings with it pressure, expectation and a great deal of public interest. In this episode of Magnificent Goal!, Steven Toplis is joined by the returning Glen Isherwood from England Football Online and Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com to pick out five of the most memorable England manager debuts, from Sir Walter Winterbottom in 1946 up to the modern era. Contact the show at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @MagnificentGoal. | |||
| England v Scotland | 17 Jul 2023 | 01:41:40 | |
The fixture that started it all and the international that's been played more times than any other. Since the first meeting in 1872 in the very first international football match, England v Scotland has become the ultimate rivalry that still has relevance today. Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from England Football Online and Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com to look back at the history of the fixture though some of the most iconic matches and memorable moments, from that first game at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in 1872 to the latest meeting at the delayed European Championships of 2020. Contact the show at magnificentgoalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @MagnificentGoal. | |||
| Welcome to Magnificent Goal! | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:01:23 | |
Magnificent Goal! is a new podcast that looks back through the history of the England team. Hosted by Steven Toplis, we'll be talking about the tournaments, qualification campaigns, players, managers and much more in between. Coming soon to your podcast feed, subscribe now to make sure you don't miss an episode! | |||