Best Rob Draper Podcasts (2025)

1
Soccer: An American History - Part Two: Struggles, Expansion and International Influence 52:15

13m ago52:15

52:15

In today's It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson continue to explore the fascinating story of soccer in the United States. Highlighting the pivotal role of immigrant communities in the sport's development, the episode also examines key figures like Bela Gutmann and the significant tours by foreign teams that attracted huge crowds. Join…

1
Soccer: An American History - Part One: Origins and Challenges 52:54

21m ago52:54

52:54

In this episode of It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson dive into the early history of soccer in the United States. They look at efforts to establish professional leagues, the influence of immigrant communities, and the geographic and cultural factors that made it difficult for football to gain a foothold - compared to rival American …

1
Old Man Strength: EP 6.5 Keith "Lefty" Moore & the birth of Hilton Magic 1:00:50

16h ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Lefty Moore, was here when it all began with Coach Orr and Hilton Magic. Our partial guest host Keith Schrage joins as we talk to Lefty about the early years of Hilton Magic, Coach Orr and the upcoming March Madness. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Stu…

1
The 1985 League Cup Final: The Match that Changed My Life 49:22

42m ago49:22

49:22

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. Rob and Jonathan are joined by David Corner - the man whose life was changed forever by the 1985 League Cup Final between Sunderland and Norwich. That match is remembered for a costly mistake that led to Sunderland’s defeat - a moment that saw David singled out, subjected to intense criticism and even physical ab…

1
League Cup Classics: Liverpool, Newcastle and the Greatest Finals 45:36

1d ago45:36

45:36

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. With Liverpool and Newcastle set to battle for the first major trophy of the English domestic season on Sunday, we’re taking a journey through some of the greatest League Cup finals of all time. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper each share three of their favourite finals - games filled with drama, controversy, and u…

1
From Arteta to Alonso: The Rise of Basque Coaches 54:04

13d ago54:04

54:04

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. Mikel Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal, Unai Emery’s tactical mastery, Xabi Alonso’s meteoric rise at Bayer Leverkusen, and Andoni Iraola’s fearless pressing at AFC Bournemouth all highlight a remarkable trend: A new wave of coaches shaping the modern game, many of them from the Basque Country. But why does thi…

1
Guardiola: Dominance, Decline and a Post-Pep World? 52:04

8d ago52:04

52:04

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. This week - we discuss the rise of Basque coaching. But we begin not in Bilbao or San Sebastián, but with a Catalan: Pep Guardiola. After revolutionising football with Barcelona, dominating in Germany with Bayern, and redefining the Premier League with Manchester City, Guardiola has become the defining coach of h…

1
The Making of a Football Superpower - Part Three: A New Dawn 47:49

12d ago47:49

47:49

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. This is the story of a new dawn - where one national team took full control of their destiny, cementing a legacy that continues to shape football today. Following their World Cup triumph (in our last part), the U.S. Women's side entered a new era of independence and power - and with it came major shifts. Coach To…

1
The Making of a Football Superpower - Part Two: The Arrival 51:18

22d ago51:18

51:18

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.. Approaching the end of the millennium, the U.S. women’s national team had already won a World Cup and Olympic gold, but they were still fighting for mainstream recognition. That all changed when they took centre stage at the 1999 Women’s World Cup. With 90,000 fans packing the Rose …

1
Old Man Strength: EP 6.4 Chris Kuball WOI Meteorologist 1:13:18

16d ago1:13:18

1:13:18

Meteorologist Chris Kuball comes on and talks about his time at Iowa State, weather talk and Chris S wants to know if Windchill is fake. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.

1
The Making of a Football Superpower - Part One: The Birth of U.S. Women's Soccer 57:24

19d ago57:24

57:24

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.. Despite not playing their first professional match until 1985, the U.S. Women won the inaugural World Cup in 1991. But even as champions, they faced inequality—most notably at the 1996 Olympics, where they were only promised pay if they won gold, while the men earned bonuses for any…

1
The Making of a Football Superpower with Carli Lloyd - An Introduction 44:43

29d ago44:43

44:43

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In our new mini-series, we begin the journey of how women’s football in the U.S. rose to global dominance. And who better to start with than Carli Lloyd - one of the game’s greatest competitors and a key figure in that evolution? From the early struggles for recognition to back-to-ba…

1
Busby’s Man United: From Munich Tragedy to European Glory 48:18

26d ago48:18

48:18

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this final chapter of our series, we complete the journey that began with Gary Neville reflecting on the legacy of the Busby Babes. We explored who they were before the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, the tragic day itself, and now, we turn to the aftermath: How Manchester United rose a…

1
Manchester United's Darkest Day 37:19

1M ago37:19

37:19

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In last week’s episode, we told the story of the rise of the Busby Babes, their brilliance, and their final match before tragedy struck. Today, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take you through the darkest day in Manchester United’s history: 6 February 1958. At Munich-Riem Airport, Uni…

1
Who Were The Busby Babes? 52:16

1M ago52:16

52:16

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Following Gary Neville’s tribute to the triumph and tragedy of the Busby Babes on the anniversary week of the Munich Air Disaster, we begin a three-part series on how the tragedy shaped the future of Manchester United. In Part One, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper explore who …

1
Gary Neville: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Busby Babes 43:18

1M ago43:18

43:18

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week former Manchester United captain Gary Neville joins us to look back on one of the most momentous and tragic events in football history: The Munich air disaster of 1958. Neville discusses the lasting significance of the tragedy - and how Sir Matt Busby rebuilt the club, lead…

1
The Mystery of Matthias Sindelar, Part Two 54:23

2M ago54:23

54:23

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Austrian footballer Matthias Sindelar was one of the greats of the game but his mysterious death in 1939 at the age of just 35 became a hugely contested issue in the darkest era of Austrian history. Was he murdered because he objected to the Nazis? Did he chose to end his life unable…

1
The Mystery of Matthias Sindelar, Part One 50:05

2M ago50:05

50:05

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Austrian footballer Matthias Sindelar was one of the greats of the game but his mysterious death in 1939 at the age of just 35 became a hugely contested issue in the darkest era of Austrian history. Was he murdered because he objected to the Nazis? Did he chose to end his life unable…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 6.3 Leah Wafful Date Me DSM 1:08:53

2M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Leah Wafful joins Old Man Strength as we talk about the world of new age dating in 2025 in Des Moines. Amy from Hot Mess Happy Hour joins Chris as we talk to Leah, who runs "Date Me Dsm" a dating experience. We talk about he jump from the corporate world to dating and matchmaking and we discuss why we think men in Des Moines have a new option to fi…

1
The Brilliance of Bill Nicholson - Part Four 45:45

2M ago45:45

45:45

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. Jonathan and Rob continue exploring the extraordinary legacy of Bill Nicholson’s push and run game at Spurs and its relationship with Cruyff, Ajax, Barça and Total Football. In Part 4, Nicholson guides Spurs to the first league and cup double of the 20th century and Spurs become the first British club to win a Eu…

1
The Brilliance of Bill Nicholson - Part Three 48:13

2M ago48:13

48:13

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. Jonathan and Rob continue their dive into the career of Tottenham's legendary manager and one of the founding fathers of modern football: Bill Nicholson. Don't forget to go back and listen to parts one and two with special guest and Spurs royalty Steve Perryman! If you’re enjoying the It Was What It Was, please h…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 6.2 Jason Norton Rob & Christi Taylor 1:19:24

2M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

Jason Norton from Drinks from Jason joins Chris at Revelton to chat with Rob and Christi Taylor's owners of Revelton talk Whiskey, being creative and a fantasy island challenge. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty and Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.…

1
The Brilliance of Bill Nicholson - Part Two With Steve Perryman 39:24

2M ago39:24

39:24

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. It's time for part two of Jonathan and Rob's chat with Spurs legend Steve Perryman about the club's legendary manager and one of the founding fathers of modern football: Bill Nicholson. Hear more from Steve as he tells us backstage stories and insights on Nicholson from the training ground, the dressing room and …

1
The Brilliance of Bill Nicholson - Part One With Steve Perryman 32:35

2M ago32:35

32:35

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. This week, Jonathan and Rob are joined by Steve Perryman, Tottenham Hotspur’s record appearance holder, to talk about legendary Spurs manager Bill Nicholson. From transforming Spurs into serial winners - to hilarious changing room stories - Steve takes us behind the scenes of one of the most successful sides of t…

1
History's Biggest FA Cup Third Round Shocks - Part Two 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

Welcome back to It Was What It Was - for Part Two of our look back at The FA Cup’s most memorable Third Round upsets! Jonathan and Rob return to tell the stories behind five more iconic moments from football's oldest cup competition - before the pair choose their ultimate Third Round shock. Please go back and listen to Part One if you missed it! If…

1
History's Biggest FA Cup Third Round Shocks - Part One 47:41

2M ago47:41

47:41

Welcome back to It Was What It Was - where it's time to talk some of The FA Cup’s most memorable Third Round shocks! The FA Cup is synonymous with dreams and giant-killings, and nothing captures its essence better than the Third Round proper. Jonathan and Rob bring us their favourite ‘cupsets’ and the stories that have cemented them in FA Cup folkl…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 6.1 Mike Draper Founder Raygun 1:09:45

2M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

Owner and Founder of Raygun joins Chris and Aaron to talk about his founding of Raygun, how his outlook on life shapes his business and some fun stories. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.

1
Lines, Screens and Outrage! The Story, the Impact and the Cost of VAR 54:55

3M ago54:55

54:55

Welcome back to It Was What It Was and Happy New Year! In today’s episode, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson delve into the origins of VAR with author Daisy Christodoulou. Her latest book, I Can’t Stop Talking About VAR, discusses its profound impact on the sport, and whether it was designed to enhance football - or if football is now adapting to fit …

1
Sir Alex And His Worst Ever New Year's Day - with QPR's Andy Sinton 51:12

3M ago51:12

51:12

New’s Eve Year 1991. Manchester United are on course to win the title for the first time since 1967. It’s Sir Alex Ferguson’s 50th birthday party, but it's a small, understated affair because United play QPR at Old Trafford the next day. A comfortable home win is expected for United to go top again - but it didn't work out that way... Join one of t…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 5.25 Troy DeJoode 1:10:26

3M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

Troy DeJoode, dad to Carson and Claire comes on Old Man Strength to talk more in depth about their story, as told on College Gameday. We learn the power of believing in something and how Troy continues to honor Carson with his Darth Vader outfit. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE…

1
The True Story of the Christmas Truce 1914 1:08:01

3M ago1:08:01

1:08:01

Christmas Eve, 1914. A cold, crisp, moonlit night in Flanders. British and German soldiers are dug into opposing trenches in a hellish shelled-out landscape, strewn with rotting corpses. But an unfamiliar sound is heard from the German trenches: “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” is being sung to welcome the birth of Christ. The British respond with the…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 5.25 Flame or Shame 32:11

3M ago32:11

32:11

Amy and Aaron are debuting and testing their new podcast, Flame or Shame where JT makes the case for how much A.I. sucks and are judged by Amy, Joe and Anyaa from the 3 Beards Media team. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.…

1
Pickles Finds The World Cup: The Story Of Football's Most Famous Dog! 43:10

3M ago43:10

43:10

This week on It Was What It Was, it's the tale of Pickles: The most famous dog in football history. As most football fans know, Pickles saved the day by finding the Jules Rimet trophy - the original World Cup - after it had farcically been stolen from a stamp collection exhibition in the run up to the 1966 World Cup. But the whole story is even mor…

1
Wolves: Champions Of The World! 54:35

3M ago54:35

54:35

This week on It Was What It Was, Jonathan and Rob introduce us to the team - and the match - that played a huge part in the invention of the European Cup... “Champions of the World!” was the headline given to Wolverhampton Wanderers, when they beat the mighty Hungarian team Honvéd, led by Ferenc Puskas, in 1954. Billy Wright was the star of the sho…

1
When the Super Eagles Stunned the World - Nigeria 1996 57:13

4M ago57:13

57:13

This week on It Was What It Was, we're looking at one of football's most remarkable underdog stories. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take us back to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Nigeria’s “Dream Team” shocked the world and won men's gold - the first African team to win a senior global football tournament. From Kanu’s heroics, to dramatic com…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 5.24 Mackenzie Eddie 1:08:19

4M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

We bring on Mackenzie Eddie, fellow podcaster and marketing entrepreneur to talk about her career, and how she juggles being a busy mom of 3. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.

1
Ruben Amorim: Have Man United Found Their Special One? 56:15

4M ago56:15

56:15

This week. It Was What It Was asks: What is it with Portuguese football? With Ruben Amorim arriving at Manchester United, there are now as many Premier League managers from Portugal as from England coaching this season. Portugal also has the fourth highest-quota of Premier League players (after England, Brazil and France). For a nation of just over…

1
Rafa Benitez: My Coaching Secrets - Part Two 57:01

4M ago57:01

57:01

Welcome to It Was What It Was, and Part Two of our special look back at the remarkable career of Rafa Benitez - with the man himself! In this second part - Rafa, Jonathan and Rob look back at Rafa's arrival at Anfield, his influence on the Premier League, and then head backstage to explain the moments and decisions behind that iconic Champions Leag…

1
Rafa Benitez: My Coaching Secrets - Part One 1:08:27

4M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

In this special episode of It Was What It Was, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by the legendary Rafa Benitez. Part One explores the early years of Rafa's extraordinary career, from his beginnings as a promising young coach in Spain to his groundbreaking success with Valencia. Rafa shares the stories, challenges, and philosophy that shaped…

1
Old Man Strength: Ep 5.23 Marv Seiler 1:03:05

4M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Chris and Aaron talk to Marv Seiler on the 32 year anniversary of the Iowa State Upset over Nebraska. We learn about Marv's arrival to ISU, what he is up to now and how football has shaped his life. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.…

1
Thomas Tuchel: The Origin Story of England's New Manager 55:23

4M ago55:23

55:23

In this week’s episode of It Was What It Was, Jonathan and Rob take a deep dive into the fascinating journey of Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed England manager. From his early years as a player with a mature football mind, to a detour studying economics while working in a cocktail bar, Tuchel’s path to football’s elite has been anything but ordi…

1
The Money Behind Modern Football With Miguel Delaney 59:11

5M ago59:11

59:11

In this week’s episode of It Was What It Was, Miguel Delaney discusses his new book: States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football. Jonathan, Rob and Miguel assess how mega-rich investors and state-backed owners have transformed clubs and competitions around the world. The trio explain the impact of sportswashing on our modern game - where n…

1
Old Man Strength: EP 5.22 Dave Campbell 1:17:14

4M ago1:17:14

1:17:14

Former Radio Host, Retired Magazine Editor Dave Campbell comes on Old Man Strength to talk about his career in radio, what led him to become a magazine editor and how his faith has led his family and his life. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling Company, Green Beret Realty, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage and LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.…

1
Emergency Pod: Amorim Arrives! Man United And The Busby-Ferguson Curse 57:06

5M ago57:06

57:06

In this bonus episode of It Was What It Was hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper look into the striking parallels between Manchester United’s managerial struggles in the post-Matt Busby and post-Sir Alex Ferguson eras. Despite decades of history and immense success, the club has faced a persistent challenge in finding a manager capable of replicati…

1
The Trilogy of Violence: Celtic v Racing 1967 - Part Two 49:06

5M ago49:06

49:06

In Part Two of It Was What It Was, we dive into the explosive conclusion of the 1967 Intercontinental Cup clash between Celtic and Racing Club. With tempers flaring, the second and decisive third legs were anything but ordinary—featuring multiple send-offs, brutal fouls, and even a policeman with a drawn sword stepping onto the pitch. Jonathan Wils…

1
The Trilogy of Violence: Celtic v Racing 1967 - Part One 47:21

5M ago47:21

47:21

This week on It Was What It Was, we’re traveling back to 1967, when Celtic’s legendary Lisbon Lions clashed with Racing Club in an unforgettable, fiery three-match series for the Intercontinental Cup. In Part One, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper set the stage before the first leg at Hampden Park, where Jock Stein’s side secured a 1-0 advantage to ta…

1
El Clasico: Civil War, Conspiracies And Scandal With Sid Lowe 1:04:34

5M ago1:04:34

1:04:34

This week on It Was What It Was, we're talking one of football's greatest rivalries: Real Madrid and Barcelona. In the week of El Clasico, Spanish football expert Sid Lowe joins Rob and Jonathan to discuss the history, politics and scandal behind possibly the biggest club match in football. If you enjoyed the podcast, please hit subscribe to never …

1
Sacchi's Football Revolution: Part Four - World Cup Heartache and Legacy 48:23

5M ago48:23

48:23

Join us for the final part of our special series on the shoe salesman who changed football forever: Arrigo Sacchi. In this episode of It Was What It Was, Sacchi comes to the end of his first spell at AC Milan and answers his country's call - managing the Italian national side at the World Cup in 1994 and Euro 96. This episode is the last in our ser…

1
Sacchi's Football Revolution: Part Three - Creating Milan's Immortals 51:30

5M ago51:30

51:30

It Was What It Was continues our special look into the life and career of one of football's greatest and most influential managers: Arrigo Sacchi. In this episode, Sacchi has finally arrived at AC Milan and, with a team of legends in the making, his greatest work is about to begin. This episode is part of our series on Sacchi’s extraordinary career…

1
Old Man Strength: Ep 5.21 Melissa Harris 1:06:55

5M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

We sit down with Melissa Harris. Melissa tells us her journey from small town Iowa, to her time in California and back home to Iowa. Melissa and her Tim are huge Cyclone fans but more important we talk to Melissa about her brand new book "Where Our Humanity Meets Our Divinity" and why she tackled this amazing subject. Sponsored by Revelton Distilli…

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