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Aidan Williams

@aidanwilliams74.bsky.social

Football writer & podcaster, senior leadership These Football Times Featured @guardian and @athletic Sports nut. World Cup obsessive. Author 'The Nearly Men' & 'Euro 1984' Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw https://amzn.eu/d/5HtKus7

194 Followers  |  59 Following  |  33 Posts  |  Joined: 08.12.2023  |  2.0672

Latest posts by aidanwilliams74.bsky.social on Bluesky

Preview
Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw Buy Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw First Edition by Aidan Williams (ISBN: 9781801507035) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Looking for that Christmas gift for your football loving person?

Something with a certain je ne sais quoi?

Something with a dose of magique?

Look no further...

amzn.eu/d/4lFuRa4

04.12.2025 09:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cristiano Ronaldo able to play at World Cup despite red card against Republic of Ireland Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play for Portugal in their opening World Cup game despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

Well I, for one, am astonished...

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

25.11.2025 16:45 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

Good stuff. My next, currently about 25% of the way through, is going back a bit further. It's called 1938: The World Cup on the edge of World War.
Sport, politics and history combined.

22.11.2025 14:57 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Wow, impressively prolific.

22.11.2025 14:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you very much Mark. Really appreciate the kind words.
What are the book ideas you're working on?

22.11.2025 13:02 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Personally, I would say that the addition of Fernandez added greater balance to the team, allowing the other three to do their thing all the better. It only fell into place shortly before Euro 1984, but once it fully clicked in that Euros, I feel it helped France perform at a level beyond that of 82

14.11.2025 18:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw: Amazon.co.uk: Aidan Williams: 9781801507035: Books Buy Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw First Edition by Aidan Williams (ISBN: 9781801507035) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Well, would you look at that...

This here book of mine is on a special offer currently, with a whopping 43% off.

If ever there was a time to take the plunge, and then celebrate like a last gasp Platini winner, this is it πŸ‡«πŸ‡·

Uefa Euro 1984

amzn.eu/d/eT5taN5

07.10.2025 11:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Delighted to launch my latest book, THE SLUM SPORT - the story of the 1985/86 Football League season, as told by those who were there.

"It truly is a cracking read" - Barry Davies MBE

Out mid-October. To pre-order your copy please go to: www.curtis-sport.com/all-programm...

22.09.2025 13:23 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 18

The Sting, for me.

16.09.2025 13:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Revert the World Cup to 32 teams.

But also introduce a global play-in competition to expand on the intercontinental playoffs.

Have 16 or even 32 teams in that, like a mini World Cup. That way, more nations get something beyond the norm and some get to reach the big finals if they're good enough

12.09.2025 09:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Award penalties for any denial of a goalscoring opportunity, no matter where on the field the offence took place.

12.09.2025 09:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A Scandinavian top division?

A Benelux league?

A Balkan league?

A Mediterranean league featuring Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey perhaps?

Incendiary but strong.

12.09.2025 09:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'd take this thought and go further. Multi national leagues across Europe would perhaps strengthen many teams.

How about a league of all top Spanish, Portuguese, and French clubs together, with national leagues feeding into it?

How about Austria, Switzerland, and Germany?

12.09.2025 09:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

And while I'm at it, merge Asian and Oceanian federations too.

12.09.2025 09:35 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Merge concacaf and conmebol.
Copa America then becomes a tournament requiring qualifiers, but bri is meaningful competition to the stronger teams from both, and chance to develop for the rest.

World cup qualifying becomes more meaningful too.

12.09.2025 09:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Selling fast: Francesco Totti and Philosophies.

First up, Totti in all his glory, covering the highs and lows of his Roma and Italy career. Just look at that cover! Alongside it comes our exploration of the philosophies and systems that made football.

thesefootballtimes.shop/mag

11.09.2025 12:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Essentially increasing the prospect of a mid table Championship team being promoted. May be unlikely, sure, but would be possible.

The current set up is fine.

11.09.2025 11:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
We Are The Great North Run | GNR25 | Poem by George Caulkin
YouTube video by GreatRunTV We Are The Great North Run | GNR25 | Poem by George Caulkin

We are The Great North Run and every one of us is a story.

#GreatNorthRun #WeAreTheGNR

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-rZ...

07.09.2025 06:09 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 6    πŸ“Œ 2

Love that quote. Magnificent

22.08.2025 08:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Gaza's Vanishing Stadiums. The Football Story That Is Being Ignored.
YouTube video by The Pitch Inspection Gaza's Vanishing Stadiums. The Football Story That Is Being Ignored.

FIFA has multiple obvious grounds to suspend or expel the Israel Football Association and in doing so apply meaningful pressure to stop the slaughter in Gaza. It has done nothing. Great piece of work here from @thepitchinspection.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfjD...

22.08.2025 06:30 β€” πŸ‘ 60    πŸ” 19    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
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And so we reach the end of our trip back to Euro 84. The excellent @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social & Jonathan O’Brien take us through a nervy final, it’s legacy and just how authoritative a performance it was from France & Platini.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

open.spotify.com/episode/4dzs...

04.07.2025 08:07 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The greatest European Championship game of all time? @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social and Jonathan O’Brien run the rule over an incredible night when France and Portugal met in Marseille.

Out in the usual places now!

open.spotify.com/episode/1VZX...

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

20.06.2025 07:13 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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MODULE 8: YBTAHOAB Origin Podcast Lord Beaverbrook, Clement Attlee, Lady Diana, your boys took a hell of a beating

Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden...etc

It's 1981. Join @scraggy74.bsky.social and @themagicofthecup.bsky.social for England's World Cup qualifier in Norway

The story of our 'album' title track ... yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-8-y...

17.06.2025 09:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Is this the greatest tournament group of all time? 23 goals, drama to the very end, the emergence of 3 young talents, a disgrace that derailed the Belgians and, of course, Platini.

@aidanwilliams74.bsky.social guides us through

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

open.spotify.com/episode/53xC...

07.06.2025 09:08 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Part 2 of our Euro β€˜84 series is available now in all the usual places as @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social & Rob Smyth wrap up the drama of the qualifiers. Italy’s gap year, Northern Ireland managing to beat West Germany twice and not qualify and Spain needing to beat Malta by 11 clear goals…

30.05.2025 08:09 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Our Euro β€˜84 deep dive is underway with the story of the qualifiers that is as dramatic and remarkable as the finals themselves.

@aidanwilliams74.bsky.social joins Rob and Martyn to set the scene…

open.spotify.com/episode/3IrQ...

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

23.05.2025 07:45 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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MODULE 1: Everton v Liverpool: 1986 General Motors FA Charity Shield (Admit it, you'd forgotten about the General Motors bit)

substack.com/@yourboystoo... It's Friday afternoon, you need something to help the last few hours of the working week melt away, and we've got you covered. Join @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social and @scraggy74.bsky.social for Module 1 of Your Boys Took a Hell of a Beating. 1980sTastic.

02.05.2025 12:27 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

If you enjoy your football nostalgia and have a penchant for the 1980s, we have just the thing for you...

25.04.2025 21:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Shades of Green: a journey into Irish football Podcast Episode Β· These Football Times Β· 27/03/2025 Β· 58m

What are you listening to today? 🎧

Please check out my third appearance on @thesefootballtimes.shop where I discuss my new book πŸ“—β˜˜οΈwith @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social and Matthew Gibbs πŸ‘‡πŸΌ

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

28.03.2025 09:13 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Carabao Cup final review: @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social enjoys that rare feeling of Newcastle glory while a chilled Steven Scragg knows Premier League glory is on the horizon.

Listen and download ⬇️

Apple bit.ly/3oyPu89
Spotify bit.ly/3BVb3Tm
Online bit.ly/

19.03.2025 10:20 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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