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Steven Scragg

@scraggy74

Author of A Tournament Frozen in Time, Where the Cool Kids Hung Out, The Undisputed Champions of Europe, In the Heat of the Midday Sun and Euro 88. Podcast host and occasional talking head on various radio stations.

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03.12.2024
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Latest posts by Steven Scragg @scraggy74

Preview
MODULE 16: Aston Villa 1987/88 Taylor made...

How do you go from a European Cup to relegation within 5 years. @avfc-official.bsky.social fan Ivan McDouall & @scraggy74.bsky.social talk us through the most remarkable of journeys. Must-listen stuff for #AVFC fans yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-16-...

10.03.2026 10:11 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.13a Liverpool v Crystal Palace 15/12/1979 The El Teamsofthe80sico

It's all go at Anfield, with Cannon having a fall. Meanwhile, Man Utd's Gary Bailey finally succumbs to this mad trend of goalkeepers wearing gloves - the big wimp. @themagicofthecup.bsky.social & @scraggy74.bsky.social report back

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/197980-par...

06.03.2026 09:36 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This episode brought to you by our 1980s' regulars @themagicofthecup.bsky.social and @scraggy74.bsky.social. You can now find us on You Tube.

Simply go to www.youtube.com/@ybtahoab

27.02.2026 17:22 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Hey good people. It's the final day of Waterstones' latest book offer. 25% off a selection of upcoming releases, one of which is volume one of Evolution of an Empire, a new trilogy I'm writing on Liverpool FC's Roman Empire era. Use the code FEB26.

20.02.2026 10:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.11b Manchester City v Wolves 1/12/1979 Panic on the streets of Moss Side

Dec 1, 1979: Man City play Wolves. Across Manchester, Gary Bailey asks for a pair of goalkeeping gloves for Christmas, while birthday boy Christopher watches The Professionals. Over to @scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/197980-par...

13.02.2026 09:55 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Your Boys Took A Hell Of A Beating Sport Podcast Β· Updated weekly Β· The Mothership podcast for all you have ever needed to know about football in the 1980s, but were afraid to ask... yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com

We are back in 1987: a fantastic young Yugoslavia side who won the FIFA World Youth Championship. This generation looked set to dominate world football in the 90s, only for conflict to ruin it all. Tvoji momci su dobili paklene batine!! @scraggy74.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...

03.02.2026 16:26 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.10c Arsenal v Liverpool 24/11/1979 Spare us the cutter

It's Friday, which means a Crackerjack game between Arsenal & Liverpool. Brian Moore goes a bit weird on us - but that's ok, because he's Brian Moore, & he can do what he likes. Over to
@scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/197980-par...

30.01.2026 09:41 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.10b Ipswich Town v Southampton 24/11/1979 Podcast Episode Β· Your Boys Took A Hell Of A Beating Β· 01/23/2026 Β· 31m

Alan 'I heard 2 versions' Brazil showcases his Golden Shot credentials for a buoyant #Ipswich side, while Peter Shilton has a day to remember...or do we mean 'forget'? You decide. @scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social tell us more #ITFC

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

23.01.2026 10:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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MODULE 13: 1986 Guinness Soccer Sixes Good things come to those who wait 39 years

Today, @scraggy74.bsky.social & @chrislepkowski.bsky.social remove their boots, stick on some trainers & kick balls against a wall of Perspex.
Please raise a glass to the 1986 Guinness Soccer Sixes: festive fun from Manchester's G-Mex

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-13-...

20.01.2026 12:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.10a England v Bulgaria 21/11/1979 England f...

England F.... can only mean England taking on Bulgaria. Likely lads @scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social talk international football in today's instalment. What a load of Balkans.

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/para-110a-...

16.01.2026 09:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.09c Chelsea v Charlton 17/11/1979 Join us for Brian Moore's linguistic psychedelic weekend

Big tie knots, big lumps on the head, & a big barrel of fun as #Chelsea entertain #CharltonAthletic. Geoff Hurst ruins it all by handing the No11 shirt to the most unNo11 of players.
Play @scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/para-109c-...

09.01.2026 13:22 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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MODULE 12: Ipswich Town 1980/81 A trophy chasing odyssey at home and abroad

From Filbert Street to The Netherlands. @themagicofthecup.bsky.social & @scraggy74.bsky.social talk us through a brilliant #IpswichTown side that, at one point, looked on for a unique treble. Can they do it? 66 games later, we find out #ITFC

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-12-...

05.01.2026 09:27 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Para 1.09b Aston Villa v Stoke City 17/11/1979 Podcast Episode Β· Football Revisited 1979/80 Β· 02/01/2026 Β· 42m

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Where else could we start than with Aston Villa v Stoke City. Mud, dogs on the pitch, and Jimmy Rimmer throwing the ball into his own net. And so much more. @scraggy74.bsky.social & @themagicofthecup.bsky.social talk you through it all.

podcasts.apple.com/eg/podcast/p...

02.01.2026 13:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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There are Places I Remember: Liverpool FC and the Miracle of Istanbul Steven Scragg whisks us back to the domestic dysfunction and unexpected European glory of Liverpool's 2004/05 season, when Rafael BenΓ­tez's new team seemed to match every two steps forward with one to...

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/there-a... A Liverpool Champions League night you say? There's this book I've written upon that very topic, in an Istanbul and all things 2004/05 kind of way...

04.11.2025 17:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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*OUT NOW*
Author @scraggy74.bsky.social gives his first hand account of #LiverpoolFC chaotic 2004/05 season, as Rafael BenΓ­tez attempted to build a team fit for Champions League glory amid an incredible injury crisisβš½οΈπŸ“•πŸ‘‡
soccer-books.co.uk/collections/...
#UCL #LFC #YNWA #BookSky

01.10.2025 20:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

THE SLUM SPORT: Chapter 12; Slave to the Rhythm

@evertonfc.com adjust to life sans Andy Gray as Gary Lineker checks into Goodison Park

A monumental title dice, open bus tours, impromptu toilet visits & much more

πŸŽ™οΈGraeme Sharp & Derek Mountfield do the talking

The story of #EFC and 1985/86

29.09.2025 08:50 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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There are Places I Remember: Liverpool FC and the Miracle of Istanbul Steven Scragg whisks us back to the domestic dysfunction and unexpected European glory of Liverpool's 2004/05 season, when Rafael BenΓ­tez's new team seemed to match every two steps forward with one to...

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/there-a... My sixth book is now available. Liverpool 2004/05, the glory and dysfunction of a campaign that brought Champions League success in the most dramatic way possible, offset by domestic difficulties, plus managerial and squad upheaval. Spread the good word.

29.09.2025 09:48 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.07a Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley 3/11/1979 Meat, potatoes and Peter Springett

Ey up, it's a South Yorkshire feast for you, as @themagicofthecup.bsky.social & @scraggy74.bsky.social pore over the delights of Sheffield Wednesday vs Barnsley. This is meat and potatoes. Tuck in, son. Tuck in. Fred Dinenage, take it away... yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/197980-par...

11.07.2025 09:47 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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SUPPLEMENTARY MODULE: Gizza job Boys from the Thackstuff

WOAH, what's this!? We are in Dallas superstar JR Ewing appearing on Knots Landing territory here...

@allbluedaze.bsky.social talks us through his 1980s as the @ybtahoab.bsky.social team welcomes its newest member.

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/supplement...

24.06.2025 07:59 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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1979/80: Para 1.06a QPR v Burnley 27/10/1979 Taking in the Second Division, the BBC keep it local. Very local.

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/197980-par...

#QPR vs #Burnley.

🧀17-year-old gloveman Billy O’Rourke mans the Burnley goal and finds himself elevated to the YBTAHOAB Hall of Fame by the end of the game.

23.06.2025 22:26 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

At @ybtahoab.bsky.social we're embracing the football of the 1980s with a wide-eyed wonderment. Module 7 has taken us to the West Midlands, for the spectacular misadventures, post-1982 European Cup at Villa Park, along with accompanying self-destructions at St Andrew's, The Hawthorns, and Molineux.

12.06.2025 12:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Module 3: Aberdeen FC 1980-1983 The start of Fergie time

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-3-a... Module 3 of Your Boys Took a Hell of a Beating takes in the 1980-1983 span of Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen years. Scottish champions in 1979/80, to the glory of Gothenburg and the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup. Join us, and spread the word.

13.05.2025 11:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Module 2 of Your Boys Took a Hell of a Beating takes us to the opening day of the 1988/89 season. Me and Stu Horsfield take a deep delve on late postponements, hat-tricks, the flood of ITV money into the First Division, a lack of actually coverage, and what to record illegally from the Top 40.

09.05.2025 08:18 πŸ‘ 1 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 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Its a gloriously sunny afternoon. We reckon you should down tools and give this a listen. Scattered among the topics of conversation are Robert Maxwell, the ratio in composition of Subbuteo player to trophy, plus the Top 40, TV guide and back page headlines from the week beginning August 11, 1986.

30.04.2025 13:25 πŸ‘ 1 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)

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/module-1-e... We present you with MODULE 1 of Your Boys Took a Hell of a Beating, the definitive 1980s football podcast. This week's teachings sees the 1986 Charity Shield put under the microscope by @aidanwilliams74.bsky.social and @scraggy74.bsky.social

30.04.2025 08:41 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
Souness Tackle
Souness Tackle YouTube video by DiavolessaMilanista

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygVg... Yes it is Archie, indeed it is...

29.04.2025 08:23 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Pun-ditry matters March 1988 and the sub-editors of Shoot!

yourboystookahellofabeating.substack.com/p/pun-ditry-... "That is certainly a booking"...

29.04.2025 08:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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As days go, that was off the scale...

27.04.2025 19:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Whether you wear spectacles or not, everything is rose tinted around Anfield this afternoon...

27.04.2025 15:09 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0