Professional football in Indonesia may be relatively new, but its impact on society and politics has been immediate and far-reaching. Clubs owned by the elite in search of a laundered image, violent ultras that have come to dominate, and rampant corruption all form part of the game. Throw in a government that sees football as a diversion from its ills and you have a heady brew.

These Football Times Podcast

The violence and corruption of Indonesian football: a game in a world of its own

Author James Hendicott, the man behind the excellent CONIFA: the untold story of the alternative World Cup, joins Stuart Horsfield and Jordan Florit to discuss one of the game's most intriguing tournaments, bringing together displaced people and teams in a show of solidarity and opportunity markedly different from the world of FIFA.

James Hendicott talks CONIFA and the untold story of the alternative World Cup

An in-depth discussion with Steven Scragg and Jeff Goulding on how reigning champions Liverpool - led by Bob Paisley and featuring a star-studded line-up - overcame defeat in the first round of the European Cup to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest to produce a domestic season of such quality that it remains one of the greatest in English football history.

My Side: how Bob Paisley's 1978/79 Liverpool team set a new bar in English football

Senior writer Paul Mc Parlan, who watched Everton all season, discusses how Howard Kendall’s Toffees progressed from surprise FA Cup winners in 1984 to dominating the First Division, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup and narrowly missing out on the treble. A side full of youth and talent, spearheaded by the irrepressible And Gray and Graeme Sharp, this is the story of an Everton team like no other.

My Side: How Howard Kendall's Everton broke Liverpool's stranglehold on the domestic game in 1984/85

Academy Award-winning director and the man behind Senna and Amy joins the Lob to discuss his new film Maradona, and in-depth insight into the Argentine's turbulent time in Naples with Napoli.

The Maradona movie: an exclusive interview with director Asif Kapadia

After previously focusing on World War One, author and journalist David Díaz Bejarano returns to the series to discuss the interaction of football and politics before, during and after World War Two. We examine how the changes in the game in the inter-war years made football a potent political tool for the different ideologies as war approached, the way the football and footballers were often manipulated as pawns during the conflict, and how both on the battlefield and football field heroic stances were taken by those in the game to kick back against the established order.

How football became a potent political tool before and after World War Two

The 1982 World Cup was a tournament of legendary highs, great games, wonderful goals and endless controversy. From Brazil's Ginga and Italy's catenaccio to the swagger of France and the machine of West Germany, for those who watched it, it remains a finals that England, too, should have excelled at, boasting a superb squad. Join Stuart Horsfield and Steven Scragg as they talk to Gary Jordan about his excellent book, Out Of The Shadows.

Out of the Shadows: England's 1982 World Cup story

The FA Cup final, once the centrepiece of the football season and the game kids dreamed of scoring the winning goal in, was a unique match for many in the UK and beyond. Now largely an afterthought, join Stuart Horsfield, Steven Scragg, Aidan Williams and Dan Williamson as they recall their favourite finals and where the competition lost itself.

Recalling the great FA Cup finals and where the competition lost itself

Author and journalist David Díaz Bejarano focuses on the interaction of football and politics before, during and after World War One. How did the global game continue, and progress, during the greatest conflict the planet had ever known? From women's football and the heroes who died in conflict, to using the sport as a propaganda tool, this is how the game remained relevant during the devastation.

How football remained relevant and progressed during the devastation of World War One

With history weighing them down and defeat in the opening game, the world's best team, Spain - champions at Euro 2008 - were expected to crumble at the 2010 World Cup, the first in Africa. But they would rise to the challenge, becoming one of the greatest modern winners, cementing a generation of brilliant stars into folklore. Journalist and author Euan McTear recalls Spain's greatest vintage for My Side.

My Side: how Spain overcame their demons to lift the 2010 World Cup

An in-depth discussion on Ajax's third successive European Cup-winning campaign for My Side, a celebration of the best teams we've ever seen. What impact did the departure of Rinus Michels to Barcelona and the arrival of Ștefan Kovács have on Europe's best team? How good was Johan Cruyff and his support cast? This is the story of how Ajax completed their domination of the continent in the early 1970s

My Side: how Ajax's class of '73, led by Cruyff, completed a hat-trick of European Cups

The Political Football podcast launches into series three with a look at contemporary Spain and, in particular, the issue of potential independence for Catalunya. Expertly guided and advised by Madrid-based journalist and author Euan McTear, we discuss how current affairs have affected Spanish football and, should the independence movement triumph, what the implications may be for Barcelona and other clubs in the region, LaLiga and the national team.

How contemporary politics in Spain may alter the nation's footballing landscape

Welcome to a new series - My Side - discussing writers' and fans' greatest teams over the years. First up is Newcastle's 1995/96 vintage, examining their thrilling if ultimately doomed exploits in the Premier League and what events led to this most iconic season. Who were the key protagonists? From Les Ferdinand's metronomic goalscoring to Kevin Keegan's "love it" speech, and arguably the greatest Premier League game, this is the story through senior writer Aidan Williams' eyes.

My Side: in celebration of Newcastle's swashbuckling 1995/96 vintage

Thomas Gravesen was loved by the supporters of the teams he served, and underappreciated by the wider breadth of football. In the late-1990s he was part of a resurgent Hamburg midfield, before switching to the Premier League with Everton and eventually gaining a shock move to Real Madrid. Part of the Denmark side that made the finals of Euros 2000 and 2004, he also went to the 2002 World Cup. Energetic and eccentric, Gravesen is the subject matter of the latest book to be discussed in the Centre Circle, the work of prolific journalist and author Chris Sweeney.

Remembering Thomas 'Mad Dog' Gravesen with author Chris Sweeney

Author Daniel Gray returns to discuss another of his evocative books. After a nostalgic ramble through football in bygone days with Black Boots & Football Pinks, we bring things up to date as Saturday, 3pm allows us to delve into the delights of the modern game. From the arrival of the new season’s fixture lists to local players making good and visiting grounds for the first time, to final-day shenanigans, join us as we stroll through Gray’s 50 delights of football today.

Saturday, 3pm: author Daniel Gray talks 50 delights of modern football

From The Lob, talking to some of the game's most influential figures and breaking down its most compelling stories, to the Coaches' Forum, an exclusive podcast by Jon Townsend, who gains key insights into football's brightest minds, make These Football Times' podcast your new home.

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These Football Times Podcast

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