1984/85: The Season that Shook English Football, Part Two - Heysel

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper focus on the 1984/85 season that changed English football, with Part One focussing on the numerous fan violence incidents then the tragedy of the Bradford fire as 56 fans lost their lives. Today, in part two, Tony Evans, former sports editor at The Times and author of 'Two Tribes' and 'Far Foreign Land' joins the show to talk about Heysel. In this episode, Tony Evans shares his harrowing experiences and poignant reflections on the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, when 39 football fans tragically lost their lives during the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus. The discussion covers the chaotic events leading up to the disaster, the atmosphere in Brussels, and the aftermath, both immediate and long-term, for football and fan culture. Don't miss this in-depth exploration of one of the darkest days in football history. 00:00 Introducing the Podcast and Special Guest Tony Evans 02:15 Liverpool in 1985: A City and Club in Turmoil 02:30 The Violent Year: Football and Social Unrest 05:09 The Day of the Heysel Disaster: Personal Accounts 07:46 Chaos in Brussels: The Build-Up to Tragedy 16:57 The Collapse: Mismanagement and Miscommunication 27:45 The Aftermath: Reactions and Reflections 30:35 The Aftermath of the Tragedy 31:43 Personal Recollections and Impact 32:26 Documentary Insights and Victim Stories 34:56 Chaos and Confusion at the Stadium 38:25 The Decision to Continue the Game 49:08 Reflections on Fan Behaviour and Consequences 51:27 The Broader Context and Political Reactions 53:48 Long-term Changes in Football Culture 58:38 Concluding Thoughts on the Tragedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.