Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Steve Double
Guest(s)
Release Date
5 June 2025
Duration
75 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by former FA PR head Steve Double, who spent six unforgettable weeks inside the England camp during Italia ’90.
From the cagey opener against Ireland to the emotional rollercoaster of the semi-final with West Germany, we revisit England’s most iconic modern World Cup run. Along the way we relive Paul Gascoigne’s brilliance and tears, Gary Lineker’s crucial goals, and the heartbreaking penalty shootout that still defines a generation.
Steve brings unique first-hand stories — including how he drove the length of Italy to collect Gascoigne’s best mate Jimmy Gardner from Rome airport, accidentally coining the nickname Jimmy “Five Bellies” along the way. These behind-the-scenes glimpses capture the warmth, chaos, and humanity that made Italia ’90 so unforgettable.
But this was more than just football. We also explore how Italia ’90 reshaped English football culture: from fan behaviour and media coverage to the way the nation emotionally connected with its team. Its legacy looms large — both for the joy it gave and the glory it denied.
Takeaways
England’s Italia ’90 journey from dull group stage to semi-final heartbreak
Paul Gascoigne’s tears and why they changed football’s emotional landscape
Steve Double’s behind-the-scenes tales, including the birth of “Jimmy Five Bellies”
How Italia ’90 transformed English fan culture and media narratives
Why this World Cup remains a cultural turning point for English football
England 1990: Tears, Redemption, and Rebirth
By 1990, English football was in need of redemption. Years of violence, bans, and failure had left the national game isolated and unloved. Yet in the summer of Italia ’90, something extraordinary happened. Under Bobby Robson, England rediscovered pride, purpose, and emotion.
The campaign began nervously — drab draws, tactical uncertainty, and press criticism of Robson’s selections. But as the tournament unfolded, England grew stronger. David Platt’s volley against Belgium in extra time lit the fuse; Gascoigne’s flair and innocence captured hearts; and Gary Lineker’s goals kept the dream alive. The 3–2 win over Cameroon revealed resilience, while the semi-final against West Germany delivered one of the most iconic nights in English football history — equal parts triumph and tragedy.
When Gazza wept after his yellow card ruled him out of the final, a nation wept with him. For the first time in decades, English football showed vulnerability, passion, and humanity. The penalty shootout defeat was devastating, yet it changed the sport’s place in British culture.
Italia ’90 birthed the modern era of English football: the Premier League, Football’s Coming Home, and a more emotionally connected fan culture. It wasn’t victory that mattered — it was rediscovery. England 1990 reminded a nation why it fell in love with the game in the first place.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Bobby Robson’s leadership and tactical adaptability
Gascoigne’s rise and the emotional core of the team
England’s path to the semi-final and penalty heartbreak
The cultural legacy of Italia ’90 in English football and media
How the 1990 World Cup changed the national identity of English football
Gazza’s tears
World in Motion
David Platt’s volley vs Belgium in extra time
Semi-final penalty shootout defeat
Luciano Pavarotti’s “Nessun Dorma” as the soundtrack of Italia ’90
Notable Manager
Bobby Robson
Notable Players
Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, David Platt, Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle, Terry Butcher
Style of Play
3-5-2, pragmatic, adaptable, creative, emotional, disciplined
England’s style under Bobby Robson in 1990 was pragmatic yet progressive — a balance between old-school resilience and emerging tactical sophistication. Starting the tournament in a 4-4-2, Robson later shifted to a sweeper system (3-5-2) inspired by European trends, allowing England to retain shape while releasing creativity through Gascoigne.
Terry Butcher and Des Walker anchored the defence, with Stuart Pearce and Paul Parker providing width and aggression from wing-back. The midfield trio — Gascoigne, David Platt, and Peter Beardsley — combined energy, guile, and invention. Gary Lineker remained the focal point in attack, feeding off precision passes and instinctive movement.
Robson’s tactical switch transformed England from rigid to fluid. The team controlled possession better, broke lines through Gascoigne’s dribbling, and found balance between defence and invention. Crucially, England’s team spirit — fostered through Robson’s trust and calm — became their defining strength.
They were no tactical revolutionaries, but they were adaptable. England played with heart and composure, showing that courage and intelligence could coexist. Their football was structured yet emotional — a reflection of a manager who believed in humanity as much as systems.
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