We've had a look at football fiction on film on Team 33 before, but one thing we've always wanted to touch on are the plethora of brilliant documentaries which give us an insight into the game and its many characters.
On this week's show, we each picked one documentary that we enjoyed and put out the reasons why we recommend them highly.
Of course, the ones listed below are just a small tip of iceberg, so if you have suggestions of your own, feel free to get in touch with us on Twitter or on Facebook as we try to come up with a master list of documentaries.
You can listen back to our quick documentaries segment (12 minutes 15 seconds in) via the podcast player below or download for free on iTunes:
An Impossible Job
This was my choice. In one fell swoop this 1994 documentary on Channel 4 makes you feel ever so sorry for ex-England manager Graham Taylor as his mood disintegrates along with the Three Lions' World Cup hopes. If you've seen Mike Bassett England Manager, then consider that to be the screenplay adaptation.
While Taylor's infamous line 'Do I not like that' is the one everyone remembers, there are so many others, including this passage:
(Warning: Strong language)
Away with the Faroes
Ex-Ireland manager Brian Kerr is definitely one of our favourite people on Team 33, especially because of his inimitable co-commentary.
In that vein, Richard chose a documentary which charts a week in the Dubliner's time as Faroe Islands manager, and picked out some of the endearing moments from it:
Plus, we also looked back at his managerial career and discussed how "history will be kind to Kerr" as Ireland manager.
Inside the mind of Roy Keane
As Joe said: "This was a really well made documentary by Channel 4", dating from 2003. Featuring contributions from the likes of Eamon Dunphy and Alex Ferguson and put together in the shadow of Saipan, it is one of many attempts to try and psychoanalyse the current Ireland assistant manager.
As Joe explained, the final two minutes give a feel for the rest of the documentary:
The Rod Squad
A series I watched as recently as this weekend, it really gives an insight into what life is really like managing near the foot of England's Football League.
On top of that, Roddy Collins is a compelling and charismatic character as the protagonist. The original Rod Squad was broadcast in four parts of about 30 minutes each which makes it an easy watch.
Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
Some were lucky to be alive when the likes of Pele, Maradona and Cruyff were at their pomp. For those of later generations, we've been lucky to watch Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi.
The former was the muse for Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, as 17 cameras capture his every reflex during a La Liga match for Real Madrid:
The Two Escobars
A mix of social issues and football, the two unrelated Escobars - drug lord Pablo and ex-international footballer Andreas - suffered similar brutal endings to their lives.
The ESPN 30 For 30 documentary brilliantly shows the different paths they took in a troubled Colombia:
Last year, Off The Ball spoke to the documentaries co-director on the 20th anniversary of Andreas' murder, a week after scoring an own goal at the 1994 World Cup:
Once in a Lifetime
@teamthirtythree any shouts for Once In A Lifetime?
— Richie McCormåck (@RichieMcCormack) March 11, 2015
Richie McCormack reminded us about this one on Twitter. An excellent piece of work which details how Pele and the New York Cosmos captured the imagination of US soccer.
It was essential watching for us before we did a piece on the Cosmos and their legacy prior to Christmas.
The Four-Year Plan
We also got a recommendation for one that neither of us has seen, but takes viewers behind the scenes of QPR's boardroom:
@teamthirtythree I thought it was excellent anyway, great music too https://t.co/hLPDCuQn3G
— Denis Hurley (@Denis_Hurley) March 11, 2015
@NewstalkSport @NewstalkFM @QPRFC Another great documentry "The Four Year Plan" also on YouTube https://t.co/HRnLe6JaPy
— Alonze Productions (@AlonzeProd) March 12, 2015
The Referee
@NewstalkSport @Raftastico The Referee. About Martin Hansson. Tragically brilliant. And its major set-piece is THAT night in Paris.
— Patrick Appleton (@Pat_Appleton_II) March 12, 2015
The next recommendation comes from Patrick Appleton who turns the focus on a Swedish three-part documentary about referee Martin Hansson which has huge interest for an Irish audience:
Next Goal Wins
@teamthirtythree @NewstalkFM Next Goal Wins is pretty incredible.
— Cian Carroll (@CianByName) March 12, 2015
This documentary tells the story of a Dutch coach who goes to American Samoa to try and help a national team once branded the worst in the world, having been hammered 31-0 by Australia.
Orient for a Fiver
@NewstalkFM @teamthirtythree "Orient for a Fiver" - with the legendary John Sitton as manager. You'll be quoting him for months afterwards.
— RO'D (@rod801218) March 13, 2015
In the mid-90s, Leyton Orient FC suffered a crisis on and off the field. Joint manager John Sitton's expletive laiden rants became the stuff of legend thanks to this doc:
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