Castel di Sangro 1995–1998: The Miracle of Serie B

How did a tiny mountain village of 5,000 people produce one of the most incredible underdog stories in football history?

Episode Summary

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney tell the astonishing story of Castel di Sangro, the little Italian club that climbed from obscurity to reach Serie B in the mid-1990s.

Founded decades earlier by a village priest to bring the community together, Castel di Sangro rose through the divisions without major investment, powered instead by local pride, grit, and togetherness. Their first season in Serie B brought chaos, drama, and tragedy — from bizarre off-pitch events to incredible matches that captured the imagination of neutrals everywhere.

The tale was immortalised in Joe McGinniss’s cult classic book The Miracle of Castel di Sangro, but here Graham and Jamie revisit the footballing reality and the cultural legacy of a side whose story remains one of the most romantic in the game.

⚽ Style of Play

Castel di Sangro were no tactical revolutionaries — their success came from organisation, resilience, and sheer determination. With limited resources, they relied on defensive solidity, work rate, and the energy of local players, embodying the spirit of a team built on heart rather than superstar talent.

🔑 Takeaways

• Castel di Sangro’s extraordinary rise to Serie B in the 1990s
• Founded by a priest to unite a small Abruzzo community
• A village population smaller than their stadium’s capacity
• Their first Serie B season filled with drama, tragedy, and resilience
• Immortalised by Joe McGinniss in The Miracle of Castel di Sangro

👉 Call to Action

Listen now and uncover the miracle of Castel di Sangro — the ultimate football fairytale.

If you enjoy these podcasts, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating and also tell everyone about them!