Was Alan Curbishley’s Charlton Athletic one of English football’s great overachievers?

This week on By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham and Jamie are joined by London football expert Stuart Burgess to unpack the remarkable rise—and quiet brilliance—of Charlton Athletic under Alan Curbishley.

From financial chaos and exile from The Valley to Premier League stability and European dreams, the episode explores how Curbishley’s calm leadership turned Charlton into a model of consistency. We revisit their epic 1998 playoff final, smart recruitment, and a youth system that helped punch above their weight. Was Curbishley’s Charlton more than just a well-run club? Or were they something closer to greatness?

🔴⚪ A story of resilience, loyalty, and ambition on a budget.

Takeaways:

• How Charlton rebuilt after years in the wilderness
• The 1998 playoff final and promotion to the Premier League
• The return to The Valley and the influence of the Valley Party
• Curbishley’s long-term vision, smart recruitment, and player development
• Reflections on legacy: Where does Charlton under Curbishley rank in football history?

🎧 Listen now as we decide how great this Charlton side truly was.

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Was Chelsea on the verge of greatness before the Abramovich era?

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, we travel back to Stamford Bridge at the turn of the millennium, exploring a Chelsea side full of flair, ambition, and continental influence—before the billions arrived. From FA Cup glory to a European semi-final and the Premier League’s first all-foreign XI, we chart the club’s evolution during one of its most intriguing transitional periods.

Join us as we unpack Chelsea’s rise from 90s underachievers to a team with real silverware ambitions. We revisit the pivotal roles of Ken Bates, Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, and Gianluca Vialli, and examine how key players like Gianfranco Zola, Dennis Wise, Mark Hughes, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink helped shape the club’s identity. Plus, we dive into the backlash, the Full Members Cup, and the cultural shift in English football that made Chelsea both admired and controversial.

How close was this side to true greatness? Tune in and find out.

Takeaways:

• The legacy of Ken Bates and the Hoddle-Gullit-Vialli managerial transition
• Why Chelsea’s continental approach sparked both innovation and criticism
• The significance of the 1997 and 2000 FA Cup wins
• How signings like Zola and Hasselbaink redefined Chelsea’s playing style
• The strategic shift that foreshadowed the Abramovich revolution

🎧 Listen now and rank this Chelsea side’s place in football history with us.

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No New Episode This Week – But We’re Not Done Yet!

Graham and Jamie are missing in action — ambushed by the day job and temporarily subbed off by the work/life gods. So, sadly, no new episode this week.

But don’t worry — By Far The Greatest Team returns next Thursday, 22nd May, for the big Season 3 run-in, featuring:

• Gianluca Vialli’s silverware-stacking Chelsea
• Curbishley’s flying Charlton Athletic
• Steve Double on England at Italia ’90
• Our end-of-season Greatness Promotion & Relegation Special, with help from returning favourites like Phil Craig

And then…Season 4 is just around the corner flag— which promises to be our greatest ever. Or at least a solid mid-table finish with European ambitions.

Thanks for sticking with us — see you next week!

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