The magic of the cup
On FA Cup finals weekend, Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith looks at the “magic of the cup”. Joe Parkinson goes back 30 years to when he won the 1995 FA Cup with Everton. He reveals why he faced a challenge to get a Manchester United player’s shirt, and he shares his memories of Goodison Park ahead of the final men’s game to be played there. Cup engraver Colin Mabey takes us behind-the-scenes of the intricate detail required to get sports trophies ready for the winners - and how it led to him being part of a film directed by Madonna. There’s cups of a different variety too. Canadian rower Jenny Casson opens up about her self-reflection since competing at the 2024 Olympic Games, but how an exciting new venture has given her a lift. She’s a co-founder of Daylilie who create bras for “athletic silhouettes”. Completing a stacked show is Kit Fox who shares how his father helped popularise sport stacking around the world. How did the craze of stacking cups become a global sport with its own world championship? Plus, find out about the secrets of keeping the FA Cup trophy safe and hear more about the Vatican’s mini football World Cup.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media.
Image: A detailed view as the FA Cup Trophy is displayed on a plinth prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Not by the Playbook
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
- No. of episodes: 521
- Latest episode: 2025-05-19
- Sports
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