Episode 40: Flight to Bogota - England's Football Rebel Neil Franklin by John Leonard

This week, we dive into Flight to Bogotá by John Leonard — the true story of Neil Franklin, the England defender hailed by Tom Finney as the finest defender of his generation… until he threw it all away.

In the years after WWII, Franklin played 27 times for England and had a ticket to the 1950 World Cup in the bag 🏆. But instead of heading to Brazil, he shocked the football world by signing for Santa Fe in Colombia’s rebel pirate Dimayor league — sacrificing his career for freedom, dollars 💰, and a new life beyond the FA’s reach.

We explore the post-war players’ rebellion 🛫🇬🇧, their fight against “slave contracts” in British football, and what awaited them in the chaotic, cash-rich world of Colombian football.

A story of risk, revolt, and thick, thick soup 🔥.