How a Scottish Striker 'Fixed' English Football

Football: the beautiful game, a sport built on skill, passion, and fair play. Or is it? Behind the glory of league titles and World Cup victories lies a darker side of the game, and few stories expose it better than that of Jimmy Gauld. Once a journeyman striker with a knack for scoring goals, Gauld’s legacy wasn’t defined by his performances on the pitch—but by his audacious scheme to manipulate the very fabric of English football. In this episode, we dive into the incredible true story of how Gauld masterminded one of the most infamous scandals in English football history. Armed with a network of bribed players, secret recordings, and a knack for evading suspicion (at least for a while), Gauld fixed matches across the leagues, leaving bookmakers out of pocket and football fans out of trust. His web of deceit ensnared even England internationals Tony Kay and Peter Swan, derailing careers and dreams in the process. But this isn’t just a tale of greed—it’s a cautionary story about the vulnerabilities of 1960s football. With wages capped at £20 a week, many players saw Gauld’s underhanded offers as their golden ticket. The scandal exposed the cracks in football’s integrity and shattered the illusion that the beautiful game was untouchable. Join us as we unravel the messy legacy of Jimmy Gauld’s syndicate, the players he implicated, and the fallout that forever changed the sport. Did it lead to sweeping reforms? Not exactly. Is match-fixing a thing of the past? Not even close. By the end, you might be wondering if it’s time to watch darts instead. Want more match-fixing shenanigans? Watch my video on the 1915 English match-fixing scandal. https://youtu.be/qBQu1xMhQ-4?si=N_WAfM5pBReEDHam Route None would love your support. If you enjoy deep dives into football and uncovering the stories behind events from football history, don't forget to subscribe to stay updated with our latest content. Your support helps us grow and continue producing new videos on a regular basis. If you're feeling even more generous then you can support the channel by visiting https://buymeacoffee.com/routenone