Forty Year Itch

A fiery set of matches in 1979 resulted in red cards, police intervention and a grudge that goes beyond the two clubs’ geographical distance.

Neville May Cry

If it seemed like Ryan Giggs had a tough reception when he was appointed Wales manager, it was nothing compared to the grief his Class of ’92 colleague Phil Neville has just experienced.

Frankly, Mr Shankly

There are few figures from football history who are universally popular and able to transcend club loyalties. Bill Shankly is an exception, and with good reason.

Sharp End

Torquay United look destined for English football’s sixth tier amid increasing distrust of the motives of their owner, Clarke Osborne.

Salford City 2 FC United Of Manchester 1

Pre-season brings together two local rivals whose owners, at least from the outside, appear to have vastly different philosophies on what constitutes progress. While the visitors seem relatively content with life in the National League North, their hosts are aiming higher – though whether Salford could sustain League football remains to be seen.

Girls Interrupted

Manchester United have a thriving girls’ youth system – the problem is, they still do not have a senior team to which they can graduate.

Homage To Catalonia

Odd stadium backdrops and past glories make Barcelona’s smaller clubs worthy of attention, though life remains insecure in Spain’s lower divisions.

Great Scott

Charlton’s best period of the modern era coincided with the rise of Scott Parker as their midfield general, but poor career choices meant he never lived up to his full potential.

Asian Recipe

While a summer tournament helps to promote Asian football clubs around the country, the FA are making strides to increase diversity.

Home From Home

For decades from the 1960s the Anglo-Italian Football League provided a sanctuary for Italian immigrants who moved to the UK after the war.