
MANCHESTER CITY’S SUCCESS IS OFTEN EASILY DISMISSED
Simon Bajkowski introduces his new book,how a once-great club lifted itself from its darkest hour in the third division of English football to the summit of Europe in just 24 years.

POLITICAL FOOTBALL
Politics and football have always had an on-off relationship. Kier Starmer's seats-for-Gunners problem isn't new. Here Paul Simpson recalls that, while some PMs are genuine fans, for others it's a hospital pass.

THE GREAT RUGBY REFEREE MYTH
“How did the rugby team do on Saturday, Simpson?”, my headmaster asked gruffly one soggy Monday morning in the Midlands in the mid-1970s.

PELE: WHY WE SHOULD VALUE HIM MORE HIGHLY
Dry stats and lack of footage mean we underrate the best of all time, by Paul Simpson.