ALWYN TURNER on the FA Carling Premiership, Fever Pitch and the realisation that everything had gone wrong. Continue reading
Category Archives: Sport
Fun and games with Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell left a dark legacy, but PAUL SAFFER remembers a lighter moment from his assault on public life. Continue reading
The Ambling Alp in London
Italian boxer Primo Carnera got namechecked in the 1930s by PG Wodehouse and Sandy Powell. ALWYN TURNER explains why. Continue reading
Sporting comebacks II
PAUL SAFFER on how sport came back with renewed purpose after its suspension in WW2. Continue reading
Sporting comebacks I
As sport returns from its spell on the bench, PAUL SAFFER looks at how it came back after World War I. Continue reading
‘This is no time for football’
Football has been criticised for its response to COVID-19 but PAUL SAFFER finds an echo from a global crisis a century ago. Continue reading
Brexit and the beautiful game
From Derek Dougan to Gary Lineker, PAUL SAFFER finds plenty of footballers who won’t kick the big issues into the long grass. Continue reading
Denis Compton’s English magic
PAUL SAFFER delves into a 1950s book for boys & finds more grit than glamour. And some imperialist football. Continue reading
Lenin on the goalpost
Long before the 2018 World Cup, a Radio 4 sitcom explored the links between Russia and football, says PAUL SAFFER. Continue reading
Purves power
PAUL SAFFER explains how Peter Purves invented modern football at Italia 90. Continue reading
From Rous with love
PAUL SAFFER remembers the last English president of FIFA. Sir Stanley wouldn’t have approved of the modern game. Continue reading
Kicking sport into politics
Ex-footballer George Weah has just been elected president of Liberia – but where are Britain’s sporting politicos? PAUL SAFFER finds a few, but has to dig deep. Continue reading
Lion & Unicorn 