From the publisher:
Sound garden
By Daniel Gray
A unique take on captains.
Fitbatweets
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World Cup revisited
Once upon a time in America
Scotland’s on-field deficiencies at the World Cup were a manifestation of deep-seated failures off it. Surveying what went wrong offers the chance to ponder future remedies for the national team.
By Stephen McGowan
A League of their own
The inside story of the Tartan Army takeover of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
By Neil White
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The Captains
Bottoms up
How John McGinn led Aston Villa to a European final with a legendary performance that proved he’s much more than a backside.
By Adam Clery
Teamsheets and spreadsheets
Kelly Clark has captained Celtic for over a decade – and combines her career as a professional footballer with her day job as a Chartered Accountant. Here she talks about what leadership and teamwork means to her, on and off the field.
By Paul Cuddihy
O captain! My captain!
Five famous Scots climb onto their desks and pay tribute to the instrumental, long-serving captains who made such an unforgettable impression on their careers.
By Mark Wilson
The rough guide to being a captain
Barry Smith skippered Dundee with distinction for over a decade – and later channelled those leadership skills into management during a tumultuous period for the club. Here, he reveals his 13 rules of captaincy.
By Martin Greig
Skip to the end
Life as a young player – and reserve team captain – at Manchester United gave me fascinating insight into leadership styles. Later in my career, I saw the importance of strong captaincy – and what happens when the wrong player is given the armband.
By Liam Grimshaw
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Photo essay
Grounds still optimistic
Ten years ago for the very first issue of Nutmeg, I set about photographing the first day of the 2016/17 season. Revisiting the theme at opening fixtures this August, it allowed for reflection on what has and hasn’t changed over that decade. Words and photographs by Alan McCredie
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Hearts’ title challenge
It’s the hope that keeps you alive: life, death and Hearts’ title tilt
Personal circumstances gave my team’s Premiership challenge added poignancy. Simultaneously, the feelings I encountered were echoed in a new play about football and family.
By David Pollock
Follow the Hearts and it can go wrong
I was there supporting my beloved club at Dens Park in 1986 when old men warned against optimism. Being at Celtic Park four months ago rekindled memories of hope and despair.
By Roddy McDougall
This Hibee feels for Jambos, seriously
The prospect of Hearts winning the league was appalling but the memory of my selfless father would have softened the blow.
By Aidan Smith
The Scandi making of Braga
Three years in Norway’s lower divisions honed the Portuguese striker before he signed for Hearts and dazzled during their title challenge. Two of his coaches recount a raw talent’s progress.
By Sean Cole
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The Nutmeg Interview
“It brought a tear to your eye thinking that what you’d done had brought so much joy to so many people.”
Neil Simpson looks back with immense affection on the Aberdeen team that made him a Gothenburg Great. Four decades on, he discusses life with Fergie and a long career in the game – including that tackle on Ian Durrant.
By Teddy Jamieson
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Photo essay
Football fairytale still casts spell in a forest
Craig Coulthard’s vision of building a pitch for just a single day’s tournament brought players together from around the world – and left poignant traces in a corner of the Borders. Words by Daniel Gray
Photographs by Alan McCredie
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Honest Toun’s active tribute to Ghost of White Hart Lane
Every year Musselburgh FC host a five-a-side tournament in honour of John White. The son of the legendary Spurs and Scotland player explains what it means to him
By Colin Leslie
Homes alone
Enchanted since childhood by Scottish club names, this summer two English friends journeyed north to visit almost 30 grounds in four days. Mostly pushing magic doors into empty stadiums, their outsiders’ eye views are a reminder of the eclectic scene we live among.
By David Marples
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The Players
The boys on the bus and the other Patsy Gallacher
Lost in the shadows of his Celtic namesake, Sunderland’s Mighty Atom left Bridge of Weir behind and sparkled in England’s north-east.
By Harry Pearson
Have boots will travel
Peripatetic frontman Lee Erwin has forged a unique career since leaving Scotland. After Finland, North Macedonia, Lebanon and more, a new challenge beckons.
By Andy Ross
“I know how fortunate I am to be able to do this.”
Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Gibson’s long career has offered her a fascinating vantage point from which to view seismic changes in the women’s game.
By Alison McConnell
Samuel’s divine guidance
The Partick Thistle striker recounts how his Christian belief has shaped his life and career – and how other players are drawing on his experiences.
By Neil Cowan
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Ghost of White Hart Lane
Musselburgh’s yearly tribute to Spurs’ John White and what it means to his son.
By Colin Leslie
European champions of the community
From pre-school children to septuagenarian strikers, about 10,000 people use Nethercraigs, in Glasgow’s Southside, each month. Now the impressive organisation at its core has received international recognition.
By Kevin McAllion
How Athletic became the pride of Leith again
Since Ger Freedman revived Edinburgh’s only EH6 club 30 years ago with an ethos of getting kids off the streets, youth and senior players have reaped the rewards in their thousands.
By Mark Poole
Sometimes I fantasise
There is deep joy in letting our minds drift off into ridiculous footballing scenarios. May we always watch or play the game with the gleeful abandon of childhood.
By Terence Graham
Space for Braves to dream big
A group of NASA scientists in Houston are among those who support the Lowland League East club from afar after a digital share offering opened up the fanbase worldwide.
By Marc Webber
New ways to value our national treasure
Archival and sports heritage experts are on a mission to safeguard Scotland’s football history and make it more accessible.
By Michael Gallagher
And if you know the history…
As I witnessed while helping create a club museum and then making football documentaries for television, the history of Celtic has seldom been told by women. This is an injustice in itself, but it also points to a culture that must do more to involve female supporters and tell their stories.
By Dr. Margot McCuaig
All will be Well
In the first of a miniseries examining the state of Scotland’s fan-owned clubs, a visit to Fir Park finds a working-class town’s team playing champagne football.
By Adrian Goldberg
Bates at Thistle – a short marriage of convenience
When the late Chelsea chairman bought control at Firhill in 1986, eyebrows and hackles were raised. Things did not improve on the pitch over the next three years but nor did they get worse.
By Kenny Pieper
Quick to judge
Since officials first put whistles to their lips, technology has shaped refereeing and impacted football. Following the often fraught implementation of VAR, AI could become the next development
By Paul Grech
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Five at the back
1. Kits
Top quality
Aberdeen’s league title was won in sumptuous adidas shirts but Umbro also produced some stunners in this year.
By John Devlin
2. Record appearances
No. 11: ‘It Only Takes One Lion’
by Belle & Sebastian (2026)
Perky single that will always transport us to the summer of ’26.
By David Pollock
3. By the way…
Captain class
Maurice Malpas was the Paolo Maldini of the Scottish game, and not just because of his inspirational leadership skills.
By Liam Kirkaldy
4. What’s in a name?
No. 2: Inverness Caledonian Thistle
The acrimonious blending of two Inverness clubs. By Mark Poole
5. Poetry
A False Two by Jim Mackintosh
Stock Rotation by Stephen Watt
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