From the publisher:
Etched in memory.
By Daniel Gray
The superheroes and villains of Scottish fitba.
Fitbatweets
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Future of the National Teams
Career Opportunities
The lack of depth available to Steve Clarke became starkly apparent during June’s defeat to Iceland, while domestically young Scottish players are granted very little playing time. How deep does the problem run, and what is being done by clubs and the SFA by way of remedy? By Stephen McGowan
“I got on the pitch… That was my happy place.”
In the prodigiously gifted midfielder Lennon Miller, Scotland can call on a young talent bursting with potential. Here, Miller talks to Steven Naismith, an ex-player with an intimate knowledge of the pressures he faces. By Steven Naismith
Fair dinkum, Scotland!
Having risen through the ranks of Australian football, Melissa Andreatta is bringing her trademark determination to the Scottish women’s side with a keen eye on the 2027 World Cup. By Chris Marshall
The 16-minute death spiral that has lasted six years
Back in 2019, all seemed rosy for the Scotland Women’s National Team. Since then, the downturn in their fortunes has been epic. Solutions are needed before they lapse further behind. By Alison McConnell
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Allaster McKallaster: The man under the kilt
In 2022, Texas-based lawyer and Scotland diehard Pete Reid created his furiously partisan commentating persona. 400 million views later and the Tartan Army are stopping him for selfies. By Martin Greig
Fax of life
I thought I’d hung up my Hibs scarf for good – until my eight-year-old’s Euro 2024 fever sent me on a journey through a lifetime of football memories. By Gordon McIntyre
Escape to victory
In 1993, wrongly convicted Joe Steele turned a prison kick‑off into an audacious jailbreak, sending the beautiful game into permanent lock‑down. Three decades on, the story still reverberates.
By Colin Leslie
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A year with Glasgow City: Part 1
“Why don’t we just do it ourselves?”
In the first part of a series delving behind the scenes at Glasgow City, co-founder and CEO Laura Montgomery recounts the hostile circumstances which eventually led to the creation of the club.
By Patricia-Ann Young
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Basque-ing in the glory
Spain’s second “ugliest” city rolls out its bagpipes and bocadillos as Scots-influenced SD Éibar prove that grit and passion beats galáctico glitter every time.
By Stephen Walsh
Jamie Carragher: football dad
Nobody talks football like the former Liverpool captain, but when it comes to his son James, he’s just like the rest of us.
By Neil White
Wembley Wonders’ stateside sojourn
Scotland arrived in North America for their 1949 tour in imperious form. Though goals flew in and victories were plentiful, they departed beset by bruises physical and psychological.
By Harry Pearson
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Football focus: Norway
The Supporters: Scandi scandal of VAR
Fans feel ignored and betrayed by how the Norwegian federation adopted the technology on the sly then continued to tolerate its worst mistakes.
By Lars Johnsen
The numbers: Norse code
A deep analysis of club and player data offers the chance to compare two footballing nations alike in size and demographics.
By Nick Harris
The Magazine: Outsiders who shine a light on game’s dark side
Despite its size and enduring a constant battle to survive, Josimar magazine probes the ugly aspects of football with unparalleled depth and vigour.
By Paul Forsyth
The former player: What Norwegian football’s rise says about Scotland
With rising talent, a thriving league and World Cup ambitions, Aberdeen cult hero and author Arild Stavrum offers insight into a football culture outpacing our own.
By Scott Fleming
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Beyond the game
Learning to fly
Qualification for European competition is rightly revered and continental trips delight supporters. Yet for clubs without much recent travel experience, logistical considerations are many and complex, as I witnessed during my time at Hearts.
By Neil Gibson
How Cooke went Stateside and spread his skills globally
The former Dundee and Chelsea star worked wonders on the pitch but for the last 40 years he has influenced thousands more youngsters with an international training programme.
By Andy Harrow
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Photo essay
Island Fling
The Island Games were recently held on Scottish soil for the first time in twenty years as Orkney hosted the 40th edition, including its remarkable football tournament. Words and photographs
by Reece Mullen
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Opinion
The erosion of experience
Smartphones, streaming and instant updates have made following football effortless – but they’ve also bred impatience. Is it too late to reclaim the simple joy of just watching?
By Kenny Pieper
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No need to quit at 60 even if you’re done for pace every week
The ego might have to adapt to dwindling abilities but that is no excuse to stop playing the game we love.
By Sam Phipps
When Kaká’s brilliance broke Celtic hearts
In 2007 an unforgettable night at San Siro left me and my fellow Hoops supporters with no regrets, even after an extra time strike sealed our fate.
By Mark Poole
Take me Braco, dung dodging and all
My childhood pitch in the Perthshire village had full-size goals and occupied a spectacular spot by the river. On a good summer’s night it was paradise.
By Ed Hodge
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The Managers
How Christie grasped Thistle and found the zone
The innovative manager learnt from the likes of Bob Shankly and Jock Stein, enabling a trio of lower league clubs to punch above their weight.
By Colin McPherson
The unassuming architect behind Potter’s progress
From nurturing teen prodigies at Hamilton to sharing the touchline with Graham Potter in the Premier League, Billy Reid has built a career on bold decisions, boundless energy and unwavering loyalty.
By Moira Gordon
Lucky Jim
Jimmy Thelin rode out a mid-season nosedive to deliver Aberdeen’s first Scottish Cup win in decades – a testament to the quiet pragmatism that has carried him from Sweden’s sixth tier to Hampden heroism.
By Sean Cole
How Petrie rescued Gable Endies from basement
The Montrose boss has given fans plenty to savour since his arrival almost 10 years ago. The fourth tier is a fading memory and he is intent on further progress.
By Andy Ross
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The Teams
Gala days
Moving to Galashiels and pushing the Netherdale turnstiles opened up a wonderful, welcoming community and helped me belong. Then last season the team gave its town an electric high.
By David Scott
Deep seams keep Bonnyrigg Rose blooming
The club is one of several whose history and character have been shaped by Midlothian’s mines. Today it remains central to the local community.
By Richard Purden
Shoot to Kil
East Kilbride had already won silverware before their play-off at Bonnyrigg Rose. But Mick Kennedy’s men were intent on one more accolade: promotion from the Lowland League at long last.
By Craig Anderson
Surviving the fall
Relegated in 2019 after 60 years in the SPFL, Berwick Rangers are now entrenched in the Lowland League. Director Dan Crowe reflects on the club’s fight to rebuild.
By Dominic Picksley
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Five at the back
1. Fanzine: Songs of praise
It is often said that football fanzines were inspired by their musical forerunners. Inspiration did not stop there.
By Peter Slater
2. From the Chairman to the Tea Lady…
Brian McLaughlin, Chief Executive, Morton
in the Community
3. By the way…
The seagull has landed An avian intruder on the Tannadice pitch summoned vicarious trauma and enriched what was already a surreal European night.
By Liam Kirkaldy
4. Record appearances
Bernabéu beats No. 8: Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait Soundtrack (2006) by Mogwai
By David Pollock
5. Poetry
Alex Bomphrey’s Fitba’ Scarf. By Janet Brunton
The Scottish Cup. By John Daly
By the Pitches. By Ronnie McCluskey
Sunday Morning At Mini Kickers. By Stephen Watt
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