Published in March 2025, Issue Fifty Six and its six sections contains 16 articles including the story of Botafogo rallying from collapse to bring home the Libertadores; how football enabled a Finnish academic to find a new home; why 2023-24 was so special for Bayer Leverkusen fans; how Exeter City make fan ownership work in the modern world.
STATE OF PLAY
Football’s Age of Autocracy – Sam Kunti
With Saudi Arabia’s takeover of the sport continuing, nothing has been learned from Qatar
In Defence of the Nation State – Henry Tydeman
As Thomas Tuchel takes the England job, why has so much talk centred on his nationality?
ECHOES OF ETERNITY
The Last Game – Chris Lepkowski
Jock Stein collapsed and died during Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales in 1985
Second Time Lucky – Peter Speetjens
How Botafogo rallied from incredible collapse to bring home the Libertadores
The Cruellest Break – Sean Cole
Eduardo’s broken leg ended his Premier League career and an Arsenal title challenge
The Shoemaker’s Boy – Itay Goder
Remembering Bohos Jojosian, born in Syria to an Armenian family and a great striker for Israel
FANS
Blood and History – Uroš Jovičić
As Crvena Zvezda celebrate their 80th anniversary, they remain a club of deep political significance
Never say Neverkusen – Igor Rabiner
Just why was 2023-24 so special for Bayer Leverkusen fans?
The Man without A Scarf – Nige Tassell
What does it mean to love football but not to support one particular club?
Belonging – Markus Pantsar
How football enabled a Finnish academic to find a new home in Aachen
A Footballing Education – Stuart Roy Clarke
AJ Auxerre – a small town but with a big influence on French football.
ON THE MARGINS
Oscillate Wildly – Tim Quelch
The birth and early struggles of Hastings United in a post-War world
Homegrown – John Duerden
Exeter City demonstrate how fan ownership can work in the modern world
The Football State – Will Sewell
In left-wing Kerala, football rather than cricket has always been the most popular sport
GREATEST GAMES
Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 – Roger Domeneghetti
League Division One, Old Trafford, Manchester, 20 October 1990
FICTION
We Drink, They Rig – Deniz Arslan
The players are poor, the referee weak and the officials crooked, but fans watch on
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