Introduction
Editor’s Note – Jonathan Wilson
The editor’s note from Issue Twenty Seven
Crossword – Tifo
The cryptic crossword from Issue Twenty Seven
Foreigners
The Unquiet American – Toke Moller Theilade
In 1990, as the Soviet Union collapsed, a US footballer signed for Lokomotiv Moscow
An Englishman Abroad – Tom Williams
Gary Lineker looks back on his time at Barcelona and his tempestuous relationship with Johan Cruyff
When Leicester Went to Bulawayo – Luke Alfred
The remarkable story of the Foxes’ 1961 tour of Southern Rhodesia
Capitalist Traitor – Lukas Vrablik
Milan Mandarić on exile from Yugoslavia, success in California and his return to Europe
Diego in the Desert – Morten Glinvad
How Diego Maradona is looking to inspire Fujairah to promotion in the UAE
The Wrong Foreigner – Michael Walker
Leaving Arsenal for Juventus in 1980 was a huge step but Liam Brady thrived in Italy
18 Months in Lisbon – Will Unwin
Graeme Souness’s time at Benfica was characterised by British signings and presidential scandal
The Generous Genius – Federico Bassahún
Fabian O’Neill, brilliant footballer and better drinker, has given away a fortune
King Kazu
The Strange Longevity of Kazu – Felix Lill and Javier Sauras
As Japan’s oldest player hits 50, has his career become more legend than reality?
The Heaven-Sent Comic – Priya Ramesh
The cartoonist Yoichi Takahashi on the inspiration for his hugely influential Captain Tsubasa series
Childhood
The Thimble and the Damage Done – Andrew McKirdy
Finger-based controversy and the difficulty of growing up in the Kelso Subbuteo League
GCSE Wall-ball – Nicholas Hogg
The techniques and tactics of the game that was better than studying Humanities
Photo Essay
Doing the Poznan – Bartosz Nowicki
Recalling life for Lech fans long before their Bułgarska Street home was upgraded for Euro 2012
Pastures New
The River – James Montague
How Miodrag Belodedici escaped Romania and won the European Cup for a second time
Monkey Glands – Scott MurrayMajor Frank Buckley took Wolves to 1930s prominence with dubious injections
The Uneasy Trade – Tim Gosling
Chinese investment in Slavia Prague is forcing fans to consider what really matters
The Rise of IFK Norrköping – Gunnar Persson
How Lajos Czeizler lifted the second team in their city to be the best in Sweden
Johnny and Jimmy – Paul Brown
The contrasting fortunes of Johnny Goodall and Jimmy Trainer, two stars of the Victorian game
Theory
The Return of Research – Tim Vickery
How Tite ended the myth of superiority and brought thinking back to Brazilian football
Route One – Sean Cole
John Beck’s long-ball theories brought unprecedented success to Cambridge United
The Sacred Eyeball – Scott Oliver
Fans are vital to the modern game but tribalism too often means they fail fully to realise their power
Greatest Games
Croatia 2 Yugoslavia 2 – Vladimir Novak
European Championship qualifier, Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, 9 October 1999
