Introduction
Editor’s Note – Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan Wilson’s editor’s note from Issue Twenty Six
Crossword – Knut
The cryptic crossword from Issue Twenty Six
Stadiums
Windsor Park, Maine Road, Brazil – James Young
The story of stadiums is the story of the societies that surround them
Estadio Vicente Calderón – Andy Brassell
How will Atlético cope with moving from a home that symbolised them?
Pittodrie – Jonathan Northcroft
North Sea wind, fog, gulls and the glorious intimacy of Aberdeen
Parc des Princes – Asker Hedegaard Boye
A hunting forest, a cycle track, hooligans and PSG’s search for identity
Estadio Centenario – Dan Edwards
A living monument, the host of the first World Cup final has barely changed since
Highbury – Philippe Auclair
A blend of Art Deco grandeur and ordinariness that meant it fitted perfectly
Estádio São Januário – Tim Vickery
Even after an armed robbery, the charm of one of Rio’s oldest grounds is clear
Fratton Park – Brian Oliver
50 years after his first visit, a Portsmouth fan still delights in the old home
Soccer City – Mark Gleeson
Even before the World Cup, the stadium in Soweto had a powerful appeal
Estadio Azteca – Mike Gibbons
The host of two World Cup finals, is it the greatest stage of all?
Competitions
Brilliant Orange – Priya Ramesh
The Dutch ended 22 years of German domination to win the women’s European Championship
New Horizons – Luke Edwards
How England converted a Premier League writer to the charm of the women’s game
The Far Corner – Manoj Narayan
Why last season’s champions are facing relegation in a shake-up of Indian football
Free for All – Tom Dunmore
Why is US Soccer so reluctant to promote one of the oldest tournaments in the world?
De Kuip of Cheer – Priya Ramesh
How Dirk Kuyt helped Feyenoord end an 18-year drought
Fans
Community Service – Simon Hughes
What fan-owned clubs say about alienation from the Premier League
Speak its Name – Taimour Lay
What is it in the game’s culture that means so few gay footballers feel able to come out?
Democratic Deficit – Sean Cole
Looking back on Ebbsfleet and the MyFootballClub experiment
Trotting on the Brink – Dan Murphy
Bolton’s flirtation with financial meltdown and why promotion may not be the end of it
Theory
Positional Sense – Uriah Kriegel
How Pep Guardiola struggled to impose his model in his first season at Manchester City
Photo Essay
The League – Stuart Roy Clarke
Beyond the glitz of the Premier League, the Football League retains some sanity
Greatest Games
Ipswich Town 5 Bolton Wanderers 3 – Nick Ames
Division One play-off semi-final second leg, Portman Road, Ipswich, 17 May 2000
Eight Bells
Great Efforts – Richard Jolly
A selection of eight great efforts that ultimately ended in failure
