GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE DARREN BENT

WELCOME

There aren’t many life mottos I try to

FERNANDINHO

“When you’re 5-0 down after 30 minutes of a World Cup semi, your reaction is, ‘Bloody hell, what’s going on?!’ You doubt reality”

MEANWHIL IN...

...Enfield, WWE have made a bold bid to increase brand awareness – by sponsoring an Isthmian League side

“ALRIGHT, GRANDAD?”

Ronaldo may still be in tip-top shape at 36 – others weren’t

FRANCIS ‘BIRDWATCHER’ BENALI

‘Iron Fran’ – Southampton legend, charity warrior – chats cricket, cannibalism and Springwatch

MY FOOTBALL

The Manic Street Preachers frontman on spotting John Charles after busking, disrupting Roberto Carlos’ family feast – and how Joe Allen nicked his haircut

JACKO 7 JACKO 1

When two Slovakian outfits faced off, one man won – but also lost

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Fire up your engines for questions about record-breaking right-backs, brave transfers and trophy droughts

TONI DUGGAN

After spells with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the 30-year-old forward is back in the WSL at Everton – and eyeing an England recall

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDS

Is there an issue you feel strongly about?

LONG LIVE THE KING

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United a Premier League champion in 2009, but it’s been eight long seasons since the Red Devils ruled English football. Their prodigal son has come back, though, and he wants trophies…

GRANDE LU-LA

Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the only man back at his old club and chasing Premier League glory – Romelu Lukaku has rejoined Chelsea a different player to when he departed in 2014, largely thanks to a title-winning spell at Inter

100 GREATEST GROUNDS IN BRITAIN

From Anfield to Oakwell, via Craven Cottage and Cae Clyd, FFT ranks the finest homes by their matchday experience. We’re convinced there’ll be absolutely no arguing about it

MILAN THE REBIRTH

After 10 years without a scudetto and seven out of the Champions League, the Rossoneri are back in Europe’s elite club competition – and they mean business. FFT goes inside Milanello to meet the key figures ushering in a bold new era

IT’S HARD WHEN YOU’RE NOT GETTING A CHANCE. I LOVE BEING AROUND FOOTBALL AND I DON’T WANT TO LOSE THAT

Sol Campbell was a serial winner as a player, but successive jobs in the bleakest of circumstances at Macclesfield and Southend have only led him to closed doors. The former defender tells FFT of his struggle to shine in the dugout – and why he isn’t going to give up

THE TEN COMMANDENTS

Hungary visit Wembley in October, 68 years after Ferenc Puskas orchestrated a 6-3 win under the Twin Towers. FFT gained access to the Galloping Major’s personal diaries, and a 10-part philosophy that led him to greatness

THE DOCTOR WANTED ME TO SLEEP FOR A FEW HOURS, BUT I DIDN’T WANT TO. I THOUGHT,‘IF I GO TO SLEEP, I MIGHT NEVER WAKE UP’

Steve Cotterill was a fit 50-something enjoying life in his new role as manager of Shrewsbury – until coronavirus took its grip and left him fighting for survival. Having mercifully won that war, he relives the ordeal with FFT in his own words

MY PERFECT XI LUIS BOA MORTE

The former Fulham winger crams an all-star cast of footballing legends into his finest line-up, combining Cottagers with Cristiano – and a surprise dugout pick

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In 20 years as manager of Accrington, he’s called himself Ken Barlow and moved the club up four divisions – so is a tilt at the Championship next?

PROGRAMMES: A DEATH OF

The humble programme has been a matchday staple for decades, but ruthless cost-cutting in the EFL is threatening their very existence. Collectors, beware

BEST&WORST BOLTON WANDERERS

Writer and long-time Trotter Gary Parkinson regales tales of Jay-Jay, John McGinlay and wine bar bouffants

BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

BIRMINGHAM CITY LOWDOWN Ex-Feyenoord prodigy Chong joined Manchester

WHO ARE YA? | ROMULUS

COULD BE Father to a murdered son, husband

THE UNLIKELY LADS

DONCASTER (2011-12) CREDENTIALS The hot-headed attacker shot to

IAN HOLLOWAY

With the life of a modern manager so all-encompassing, the role of player-manager has died a gradual death. But no wonder, insists FFT’s columnist – doing that job himself with Bristol Rovers almost cost him very dearly

BIGGLESWADE: BIG PROBLEMS

An unpopular FA decision has riled United’s suffering chairman, Guillem Balagué

CLAIMS TO FAME

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

“LATVIA’S COUNSEL THANKED ME FOR PUTTING US ON THE MAP – I FELT LIKE AN AMBASSADOR”

Southampton’s cult hero on injury woes, nutmegging Jaap Stam and why he’d even play centre-back for Glenn Hoddle

“AFTER A FEW BEERS, ROY SAID HE WAS GOING TO F**KING SMASH ME – I SOBERED UP AND WENT TO BED”

Ireland’s cultured left-back recalls European nights with Leeds, the Saigon Spat and why he’s better than Becks

“THE MOST TALENTED PLAYER I’VE EVER SEEN ? NO, NOT RONALDO OR ROONEY, IT WAS RAVEL MORRISON”

The South African lined up alongside stars galore at Manchester United, having moved to Europe following the end of apartheid

“I DON’T REGRET MY SUSPENSION FOR INSULTING THE REF AGAINST BARÇA. I’D DO IT AGAIN – IT WAS AN INJUSTICE”

The former Chelsea full-back chats Le Sulk, Mourinho and Champions League triumph