MY FOOTBALL

WELCOME

Strap yourselves in: the rollercoaster is about to

CLAUDIO RANIERI

YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS “When Trevor Birch told

MEAN WHILE IN …

...Barcelona, Pep and Jose have been getting on better than ever – maybe they loved each other all along?

GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

“THAT WEMBLEY NIGHT WAS PERFECT FOR BARCELONA IN

SIX OF THE MADDEST | MATCH-FIXING SCANDALS

ONE FOR THE ROAD A match in Australia’s

ONE HIT WONDERS

SAEED AL-OWAIRAN

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ TRANSFER SPECIAL

Bask in silly season with FFT’s pre-season posers – starring volcanoes and mega record-breakers...

THE CELLINO ZONE MASSIMO FERRERO

When it comes to bizarre club owners, Sampdoria’s ex-chief is right up there...

WHO ARE YA? | CAPE COAST MYSTERIOUS DWARFS

COULD BE The most elusive pygmy team in history – not least because the players are too small to see with the naked eye. ACTUALLY A Ghanaian top-flight club until relegation in 2021, named after the mythical mmoatia: 1ft-tall forest-dwellers who give kids nightmares. The team’s crest instead features a crab juggling a football; their local rivals are the Cape Coast Venomous Vipers. Dwarfs vs Vipers: it’s the eternal duel

REQUIRED READING

SCORING GOALS IN THE DARK

ACTION REPLAY 1992

ARSENAL SIGN EUROS HERO, MAIDSTONE QUIT LEAGUE

BEEF ROY KEANE VS ALFIE HAALAND

UNLUCKY SEVEN FC U Craiova brought Italian boss

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT FACTS | FASTEST RED CARD

Before getting a Somerset clash between Cross Farm Park Celtic and Taunton East Reach Wanderers started in 2000, ref Peter Kearle warned players he wouldn’t tolerate swearing. Then he blew the whistle, right next to striker Lee Todd. “F**k me, ref, that was loud!” Todd responded. Result? Sent off, two seconds after kick-off.

TROPHY CABINET

SHERIFF OF LONDON CHARITY SHIELD

GUS POYET

After a previous spell at AEK Athens, the former Chelsea star is now the manager of Greece – Euro 2024 is the target

GOING INTERNATIONAL

After spells in English football, these three are now trying their hand at national team management, too...

WHAT’S THE MOST MUN DAN EEN COUN TERYOU’VE HAD WITH A FOOTBALLER?

Kenny Dalglish asked me what I was eating,

64 REASONS TO BE EXCITED FOR THE NEW SEASON

Welcome to a new season like no other in history. We might have missed the World Cup this summer, but that only means it’s all to look forward to in a delicious football feast ahead. Appetisers include some star arrivals, EFL madness and much more

JOELIN TON EXPERIENCE

The Brazilian’s metamorphosis from struggling striker to totemic midfield dominator has been nothing short of revelatory at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s loveable hero meets FFT to reflect on his rough ride in England, but he insists there’s only one thing on his mind: taking the Toon Army back into Europe…

THEY’RE OUT OF THE WOODS NOW

Nottingham Forest’s 23-year ordeal began with their star man on strike before finally ending in ecstasy this summer. Now, as they prepare for a return to the big time, FFT charts two decades of agony with those who endured it. Aaaaand breathe…

FALLEN KINGS

Forest became the first ex-European champions to drop into the third tier – but others have suffered after glory

30 YEARS OF DISTRACTION

It’s created legends, ruined entire weeks and prompted the most infamous split in gaming history. Championship Manager arrived to snotty reviews from the press in 1992 – then became the most loved football video game ever. FFT hears how from those who made it…

THE BOY WONDERS

No Champ Man chat is complete without tales of the uber-talented…

THE REDEEMED ONE

David Moyes suffered in Sociedad and sunk with Sunderland after his Manchester United dream ended in tatters – then he needed two attempts at West Ham before he was taken seriously. Now the Scot’s work in east London has rebuilt his reputation and taken the Irons to the brink of European glory

I LIT THE FIREWORK AND IT WENT OFF LIKE A STICK OF DYNAMITE I WAS BLIND I COULDN’T SEE A THING

Former Manchester City hopeful Omar Elabdellaoui thought his life had changed forever after a horrific accident at the end of 2020 – one that threatened the Galatasaray man’s sight, let alone career. Then a miracle happened, as he explains to FFT...

LA LIGA

More legends have left, but that only freshens things up in Spain. Barcelona go for glory in Xavi’s first full campaign, while Carlo Ancelotti meets an old friend…

BUNDESLIGA

Lewy’s had the grumps, but Sadio Mané is the latest Munich star. There’s also a new coach at BVB, bumbling sides doing battle and a 2014 hero’s return

SERIE A

Italy’s top flight looks to the past as a pair of fallen stars return with points to prove. Can Juve finally sort themselves out? And how will new boys Monza fare?

LIGUE 1

With four teams going down, the scrap to survive a goals-galore league will be fascinating. It’s all change at PSG, meanwhile – but this time it feels very different…

MY PERFECT XI MICHAEL OWEN

With a CV featuring Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United and England, it’s no wonder that a string of superstars miss out. Big apologies to Glenn Whelan...

WELCOME

Refreshed? Ready? Good – because this season is going to be busier than all before it. If nothing else, it’ll certainly be the most unique, with that small matter of a World Cup halting games in the Premier League, Championship and Scotland’s top flight for a number of weeks this winter. Leagues One and Two will carry on as normal while fans launch their pints around Boxparks – astrange feeling no doubt, but surely a novelty to embrace around the festive period. All the football: what’s not to like about that?

AROUND THE GROUNDS EFL • NON-LEAGUE • SCOTLAND

INTERVIEW PAUL WARNE

LOUIS: NON-LEAGUE’S KING

Aged 43, Jefferson Louis scored a dramatic double which fired North Leigh to new heights last term. But British football’s ultimate journeyman isn’t done...

BEST & WORST

CELTIC

BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

LOWDOWN As far as first seasons at a

! KIT CRIMES | COVEnTRY AWAY, 1992-94

That’s right, it’s yet another delirious shirt design from the early ’90s! Produced by Ribero (come on, you must remember them), Cov’s away kit for the Premier League’s first years was more ‘comedy safari’ than cool, even when begrudgingly being worn by the likes of Micky Quinn, Ray Woods (right) and Peter Ndlovu. Grrrrr...

R£CORD BR£AK£RS

DEAN SMITH WALSALL TO HEREFORD | 1994 £80,000

SEASON OF SHAME

DARLINGTON 2011-12

“GREALISH A £100M PLAYER?! IMAGInE WHAT I’D GO FOR nOW – HE’S nOT FIT TO LACE MY BOOTS”

The Trini goal machine explains why Sir Alex Ferguson misunderstood his game – and why Roy Keane is no club gaffer...

“WE WERE GOIN GTO HAVE A PARTY AFTER ISTAN BUL, BUT MOST OF US WEN TTO SLEEP!”

The Anfield cult hero recalls that win over Milan, almost signing for Everton and how Rafa and Redknapp differed

“IN MY FIRST TRAIN INGSESSION AS A COACH AT BILLERICAY, WE LOST 1-0 AGAIN ST MANNEQUIN S”

The motormouth radio pundit on achieving his Spurs dream, going on Celebrity Big Brother and partying with NBA All-Stars

“I’D BEEN A ‘SORE LOSER’ FOR SAYIN GARGEN TIN ASPIKED MY DRIN KIN 1990 – THEN MARADON AADMITTED IT ON TV”

The ex-Boro left-back talks glory at USA 94 and partying with El Diego on Copacabana

PREMIER LEAGUE / 2022-23

We don’t expect a great deal from England’s top tier this season – just a fun race for the top four, the relegation scrap to be settled on the final day again, and another epic title clash between two of the best teams in history

ARSENAL

YOUNG GUNS Only in 2008-09 have Arsenal deployed

ASTON VILLA

CASH FOR MINUTES No outfield player managed every

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

MIND OUT, VILLA In three of their five

BRENTFORD

UP FOR THE CUPS No player in Premier

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

WIDE BOYS In April, Brighton fired 18 shots

CHELSEA

GAME OF TWO HALVES Last season, Chelsea became

CRYSTAL PALACE

SNORING SNORING PALACE Since their return to the

EVERTON

THE HOPE THAT GETS YOU Everton have not

FULHAM

TONS OF FUN Last term, Fulham became the

LEEDS UNITED

THE LATE, LATE SHOW Leeds bagged eight of

LEICESTER CITY

WATCHING, GARETH? James Maddison scored and assisted 10+

LIVERPOOL

FINISHED IT, FERGIE Jurgen Klopp has become only

MANCHESTER CITY

SIX OF THE BEST New forward Julian

MANCHESTER UNITED

THE REAL QUIZ United actually spent more days

NEWCASTLE UNITED

EXTRAPOLATE THIS It’s no wonder that Eddie Howe

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

BRIAN WHO? Steve Cooper has won 60% of

SOUTHAMPTON

GOLDEN BRAWLS After bagging four free-kicks last term,

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

WHAT A LOVELY PAIR Harry Kane and Son

WEST HAM UNITED

CHANGE IS NOT GOOD David Moyes tweaked his

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

JOSE SAVES According to Expected Goals on Target,

CHAMPIONSHIP 2022-23

Unpredictable promotions have been in short supply at this level in recent years, but things don’t look so cut-and-dried this time around. With the relegated clubs under repair, let the battle for glory begin

BLACKPOOL

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 16th FA CUP Third Round

BRISTOL CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 17th FA CUP Third Round

BURNLEY

LAST SEASON PREMIER LEAGUE 18th FA CUP Third

CARDIFF CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 18th FA CUP Fourth Round

COVENTRY CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 12th FA CUP Fourth Round

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 3rd FA CUP Fifth Round

HULL CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 19th FA CUP Third Round

LUTON TOWN

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 6th FA CUP Fifth Round

MIDDLESBROUGH

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 7th FA CUP Quarter-Finals LEAGUE

MILLWALL

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 9th FA CUP Third Round

NORWICH CITY

LAST SEASON PREMIER LEAGUE 20th FA CUP Fifth

PRESTON NORTH END

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 13th FA CUP Third Round

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 11th FA CUP Fourth Round

READING

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 21st FA CUP Third Round

ROTHERHAM UNITED

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 2nd FA CUP Third

SHEFFIELD UNITED

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 5th FA CUP First Round

STOKE CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 14th FA CUP Fifth Round

SUNDERLAND

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 5th FA CUP First

SWAN SEACITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 15th FA CUP Third Round

WATFORD

LAST SEASON PREMIER LEAGUE 19th FA CUP Third

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 10th FA CUP Third Round

WIGAN ATHLETIC

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 1st FA CUP First

LEAGUE ONE 2022-23

This division has had a tendency of late to chew up and spit out fallen giants – but with more of them than ever before trying to clamber out of tier three, is this the year when an established order rules supreme?

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 12th FA CUP First

BARNSLEY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 24th FA CUP Fourth Round

BOLTON WANDERERS

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 9th FA CUP First

BRISTOL ROVERS

LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 3rd FA CUP Third

BURTON ALBION

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 16th FA CUP Second

CAMBRIDGE UNITED

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 14th FA CUP Fourth

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 13th FA CUP Third

CHELTENHAM TOWN

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 15th FA CUP Second

DERBY COUNTY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 23rd FA CUP Third Round

EXETER CITY

LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 2nd FA CUP Second

FLEETWOOD TOWN

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 20th FA CUP First

FOREST GREEN ROVERS

LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 1st FA CUP First

IPSWICH TOWN

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 11th FA CUP Second

LINCOLN CITY

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 17th FA CUP Second

MILTON KEYNES DONS

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 3rd FA CUP First

MORECAMBE

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 19th FA CUP Third

OXFORD UNITED

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 8th FA CUP First

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 22nd FA CUP Fifth Round

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 7th FA CUP Fourth

PORT VALE

LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 5th FA CUP Third

PORTSMOUTH

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 10th FA CUP Second

SHEFFIELD WEDBNESDAY

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 4th FA CUP First

SHREWSBURY TOWN

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 18th FA CUP Third

WYCOMBE WANDERERS

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 6th FA CUP First

LEAGUE TWO/ 2022 - 23

Two clubs dragged themselves from the pits of despair to shake up the promotion picture last year, one finishing off the job with a seven-goal swing on the last day. In England’s fourth tier, it seems anything goes

NATIONAL LEAGUE /2022 - 23

Wrexham discovered that the fifth tier might not be the best place for Hollywood endings after all. They may well get their way this term, though – unless others rise again...

WSL WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE /2022 - 23

Can anyone stop Chelsea strolling away with yet another title? Once again, they’re the side to beat

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

While the Old Firm will dominate again in the top flight, there are stories aplenty elsewhere, including a bit of James Bond in League Two...

ABERDEEN

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 10th SCOTTISH CUP 5R LEAGUE

CELTIC

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 1st SCOTTISH CUP SF LEAGUE

DUNDEE UNITED

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 4th SCOTTISH CUP Quarter-Finals LEAGUE

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 3rd SCOTTISH CUP Runners-Up LEAGUE

HIBERNIAN

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 8th SCOTTISH CUP SF LEAGUE

KILMARNOCK

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 1st SCOTTISH CUP Fourth Round

LIVINGSTON

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 7th SCOTTISH CUP Fifth Round

MOTHERWELL

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 5th SCOTTISH CUP Quarter-Finals LEAGUE

RANGERS

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 2nd SCOTTISH CUP Winners LEAGUE

ROSS COUNTY

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 6th SCOTTISH CUP Fourth Round

ST JOHNSTONE

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 11th SCOTTISH CUP 4R

ST MIRREN

LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 9th SCOTTISH CUP QF LEAGUE

YOUR PREDICTIONS

Last summer we correctly tipped success for the likes of Forest Green, Exeter and Sunderland – but let’s just say our shouts for Crystal Palace to drop and Barnsley making the play-offs didn’t go too well. Now it’s your turn to be a sucker for punishment...

BIRMINGHAM CITY

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 20th FA CUP Third Round

BLACKBURN ROVERS

LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 8th FA CUP Third Round