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WELCOME

When working on a monthly football magazine, there’s

HOW THE LIONESSES MADE HISTORY

England Women lifted their first major trophy at Euro 2022, beating Germany at a joyful Wembley – 31-cap Lionesses midfielder Izzy Christiansen covered the epic competition for BBC Radio 5 Live and talks FFT through an inspirational summer...

“THIS REALLY FELT LIKE A BREAKTHROUGH. LET’S BUILD ON THAT LEGACY”

Jacqui Oatley has been reporting on the women’s game since England hosted the Euros in 2005 – after the elation of this summer, she hopes the Lionesses’ triumph can be a platform for even more progress

THE FIRST GALACTICO

Manchester City have had many great players during Pep Guardiola’s reign, but none have arrived with quite the same status as Erling Haaland. His task? To help them finally win the Champions League, as he explains to FFT...

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

A year after escaping death, the Danish midfielder has begun life at Old Trafford – if he has his way, Erling Haaland won’t be the only Scandinavian making waves in Manchester this season

30YEARS OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA’s premier club competition returns in September – since the European Cup was rebranded for 1992-93, every campaign has produced the unexpected, from an exploding volcano to swimsuit models and a partying Tino Asprilla

PRIDE AFTER A FALL

Derby County are a third-tier outfit for the first time in 36 years, after nearly falling into financial oblivion. Through it all, players and fans remained united – now there’s hope they can rise again, as gaffer Liam Rosenior and others tell FFT...

I GOT CALLED A D**KLESS WONDER ON TED LASSO. I’VE BEEN CALLED WORSE

Mike Dean divided opinion during two decades as a top-flight referee, but became one of the Premier League’s most unique characters – after all, who else has sent off a player while they were being carried from the pitch on a stretcher? Now retired, the ex-whistleblower sits down to discuss an eventful career

ALL HAIL THE DIVINE PONYTAIL

Roberto Baggio wowed a generation with his performances for club and country - he was so popular, he even sparked a riot. No wonder QPR were so keen on signing him…

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS

Footballers experience a life of adulation in their playing days, but it’s a whole different ball game after retirement. Adjusting to a new existence can be really tough, as Dean Windass & Co reveal to FFT...

THE FIGHT TO SAVE FC MARIUPOL

Three years ago the Ukrainian club were inspiring youngsters in the Europa League – now their existence is in real peril after a Russian siege put them through hell

MY PERFECT XI

JOSE ENRIQUE

BRUCE GROBBELAAR

“I peed in a bottle, poured it all down the posts at Anfield, then Liverpool went on an unbeaten run and won the Premier League”

MEANWHILE IN …

...Spain, a local artist knew exactly how he wanted to honour Diego Maradona – with a bust of Mick Jagger?!

MY FOOTBALL

The Kasabian frontman on doing Muzzy Izzet’s head in and lobbing David Seaman

KAZAKHSTAN AT THE EUROS?

Forget Qatar – next month, minnows will eye a spot at Germany 2024

GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

“I SLIPPED AND HIT THE BALL TWICE –

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Lethal Lionesses, club legends and Golden Boot winners all crop up in FFT’s latest selection of head-scratchers

MAURO ICARDI VS MAXI LOPEZ

DOWNSIZING After record crowds at the Women’s Euros,

REQUIRED READING

ADRENALINE Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Penguin, £9.99) ● ● ●

WHAT’S THE NICHE THIN GIN FOOTBALL YOU REALLY LIKE?

@ FOURFOURTWO ASKS… When the ball hits the

STOKE’S CLASICO STARS

Bojan wasn’t the only former Barcelona or Real

MALKY MACKAY

EFL • NON-LEAGUE • SCOTLAND

“MILITARY ACCESS GRANTED”

Forces club RAF Lossiemouth welcome rivals from the Moray & District Welfare League to their base overlooking the sea – getting inside is the first obstacle…

BEST & WORST BIRMINGHAM

Blues blogger Ryan Deeney hails St Andrew’s hero Christophe Dugarry and reminisces about a Bombscare...

BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

TOMMY DOYLE

! KIT CRIMES | BEDALE AFC AWAY, 2016-17

Sausage-themed strip, anyone? Bedale were a little-known club

R£CORD BR£AK£RS

GEORGI HRISTOV

SEASON OF SHAME

ROCHDALE 1973-74

THE GAME’S GONE

NORWICH 1-7 COLCHESTER, 2009

CLAIMS TO FAME

LUTON

“WENGER’S FIRST RANT AT ARSENAL WAS ODD – ME AND PARLOUR HAD TO TRY NOT TO LAUGH”

‘Safe Hands’ talks turning down Sir Alex, Wenger blowing his lid at half-time and Gazza’s impatient approach to fishing…

“ BIG DUNCONCE NICKED MY CAR AT TRAINING– I CHOSE NOT TO SAY ANYTHING!”

The Treble-winning wideman remembers Maldini’s genius, getting blamed by Keane and how best to handle Big Dunc

“EVERYONE THINKS THEIR OWN TEAM’S LOCAL DERBY IS AS BIG AS THE OLD FIRM – IT’S NOT”

The Danish forward on his famous cup-final winner against Celtic and why he predicted Andy Carroll’s move to Anfield

“ KING KEV WAS A TOP COACH AND LOVED PRANKS– HE USED TO HIDE OUR KITS IN THE CHANGIN GROOM”

The pint-sized winger recalls Keegan japes, sinking Bayern and managing Montserrat