12 March ~ With all the courtroom battles and finger pointing finally done, the new Irish domestic season finally got underway last Friday. A week earlier it was announced that the League of Ireland had changed its name to the Airtricity League, after its new sponsors, an electricity company. Although the new title sounds better suited to an amateur set-up played out high on the Connemara mountains, it's understandable that the authorities might want a fresh start. Football in Ireland suffered a torrent of negative publicity in pre-season with the demise of Cork and relegation of Derry City for financial transgressions. So supporters and clubs are just glad the talking is over and they have made it to the kick-off still intact.

11 March ~ A number of clubs in the English pyramid do not hold ownership of their home grounds, much to the anxiety of their supporters. One such club is Cambridge United. Faced with considerable financial difficulties, their Abbey Stadium ground was sold to Bideawhile 445, the company of then-director John Howard, to help pay off debts in 2004. Yet an imaginative scheme currently underway suggests that there are hopes in CB5 that the ground may be about to be bought back.

11 March ~ As spotted by an eagle-eyed poster on the WSC messageboard, Northampton Town announced this week that they would now be stocking "Premier League items" in their club shop. If it's any consolation to the club's fans: "In addition, many Cobblers items have been reduced in price by 50 per cent or more to allow supporters to show their support for the lads' play-off push by kitting themselves out in claret and white at bargain prices." So you can always treat yourself to a half-price NTFC fleece while picking up a Arsenal beanie bear or a Chelsea piggy bank.

11 March ~ Many find the meaning of Interblock Ljubljana's badge opaque, but close scrutiny of the five figures in this image is rewarding. Beginning at the top, in the 12 o'clock position, the figure here is bowling a leg-break in a round-armed fashion. This may be called a no-ball and is sending the message to the opposition that Ljubljana are a patient, cerebral side with a questionable action. Rule-breakers, firestarters. Read more

10 March ~ When Real Madrid went to Hampden Park for the 2002 Champions League final they thought that winning the trophy was their destiny. The club was in its centenary year and Florentino Perez had assembled a team of Galácticos to win the competition that is so entwined with their history. With half-time approaching and the scores level Roberto Carlos floated a high cross to Zinedine Zidane on the edge of the penalty area. Turning on to his weaker left foot, Zidane volleyed the ball into the top corner of Bayer Leverkusen's goal.