Taking a break from the great coconut shy of life, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray continue with new-ish feature Backward Glance, in which a Random Issue Generator picks out an old copy of WSC magazine from the archives for them to chat about. This time, Issue 198 from August 2003 pops up to spark discussion about unknown Russian businessman Roman Abramovich’s arrival at Chelsea, Carlton Palmer’s dream of taking Gazza to Stockport, a Richard Wright loft injury, the Dell’s Chocolate Boxes and much more. Further, magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 453 and Record Breakers brings us an Arminia anthem.

Illustration by Matt Littler
The winning entry in our 2024 writers’ competition tells how a failed romance sparked a groundhopping race. Entries are now open for the 2025 competition
Fuelled on Manchester Tarts, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss UK Football Figures Down Under from Frank Pimblett to Charlie ‘Steptoe’ Dempsey via Peter Wilson’s ripped badge. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 452, Record Breakers brings us a Deutsch delight and we continue our sprightly feature The Final Third, in which a guest contributes a match, a player and an object to the WSC Museum of Football. Joining Dan as our visiting curator this time is Mark Perryman, writer and co-founder of Philosophy Football.
In this exclusive WSC Supporters’ Club edition of the podcast, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Gold Rush Countries, from a Belgian boom to Canal+ moneyed France via Gazza in Guangdong. Record Breakers brings a Dutch delight and we continue our sprightly feature The Final Third, in which a guest contributes a match, a player and an object to the WSC Museum of Football. Joining Dan as our visiting curator this time is Danny Shepherd from Salford City fanzine Old Dead Tree.

Photo by Paul Thompson/WSC Photos
With many Premier League supporters feeling increasingly excluded and priced out by their clubs, down the pyramid there’s an attendance boom