The Archive

The Premier League may be a one-horse race, while UEFA's top club competition provides the thrills for other clubs and their fans. Though chasing either may be too big a gamble

Against all the odds, the Premiership looks as though it may turn out to be interesting, enjoyable even, this season. Not the title “race”, of course, unless Sir Alex’s gambolling hares stop for an uncharacteristic snooze by the river in the middle. But the advent of the Champions League, paradoxically, has made the lure of a place in Europe so enticing that it threatens the well-being of some of the clubs fluttering around its flame.

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Danny Ruler looks at the Millwall chairman

Distinguishing Features A balding Greek Cypriot with a cheeky smile. Has a cockney accent with Greek twang that his detractors always claim is faked to try to make him “one of the fans”.

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Craig Ellyard reports on NTL's agreement to screen the Football League

Communications giant NTL may have pulled out of their pay-per-view deal with the Premier League, but they are still set to play a major role in the lower divisions. The company has an arrangement with the Football League to provide an exclusive internet “portal” for the clubs outside the Premiership in return for a payment of rights fees which could total up to £65 million.

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Aston Villa have demolished a famous stand. Mac McColgan wonders if its replacement will match up

Could anybody argue that the Trinity Road Stand was not the finest in the history of foot­ball? Its redbrick façade, twin towers, stained glass windows, Italian mosaics and gable bear­ing the “Lion rampant” were the best that money could buy in 1924. Four years ago, wheels were set in motion to redevelop the stand. Various schemes were put forward for planning permission, each one rejected as the club battled with local residents and Birmingham City Council over the increased capacity and intrusion into nearby Aston Hall Park.

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Spain's managerial strategy is non-existent, but the public hardly cares, says Phil Ball

The Spanish national team is called La Selección, as if it magically picked itself. Maybe the name has arisen from some sort of collective wish-fulfilment, for de­s­pite the surface appearance of relative stability (only two managers in the past 19 years) the story of their footballing representatives is certainly no happier than the present English one.

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