Ian Plenderleith investigates the intrepid campaigns of political football fans

I once played in a radical football league in Germany called Outside Left, whose lack of pitch markings reflected its off-field philosophy – “We don’t have boundaries, but we do have goals.” The same slogan drives the Anarchist Soccer Leagues of the US east coast, and if you want to know how to found one, check the webpage of the Washington, DC Anarchist Soccer League. Their other favourite phrase is (reinterpreting anarchist Emma Goldman): “If I can’t play soccer, I don’t want any part of your revolution.” Enjoy the rare sight of goalposts topped by black flags.

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Saturday 1 A ten-point lead for Man Utd who thrash West Ham 7-1 – “It was one of those days when everything went right,” says Sir Alex  – while Big Dave’s babies lose for the third time in four games, 1-0 to Chelsea. Michael Owen’s tufty hair receives plenty of ruffling as he scores two in a 3-0 win at Coventry that takes Liverpool to within a point of Leeds. Southampton and Wimbledon both lose but Bradford fail to take advantage, beaten 2-0 at Newcastle. Watford still need eight points to avoid the worst ever Premiership total, their defensive frailties highlighted at Goodison Park, where even Mark Hughes manages to score in Everton’s 4-2 win. There’s violence in Birmingham, where home fans clash with Wolves supporters before their game at St Andrews, and in Bristol, with Stoke goalkeeper Kevin Ward attacked on the pitch by three Rovers fans at the end of the teams’ 3-3 draw. Trapdoor teasers Chester win again, 1-0 at Halifax, and draw level on points with fast sliding Shrewsbury. Hamilton’s match at Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Second Division is called off when the visiting team’s players go on strike over unpaid wages.

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Davy Millar explains why drastic action may be needed to shake up football in Northern Ireland

In what is becoming a time-honoured tradition, the Irish League season entered the final stretch with talk of reorganisation in the air. Towards the end of April, Premiership strugglers and First Division high-fliers were still unsure whether they had been putting in unnecessary effort as haggling continued over proposals to increase the size of each division.

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Gary Oliver examines the latest row over the entry requirements for the Scottish Premier League

It is almost 40 years since Falkirk’s record loss, an 11-1 trouncing by Airdrie. But that margin of defeat was equalled on March 31 when they were defeated 10-0 by the Scottish Premier League, the clubs in the top division voting unanimously to bar Falkirk from next season’s SPL.

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Germany always manage to fluke their way through tournaments undeservingly. Or not, says Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger

Oliver Neuville, the speedy Leverkusen winger who was so desperately out of form, pulled the ball back and Christian Ziege hit it first time. It was the Germans’ first serious shot at the Dutch goal, in fact their first half way ambitious foray into the opp­onents’ box. It also levelled the game at 1-1, as Edwin van der Sar failed to narrow the angle properly.

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