When Saturday Comes

Illustration by Steve Beerling The winning entry in our 2025 writers’ competition reflects on a father and son’s football relationship. Entries are now open for the 2026 competition By Robert Dear The boy thwacked the ball against the flint wall. It ballooned back, smothered in churchyard and rotting leaves. His father had followed him and was watching from behind the dark yew. “You should be in Sunday school!” The boy ran his fastest. But his father, the town centre-half, was faster.

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February 2026 - Man Utd troubles, Tranmere Rovers, Hillsborough, Cheltenham Town, World Cup 2026 Your item has been added to the basket.

Why would a country spend tens of billions of dollars to buy and control sport? Engulfed is a story about ambition, family rivalries, extreme wealth, power, murder and disinformation. It is also the story of dictatorship, political corruption and, at its root, how sport – football, yes, but also golf, boxing and even e-sports – became a vital geopolitical tool for Saudi Arabia.

January 2026 - World Cup qualification, Morecambe, Boavista, Mary Earps, Celtic, Palestine Your item has been added to the basket.

Subscriber discount: Your item has been added to the basket. The WSC calendar features 12 images from across all levels of the game taken by our team of photographers. Never miss the magazine’s on-sale date or 2026’s top football events (yes, the World Cup really is that long). A4 folded, A3 open. Subscribers save £2

December 2025 - Fan power, Stockport County, US influence, Aberdeen, Faroes, Law changes Your item has been added to the basket.

Buxton v Chester 11/01/2025 71 images Created 15 Jan 2025 Buxton v Chester, National League North, 11th January 2025. At approx. 1000 feet above sea level Buxton’s Silverlands ground is the highest in England. After heavy snowfall, volunteers cleared the pitch and stadium to enable the game to go ahead on Buxton’s 4g pitch. Their efforts were in vain as Chester came from 1-0 and 2-1 down to win 2-4, in front 1012 fans.

November 2025 - Non-League player safety, Brighton, Chris Wilder, Spurs, Football Task Force Your item has been added to the basket.

October 2025 - Players refusing to play, Euro 2025 review, Sheffield Wednesday, Argentina, Ayresome Park Your item has been added to the basket.