Nutmeg Magazine

It's time for someone else to board Scottish football's banter bus. Falkirk are heading back to the Championship after winning League 1. But how did they turn things round? In Nutmeg 29, Scott Fleming saw the signs of recovery. Read online now

Tonight is a full 21 years since Celtic and Liverpool played the second leg of their famous UEFA Cup quarter-final. Ronnie McLuskie wrote about the tie in Nutmeg 8. Was it the best "Battle of Britain" clash there's ever been?

John Lambie was born on this day in 1941. He's commonly regarded as one of Scottish football's most famous characters. Kenny Pieper mainly admired from afar. But he wrote a lovely tribute in Nutmeg 12 in 2019, which we've put online today. Did you ever meet the great man?

Here are some of the classics featured in Part 1. From the 50s, 70s and early 2000s.

Scotland have revealed the new strip they will wear at the Euros this summer. Would it rank in your list of favourite national strips? In Nutmeg 31, we've started a new series on Scotland strips through the years. Part 1 includes wing collars and plunging V-necks to temperature-triggered colour changes. If you could have one genuine Scotland top from all the ones they've ever worn, which would it be?

It's the sixth Fife Derby of the season on Saturday. But just how big has Raith Rovers v Dunfermline become? New on the Nutmeg website, here's Scott Fleming on why it might be Scotland's third biggest derby — and how it got here. (SPOILER: Think clever marketing — and a welcome dose of shithousery.)

Tonight marks 30 years since Fergus McCann swept into Celtic Park and rewrote the rules about how, and by whom, Celtic FC was run. Many think it was the night the club was saved from going bust. It's a story that was told in depth in Nutmeg 14 by Stephen O'Donnell. To mark the 30-year anniversary, we've reproduced his epic account on the website. So what do you think? Would The Hoops have survived without him?

If not, it might already be too late. A child's chance of becoming a football player may already be decided by the time they are just 5 or 6. But what about the late developers? Steve Archibald, Brian McClair and John Collins are just three examples of players who didn't start to break through until their teens. All went on to become international stars. Do we really want to write off the smaller ball players, and the communities who have always provided some of Scottish football's most exciting players? In this preview from Issue 31, Graeme McDowall warns of the legends we might never know as a result of Scottish football's rush to judge kids. Read: https://bit.ly/4bYNo5i Pre-order: http://bit.ly/3SWV3tz

We're pleased to say Issue 31 of Nutmeg has rolled through the presses and is available to pre-order now. It's our first edition to feature a front-page photo. Inside, you'll find the same mix of humour, analysis, history and opinion from every part and level of the game. Here's the full rundown: The uniformity of uniforms By Daniel Gray The Fitbatweets Diaries The Nutmeg Interview: Alex Smith Alex Smith won two Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup, and came within one match of pipping Rangers to the title. But trophies don’t tell the story of his deep love of the game. By Teddy Jamieson Ian Murray’s joy division Having faced pariah status two years ago, Raith Rovers are now emerging as the fastest-growing club in the country, propelled by the success of ‘Murrayball’ and a raft of late victories. Could this signal the dawn of a new golden age in Kirkcaldy? By Scott Fleming Mountain to climb for late starters Elite youth football is based on fallacies about talent and takes no account of how children mature. Would Archibald, Collins or McClair have made it today? By Graeme McDowall Inside the topsy-turvy world of Old Firm AGMs At the Glasgow duo’s latest shareholder meetings, Rangers got an easy ride for poor performance and Celtic were lambasted despite success, on and off the field. What can other clubs learn? By Maurice Smith Open Goal Broomhill’s brush with big time A media company’s plan to give the Lowland League ‘mass exposure’ via YouTube did not quite go as planned for the nomadic club. By Andy Ross Behind The Lens: Inside Scottish football’s quiet TV revolution The production company behind most Premiership coverage proved its mettle during the Covid season and hasn’t looked back. By Alex Marr From Mopeds to Messi In 2013, footballers Steven Robb and Mark Corcoran traded their boots for a new venture. Today, their clothing brand stands among the world’s most popular. Here Robb recounts the label’s humble beginnings, and the famous faces who helped make its name. By Kenny Millar Photo essay: The Nutmeg Match Report This season, Alan McCredie and Daniel Gray are documenting the Scottish Cup in its 150th year. Their journey continues amidst the briny air of Balmoor Stadium, where Peterhead host Ayr United. The Girvan Lighthouse wore a flat cap In 1968, Ayresome Park hosted England’s Football League XI v Scottish League XI. Legends from both sides of the border graced that hallowed North-East turf, yet it was Peter McCloy who left an indelible mark on my young mind. By Harry Pearson Love at first byte Ever since I put the ‘Kick Off 2’ disc into the drive at the age of nine, I’ve been in thrall to the sights and sounds of computerised match action, lost classics and all. By Mark Holmes Fitba, my father-in-law and me We bonded over a shared love of the Doonhamers. After about a quarter of a century of attending games together, I am still not used to his absence from the matchday rituals. By Giancarlo Rinaldi Midnight train from Georgia Catching the Tartan Army’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Tbilisi was an enthralling experience, inside and outside the brutalist behemoth of an old Soviet stadium. And I’m not even Scottish. By Ffion Thomas Good people, good things Too often we hear how football has lost its soul. But Scottish clubs, big and small, are doing a huge amount for their communities. By Hugh MacDonald Senior moments to savour Playing for Scotland at the over-50s Masters in Thailand, alongside former pros and Junior internationals, was an experience to treasure. We even beat England on our way to the final By Colin Leslie Double Don makes his mark far from the Granite City Graham Hunter fell in love with the game at Pittodrie. Then, a trip to World Cup ‘82 – under the guidance of one Alex Ferguson – saw him fall for Spain. It was an adoration he would later spread via the revolutionary TV show Revista De La Liga. By Liam Grimshaw Peerless chronicler Hughie Taylor did not only produce the legendary football annual, he was a witty, astute and kind observer of Scottish football across more than five decades in journalism. By David Allan Another night in Turin In 1990, a Turin councillor lobbied to have ‘Flower of Scotland’ played before Scotland’s World Cup game in the Italian city. Despite losing to Brazil, that small victory over FIFA provided a rare moment of brightness. By John Irving …First as tragedy, second as farce In Seville in 2022 I experienced a triumph in defeat, glimpsed immortality, and bore witness to the heartbreaking unfinished chapter in Rangers’ pursuit of history. By Ross Hutton Holy trinity of one-club Scots who worked their magic down south Billy Liddell at Liverpool, Bob McKinlay at Nottingham Forest and Eddie Gray at Leeds United were in a league of their own when it comes to longevity and loyalty in England. By Ronnie McCluskey The quiet man of Ibrox Rangers’ great Willie Mathieson has inspired a fan-led campaign to honour him and his team-mate Willie Johnston. Both are small-town heroes of Cardenden who left an indelible mark on their club. By Craig Millar Chance was a fine thing on epic Greek adventure When Alan Strachan went to Athens to visit his aunt 30 years ago, he had no idea he’d end up training with Panathinaikos for six weeks. By James Morgan Hibs hero who lined up with the world’s best A Scotland cap may have eluded Hibernian’s Alan Gordon, but 50 years ago he appeared in a star-studded match in Hamburg alongside some of the world’s greatest players. By Craig Stephen McAllister’s golden Liverpool sunset When the midfield maestro joined the Reds at the age of 35, few backed him to make much impression. Five trophies later, he was a club legend. By Sean Cole Thistle Tea lady who blesses her cup of fortune Fiona McConachie joined Thistle as a teenage volunteer and has loved every minute of her varied role. Now her seven-year-old daughter is getting in on the act. By Brian Welsh Heart and soul of Montrose Eilidh Reid not only founded the women’s club but has played for, coached and driven – in every sense – the Angus outfit to the top tier of the game. She is still intent on giving opportunities to more girls. By Chris Marshall Tynecastle hath a pleasant seat With the support of Hearts, Two Halves Productions are revolutionising storytelling in football with a unique series of plays which both challenge convention and enrich the club’s cultural narratives. By Richard Purden Heady fuel of my Airdrie love affair When Texaco Cup fever gripped Airdrie in 1971/72, one boy’s love of football was ignited by the sounds, and reflection of floodlights, through his bedroom window. By Andy Bollen Grand Tour Almost 40 years ago, my father, brother and I journeyed north from our native Lincolnshire to visit every Scottish league ground. Many of these venues no longer exist, which makes our pilgrimage even more special. By Dominic Picksley On a bing and a prayer For a brief spell 100 years ago, West Lothian could boast not one but four professional clubs. Where did it all go wrong? By Callum McCormack International class In the first of a new series we look at memorable Scotland kits through the years: from wing collars and V-necks to temperature-triggered colour changes. By John Devlin 186 From the Chairman to the Tea Lady… Helmsman’s Netherdale nirvana Dramatic last days: Scottish First Division 1988/89 When Killie’s goal glut had Bully Wee worried Record appearances ‘Hamish – The Goalie’ (1983) by Michael Marra By David Pollock Poetry Waiting for Daddy by Heather Meldrum Goat Goal by Mark Coverdale Goals by Celia Donovan Restricted View by David Forrest

As a player, he was an often-controversial firebrand. But as a manager, Scott Brown is emerging against type as a surprisingly calm, thoughtful and astute footballing tactician. As he gets off to a winning start at Ayr United, we look back to his time at Fleetwood Town for clues to what style he'll bring to The Honest Men. https://bit.ly/3vOIPKp

The great Scottish sports writer Hugh McIlvanney died in January 2019. Five years on from his death, we reproduce this appreciation by Michael Walker, who remembers a man respected by many in the game – and who wrote better sentences than anyone. https://bit.ly/3HwcPNL

There's always next year.

How many have you done — or now plan to do?

To coincide with the publication of our 30th issue we asked lovers of Scottish football to name the must-sees and dos of our national game. They suggested everything from exotic pies to Victorian architecture. Read the full list here: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/nutmeg/the-ultimate-scottish-football-bucket-list/

Thanks to everyone who responded. The Bucket List is here: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/nutmeg/the-ultimate-scottish-football-bucket-list/ Question: how many of the 30 have you done?