Table of contents for Spring 2024 in Pitch

FRONT ROW / DEFU*K'D Conceived to give second-tier sides a slice of the big European nights afforded the even bigger boys, the tournament initially ran between 1970 and 1973, then from 1976 to 1986, before a four-year swansong saw time called in 1996. Hooliganism rose its head in the competition's first year. The 1970 final seeing Swindon Town and Napoli supporters 'weaponise' parts of Stadio San Paolo to use in combat. Some 30 arrests later, the 22-inch trophy was handed to The Robins - the club's first and likely last European title. Semi-professional for a decade, the tournament was renamed the Alitalia Challenge Cup in 1978, the Talbot Challenge Cup in 1981, and the Gigi Peronace Memorial in 1982. Sutton United were the only English victors before back-to-back-to-back-to-back all-Italian finals…

10.11.2020 Captained by Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue breeze past Delhi Capitals to lift their fifth and record-equalling - IPL title. 2008 The Mumbai Indians were founded by India's first rupee billionaire, Mukesh Ambani. $3.15M The club's record spend, paid for two-metre-tall Aussie all-rounder, Cameron Green in 2023. 19 The effective wingspan of Ambani's opulent $100m horseshoe-shaped super-yacht in cricket pitches. 150 Wickets taken by Galle-born Lasith 'Slinga' Malinga, the club's most prolific bowler. 2013 Club legend Sachin Tendulkar bows out after 5 years. Worshipped by hordes of blue and gold disciples, the Little Master timing his retirement with the arrival of Mi's first IPL trophy. Initially named the Mumbai Razors, the club logo features a Sudarshan Chakra. A divine discus celebrated for its anthropomorphic manifestation as destroyer of…

Harry Vardon Born in Jersey, the son of an English gardener and French mother, Harry The Stylist' Vardon fashioned himself as a caddy and later a greenkeeper to swing his way into the professional game. Then a lower-class pursuit, Vardon would make his worth on a promotional tour around America where he won the US Open. Spearheading a new age of professional golf, the six-time Open Champion was the club-n'-ball sport's first global superstar. “I was a welldressed golfer. I guess that has something to do with the fact that a lot of people who play golf don't dress very well. Arnold Palmer Patty Berg A sprightly, freckle-faced quarterback from Minnesota, Patty'Dynamite' Berg won 28 amateur championships in seven years before turning pro in 1940. Berg won the first US Women's…

JOHN CHARLES Juventus: 1957-1962 Scoring 108 goals for The Old Lady in 155 appearances, Wales' gentle giant (il gigante buono) won the Scudetto three times and Coppa Italia twice during his time in Turin. GARETH BALE Real Madrid: 2013-2022 Wales. Golf. Football. Madrid. In that order. The Blancos faithful failed to warm to their big-money-signing despite him scoring three Champions League final-winning goals (including that overhead kick against Liverpool) and 78 others in 176 appearances. TONY WOODCOCK FC Köln: 1979-82 & 1986-88 The striker is the highest-scoring Englishman in the Bundesliga. He scored 39 goals in 131 appearances for The Billy Goats after winning the Champions League twice with Nottingham Forest. KEVIN KEEGAN Hamburger SV: 1977-80 The two-time Ballon d'Or winner won the Bundesliga with die Rothosen (the Red Shorts)…

PUMA EVOSPEED. 2008 By 2008, Puma had developed the perfect sprint shoe. Fast, aerodynamic, and custom fit within an inch of its life. And still, Usain Bolt clocked 9.69 seconds in Beijing with his laces untied. Worn by: Usain Bolt 8 X Olympic gold CICCIO, 1966 In the first half-century of motor racing, nobody had thought to make a shoe fit for purpose. Francesco Liberto's soft-leather, thin-soled pair of speedsters quickly became paramount for racing drivers. Worn by: Vick Elford, Jacky Ickx, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda REEBOK OMNI LIGHT II, 1991 Standing at six-foot-one, Celtics' Dee Brown was the shortest player to enter the NBA's Dunk Contest in 1991. 'Pumping up' his hightops, Brown stole the show with a no-looker. Worn by: Dee Brown 1X NBA Dunk Contest…

MOTOGP Stekkenwal This swift right-hander features a small section of straight road that was part of the original street track before Assen's rebuild in 1992. Perfect for passing bikes into turn six. Geert Timmer Chicane The final chicane has undergone several changes but has always produced thrilling battles. Rossi was forced off the road here as he overtook Marc Marquez enroute to first place in 2015. Ossebroeken “We have to pray to somebody. But, f*ck. I was scared,” said Valentino Rossi, after narrowly avoiding a growing DNF list twice in one second in 2020. The bikes - or unchartered missiles - of Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco had done everything but. tickle the Italian's nose. Strubben hairpin Affected by dramatic track changes in 2006, this is the slowest corner in…

ANDY AFFORD Pitch's Editor-in-Chief profiles sport's landmark events. Turn to page 81. KATE KUSZTAL Pitch's chief creative finds her 'Need For Speed'. It's super shoes. And they're spectacular. PAUL SIMPSON Founding father of FourFourTwo, he profiles Harry Kane's unassuming brilliance. SAM BOWLES Our BSME Independent Art Director of The Year is back doing what he does best. KIERAN LONGWORTH Our resident egg-chaser (page 45) also speaks to round-ball phenom Lotte Wubben-Moy. CERYS SZCZESNY Our talented creative illustrates Ayrton Senna's flying laps around Monaco on page 20. ROSIE DEAN Sharing her passion for racing, the petrolhead profiles The Cathedral of Speed. HOLLY PHILLIPS The eloquent equestrian tells you everything there is to know about the Grand National. KEVIN WHITCHURCH The veteran publisher takes to the tarmac to explain why Valentino Rossi…

BABY by Donnie & Joe Emmerson - Andy Afford BENNY'S DISPATCH In The Heights Movie Soundtrack - Sam Bowles MELO by KwolleM, SL, Joe James - Kate Kusztal TOUCH by Hybrid Minds - Kieran Longworth LOSE CONTROL by Teddy Swims - Kevin Whitchurch DREAMS by Fleetwood Mac - Lotte Wubben-Moy Search 'Pitch Magazine Issue 7 Playlist' on Spotify THE QUEEN OF WHITE LIES by The Orion Experience, ORION, Linda XO “Funky beat and stunning vibes - I can't help but smile when I listen!” - Rosie Dean COST A LOT TO BE POOR by Karms “UK Rap at its belligerent best, taking risks and exploring new possibilities.” - Dan Wilkinson…

General Purpose 1. Fresh Foam 680v7 NEW BALANCE £100 Spot on for anyone looking to get into running for the first (and last) time with a fashionable and feel-good shoe. 2. Adrenaline GTS 23 BROOKS £165 Smooth, well-cushioned. The runner's choice for 20 years, putting function above all else. 3. Tree Flyer 2 ALL BIRDS £150 Sustainable, loud and seriously springy. From a start-up in New Zealand choosing the environment over its bottom line. Road Runners 4. FuelCell SuperComp NEW BALANCE £210 Peppier and more propulsive to the step than your average trainer but without the elite energy return of an all singing all-dancing race-day thoroughbred. 5. Pegasus 40 NIKE £119.95 A raw and powerful do-it-all shoe that you won't even notice. Practical on runs, in the gym or even…

So often the pantomime villain and apparently incapable of getting anything right, Pitch thought it was about time we honoured sport's most charismatic chaps in charge. JOHN WILLIAMS SNOOKER, WAL Refereeing the 1985 black ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davies launched his fame. As well as a match between Fred Davis and Alex Higgins, which saw the roof collapse and the heavens fall in. After his expulsion in 1983 (after being caught selling non-existent snooker tables). Williams was eventually forced to retire from his 42-year-long career in 2002 for matters unrelated. World Finals: 11 Best Break (playing): 73 PIERLUIGI COLLINA FOOTBALL, ITA Famous for that piercing stare, Pierluigi 'Kojak' Collina was voted FIFA Referee of the Year six seasons on the bounce. Fierce but fair, the Italian referred…

Lansdowne Road is the place to catch national and international sports. Home of the national football team, Leinster and Irish Rugby. 841 AD the Vikings brought Knattleikr over the border. Gameplay involved a hardball being hit by a stick and is attributed to early forms of hurling. Leopardstown Racecourse is home to some of the biggest races in the Irish calendar, on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences. THE GRAVITY BAR above the Guinness Storehouse is a terrific stop, offering breathtaking views of the city and Ireland's national drink at source. PORTMARNOCK GOLF CLUB sits on the coast, 10 miles north of the city, and has hosted the Irish Open on 19 occasions. Six-foot-eleven-inch lock Devin Toner holds the record for the most Leinster caps. The Big Show dotted…

Sí Señor Author: Roberto Firmino Cover price: £22 Review: A Brazilian footballer as well known for his inimitable smile as his cool finishing, Roberto Firmino formed part of one of Liverpool's greatest ever forward lines. Now he shares the story of his time at the Merseyside club and his enduring love for the city and its people. Why you should read it: Whatever your club allegiance, it's wholly refreshing to see a football megastar so impassioned about his adopted team. You'll like this if you liked: My Story by Steven Gerrard Star rating: Fearless (audiobook) Author: Jelena Dokic Cover price: £20 Review: In 2002, Jelena Dokic hit the heights of a fourth-place world tennis ranking and seemingly had the world at her feet, but behind the scenes, she faced immense struggles.…

HORSE RACING What exactly is it? The now corporately titled 'Randox' Grand National is one of the most prestigious horse races in the UK and, statistically, the world's most famous steeplechase race. Held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, the national hunt attracts upwards of 150,000 people through the gates, with global viewing figures hitting 600 million last time out. Broadcast in over 140 countries, Aintree's Grand National festival is a three-day showcase, with the main steeplechase taking the spotlight on the last day of the event, April 13. It's a 'handicap' horse race, meaning each horse carries a weight allocated by the handicapper. Better horses usually carry a heavier load, giving an advantage to also-rans on race day. What does the course look like? This year, 34 horses will…

TENNIS “The story of how Federer transcended sport to become a true great and why he has inspired so many” In talking to those whose lives Roger Federer has touched, his sheer joy for playing tennis, even into his 40s, shines through. It is a love that has never wilted. It helped him become one of the best tennis players in history and it has impacted the lives of millions more. For some people, including journalists, seeing sports stars up close and personal goes with the territory. There are deadlines, difficulties, obstacles and challenges but for all that, it is a job that never gets old. The view of a sports star through professional eyes is critical and nuanced. But nevertheless, when someone like Roger Federer is conducting the orchestra,…

Only weeks before, Hughes had peered at a photo of the mud-spattered Princess in the quiz show's picture round and asked: “Is it John Reid?“ (a flat race jockey). Mortified by his error, he groaned: “Don't put that out, they'll hang me.“ He didn't hang although Anne did tease him on the show. The real intrigue was observing Hughes' valiant struggle to respect royal protocol and not hug her when she (invariably) answered correctly. With the BBC's announcement that A Question of Sport has been shelved after 53 years, you wonder whether we will ever enjoy such moments again. The broadcaster's rationale - essentially inflation and “funding challenges“ - makes even less sense than the show's 2001 revamp. Even with soaring prices, this panel show couldn't cost that much. And…

One. Find your distance. When selecting a training programme, sit down and look at your life. Consider how much spare time you actually have. Two. Slow and steady wins Find race. Find a comfortable and conversational pace. A playlist to run to or a partner to run with. Three. Build your weekly mileage over time, running three to five times each week. And consider that a lack of rest will bite you in the arse. Four. Timing is everything. You'll need an average of 20 weeks to prepare for a race. Put an event in your calendar early doors and stick it on the fridge. Five. Fuel your body accordingly. Eating your meat (or vegetable) and three veg plus carbs will cut the mustard if supplemented with nuts and berries.…

MOTOGP From the day he was born in Tavullia, in Italy's Urbino province, into a racing family on February 161979, Valentino Rossi seemed predestined for the track. His father, Graziano, raced in the World Championship in 1977 riding a 500cc Suzuki. He had his best year in 1979 - not just because his son Valentino was born - earning three victories and five podiums in the 250cc class aboard the Italian-made Morbidelli, finishing third overall. Valentino raced karts and mini-motos as a child, progressing to international motorcycle competition in 1996, riding for Aprilia in the 125cc class; he won his first World Championship the following year. Advancing to MotoGP's premier 500cc class in 2000, Rossi would go on to win nine Grand Prix World Championships and amass 89 victories in…

EVENTS There are any number of sports competitions where a Brit's participation in its later stages guarantees heightened interest among the UK sports-watching public. It's often attention that verges on hysteria. But there are also a handful of events where the very nature of 'it' being contested (and that's by any old Tom, Dick, or Harriet) is enough to get the juices flowing. Forget Wimbledon. Forget the Super Bowl. Forget your FA Cup final, even. Here are the Epic Eight competitions, contests and one-off events that transcend their sports. Providing us with our sporting watercooler moments. Year after year. Regardless. GOLF The Ryder Cup September every two years A classic tale of the plucky underdog. Up against it. Defying the odds. Golf 's global superpower taking on a bunch of…

From Germany's first proper tennis champion to prison in South London; a flame-haired hero flames out. From youngest-ever winner of Wimbledon to doing eight months (of a two-year stretch) at Her Majesty's Pleasure, few have trod the line between idol and idiot with the panache of Boris Becker. A near-gymnastically-gifted tennis player - all diving volleys and ferocity of serve - the 17-year-old would go on to win nine grand slam singles titles in a storied career that gave little indication of what life post retirement might look like. A future where volleys of a different kind would come from the mouths of ex-wives, and the serving at the hands of bailiffs. When beating South Africa's Kevin Curren at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1985, as…