From Boca to Borussia, Barcelona to Bielsa, These Football Times have produced some incredible magazine publications which cover some of the sports greatest teams and legendary players. I feel like I have been living under a rock to miss out on their great work for so long, but no longer, as I am now a holder of their most recent issues, and on the hunt to complete the back-catalogue of these fantastic football magazines. The issues are packed full of great content, with well-written articles and stories of great football tales, some fantastic photography and incredible artwork pieces which are stunning, and for someone who aspires to create football content, aspiring pieces to work towards. Uncovering this magazine is my current revelation of 2020 and if you aren’t already aware, get aware.

Starting back in 2011, These Football Times began producing some fantastic football content, and in their magazines and online work, they use great writers, artists and photographers to produce great content. Some of their magazine issues include; Real Madrid, Arsenal, Celtic, AS Roma and Borussia Dortmund. Alongside their magazines, they are also putting out great online pieces, and I believe several podcasts, which admittedly I have not had time to check out, but will be doing in the near future.

I wanted to share my discovery, as I am always on the hunt to absorb as much football related content as possible, and as someone who grew up reading the likes of Match magazine and Match of the Day magazine amongst many others, printed publications have always been a huge part of my football enjoyment. Growing up, I am beginning to re-kindle the love of football magazines after picking up an issue of Mundial in late 2019 and realising that the enjoyment of picking up a football magazine as a kid is still prominent and existent as an adult as I now have the patience and interest to sit down with long-form pieces and appreciating the artwork and style of these modern publications. With Mundial ceasing their printed issues, I was genuinely disappointed, and These Football Times may just sort that craving for me. If you know of any other folks putting out stuff like this, please do let me know as I will definitely check them out.

Leeds United

As someone who is a Yorkshireman born and bred, and a proud Yorkshireman at that, my footballing support is often a tricky issue, in that I support a Lancashire based team, who’s biggest rivalry over the years has been with Leeds United. Despite this rivalry and engrained distaste for the White Rose club, the locality of the side and seeing the incredible support and history that this historic side, puts them firmly in my love to hate list of football clubs. I simply cannot cheer them on, however like millions of others I was thrilled to see them return to the big time under Bielsa.

Because I have grown up close to the club, and spent several years of my life having Elland Road minutes away from home, I have naturally become interested in the footballing history of the side, from the success under Don Revie, the 44 days under Clough and the modern decline from Champions League to League 1. They’re a club packed with stories and interesting periods of history, meaning that picking up the Leeds United issue of the magazine was a no-brainer.

I was immediately sold on just the cover image alone, which is a packed image of these snapshot moments and characters form the club. From here, I have delved into the 150 page issue which is filled with stories of the highs and lows of Leeds United. From the modern Bielsa ball, back through time to Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, Clough and Revie, Billy Bremner and Jack Charlton. Alongside these great figures and football characters, theres pieces on the club itself, the logo, kit, stadium and fans which all come together and form this unique football side.

This magazine is the perfect reading material for Leeds United fans but also for football fans in general. Despite my natural rivalry feelings towards the club, I have read through the whole magazine in a weekend and can proudly display the issue on a coffee table or shelf with pride due to the incredible artwork. I may have to pass this issue on to some family or friends who are Leeds fans first, but I will definitely be going back for a re-read in the coming weeks.

Diego Maradona

I wasn’t even alive when Diego Maradona was a football player, and yet his passing still stopped me in my tracks, and I went back over the clips and stories which were flying around the internet to just immerse myself in the brilliance of this legend. Both on field and off, he was a character, an entertainer and one of the greatest footballers to grace the pitch. His legacy and performances were told to me like fairy tales as a child from relatives who had seen glimpses of the great man in person on their travels, and stories of watching World Cup matches or European matches in which he dominated.

This magazine perfectly encapsulates some of the greatness that Maradona brought to football. It became much more than a sport with him involved, and of course the off-field issues play a big part in that, but even with those it makes his on-field work much more incredible to believe. In over 100 pages of great writing, photography and stunning artwork, they travel through the 60+ year legacy left by El Diego, from his humble beginnings in Argentina through to the Barcelona and Napoli wild years and through the decline that hit him in the end of his playing career and into his personal life afterwards. He is one of football’s superstars, with people trying to get a glimpse of him just to feel like they were in his presence. Unfortunately, with the success and greatness came with it the other issues, which this issue discusses very well. In later years and his foray into management, he has had a strange post-playing career. Despite this, anytime Maradona is mentioned, my first thought isn’t the drugs or the off-field things, it’s the man wearing the Argentina shirt who tore up the 1986 World Cup, or the man who brought Napoli their success in the late 80s. This magazine packs in so much of the man’s career and is a great homage to a great footballer.

Anderlecht & Ajax

In the coming weeks, they have announced a double release, which as a new fan to their work, has me very excited. They are re-releasing their Ajax issue, one which I cannot wait to dive into given their fantastic history and legendary players, alongside a brand new magazine on Anderlecht.

In the Anderlecht issue, they have spoken to Manchester City legend and current manager of the Belgian side Vincent Kompany in an exclusive interview. Alongside this, they dive into the club history of the former UEFA Cup winners in the early 80s and dominant Belgian First Division side. Looking at the released shots of the magazine so far, it once again is packed full of stories, quality photography and fantastic artwork, and I cannot wait to get my hands on this one.

The Ajax re-release brings back the 140 page issue based on one of the Worlds most extraordinary football clubs. As a club, Ajax have provided some of the greatest footballing talent, with names such as Cruyff, Seedorf, Bergkamp, Kluivert and so many others which just drip off the tongue. Inside the issue, they discuss 2 of the aforementioned legends in Cruyff and Bergkamp, along with Louis Van Gal, Jari Litmanen, Marco van Basten and the huge culture around the club. Packed full of fantastic stories, photos and art pieces, after scouring through the extortionate re-selling prices on eBay, this re-release is music to my ears, and certainly my wallet.

These are being released I believe in mid-March, and I would advise anyone who is interested gets over there sharpish, as these things sell like hot-cakes and re-sell like much more expensive hot-cakes.

These magazines are genuinely superb, and I would 100% recommend checking them out, but be quick, when an issue goes on sale, it doesn’t stay there for long.