sport

Martin McKenzie-Murray He was the force behind a quarter-century of Manchester United success. But while Sir Alex Ferguson is lauded as a hero of the club, his influence on their demise is equally telling.

Martin McKenzie-Murray When an battered Subbuteo set was bequeathed to the author in the mid-1990s, it ignited a passion – just not for the tiny soccer game itself.

Martin McKenzie-Murray The death of a still-young sporting hero brings with it breathy accolades and gauche clichés, but it also delivers a strange sense of disbelief and bafflement for the fans left behind.

Martin McKenzie-Murray On this day, three decades ago, the careers of two sporting legends took sharply divergent paths.

Martin McKenzie-Murray Tenacity got him to the top of the soccer world, but parental devotion played a huge part – it was in recognition of this that Craig Johnston’s illustrious career prematurely ended.

Martin McKenzie-Murray The churn of sporting memoirs sees multitudes published and just as quickly forgotten, but the 1976 diary of Millwall FC midfielder Eamon Dunphy stands out for its honest insights.

Martin McKenzie-Murray A confounding failure to recognise risk, despite numerous warnings, remains at the heart of the Bradford City stadium fire that claimed 56 lives four decades ago.

Martin McKenzie-Murray How a rank and incompetent unknown came to take the pitch in an English Premier League match remains the stuff of sporting legend.

Martin McKenzie-Murray Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur is not fitting the Australian manager’s usual script of stubbornness, borne out by brilliance and eventual vindication.