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The Green Soccer Journal

Thankfully we English can still mix it with the Germans in terms of independent football magazines if not in the sport itself. Following the recent post about Berlin’s Sepp, here’s the pilot issue of England’s The Green (or The Green Soccer Journal to give it its full title).

An impressive list of contributors (Guardian sports writer Richard Williams, Peter Lyle, illustrator Peter Till) cover the broader aspects of the sport, taking a look at the rise and fall of the New York Cosmos team (above), following a fan’s trip to see Portsmouth play (below) and interviewing England third-choice goalie Joe Hart. There’s also a piece about Aitor Throup, designer of England team’s new away kit (bottom)

Despite the international reach of the content, the design (by Junior Junior) is very English, with plenty of clean, sensible Gill Sans centred in white space. Some of the design detailing is a little heavy – it would be good to see some of the lighter versions of Gill added to the mix – but otherwise it’s a confident debut and a welcome addition to the growing number of independents seeking to challenge the orthodoxy of mainstream publishing. The Green couldn’t be more different to the standard soccer press, and is all the better for that.

And yes there is a pull-out World Cup wallchart, above.