Martyn Green

Championship Manager 89/90 Challenge: Introduction

Published on July 19, 2021July 26, 2021 by Martyn Green1 Comment

It is 1989. The Conservatives have been in power for a decade, despite widespread unpopularity. Labour are unable to capitalise, stuck with infighting between centrists and the traditional Left. The economy is in a fragile state. British holidaymakers are stranded abroad. Liverpool are serious title challengers, looking to make up for this disappointment of the previous season. Man Utd haven’t won a trophy for years. An exciting England team are eyeing potential glory at next year’s World Cup, but are concerned about the heat. And we are out of Europe. It really is 1989, I promise!

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The Death Match

Published on July 18, 2021August 10, 2021 by Martyn Green

When people think of the Nazis and football, most would think of Escape to Victory, the film in which Bobby Moore, Michael Caine and Pele – Prisoners of War – play for the pride of the allies and draw, carried out of the stadium on the shoulders of the oppressed French citizens to a jingoistic, triumphant soundtrack. Fewer people know that it was inspired by a match in the Ukraine between the occupied and the occupiers. What Escape does not show is half the team being executed for defying their conquerors. That is the dark secret of the Death Match. Theoretically.

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