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The Archive
Stories of football's Greatest Teams, Players, Eras


Zaire 1974 World Cup dream ends in farce and fear
Ilunga’s famous “wall break” wasn’t a joke about rules. It was a moment shaped by stolen bonuses, dictatorship pressure, and a World Cup campaign that turned dark fast.
Graham Dunn
Feb 194 min read


This is how it feels to be Oldham: Joe Royle’s 1989–1990 Madchester-Era Side
“This Is How It Feels to Be Oldham” explores Joe Royle’s 1989–90 side — a pre-Premier League cult team with grit, identity, and unmistakable Madchester-era energy.
Graham Dunn
Jan 276 min read


Is Bryan Robson an All Time 100 Footballer?
Bryan Robson’s omission from Oliver Holt’s “Top 100 Footballers of All Time” reignited a debate that refuses to die. Through the Greatness Index™ lens — and the lived memory of anyone who saw Captain Marvel play — this long-form feature explores whether Robson truly belongs among football’s immortals. A blend of story, stats, and what-if moments that reveal the real answer.
Jamie Rooney
Nov 13, 20259 min read


Are Italy 1982 the Worst Team to Win the World Cup?
Were Italy’s 1982 World Cup winners really any good? Enzo Bearzot’s Azzurri stumbled through the group stage with no wins, only to beat Argentina, Brazil, Poland and West Germany in one of football’s greatest turnarounds. But when The Greatness Index crunched the numbers, Italy 1982 ranked second from bottom among all champions — just above Argentina 2022.
Jamie Rooney
Nov 3, 20255 min read
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