Foreign legions: Aquero and Van Persie are two hotshots currently lighting up the Premier League

'It's a bit upsetting because at United I'm working with the likes of Tony Whelan, who's been doing this for 30 years, and Jim Ryan, Paul McGuinness. This is really important work.'

Elitism, education and England: this does not exist in a vacuum. Globalisation has helped make the Premier League rich enough for its clubs to buy any foreign player they want.

There was 1995's Bosman ruling too. At the same time British society has become more sedentary, PE in schools is disappearing and the motor car has killed street football.

Other aspects of traditional working-class football culture are vanishing: the Bolton Combination once had 10 divisions; now there is no young-adult Saturday league in Bolton.

« Previous1234567Next »