2025-26 | Issue 05

This is the fifth issue of The Square Ball’s 36th season and Leeds United’s 2025/26 definitely-not-ending-in-relegation campaign.

After issue four was devoted to the iconic 1992 title-winning midfield, we’ve got a lot to catch up on in the current world of Leeds United. Comebacks against Man City, wins against Chelsea, points against Liverpool and Scum, a fancy new formation and the same old manager — who we now like so much again that he’s our cover star, as illustrated by the excellent Emily Tartanella.

Inside the mag, you’ll find from your favourite regular contributors:

• Chris McMenamy on Howard Wilkinson taking his Leeds United team on a bizarre mid-season trip to Italy, sponsored by some toasters and kettles
• Sam Gibbard unravels the strange story of author Paul Harrison and his discredited biographies of Billy Bremner and Albert Johanneson
• Kirsty Kenyon recounts her roadtrip to Toronto to meet Mat Klich and try not to cry in front of him
• Zac Connolly on supporting Leeds in the early hours of the morning from Australia, and the pain of trying not to wake his family up when Ao Tanaka sticks in a last-minute winner against Liverpool
• Plus taking back everything we’ve ever said about Brenden Aaronson, falling back in love with Daniel Farke, laughing Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim out of the door and voting for Michael Duberry in the Sports Personality of the Year awards