'Backpass'

This is not the cry of the deranged referee at the recent Vale v Oldham match, but the title of a rather splendid independent football magazine, made even more splendid by the inclusion of a feature on Roy in it's second issue. The article was penned by well known journalist and Vale fan Phil Shaw, who even manages to give us a name check in the feature.

The Sproson Fund has received a limited number of issues from Backpass editor Mike Berry which are for sale from 'Derek, I'm Gutted!' editor Andy McCormack on matchdays, as well as from the Bull's Head during the upcoming Vale Legends Mini Beer Festival.

The magazine costs £2.50 and is worth buying for the feature on Roy alone. However, if you are a lover of football nostalgia you will fall in love with this magazine completely. I have read it from cover to cover and felt the same as I did as a 12 year old reading copies of Shoot! during school breaks, even enjoying the Terry Conroy feature! (also penned by Phil). So, if you can bring yourself to buy a copy of a magazine with a knobbly kneed Stoke player on the cover, get this - you won't be disappointed - buy it from Andy Mac and the Fund makes a couple of bob as well!