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The Quest for a Winless, Point‑Free Season While point deductions are a common way for clubs to end a campaign on zero, a far smaller group have hit the rock bottom purely by losing every single fixture. The Guardian’s Q&A; explores which sides have actually finished a full season with 0 points on the books. Record‑Breaking Zero‑Point Campaigns Across the Globe Antigua Barracuda – 2013 United Soccer League (USL) season: 26 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 0 points. The club operated on a shoestring, with unpaid players and long minivan trips to games. Woodford United – Southern League Division One Central, 2012‑13: 42 league defeats, 0 points. Budget cuts forced youth coaches to field a makeshift squad, resulting in a record 185 goals conceded. Longford AFC – Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two, 2015‑16: 30 losses, 0 points. Even a cameo from former England star Stuart Pearce could not spark a goal. Gibraltar Phoenix – Gibraltar Premier Division, 2013‑14: 14 games, 0 points in the league’s inaugural UEFA‑recognised season. Grêmio Barueri – Campeonato Paulista, 2016: 19 matches, 0 points despite playing in a 31,000‑seat stadium. Glasgow Women FC – Scottish Women’s Premier League, 2022‑23: 22 defeats, 0 points, 6 goals scored. Billericay Town Women – Women’s National League Southern Premier Division, 2022‑23: 0 points in a similar fate. Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkish TFF First League, 2022‑23: 38 straight losses, 0 points amid financial collapse. Numbers That Define the Infamy The raw statistics underline the severity of these campaigns. The longest winless streak recorded in the list is 42 matches (Woodford United), while the highest goals‑against tally sits at 185 in the same season. In the United States, the 26‑game USL season of Antigua Barracuda remains the only professional league where a club finished with a perfect loss record. What Zero‑Point Seasons Reveal About Club Viability Across continents, the common thread is financial distress. Unpaid wages, inadequate travel budgets, and stadiums that outsize the fanbase all contributed to on‑field collapse. These seasons often trigger relegation, loss of league licences, or outright dissolution, highlighting how fragile lower‑tier football ecosystems can be. Will Modern Football Prevent Another Point‑Free Year? Governance reforms—stricter licensing, financial fair‑play checks, and emergency funding mechanisms—aim to stop clubs from reaching such extremes. However, as long as revenue gaps persist between elite and grassroots levels, the risk of another zero‑point season remains, especially in leagues with limited oversight.

The Forgotten OriginsThe last time the US hosted the men's World Cup in 1994, many Americans viewed soccer as a game they watched their kids play on Saturday mornings, not the world's most beloved sport. Thirty-two years later, the sport has exploded in popularity and the USA have become a regular fixture at World Cups. But many people don't realize the US's World Cup history extends all the way back to the first tournament staged – when the US men had their best-ever finish, reaching the semi-finals.The tale of those connected with the US team is often bleak, but it's also more deeply rooted and richer than is often appreciated. As US soccer fans turn their attention to the future of the sport, we revisit four often overlooked moments – and one widely celebrated kick – of the USA's early World Cup history.Tragedy and TriumphSix of the 16-man squad who went to Uruguay for the first World Cup were British, but all played their club football in the US, an indication of the strength of domestic league at the time. A 3-0 win over Belgium in their opening game – which shared with France v Mexico the honor of being the first-ever game at a World Cup – was followed by a 3-0 win over Paraguay in which Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hat-trick – although it was only in November 2006, 32 years after his death, that the disputed second of his three goals was finally confirmed as having been scored by the Fall River striker.Substitutions were not introduced to the World Cup until 1970, meaning injuries could have a huge influence on the outcome of a game, reducing a side to 10 men or fewer. And injuries severely afflicted the USA in their semi-final against Argentina. The goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas struggled on with a twisted knee and the midfielder Ralph Tracy missed the whole of the second half after fracturing his right leg. Andy Auld, meanwhile, was temporarily blinded after the physio Jack Coll dropped a bottle of chloroform as he tended to the forward's split lip. After battling gamely, the USA conceded three late goals and lost 6-1.The Mystery of Donelli and SchroederThe USA entered the 1934 tournament late and were very fortunate that Fifa agreed to let them play a qualifier against Mexico in Italy shortly before the first round. The USA won 4-2 in front of 10,000 spectators in Rome, all their goals being scored by Aldo "Buff" Donelli, who would later become a coach in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Rams. Mexico blamed their defeat on the fact their journey to Italy had taken 15 days, while the USA had managed to cross the Atlantic in just nine. In the first round, the USA lost 7-1 to the eventual champions Italy; if the journey hardly seemed worth it for just two games, they were at least better off than poor Mexico, who went straight home after their qualifying defeat.The US team manager in Italy was Elmer Schroeder, who had also been part of the backroom staff in 1930. In 1932 he had been elected as the first US-born president of the United States Football Association (the body that is now US Soccer) and although he did not seek re-election in 1934, he led the national squad at the 1936 Olympic Games as well, and remained manager of Philadelphia Germans until 1949. Four years later, his badly beaten body, bound with the cord from the window-blinds, was found on the bed in his apartment. Although nobody was ever convicted of his homicide, it seems probable that he was murdered by a serial killer who preyed on gay men in Philadelphia in the early 1950s.The Disappeared HeroThe USA withdrew from a playoff against the Dutch East Indies for the 1938 World Cup but did qualify for 1950. It was at that tournament in Brazil that they achieved perhaps their most notable result, beating England 1-0 in Belo Horizonte, one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history. The only goal was scored by Joe Gaetjens, diverting in a shot from Walter Bahr. Gaetjens had been born in Haiti and was awaiting US citizenship at the time; early US soccer history was based on a liberal immigration policy.Gaetjens never got his citizenship, returning to Haiti soon after. His family were distant relations by marriage of Louis Déjoie, who lost the 1957 presidential election to the notorious François "Papa Doc" Duvalier. In 1964, when Duvalier declared himself dictator for life, most of Gaetjens's family fled the country.Gaetjens, though, had had little involvement in politics and decided to remain. He was soon arrested by the Tonton Macoute, Duvalier's secret police, and never seen again. It's believed he was murdered at the Fort Dimanche prison, but his body has never been found.The Shot Heard Around the WorldThe modern history of the USA at the World Cup begins with Paul Caligiuri's "shot heard around the world" in Port of Spain in November 1989 – a 30-yard left-foot volley that secured a 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago and booked the USA's place at Italia 90. Qualification was seen as an essential part of preparation for hosting the tournament in 1994, for reasons of credibility if nothing else. The USA lost all three games they played in Italy, but, with the exception of 2018, they've been at every World Cup since.

Stonewood Capital, a US private‑equity firm, has committed a seven‑figure cash injection to the Cornish Pirates, a second‑tier English rugby club that was on the brink of collapse two years ago. The investment follows a Guardian story that caught the eye of the firm’s senior partners, marking a rare transatlantic bet on a regional sport.How a Guardian article sparked a transatlantic investmentThe catalyst was a December 2025 Guardian piece profiling the Pirates’ search for fresh capital. Kenn Moritz says the article “gave me an insight into what was going on in English rugby and piqued my interest.” Within five months, Stonewood secured a “strong minority interest” on the club’s board alongside local owners.December 2025 – Guardian article published.May 2026 – Stonewood announces investment.Current – Board seat taken; plans for stadium upgrades and academy development underway.Seven‑figure injection and ownership stakeThe firm has pledged an initial investment in the low‑seven‑figure range (estimated between £1 million and £5 million), securing a minority share and a strategic voice in club decisions. The capital is earmarked for:Stadium facility upgrades at Mennaye Field.Establishing a women’s team and youth academy.Strengthening the senior squad to compete for promotion.Both investors, in their 60s, come from industrial sectors, noting that “rugby is much more interesting than, say, manufacturing fibreglass fabric” and offers better “cocktail conversation.”What the deal means for English rugby’s second tierThe injection arrives as overseas interest in English rugby grows, with recent purchases of Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Red Bulls. Stonewood’s entry highlights several trends:Second‑tier clubs are viewed as “fertile, low‑cost” assets compared with Premiership sides.US investors see the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States as a runway for brand exposure.Local debt burden is minimal thanks to former owner Sir Richard Evans, making the Pirates an attractive, low‑risk proposition.Analysts predict that such capital could lift the overall valuation of the RFU Championship, encouraging more private‑equity participation.Future outlook: ambition for Premiership and beyondClub chief executive Sally Pettipher envisions a five‑year plan that could see the Pirates “Prem‑ready” if the right conditions align. Key milestones include:Completion of stadium enhancements by 2028.Launch of a women’s side and academy by 2027.Targeting promotion to the Premiership within five years, contingent on sustained investment and on‑field success.With Stonewood’s capital and strategic guidance, the Cornish Pirates aim to transform from a near‑folded club into a flagship example of how targeted private‑equity can revitalize regional sport.

The Lead: Celtic's Title Charge AcceleratesCeltic took a significant step toward securing the Scottish Premiership title with a commanding 3-1 victory over their arch-rivals Rangers in a dramatic Old Firm encounter. The result leaves Brendan Rodgers' side just two wins away from lifting the trophy, with Japanese forward Daizen Maeda producing a match-winning performance that included a spectacular bicycle kick.The Event Details: Maeda's MasterclassThe match showcased the best of Scottish football's fiercest rivalry, with Celtic ultimately dominating proceedings after a tense first half. Maeda's intervention proved decisive, as he scored twice in the second half to seal the victory. His second goal, a remarkable bicycle kick, will surely be remembered as one of the finest goals in the history of the fixture. The technical quality of Celtic's performance, particularly in the final third, demonstrated their championship credentials.The Data Analysis: Points and Title Race MathematicsWith this victory, Celtic now sit firmly in the driver's seat of the title race. The three points gained from beating Rangers have created a significant gap between the Glasgow rivals. Celtic now require just six more points from their remaining fixtures to mathematically secure the title, while Rangers face an increasingly difficult task to catch their opponents. The goal difference between the two teams has also swung in Celtic's favor, giving them an additional advantage in the title race.The Impact Analysis: Shifting Power DynamicsThis victory represents more than just three points—it signifies a shift in power dynamics within Scottish football. Celtic's performance demonstrated their tactical superiority and squad depth, particularly in key positions. For Rangers, the defeat raises questions about their ability to challenge Celtic consistently. The psychological advantage gained by Celtic from this Old Firm victory could prove decisive in the remaining fixtures, as they now approach their matches with increased confidence.The Prediction: Celtic's Inevitable Title TriumphBased on current form and the psychological advantage gained from this victory, Celtic appear destined to retain their Scottish Premiership title. Their remaining fixtures, while challenging, are all winnable given their current momentum. The only potential obstacle could be complacency, but Rodgers' experience in managing title races suggests he will keep his team focused. Rangers, meanwhile, must regroup quickly to secure second place and European qualification, with their focus shifting to next season's challenge.

The Managerial Shake-Up at Crystal Palace Crystal Palace are stepping up their attempts to convince Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola to take over from Oliver Glasner and are set to offer him a lucrative three-year contract. Iraola's Potential Move to Selhurst Park It is understood that Palace have made Iraola, who confirmed last month that he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, their preferred target and held initial talks with the Spaniard’s camp in the past few weeks. The Appeal of European Football Palace are aware that the 43-year-old has plenty of other suitors from the Premier League, including Chelsea, but hope that the lucrative contract offer and the potential of European football next season should they win the Conference League could help to lure him to Selhurst Park. Oliver Glasner's Future Glasner’s side face Rayo Vallecano in the final on 27 May in Leipzig, with the winners qualifying directly for the Europa League. The Austrian revealed in January that he will depart Selhurst Park when his contract expires this summer despite leading them to the FA Cup last year – the club’s first major trophy. Other Candidates for the Job Coventry’s Frank Lampard Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Thomas Frank, former Brentford and Tottenham manager Marcelino García Toral, who is leaving Villarreal

Lead: A Provocative B‑Side Born from a Steely Dan SampleSuper Furry Animals reveal how a snippet from Steely Dan’s “Show Biz Kids” became the backbone of ‘The Man Don’t Give a Fuck’, a track that survived legal wrangling, label push‑back, and even a drive‑by egging in Baltimore. From Steely Dan Sample to Controversial B‑Side: The Birth of ‘The Man Don’t Give a Fuck’1992: Band members Dafydd Ieuan, Gruff Rhys, and others begin demoing ideas in a home studio.Early 1990s: The lyric “You know, they don’t give fuck about anybody else” catches Rhys’s attention as a protest hook.Producer Gorwel Owen loops the sample, adds synth and dub bass, shaping the track’s core.Late 1990s: The song is slated as a B‑side to “If You Don’t Want Me to Destroy You.” Royalties, Legal Hurdles and Radio Play: The Financial SideInitial clearance from Donald Fagen and Walter Becker is revoked via a fax, forcing a last‑minute replacement B‑side (“Guacamole”).After renegotiation, Steely Dan’s camp demands 95% of royalties, which the band accepts, assuming negligible airplay.Contrary to expectations, Australian station Triple J playlists the track, generating modest royalties. How the Song Shaped Live Shows and the Band’s ReputationThe track’s flexible, politically charged lyrics turned it into a live‑show climax. Notable moments include:1999 Baltimore gig: audience members launch a drive‑by egging; promoters retrieve an egg and throw it back.2004 extended live version stretches to 23 minutes, featuring a techno section by Cian.Glastonbury incident where a van driver attempted to breach the crowd, only to join the dancing. Future Outlook: Touring, New Releases, and the Song’s Enduring LegacyThe band’s Supacabra tour kicks off on 6 May 2026, with the early‑rarities collection Precreation Percolation releasing on 8 May 2026. The story of “The Man Don’t Give a Fuck” is expected to feature prominently in setlists, reinforcing the group’s reputation for defiant, genre‑blending performances.

The Bleakest Office Party: A New Critique of Financial PowerBullyache's new piece, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, opens with a scene that feels like the aftermath of the bleakest office party imaginable. The stage is dominated by a giant boardroom table, featuring a naked man on the floor, another with trousers around his ankles, and someone urinating into a whisky glass. This visceral imagery sets the tone for a production that uses dance theatre to deconstruct the toxic masculinity and arrogance of the financial elite.The show is not merely a performance; it is a commentary on the 2008 global economic crisis. The set design, featuring a wall of broken glass, symbolizes the shattered economy and the people who drove the truck through it. The narrative follows these 'wasted cretins' as they face a surreal, less glossy version of the TV show Industry, turning their fate into a menacing game of power and domination.From Bohemian Club Rituals to Gameshow DominationWhile the opening is chaotic, the piece takes a sharp narrative turn halfway through, transforming into a gameshow that explicitly identifies the characters as the bankers responsible for the financial meltdown. The creative duo, Courtney Deyn and Jacob Samuel, draw inspiration from the secretive Bohemian Club, a gathering of rich and powerful men known for rituals like the 'cremation of care,' which the show interprets as an absolution of guilt.Setting: Sadler's Wells East, London (until 9 May)Music: Original scores by Bullyache, featuring Shostakovich's chamber symphony in C minorThemes: Power, domination, and the 'cremation of care'The Atmosphere of Guilt and LonelinessThe atmosphere-making in the production is described as masterful, if depressing. The soundscapes are cranium-shaking, blending classical leaps with Latin American swivel and punchy folk dance. The inclusion of quasi-religious imagery and a cleaner singing Ave Maria amidst the body fluids adds a layer of dark irony and spiritual desolation.However, the review notes that the piece is reaching for something bigger. While the critique of the 'banking bro' archetype is clear, the show lacks specific personal stories. The political message is somewhat generic ('big bankers bad') and would benefit from more concrete details about the characters' lives and the long-term ramifications of their actions.Future of Political Dance TheatreBullyache has demonstrated brilliant ambition with this production, successfully creating a world that is unpredictable and intense. However, the lack of specific narrative depth suggests that for this genre of political dance theatre to truly resonate, creators must move beyond archetypes and provide the 'sting' necessary to make the audience feel the consequences of the financial crisis on a human level.

The Ultimate Wizard Showdown When asked who would win a fight between Gandalf and Dumbledore, the iconic actor who portrayed both legendary wizards didn't hesitate with his answer. "Why on earth would they be fighting? But Gandy, of course, would win. The original wizard," McKellen declared, settling the debate that has captivated fantasy fans for years. A Life in Theater Reflecting on his more than six decades in acting, McKellen lamented the decline of repertory theater in the UK. "My first job, in 1961, was at the Belgrade theatre in Coventry," he recalled. "Every city of similar size had a repertory company, presenting a new production every two weeks, and crucially providing employment for tyro actors in need of a prolonged apprenticeship." Today, he noted, there is not a single rep company in the UK, a system he credits with helping develop new talent. Personal Reflections McKellen shared insights into his personal beliefs, explaining that while he was raised with gospel stories, he stopped worshipping in his teens. "Since then, Quakers are the religious society I most admire, for their adherence to the sixth commandment and for being the first Christians to support gay rights in the UK." He also discussed how his father's preaching style influenced him, though it was actors who first captivated him rather than religious figures. Behind the Scenes of Middle-earth The actor revealed that Peter Jackson never confirmed which stars turned down the role of Gandalf in Lord of the Rings. "I've never managed to persuade Peter to confirm who turned down the wizard part of a lifetime," McKellen shared. He speculated that David Bowie's striking looks and voice might have emphasized the supernatural side of Gandalf rather than the character's humanity that attracted him to the role. Beyond Middle-earth Beyond his iconic fantasy roles, McKellen discussed his appreciation for pantomime as a uniquely theatrical art form. "Pantomime uses every possible theatrical device to tell its moral tales – slapstick, sentiment, song, dance, verse, cross-dressing, community singing, extravagant costumes and scenery, audience participation," he explained. "My patriotism is rooted in Shakespeare and panto." He also mentioned his recent Glastonbury performance with the Scissor Sisters, describing the experience as "heady stuff, parading in front of a band's enthusiastic fans."

Standout Art Pieces at the 2026 Venice Biennale The 2026 Venice Biennale features several standout art pieces that are worth noting. Here are some of the most notable ones: Florentina Holzinger's Post-Apocalyptic Pavilion Florentina Holzinger's pavilion is a post-apocalyptic installation that features her suspended upside down from the clappers of a large bell. The pavilion also includes a woman riding a speedboat in circles, two others suspended at the top of a pole, and another sitting entirely submerged in a tank. The installation is transgressive and thought-provoking, and it quickly became the talk of the town. Sanya Kantarovsky's Eerie Seances Sanya Kantarovsky's paintings are like stills from very intense films. His show features book-lined rooms with incredible Murano glass chandeliers, and it culminates with an incredibly detailed sculpture of the head of a boy, also in Murano glass. The atmosphere is like a weird seance between the centuries. Gabrielle Goliath's Hypnotic Mourners Gabrielle Goliath's performance, Elegy, is a ritual of mourning for women killed in acts of sexualized or racialized violence. The performance features operatically trained female performers holding a single high note, and it is both hypnotic and moving. Carrie Schneider's Photographic Curls Carrie Schneider's photographic curls are a 1.5km-long installation that repeats over and over a still from Chris Marker's 1962 film La Jetée. The installation is thought-provoking and visually stunning. Lydia Ourahmane's Coin-Slot Art Lydia Ourahmane's sculptural show features components drawn entirely from the city of Venice. The show includes a beautiful new wooden pier, a bead curtain of Murano glass, and a contraption once used in a church to illuminate a Bellini. The installation is touching and thoughtful. Lawrence Abu Hamdan's Audio Detective Work Lawrence Abu Hamdan's installation, 450XL: the Story of a Fugitive Sound, investigates human rights abuses using sound as evidence. The installation features 15 screens resembling protest placards and is both thought-provoking and visually stunning. Zhanna Kadyrova's Origami Deer Zhanna Kadyrova's origami deer are a series of paper sculptures that are both beautiful and moving. The installation features a huge concrete deer dangling irresolutely from a crane on a flatbed truck, and it is accompanied by touching footage of the origami deer's journey.