Cowboys All-Pro KR KaVontae Turpin arrested on 2 charges
Turpin, 28, was arrested by the Allen (Texas) Police Department on Saturday, according to online records, and booked into the Collin County Jail.
He posted $1,500 bond and was released from custody on Sunday.
Turpin, who signed a three-year, $18 million extension in March, became the first Cowboy with punt, kickoff and receiving touchdowns in the same season in 2024. He finished with a career-high 31 catches for 420 yards and a pair of scores.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he led the NFL return average (33.5 yards) in 2024 and took one back 99 yards for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders.
In three seasons with Dallas, Turpin has played in 50 games (two starts) and compiled 44 receptions for 556 yards and five TDs. He has also rushed for 219 yards on 30 carries with one TD.
--Field Level Media
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The Guardian
29 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Mexico 2-1 USA: El Tri wins Gold Cup title in dominant fashion
Update: Date: 2025-07-07T01:39:46.000Z Title: Topic A for the', 'USA', 'is … Content: Mexico won the 2025 Gold Cup title after Edson Álvarez's winning goal in the second half. Read Beau Dure's minute-by-minute report. Beau Dure Mon 7 Jul 2025 02.26 BST First published on Sun 6 Jul 2025 22.30 BST 2.26am BST 02:26 Last word to Scott Martin: 'In the referee's defense, He has a solid 'not a foul' signal, and it would be a shame not to use it.' I warm up for games by yelling 'advantage' a lot. I should probably stop using that as a crutch. But these games are incredibly difficult to officiate, and it would've taken some baffling decisions to give the USA a chance in this one against a superlative Mexican team. Good night to those in the USA, and happy Monday to those in other time zones. 2.24am BST 02:24 Topic A for the USA is … … who took advantage of their teammates' absences to stake a claim for the World Cup roster? I don't know that anyone surprised us with their standout play here except perhaps Alex Freeman. Malik Tillman and Diego Luna already have a decent amount of buzz. Maybe Matt Freese, with his penalty shootout heroics against Costa Rica? Still a very long way to go. 2.20am BST 02:20 Landon Donovan: 'Other guys kind of fell apart during the match.' The USA won the Fair Play Award. It's presented to Ream, who poses with USSF president Cindy Cone. Mexico's Luis Malagon wins the Golden Glove. Honestly, he was a bit lucky on the saves he made tonight, but it's hard to fault him on the goal. Edson Alvarez gets the 'best player' award. 2.15am BST 02:15 Tim Ream's interview is abruptly cut short because the people at the desk apparently needed to say something. He was saying something about calmness. Not sure if he meant Mexico having it or the USA not having it. 2.13am BST 02:13 The great drummer Neil Peart once said of an album release by his band, Rush, that it's everything you hate about Rush. This game was everything you hate about Concacaf. Cynical fouls, with a referee struggling to keep pace. An awkward playing surface – specifically, grass trucked in and put over artificial turf. US supporters being outnumbered in the crowd by their opponents. An opening ceremony that left a thick haze in the stadium through much of the game. And a dreadful game by the US team. They make take some positives from this tournament, but they can take no positives from this game. They were outplayed in every aspect of the game in nearly every minute. The absences, of course, were noteworthy. No Christian Pulisic. No Weston McKennie. No Antonee Robinson. But several of these players will be disappointed in their performances tonight, and rightly so. The Fox Sports crew is spinning it as a way for the younger players to gain experience. To be sure, that's true for Alex Freeman (age 20), Damion Downs (21) and Diego Luna (21), all of whom had some good moments in this tournament. Malik Tillman is still 23, though a game like this will age someone quickly. But the 2-1 score flatters the USA. This could've been so much worse. Full credit, however, to Mexico. This is a team that knows how to possess the ball and knows how to win it back. Their lack of finishing acumen will limit their progress in the World Cup, but in Concacaf, they are absolutely the top team of 2025. Updated at 2.14am BST 2.05am BST 02:05 Call it what you like, but don't call it undeserved. 2.03am BST 02:03 90 min +7: Aaronson bundles the ball over his own goal line to concede a corner. 2.02am BST 02:02 90 min +5: In roughly the amount of time it takes a first-time novelist to complete a draft, Mexico take a throw-in. The USA go off to the races when they get it back, and Montes simply takes the ball away from Freeman. 2.01am BST 02:01 90 min +4: Freeman tries to switch the point of attack, but Vega sees it all the way and easily picks it off. 2.00am BST 02:00 90 min +3: Ruiz with a timely step to break up a US attack. The seams in the grass are plainly visible. Footing has been a problem at times. 1.59am BST 01:59 90 min +2: Whatever the USA tried to do off that free kick didn't work. But Ream knocks it forward, and it's a CHANCE for the USA. Downs, perhaps thinking he was offside, leaves the ball for Agyebang, who doesn't make clean contact. That was very close to a stunning equalizer. 1.58am BST 01:58 90 min: We should have about 800 minutes of stoppage time. We'll have seven. Actually, that's probably about right. But add on to that – Freeman is down after being shoved to the ground. Free kick for the USA near the sideline, 40 yards from goal. 1.56am BST 01:56 88 min: Aaronson rolls a couple of times after being tripped. Gimenez, who just came into the game, is down. Seems suspicious, but a closeup shows a finger that bent in a way you do not want fingers to bend. 1.54am BST 01:54 87 min: After spending a few minutes on the substitutions, play resumes with the USA getting a couple of touches in the Mexican penalty area. 1.53am BST 01:53 85 min: A brilliant slide tackle from Alvarez stops Agyemang's promising run. Raul Jimenez gets a yellow card for time-wasting as he takes an epoch or two to leave the field as he's subbed out for Gimenez. Reyes replaces Sanchez. Huerta comes on for Alvarado, who had a tremendous game. Tolkin replaces Arfsten, which seems a bit unfortunate. Aaronson replaces Luna. 1.51am BST 01:51 83 min: Alvarado shoots wide, then drops the ground. Possible cramp. Or time-wasting. Gimenez and Huerta are about to come on Mexico; Aaronson and Tolkin for the USA. 1.49am BST 01:49 82 min: McGlynn replaces the ineffective Adams, who kicks something on the bench in frustration. 1.46am BST 01:46 The VAR decision is that Alvarez barely stayed on. I suppose, but given the way the freeze-frame technology usually finds some fingernail in an offside position, I don't know that I buy it. 1.45am BST 01:45 At least for now. The ball is played across the area, off one Mexican player's head and then off Alvarez's head and into the net. But he's offside. Or … 1.43am BST 01:43 76 min: Strong defensive play from Berhalter near the top of the penalty area, but Mexico regain possession, and Luna is called for a foul. The ball is near the far sideline. 1.42am BST 01:42 74 min: Mexico bring in Pineda for the youngster Mora, who certainly made his presence felt in this game. 1.40am BST 01:40 73 min: Alvarado has a sliver of space, but the US defense swarm to take it away. 1.39am BST 01:39 72 min: Pochettino sent Downs into the game with instructions to be relayed to his teammates, and it appears they were not correctly relayed. The team are in disarray. 1.38am BST 01:38 71 min: Against all odds and all stats, this game is still 1-1. Mexico gets their 11th corner kick. The USA have none. 1.36am BST 01:36 69 min: US sub: Downs for de la Torre. Today is Downs' 21st birthday, so if the USA were to somehow win this, he'd be allowed to taste the champagne. 1.35am BST 01:35 67 min: Vega's cross sails across the front of the net, and Richards chests it out for a corner. Replay shows the defender certainly put a hand on the ball while it was sitting on the ground. From a common-sense point of view, I can understand why that wasn't called, but from a Laws of the Game perspective, I don't. 1.33am BST 01:33 67 min: Arfsten beats one defender but not the next, but the defender puts a hand down to the ground and … maybe handles the ball? 1.32am BST 01:32 65 min: Mexico's eighth corner kick is deflected for Mexico's ninth corner kick. But we'll pause as the ref notices the two Mexican players once again giving Berhalter a noogie. 1.31am BST 01:31 64 min: Adams slams into Alvarado and is surprised to be called for a foul. Joe Pearson: 'According to the ELO rankings (not the band), Mexico are 22, USA are 40. Seems about right.' Speaking of Elo ratings, congratulations to Magnus Carlsen for breaking the 2900 mark. 1.29am BST 01:29 61 min: Tillman slides through two Mexican players and is called for fouling at least one of them. Before that, a half-chance for the USA as a through ball pops into space, but Malagon alertly races out of his goal to play the ball. He was probably getting bored. 1.26am BST 01:26 58 min: As a referee myself (very, very low level), I hate to criticize the people with the whistles, but after a sound decision to establish control early by blowing the whistle often, he seems to have misplaced it. Tillman is just getting clobbered out there. 'His threshold for a foul is insanely high,' says one person on the refereeing forum I peruse. Hey – foul called as Agyemang is held like a long-lost brother at midfield. Updated at 1.27am BST 1.24am BST 01:24 56 min: Just an embarrassing sequence for the US defense there, as Alvarado goes 1-on-2 and arguably wins. Then a desperate lunge masquerading as a slide tackle fails to do the task, and in the end, it's a deflected shot/cross that Freese awkwardly punches out for a corner. Then no one is marking Vega, and his cross slams into Freese and, to the US keeper's relief, stays under him. 1.22am BST 01:22 55 min: Tillman is mauled at midfield, and while our intermittently attentive referee blows the whistle, he still takes the time to let everyone know he doesn't appreciate that. Updated at 1.28am BST 1.21am BST 01:21 54 min: CHANCE for the USA, with Arfsten getting into the attack, faking out one defender and launching a shot that goes just over the far upper corner. 1.19am BST 01:19 53 min: Presumably, the US will have another touch on the ball before the game ends. 1.18am BST 01:18 51 min: CHANCE for Mexico, and that was so close. Alvarado, from near one corner of the penalty area, just misses the far post. 1.17am BST 01:17 50 min: The Turf Monster causes a Mexican attacker to trip. About time the USA's most consistent defender made an appearance. 1.16am BST 01:16 49 min: Jiménez lofts a cross from the right flank, and this time it's Freeman doing just enough to disrupt the attack. Mexico attack again, and Richards has to scramble back to knock it out for a corner. Updated at 1.19am BST 1.15am BST 01:15 48 min: Ream wins a header to stop a promising Mexican attack. It still looks too easy for Mexico to make incisive passes, while the USA have had … one? Maybe? 1.13am BST 01:13 47 min: The USA start by stringing a few passes together, which is an improvement. 1.12am BST 01:12 Second half is underway … and it's still hazy. 1.08am BST 01:08 Kurt Perleberg asks how far a full-strength US team can go in the World Cup next year. I'll say Seattle. 1.02am BST 01:02 Stat time Concacaf has some intriguing stats, including the aforementioned 'touchmap' that was, until now, more or less devoid of US touches in the Mexican penalty area. The Jimenez goal was graded at 0.149 'expected goals.' I'd have expected more. Freeman's shot was actually higher – 0.152. Mexico has a 5-0 edge in corner kicks, a 10-2 advantage in interceptions, and 298 passes to the USA's 162. They completed 85.9% of their passing attempts; the USA clocked in at 76.5%. The USA have an edge in something they probably don't want – clearances (27-7). Good news – the foul count has slowed. Just six a side at halftime, though the referee made several correct advantage calls and several possibly incorrect no-calls. 12.56am BST 00:56 Mexico have dominated, and yet the USA should consider themselves unlucky not to be up 2-1 right now. 12.55am BST 00:55 45 min +1: A minute ago, the US had exactly one touch on the ball in the Mexican penalty area. They nearly made it two goals on two touches, as the onrushing Freeman heads the ball straight into the face of the fortunate Malagon. The ball stays in the area, and the USA have a couple of potential shouts for a penalty, though they don't make a big deal of it. It ends up with Luna blasting the ball high. 12.53am BST 00:53 44 min: YELLOW to Montes for banging into Agyemang as the US forward was about to get past the defender. It's not a red card because Agyemang was too far to the side for it to be a 'last man' situation (or 'DOGSO' in ref speak). Updated at 1.17am BST 12.51am BST 00:51 43 min: Winston Smith takes me to task for neglecting to mention Jimenez's tribute to Diogo Jota after his goal. The soccer world is a small one in many ways, and Diogo Jota clearly touched so many people. Jimenez played with him at Wolves. Updated at 1.15am BST 12.50am BST 00:50 42 min: Another corner, and two Mexican players are giving Berhalter a noogie. Not sure why our referee is allowing it to continue. 12.48am BST 00:48 40 min: Mora shoots from 22 yards, and Freese probably should've held that ball rather than palming it wide and conceding a corner. 12.47am BST 00:47 39 min: Berhalter has dropped to right back, with Freeman pushing forward. It's working in the sense that the USA still have possession, but it's not going anywhere.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘in ADVANCED Gyokeres talks', £50m-plus bids ‘expected for Madueke', Zubimendi DONE
ARSENAL have a HUGE summer of business to take care of in the transfer market. The Gunners have announced the £51million signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly willing to give up around £2million of his salary to help push through a move to the Emirates. Meanwhile, Chelsea are braced for offers of more than £50m for Noni Madueke after Arsenal AGREED personal terms with the winger, according to reports. 6th Jul 2025, 23:00 By Anthony Chapman Al-Nassr in for Rodrygo Arsenal's dreams of signing Rodrygo are in danger. That's after Al-Nassr launched a bid for the Real Madrid star. Rodrygo appears to be out of Xabi Alonso's plans after being benched throughout the Club World Cup. And Al-Nassr's mega-money wages make them the favourites to sign him this summer. 6th Jul 2025, 22:00 By Anthony Chapman Gyokeres prepared to cut wages Viktor Gyokeres is willing to give up some of his wages to complete a move to Arsenal. Fabrizio Romano claims the striker is desperate to leave Sporting Lisbon for the Gunners. His side want nearly £70million to make a deal happen. And to make things easier for Arsenal, Gyokeres is ready to take a pay cut so they can meet Sporting's price tag. 6th Jul 2025, 21:00 By Anthony Chapman No Madueke bid yet Arsenal are yet to make a formal offer for Noni Madueke. That's despite agreeing a five-year contract with the Chelsea winger. Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring Madueke to the Emirates. But it remains unclear how much Chelsea will want if they are open to selling. 6th Jul 2025, 20:00 By Anthony Chapman Spanish duo on horizon Arsenal will face a double dose of Spain in pre-season. The Gunners have announced a friendly against Villarreal on August 6. And three days later they will play Athletic Bilbao. Among the stars going up against Arsenal will be Nico Williams, who has just penned a lucrative new contract after snubbing Barcelona. 6th Jul 2025, 19:20 By Anthony Chapman Mosquera pushing for move Cristhian Mosquera could be the next arrival at Arsenal. The centre-back has told Valencia he wants to leave for the Emirates. And Mosquera has already agreed a contract with Mikel Arteta's side. However, Valencia want £25million for their star defender and are so far refusing to lower their price. 6th Jul 2025, 18:40 By Anthony Chapman Vieira axes Vardy moves Jamie Vardy reportedly had a sensational move to Genoa BLOCKED by Arsenal legend and Invincible Patrick Vieira. Vieira, who is the boss of Genoa, is said to have vetoed the move after club execs had put things in place for the former Leicester striker to make the move. According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, Genoa had agreed personal terms with Vardy following negotiations spearheaded by sporting director Flavio Ricciardella. But despite claims that Genoa had even enlisted financial help from club sponsors to pay Vardy's wages, the deal was abandoned after Vieira didn't give his seal of approval. 6th Jul 2025, 18:00 By Anthony Chapman Sesko talks at 'stalemate' Arsenal's talks with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko are reportedly at a 'stalemate'. And that has seen them accelerate a move for Viktor Gyokeres instead. The Sporting Lisbon star has agreed a contract to join Arsenal. But the Gunners are yet to strike a fee with his Portuguese club. 6th Jul 2025, 17:18 By Anthony Chapman Palace firm on Eze price Crystal Palace will not let Eberechi Eze leave for less than £68million. The versatile winger is a target for Arsenal. But they are being put off by Palace's asking price, which the Eagles are unwilling to drop. And that has now seen Arsenal make progress for Chelsea's Noni Madueke. 6th Jul 2025, 16:40 By Anthony Chapman Gyokeres price tag revealed More from Charlie Wyett: Sporting Libson are increasingly confident Arsenal will meet their £68.9million price tag for striker Viktor Gyokeres. The clubs remain locked in negotiations for the Swedish striker although the €80m (£68.9million) fee is likely to include add-ons. A deal is not yet complete and Arsenal have yet to make a firm bid but Gyokeres is hoping to get his move to the Emirates. The Swedish international was set to go on strike and miss training today in a bid to force a move. 6th Jul 2025, 16:00 By Anthony Chapman Chelsea line up Nwaneri Chelsea are interested in a stunning swoop for Ethan Nwaneri. The playmaker is considered to be Arsenal's top youth prospect. But he is yet to agree a new contract with the Gunners. And Chelsea are planning to move for Nwaneri in case he fails to strike a deal at the Emirates. 6th Jul 2025, 15:25 By Anthony Chapman Sporting make Gyokeres decision Charlie Wyett writes: Viktor Gyokeres has been given extra time to report for training with Sporting Lisbon as Arsenal move closer to completing a deal. SunSport understands the Gunners are in advanced talks with Sporting over a deal to sign Gyokeres. Discussions regarding the transfer fee are ongoing but personal terms are in place on a five-year contract. The Swedish hitman only wants to move to Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta is pushing for a swift conclusion. 6th Jul 2025, 14:44 By Kostas Lianos Berta on Zubimendi Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta described latest signing Martin Zubimendi as a "key target" and a "perfect fit" for the squad. We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has. We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt Andrea Berta 6th Jul 2025, 14:17 By Kostas Lianos Arteta on Zubimendi Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talked about all the attributes new signing Martin Zubimendi will bring to his new team. Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us. The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club. Mikel Arteta 6th Jul 2025, 13:56 By Kostas Lianos Arsenal 'agree' deal with Madueke Arsenal have reached an agreement with Chelsea ace Noni Madueke. That is according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who claims the Gunners and Madueke have shaken hands on a five-year contract. And Sky Sports report the Blues are now expecting an offer from the Gunners for the winger. This comes after the North Londoners missed out on Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams. 6th Jul 2025, 13:37 By Kostas Lianos More on Gyokeres Arsenal have jumped ahead of Manchester United and Juventus in the bidding war for Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres. That is according to transfer insider David Ornstein, who reports the Gunners are in 'advanced talks' with Sporting over a deal to sign Gyokeres. Discussions regarding the transfer fee are ongoing but personal terms are in place on a five-year contract. The striker 'only wants' to move to the North Londoners and manager Mikel Arteta is pushing for a swift conclusion. 6th Jul 2025, 12:55 By Kostas Lianos Arsenal closing in on Gyokeres Arsenal are getting closer to signing Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres. That is according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who reports a new round of talks has taken place in recent hours Gyokeres will not return to Sporting for pre-season as he is fully focused on leaving. And the Gunners are getting much closer to finalising a deal for the striker. 6th Jul 2025, 12:33 By Kostas Lianos Martin Zubimendi speaks Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi stated his move to the Emirates is a "huge moment" and one he wanted to make for a while. This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come. Martin Zubimendi 6th Jul 2025, 12:00 By Kostas Lianos Arsenal announce Zubimendi Arsenal have officially announced Martin Zubimendi's arrival from Real Sociedad. Zumbimendi has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Gunners. This comes after a £51million deal between the North Londoners and Sociedad. The midfielder is expected to join his new team-mates immediately for pre-season. By Kostas Lianos Arsenal wait on Rodrygo Arsenal are waiting for Real Madrid star Rodrygo's decision during the summer transfer window. According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Real are open to selling Rodrygo for about £78million. Jacobs added that the Gunners have only made preliminary enquiries about the forward. The North Londoners are now waiting to see if the Brazil international will ask to leave Madrid 6th Jul 2025, 11:10 By Charlie Wyett Major Gyokeres update Viktor Gyokeres has been given extra time to report for training with Sporting Lisbon but the Arsenal target is still set to go on strike. Sporting have told Swedish international Gyokeres, who was due to report for training tomorrow, he now has until Friday to meet up with the squad. The same applies to other players who have been on international duty - Danish international Conrad Harder and Portuguese Under-21 winger Geovany Quenda who will join Chelsea in 2026. They were also due to report tomorrow but late Saturday night, were handed an extra four days off ahead of the club travelling to the Algarve at the weekend for a pre-season training camp. Gyokeres has once again indicated to Sporting officials that is unlikely to report for training and he wants a move from the club, preferably Arsenal, although Manchester United and Juventus are also interested. He is angry that his club has broken a gentleman's agreement that he could leave for £60million. Sporting, knowing there is massive interest in their star striker, are now demanding at least £68.5m. Club president Frederico Varandas, who has had a public falling out with the former Coventry forward, had hoped that Gyokeres was bluffing and that he would return to training but this now seems unlikely. 6th Jul 2025, 10:50 By Kostas Lianos Rodrygo reacts to snub Real Madrid star Rodrygo was named on the bench for the fourth match in a row at the Club World Cup. The forward didn't start for Real in the quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund. The Brazil international's lack of involvement in the tournament has fuelled transfer speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal. But the 24-year-old insists he remains focused on Madrid as they push to win the trophy. We're in the World Cup semi-finals. Two more to go to our goal. HALA MADRID! RodrygoInstagram 6th Jul 2025, 10:28 By Kostas Lianos Rodrygo transfer blow Al-Nassr have launched a massive bid to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo and they're willing to break the bank to get him. The Saudi giants, backed by a whopping transfer kitty, have contacted the forward's representatives to discuss a potential deal. And it's not just any offer, they've reportedly approached the 24-year-old's camp and offered to present him with a blank cheque that could be the difference amid growing interest from the Gunners. According to Sky Sports, Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently extended his contract with the club, has personally named the Brazilian as his top target this summer. However, Rodrygo has made it clear he's not ready to swap Real for Saudi Arabia just yet. The report further adds that the winger has set his sights on the Premier League, with sources saying he's only interested in moving to England if he leaves Madrid.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
On The Road: Bargain buys, hidden treasure and a legend or two... all the fun of the programme fair
Since the end of the Covid pandemic and reopening of football grounds, Mail Sport has sent Hugh MacDonald 'On The Road'. During that time, he has travelled all around Scotland - and sometimes beyond - highlighting some of the inspiring tales to be found in a world that was attempting to recover from the trials and tribulations of lockdown. It has been quite the journey. Now, in the coming season, Hugh will on occasion step away from the side of the pitch to bring our readers more wonderful stories from across all sport in Scotland. Here, Hugh heads to a football programme and memorabilia fair to uncover some more gems... It has the buying buzz of a bazaar, the febrile frenzy of a fair but there are some things that cannot be bought. Dougie Bell takes a break from selling his autobiography to state without undue fuss: 'I have my Super Cup medal somewhere. I'll have a rake in my jacket.' Said jacket is hanging over a chair and Bell emerges seconds later with the medal he won when Aberdeen defeated Hamburg 2-0 on aggregate in the European Super Cup of 2003. Bell, who played for more than a dozen clubs including St Mirren and Rangers, sets it down next to a winner's medal from the night Aberdeen beat Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in Gothenburg. There is a moment of awe from this observer who briskly breaks the mood by dropping it, causing a hundred heads to turn to see what caused the clatter in the Hall of Fame room outside the Scottish Football Museum in Hampden. Bell, now 65, has brought the medals to show interested fans but book-selling is his duty. All proceeds go to charity and he has raised more than £25,000 for Strathcarron Hospice, who cared for his late wife, Hazel. He also has an interest in programmes and has a deeply personal cache. Injury prevented the midfielder from playing in the final but he was outstanding on the run to Gothenburg. 'I have the programme from Bayern Munich away,' he says. 'I thought I played well.' This is said with humble understatement and can be barely heard amid the hubbub raised by scores of programme buyers. They swirl round the stalls, eager to pick up pieces of paper and change them by some alchemy into prized possessions. It is an intoxicating pastime. This observer is not immune from its seductive charms. But, curiously, there is also an element of coyness from the sellers. Some items are not for sale, or at least not on this occasion. 'This is my pride and joy,' says Stuart Marshall, who once ran a memorabilia shop in Glasgow, but is now retired. He is pointing to a postcard where an etching shows a player taking a throw-in with one arm. 'It is the oldest football postcard on record, dating from 1898, and, no, it's not for sale.' Similarly, he has an invitation to a dinner to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Rangers playing the Scottish Cup final in 1877, issued by Tom Vallance, a former player. This is a prized item, as are the 1901 programmes for a Rangers athletic day during the Glasgow International exhibition. 'I have people inquiring about these but so far I don't want to sell them.' Marshall, though, has been a dealer for decades and knows that there will come a time when an offer may tempt him. Boyd Miller, who is advertising his wares just yards away, has also a Rangers interest. 'At one time I had most of the programmes from Rangers home and away in Europe,' he says. His array of goods is fascinating but he points out that there are ones he would love to have had. 'First, I was at Barcelona in 1972,' he says of the Rangers victory in the European Cup-Winners' Cup. 'They didn't do a programme but I would have loved it if they had. The holy grail is, perhaps, the one for Vorwarts in Malmo.' The East Germans, then behind the Iron Curtain, were not granted visas into Britain for the 1961 European Cup game. The home leg for Rangers was thus played in Malmo, with the game being abandoned because of fog before being played the next day. 'There were obviously incredible details around that match,' says Miller. 'But programmes for it are as rare as hens' teeth.' The more modern era of football programmes is represented by Stuart Curtis, who has travelled to Hampden from his base in the Midlands. His company has been producing programmes - including those of Aberdeen, Motherwell and, yes, Vale of Leithen - since it started 16 years ago. His staff of 13 also produce programmes for the PDC darts, rugby union and league, and snooker. He is approached by clubs and organisations and supplies them with the product they want. 'Vale of Leithen is obviously a smaller programme but we are delighted to work with them because that is what we do,' he says simply. His warehouse in the Midlands has two million programmes in stock. But that grows by anything from 3,000-5,000 a week as programmes are produced. He has a small vintage section but he deals in supplying recent programmes. 'We process about 5,000-7,000 a week,' he says. 'The Post Office has two lifts a day from our base.' The crowd inside Hampden is more interested in direct buying. 'I have been coming to these fairs for about six years and I love finding those treasures,' says Lewis Petherick, 22, who works in hospitality at Celtic Park. His employment has given him close encounters with the Celtic greats and he is particularly proud of one acquisition. 'I actually got it in the Barras,' he says. 'It was a 1963 programme of Hearts v Celtic and it is signed by most of the Lisbon Lions.' Pat McGeady, 65, leaves the fair clutching a wondrous find. It is a Third Lanark programme. He only has 600 of them and declares his latest purchase as a 'cracking bargain'. 'I have been collecting for more than 50 years,' he says. He has 4,000-5,000 items. 'I still get excited,' he says. 'It was like Christmas Day for me today.' His prized possessions at home include the Third Lanark v Rangers programme from 1947 and he has a programme for every Scottish Cup final since the Second World War. McGeady, though, is still on the hunt. 'I want a programme from the Third Lanark game against Airdrie in the League Cup of 1964-65. There are thought to be only 10 still in existence,' he says. Dealers and buyers are given a warm welcome at the door. Jim Thomson, 52, the organiser of the fair, has a passion for bringing his fellow devotees to the tables groaning with delights. Thomson collects Stirling Albion programmes principally and those of European Cup finals pre-1970. He also sold the Binos programme as a kid and talks delightedly of his favourite side being the first UK team to tour Japan in 1966. His favoured programme is one from 1939 involving St Bernard's and King's Park, the latter being the precursor to Stirling Albion. He now takes the programme fairs all over the country. 'My collection was up in the loft and when Covid came along I went up with my two boys to sort them out. We basically just spent days flicking through them. My interest was rekindled and now I organise the fairs.' He adds: 'Every football fan is a collector, though some will not realise it. But every fan has an old scarf, an old football programme or a ticket stub or something to remind them of a particular match.' Frank Coulson has no need for anything to recall the events of October 23, 1971. It was the day that Partick Thistle beat Celtic 4-1 in the League Cup final with Coulson at centre-forward. I point him towards a programme of that match and he says with a smile: 'I think I have one.' He has shimmied in with Jim McSherry, Kilmarnock legend and raconteur extraordinaire, who prompts his mate to tell an appropriate story. 'I was at a football fair in Belfast,' says Coulson. 'I saw this yellow and red strip and went to investigate. I saw from the badge it was from a testimonial I played in. The dealer was wanting £650 quid for it so my interest was limited. He then turned the shirt around. Then I saw the No.8. 'I told the dealer, 'That's the shirt I wore. Do you want me to sign it?'' He said: 'No'.' Coulson bursts into laughter. There are some things that money can't buy. But there are also good offers that can be refused.
