5  Type of match, made from a sliver of pine. (6)

 9  Early Beatles' fan maybe shot - can't be saved. (8)

10 United header miles out and the Swiss kick-off. (6)

12 Strut in Athletic underwear, maybe on back to front. (9)

13 Player put back in marginal Liverpool team. (5)

14 Camus & Socrates did something at The Adelphi? (4)

16 Attribute a football writer ignoring soccer. (7)

19 Real, one of the 'r's mispronounced just off M4. (7)

21 River shell that floats. (4)

24 Transfer activities of bottom side at last mean changes. (5)

25 Town club burying head in National Cemetery. (9)

27 Manouevre start of play in middle of bootcamp. (6)

28 Pearls of wisdom fuel a back pass at Norwich. (8)

29 Captain always in the broadsheets. (6)

30 Recommend a player in defence? (8)

 1  Rate Spurs' wingers in a letter read out. (6)

 2  Scratch pub team kicking me out for Romeo and Curt. (6)

 3  Manager at Oldham sometimes averse to inspiration contrariwise. (5)

 4  I give away a penalty, clattering in poorly. (7)

 6  Four nil roughly in match but result is ambiguous. (9)

 7  Refuse to acknowledge midfielders' activism lost T.V. broadcast. (8)

 8  Times are rescheduled for Old Trafford sponsor. (8)

11 Fresher allegedly commanded by goalkeeper? (4)

15 Face up to first team or put in reserves. (4,5)

17 London team Arsenal edged out in far East. (8)

18 Clean up Italian street outside Mediterranean club. (8)

20 End encouragement for Shearer. (4)

21 National side hold Third Lanark, nearly all over. (7)

22 At half time the French led The Hun. (6)

23 Zidane's first enemy breaking agent. (6)

26 Marsh playing in goal mostly. (5)