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- THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 51
THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 51
Howard Hockin
August 01, 2025
Hello, and welcome to the 93:20 Newsletter, Issue 51. A fairly quiet week in City-land, so will cut to the chase.
This week saw the release of the complete works of the 93:20 Newsletters, as the half-century was reached. In paperback and Kindle, you can now read the story of the season – not a review as you may know, but a look at football as a whole, with a City bent, plus some new content and a lot of spell corrections!
You can purchase the book here..
To celebrate its release, in the hope someone may actually buy it, here is Chapter 3 of the Thriller script series I have been writing. To set the scene – the fixture list is out, and that can only mean one thing….
Episode Title
ARCTIC ROLES
By Howard Hockin
FADE IN
INT. LOCATION #1 – SOMEWHERE IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, IN A HUGE NASA-LIKE COMPLEX
Snow can be seen falling outside a window.
On a huge screen, we can see that this is a place that investigates certain historical events, those that attract conspiracy theories – JFK’s assassination, the moon landing, jet fuel melting beams, Manchester City cup draws, etc.
As the camera pans, we see a big logo on a wall, and underneath, a name:
scientific conspiracy overview task team (SCOTT)
Suddenly, there is a buzz coming from one corner of the room.
It seems there is some breaking news.
A man who looks very senior is holding a clipboard. He notices the buzz, and runs over.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
What is going on?!
MAN IN WHITE COAT (1)
Sir, the fixture list is out for the Premier League in England.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
And this is news, because…?
MAN IN WHITE COAT (1)
Well, if you could wait one second, I think you need to see the opening fixtures for Arsenal.
The operative types furiously on a keyboard.
The fixtures come up on a screen.
The camera homes in the SENIOR OFFICIAL’s face, data reflected off his glasses, a look of horror clear to see. He looks as if he has seen a hundred ghosts.
He mutters.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
My God.
They were right all along.
INT. LOCATION #2 – A PLUSH OFFICE IN THE COMPLEX, SURROUNDED BY GLASS. AN IMPORTANT-LOOKING MAN IS SAT IN A PLUSH CHAIR, TALKING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT-LOOKING MAN.
THERE IS A SOLID KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
IMPORTANT MAN
Come in.
The SENIOR OFFICIAL enters the room.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
Sorry to interrupt you. But the fixtures are out.
IMPORTANT MAN
I am well aware they were due out. And this should interest me because…?
SENIOR OFFICIAL
I think you need to see Arsenal’s opening fixtures.
The SENIOR OFFICIAL walks over to the desk, and places down a single piece of paper.
The IMPORTANT MAN puts on a pair of glasses, and reads the paper.
IMPORTANT MAN
Oh my.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
Man Utd. Leeds. Liverpool. Forest. Man City. Newcastle.
And they don’t have it in for Arsenal? Pull the other one.
IMPORTANT MAN
Martin, we’ll reconvene later.
The other important man rises, and leaves the room.
IMPORTANT MAN
We need to consider our next move.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
Is it not obvious? Social media, letters to MPs, street protests.
IMPORTANT MAN
No. Not this time. There is something you need to know.
We have an undercover cell, deep underground, consisting of some of our finest operatives. I think it is time to further utilise their services.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
How did I not know about this?!
IMPORTANT MAN
It was strictly on a need-to-know basis. They have been recently compromised by the City cabal, so I have remained cautious. They survived though, and they are organised, and ready to act.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
So what do we tell them?
The important man stubs out a cigar in a gold ash tray. Camera closes in on his face.
IMPORTANT MAN
This is what we are going to do.
INT. LOCATION #3 – WE ARE BACK ON THE FLOOR OF THE COMPLEX
THE SENIOR OFFICIAL IS WALKING BRISKLY ACROSS THE FLOOR, AS AN INTERN HURRIES BEHIND HIM, FIRING QUESTIONS.
INTERN
So, they start the season against the team that finished 15th last season, and a promoted side?
SENIOR OFFICIAL
You spectacularly miss the point. United have won the transfer window once more. They are back.
INTERN
Hmm.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
You need to understand young man, that they want us to fail.
INTERN
Who are they?
SENIOR OFFICIAL
THEY – are everyone. Everyone in a position in power. The ESTABLISHMENT.
INTERN
But why are they so intent on bringing down Arsenal?
SENIOR OFFICIAL
I can only assume it is jealousy. This club stands for something, for values that no other club.
INTERN
The values that guided their choice of stadium sponsor, sleeve sponsor, and who continued to play a player who had been bailed seven times over multiple allegations of rape?
The senior official stops and turns to the intern.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
Martin, I do not appreciate the insinuations in your comments. I suggest you sort out that attitude. Arsenal are the victims here, and if you want a future at the institute, I suggest you would do well to remind yourself of that. Now go and get me the data on Arsenal’s first six fixtures since 1932. And a coffee, two sugars.
INTERN
Sir, there's an update on the Jeffrey Epstein files.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
That will have to wait.
INTERN
I Have one more question to ask.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
You are testing my patience now.
INTERN
Why are there no women in this film?
The senior official stops, and turns to the intern.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
Ever seen male genitalia on Gunnersaurus?
INTERN
I haven’t looked, to be honest.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
You get the idea. Now, let me guess, Liverpool have got a nice, easy start to the season, so they can ease themselves in?
INTERN
Newcastle, Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in their first ten games.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
As I thought. Easy that, unbelievable. So Arsenal have to play the reigning champions twice, but Liverpool don't have to play them at all?! I mean, they're not even trying to hide the corruption.
Now, about that coffee?
INT. LOCATION #4 – HOTEL ROOM
Matthew Shott stands by a fax machine, as information is churned out.
He rips off the piece of paper, reads it, there is a moment of contemplation, and then he turns to his two colleagues.
MATTHEW SHOTT
Gentlemen, it is time to move.
But first, get me some masking tape, glue, and a double caffè macchiato with almond milk.
And make it snappy.
A determined look comes across his face.
Fade to black.
SERIES OF SHOTS #1
An intern is seen being forcibly ejected from the SCOTT premises by a burly man.
An important man overlooks the complex floor from his plush office. He looks concerned.
A number of Manchester City fans skip down the street, clearly intoxicated, spraying champagne on upset passers-by. They have fake medals around their necks.
A referee lies on a tattoo parlour table, naked, face down. The City crest is being tattooed onto his butt cheek.
Two men in balaclavas dressed entirely in black, and Gunnersaurus, leave a hotel room, grasping masking tape, maps and torches. They clearly mean business. As they walk to the lifts, the tail of Gunnersaurus knocks over a hallway plant pot.
TO BE CONTINUED
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK
MOMENTS
Howard and Ste look back at City players through history who are remembered for one thing, and some who perhaps are not.
HERE WE GO – EPISODE 2
Howard and Ahsan take a look at media topics, from big spending to pitching podcasts, perception and more.
THE MARKET – EPISODE 41
Lloyd is joined by Ahsan to discuss whether or not a right back is really off the cards, what the future could hold for Ederson, a comprehensive look at the squad numbers, plus loads more.
Another top draw Market pod for all your transfer wants and needs.
THE HUB:- EPISODE 42
Keeper expert Sascha joins Bailey to discuss the role of a goalkeeper, analysing saves, and the difference between James Trafford and Ederson.
THE WEEKEND SHOW
Howard, Ste and Tom talk Txiki’s legacy, goalkeepers, squad size, Isak, Euro triumphs, clubs on the brink and much more!
COMING UP
Opposition Fan podcasts x 19 as a new season approaches! A History Pod on goalkeepers, plus all the usual content…
If you are not a subscriber to our player shows, then enjoy some free samples of what we are about. Every show we do will have a 15 minutes sample on Soundcloud, along with a full, free weekly Friday show, jam- packed with content. Give it a try!