A football magazine set up by a freelancer and former regional press reporter has a new owner and name.

Backpass, launched by Mike Berry in 2007, has been acquired by Extra Time Publishing and will now go by the name Extra Time & Backpass.

Mike., who will continue to be involved with the magazine, began his career at the Daventry Weekly Express and Rugby Advertiser in the late 1970s before going on to become a sports journalist in the national press.

While Backpass focused on features about the sport from the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the new publication will also have articles on the modern era of the game.

Said Mike: “We felt it was time to freshen Backpass up, and at the same time bring in some new writers and new ideas.

“But the Backpass ethos remains – the magazine will still be retro themed throughout, though with some current material threaded in between. We hope it will be a winning mix.”

Februry’s edition of the new look magazine includes a feature on ‘wing wizards’ from the past and present – Sir Stanley Matthews and Gareth Bale.

It will also feature columns from football writers Patrick Barclay and Norman Giller, former England striker Malcolm Macdonald, ex-manager David Pleat and former Scotland boss Craig Brown.