First eleven’s departures (6)
I believe the answer is:
asides
'departures' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'first eleven's' is the wordplay.
'first' becomes 'a'.
'eleven's' becomes 'side's' (a football side).
'a'+'sides'='ASIDES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asides that I've seen before include "Stage whisper" , "Actors' remarks in an undertone" , "Words spoken so that certain people won't hear" , "Incidental remarks" , "They're not heard by everybody" .)