ACROSS
 8. (DEAR BYRON'S)* = ERRAND BOYS <pages?>
 9. <copper> PLOD = L inside POD
10. DL inside CURE = CURDLE <clot>
11. ←AID← TRIBE = DIATRIBE <angry speech>
12. <fleets> NAVIES = NA VIES
14. CL out of CLOVERLEAF = OVERLEAF <on the other side>
15. _E PEE = EPEE <brand>
17. HIM inside CE = CHIME <bell>
18. <forfeit> LOSE = "LOOS"
19. FOOT RACE = FOOT RACE <running event>
21. TAR TAN = TARTAN <fabric>
23. (FOR LESS) outside M = FORMLESS <unstructured>
25. MANI + AC = MANIAC <fan>
26. <about to begin> ON IT = O_ NIT
27. (STAR'S NEVER)* = TRANSVERSE <crossing over>

DOWN
 1. <terrible shock> TRAUMA = [-s]UMATRA*
 2. <uncompromising> HARDLINE = _H IRELAND*
 3. (.r)ED GE(n.) = EDGE <advantage>
 4. <secret agent> BOND <security>
 5. <regulator> ESCAPEMENT = SET* outside CAPE MEN
 6. <screw> SPIRAL = ←LARPS← outside I
 7. <officers> TOP BRASS = TO PB RA + SS
13. <California city> SACRAMENTO = (TO AMERICANS - I)*
14. <sheepish> OVINE = VINE after O
16. <intellectual> PROFOUND = PROF BOUND - B
18. <parts of vocal cords> LARYNXES = AR_ inside LYNXES
20. TOTO outside MA = TOMATO <fruit>
22. <trickster> ANANSI = AI outside NANS
24. <stolen money> SWAG = WAS* G
25. ME + ←AS← = MESA <highland>