In March of this year the world of Tennis was rocked with news that 5 time grand slam champion and former World Number 1 Maria Sharapova had tested positive for a banned substance. BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle described the news as a hammer blow to the sport of tennis. Even that may be an… Keep Reading
‘A picture paints a thousand words’ is probably the most idiotic idiom every verbalised. I’m not being facetious when I say it just never made any sense to me. What’s a picture without context? Without some background information? A picture/photograph wrangles and captures a split second from time times infinity. Why restrict and condense a… Keep Reading
We’re in the middle of March, and that can only mean one thing, we’re also in the middle of Arsenal’s annual “season in crisis” patch of form. Knocked out of the FA at the weekend, on the verge of being knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage yet again, and only… Keep Reading
When Irish people (and probably European people in general) think of Colombia, thoughts tend to drift towards the stereotypical. With a less than subtle nod to popular culture, cocaine and violence immediately spring to mind as do broad accents, white suits, larey shirts and good coffee. Similarly, when folk ponder upon Colombia’s association with the… Keep Reading
There is a new superpower coming in world football. Liverpool fans will still be in disbelief that their top transfer target Alex Teixeira shunned their advances in favour of a move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning. The £38 million Jiangsu shelled out for the talented Brazillian was the third time the Chinese transfer… Keep Reading
Andrei Kanchelskis is a Manchester United cult hero. The Ukrainian winger played a huge part in United’s marvellous mid nineties team – Ferguson’s first great United side. Alongside Giggs, Cantona, Hughes, Ince and the rest, Kanchelskis lightening quick, direct performances down the right flank ensured his place in United folklore. He even scored a derby… Keep Reading
For two years I lived in the shadow of the Guus Hiddink Stadium in a tidy suburb called Pungam. My apartment in the city, around 2010, was situated on the fourth floor with a view from the living room straight down the hill of the 44,000 seater-stadium. My walk to work every morning took me… Keep Reading
We should not need tragedies such as Gary Speed or Robert Enke to show us that depression in football is a very serious problem. While many would argue that depression is an epidemic of society and that no one individual institution is more affected than another, the problem is so vast and unique to each… Keep Reading
Arsene Wenger is most famous for his work with Arsenal, whom he took over in 1996 and has won multiple trophies for, however, one would be forgiven for not remembering his work prior to his Arsenal career. The Frenchman retired from his playing career in his hometown of Strasburg and just three years later he… Keep Reading
When did you first realise you could perform magic with a football? It’s all I’ve ever known. It’s just me, and the ball…there’s a connection, you know. Many say people are born with raw talent. You either have it or don’t. Do you think it’s possible for an ordinary person to ever learn what you… Keep Reading
