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Throw the Book at Arsenal Fans

Am I the only one who seems to think everyone in the country is missing something? At Eastlands on Sunday a steward was struck by missiles thrown by Arsenal’s fans, and left unconscious by the pitch-side for five minutes. A disgraceful act that none of us want to see in football I’m sure you’ll all…

Michael Shields Pardoned – Why This Has Nothing to do with Football

Today a four year legal battle that has dominated the national and international news has come to an end, Michael Shields has been pardoned by the British government following his conviction for attempted murder in a Bulgarian court. After serving time in both Bulgarian and British prisons Michael Shields will be freed in the coming days a thought that must have seemed a long way off following his conviction and 10 year sentence four years ago.

In this article I do not want to re-examine the court cases, whatever events transpired that night or in the following years will be covered infinitum by better educated fellows than myself. I like to write about football and the greatest question in my mind is not was this an injustice, but what has this to do with football?

Headline after headline links the crime and football that the accused supports almost implying that the two are directly related when breaking the news today the BBC used the headline ‘Pardon for Football fan Shields’. This headline is technically accurate however this crime was not committed at a football match, it was not committed in the aftermath of a match, nor was it committed in the name of football.

Confessions of a Football Fanatic

Walking into my room on a chilly Sunday morning, I sighed heavily, yet I was happy. I had correctly tipped Burnley to beat United. Who knew. I didn’t get it all right; I had a few problems especially my A-League tipping. Mariners and Jets drew, so I only had 2 points from this round. Forgetting…

Bicycle Kicks: A Season In The Saddle

I may as well get this out in the open straight away: I’m a York City fan. One who is aiming to get to every single one of our Conference league matches next season, starting on Saturday. Those two sickening revelations out of the way, it’s only fair to tell you that I’m planning to…

United v Arsenal, Barcelona v Shakhtar, Milan v Inter and more

The football community is abuzz with last Tuesday’s unexpected episode of hooliganism at Upton Park, the Championship League draw, and some excellent football matches this weekend. There’s also the ‘over-the-top’ outrage at Eduardo winning a soft penalty against Celtic and for our money, the press has in the past and always will make a mountain…

10 Ways to Meet Football Players

As a young star-struck kid, like most of my peers, my unswerving ambition was to meet some of my heroes (all footballers needless to say), get an autograph… a photograph even, and become the envy of my football crazy mates. It never actually happened though! My being in Dublin and my heroes hanging-out in Manchester…

United pull an Arsenal, Gerrard case shines light on Liverpool fans and lots more

As we amble through the ‘most amazing transfer season ever’, drunk on the memories of the ‘closest title race ever’ from last season and looking forward to what surely must be ‘the most exciting Premier League season ever’, it’s easy to miss the trees for the forest – or the blinding neon light that is…

Stirling Ablion FC reject takeover bid from fans

Fans of Stirling Albion FC (a Scotland Second Division club) have had a substantial bid to buy the club rejected by the current owner. The offer, from the Stirling Albion Supporters’ Trust, which met the sale price (thought to be £300k) placed on the club by current owner Peter McKenzie, has been rejected. It’s believed…

What Can and Cannot be Gained From Pre-Season Friendlies

After a summer of discussion, controversy and the dominance of Manchester City and Real Madrid in the transfer market, club football has finally returned to our lives albeit in a non-competitive format.

Obviously after the seemingly endless summer break it is great to see your team back in action.

However how much can we really gleam from these games, can any meaningful analysis be made into the results, players or tactics employed?

This article looks at what we can and cannot gain from pre-season friendlies:

To the death, Mr Cook

The crowd are tense. The home team are losing one nil, and are pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Wave after wave of attack is repelled. Eventually the striker snaps off a shot that goes agonisingly wide. The crowd groan, then, in defiance of their position, launch into a chorus of City Til I…