Showing 1 - 10 of 21
A sporting year of cheers, jeers and tears that will be remembered
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 27/12/2025
» It's that time of the year to acknowledge the men and women who have graced the sports pages over the past 12 months. It has been a year of mixed emotions. Here are a few of those who have contributed to the memorable moments of 2025.
Playing from the back takes skill
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/04/2025
» Back in the old days when football was a straightforward game our school coach had an equally straightforward golden rule for defenders -- "Never pass the ball around in your own penalty area. Just hoof it!" That might explain why we did not win any medals.
Luckless Leeds tipped for return to the top flight this season
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 10/08/2024
» With Euro 24 behind us and the Olympics nearing conclusion, we are back to the bread and butter of league football in England. Although the Premier League doesn't kick off for another seven days, for many the real English football season starts this weekend when the other 72 clubs get down to business.
A 'strange environment' for Southgate
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 29/06/2024
» England's progress at Euro 24 has a strong soap opera feel to it. They must be one of the few teams ever to top their group at a Euro tournament and still get booed off by their fans and pilloried in the media. To be fair, the fans cheered their team during the game and saved the boos for after the final whistle... all very English.
Soft penalties put English Premier League referees on the spot
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/04/2024
» Last weekend there were some very contentious penalty decisions given in the English Premier League. That's nothing new of course, but it's becoming a regular occurrence and makes one wonder if the authorities should take a long hard look at the rules. There are also feelings that VAR could be better utilised.
Day of drama and excitement - Premier League
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 11/11/2023
» There have been quite a few extraordinary games in the Premier League over the years but it would be hard to match the frenetic clash between Spurs and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Monday.
No chance of Red Roses blooming in France as World Cup kicks off
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 09/09/2023
» The 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup got under way at the Stade de France in Paris yesterday launching what promises to be seven weeks of high-octane performances from the best players in the world.
Weather could hold key to Royal Liverpool
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 22/07/2023
» The definitive book on Royal Liverpool, Hoylake is entitled Mighty Winds ... Mighty Champions, reflecting the essence of the course. If the winds blow with vigour this weekend at the 151st Open Championship the eventual winner will indeed be a mighty champion.
All long-suffering Newcastle really want is a trophy
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 25/02/2023
» Back in 1995, Sir John Hall, Newcastle United chairman at the time, said of his club: "We are like the Basques, we are fighting for a nation, the Geordie nation. Football is tribalism and we are the Mohicans."
Les Bleus, La Albiceleste survive all shocks in Qatar
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 17/12/2022
» When Argentina lost their opening Qatar World Cup game to Saudi Arabia, there were talks that superstar Lionel Messi and Co might not even make it through the group stage.