Showing 1 - 10 of 67
Another FA Cup opportunity for the Silkmen
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/02/2026
» With seven Premier League teams away to lower league sides in this weekend's fourth round of the FA Cup, there is the potential for an upset or two, which is the essence of this competition.
In Frank we trust! Lampard enjoying a big change of fortune
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 11/10/2025
» It is no secret that former great footballers do not necessarily enjoy the same success in their role as managers or coaches. The most recent example has been Wayne Rooney, who has discovered being a gaffer can be a very demanding job.
Sounds of Prokofiev inspires Black Cats in Premier League opener
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 23/08/2025
» The most interesting aspect of the first week's results in the Premier League is that two of the newly promoted teams won their opening games, unlike the clubs involved last season, all of whom were later relegated. It is only the third time the newcomers have experienced such a good start since the Premier League was established in 1992.
England-India Test series nicely poised after drama at Lord's
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/07/2025
» India and England produced another great advertisement for Test cricket with a tense encounter at Lord's in the third of the five-match series. A packed crowd at the home of cricket witnessed a dramatic final day on Monday in which England held on to win by just 22 runs after an admirable Indian fightback led by Ravindra Jadeja.
A mixed bag at the Club World Cup
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 21/06/2025
» The opening week of Fifa's Club World Cup in the United States has at times felt more like pre-season warm ups for the clubs involved rather than a serious competition featuring some of the top clubs in the world. However, despite the oppressive heat there have been some decent games and things are expected to pick up when it gets to the business end of this four-week tournament.
It's a big day for Preston's Lillywhites
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 29/03/2025
» Outside Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium there is an eye-catching statue of the club's greatest-ever player, the late Sir Tom Finney. The statue is known as "The Splash" as it was inspired by a dramatic photograph of Finney aqua-planing while playing against Chelsea on a waterlogged Stamford Bridge pitch in 1956.
Wintry backdrop to FA Cup 3rd round
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 11/01/2025
» Although the appeal of the English FA Cup has waned over the years, the third round is still eagerly anticipated especially for the smaller clubs that have battled hard just to get this far. It is the time the heavyweights join the competition and when a minnow takes on a Premier League giant it is the essence of the Cup.
The calm, cool, and collected Swede who caused a stir in England
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 31/08/2024
» Tributes have been pouring in for Sven-Goran Eriksson who passed away on Monday at the age of 76. The fact that there have been so many headlines containing the word "gentleman" is a reflection of the respect the football world held for the Swede who was the first foreign coach of England's national team.
No great revelations in opening weekend
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 24/08/2024
» Although it was not the most spectacular opening week in the Premier League with no major upsets there were still enough talking points to whet the appetite for this weekend's action. It was also a low-scoring week with just 21 goals coming from the 10 matches, but at least there wasn't a 0-0.
Tartan Army in good voice, light up Euros
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 22/06/2024
» While Scotland are unlikely to progress too far in Euro 24 they are certainly worth following while they remain in the tournament if only for the wonderful support they get from their travelling fans, the Tartan Army. Adding to the appeal Scotland also have arguably the most tuneful anthem of the tournament in Flower of Scotland.