Showing 1 - 10 of 53
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.
Toffees settle fast at new home
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 30/08/2025
» Everton have enjoyed a successful start at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a spirited 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League followed by a similar score against Mansfield Town in the League Cup.
Queens of Europe: Hann and her pride revel in glory
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 02/08/2025
» The public enthusiasm which greeted the victory of England's Lionesses over world champions Spain in the women's Euro 2025 final in Switzerland last Sunday is an indication of just how far the women's game has progressed in recent years. The high standard of football throughout the tournament made it a pleasure to watch.
Naming stadiums can be a bit tricky and sometimes awkward
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 26/07/2025
» When the new Premier League season kicks off, the fixtures will be graced by a brand new stadium courtesy of Everton FC which has finally left the "Old Lady" of Goodison Park after 133 years. The Toffees' new home at Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey is called the Hill Dickinson Stadium after the international law firm that holds the naming rights.
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.
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.
'3 B's' give hope to the smaller clubs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/12/2024
» Back in the 1960s as a teenager I would regularly visit Elm Park to watch my home town team Reading in the old Third Division. Among the visiting sides were Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford. Just like Reading, these clubs looked destined to stay in the lower divisions forever although by some miracle Reading made it to the Premier League in 2006 for an all-too-brief stay.
Caley Thistle in crisis mode
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 26/10/2024
» Troubling news from Scotland where League One club Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been placed into administration after running into major financial problems. The club has also been hit with a 15-point reduction, moving them to the bottom of the league with minus three points. That puts them 12 points behind the team directly above them, Dumbarton.
Southgate makes a wise decision to quit as manager
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 20/07/2024
» Gareth Southgate's resignation as England manager hardly came as a surprise. It was clear that despite reaching the final of Euro 24 all the abuse he received from critics during the tournament had hurt him deeply. After all, he had been England's most successful boss since 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey.
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.