Showing 1 - 10 of 43
Robbo, the man who made Forest dream
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 03/01/2026
» Tributes have been pouring in for the late Nottingham Forest star John Robertson who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 72. The Scot's death brings back memories of Forest's extraordinary achievements in the late 1970s which included winning two successive European Cups (now Champions League), in which the hugely talented left-winger played such an important role.
'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.
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.
A year that said farewell to legendary Sir Bobby
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 30/12/2023
» The year began with us mourning the loss of the great Brazilian footballer Pele who passed away in the final days of 2022.
When 'Diamond' Venables played at Stamford Bridge
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 02/12/2023
» It was sad to learn of the death of one of English football's great personalities, Terry Venables, last week at the age of 80.
When my childhood hero Charlton graced Bangkok
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 28/10/2023
» Tributes have poured in for Sir Bobby Charlton following his death last weekend at the age of 86.
The classy player who broke transfer barrier four decades ago
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 29/07/2023
» With football transfer fees going into orbit these days the sad death of England star Trevor Francis this week at the age of 69 is a reminder of how things have changed since the days he became Britain's first £1 million player four decades ago.
Joy and despair for Thai-owned clubs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 01/07/2023
» The past month will have been a time for reflection for Thai owners of English clubs after a season of mixed fortunes. What they will have learnt in the past few years is how unpredictable things can be running a club in England with there being a narrow margin between joy and despair.
Smaller EPL clubs do themselves proud
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 10/06/2023
» Apart from the dominance of Manchester City, the spirited challenge of Arsenal and Newcastle's revival, the Premier League season was notable for the impressive showing by a number of "smaller" clubs.
Relegation favourites Cherries ripe for another season in top flight
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/05/2023
» It is no secret that AFC Bournemouth began this Premier League season as hot favourites for relegation, a view that was quickly cemented last August when they were crushed 9-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.