Showing 1 - 10 of 120
Doomed Vale dare to dream against Blues at Stamford Bridge
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/03/2026
» The best thing about the FA Cup is that it briefly puts the spotlight on clubs that would normally hardly receive a mention and this season it has been refreshing seeing teams like Mansfield and Macclesfield enjoying their moment in the sun. Last week's fifth round didn't let us down either with struggling League One side Port Vale upsetting Sunderland from the Premier League.
Gunners and Black Cats prepare for a scrap at Stadium of Light
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 08/11/2025
» Arsenal fans certainly do not need reminding that it has been 21 long years since their club last won the Premier League title. That 2004 success was historic with the Gunners being the first team to achieve the title without a single defeat in a 38-game season.
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.
Cod almighty! Promising times for magical Mariners
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 23/09/2025
» League Two Side Grimsby Town continued their sparkling run in the Carabao Cup (League Cup) last week by reaching the fourth round after defeating struggling Championship side Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 away at Hillsborough.
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.
When dodgy calls lit up Wimbledon
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 05/07/2025
» In addition to tackling the unprecedented hot weather, something else Wimbledon had to get used to this past week is that for the first time there are no line judges. Breaking a very long tradition they have been replaced by electronic devices, a true sign of the times.
Duckett delivers as Bazball brilliance seals Headingley heist
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 28/06/2025
» The thrilling first Test between England and India at Headingley proved a fine advertisement for five-day cricket, providing a feast of runs and plenty of drama right down to the closing overs of a nail-biting run chase.
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.
Hard road ahead for Leeds and Burnley
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 26/04/2025
» While the hectic Easter schedule resolved some key promotion and relegation issues in the English Football League there are plenty of teams that still don't know what division they will be in next season. It will all be sorted in the coming days whether by direct promotion, relegation or through gruelling playoffs.
Liverpool dominate as difficult times befall Manchester clubs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 03/01/2025
» We're midway through the Premier League season and the top half of the table is not exactly what most pundits would have envisaged at the start of the campaign. It is actually a refreshing situation unless you are a supporter of the two big Manchester clubs who have suffered a particularly unsettling time.