Showing 1 - 10 of 31
Big day for manager Clough and the Stags
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 07/03/2026
» The fifth round of the FA Cup is serving up some tasty fixtures this weekend, particularly at One Call Stadium where League One side Mansfield Town host Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have won the Cup 14 times.
The umpire who became a legend
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 27/09/2025
» The widespread tributes to cricket umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird who passed away this week at the age of 92 show how much he was admired in the cricketing world. It is extremely rare for an official in any sport to be acknowledged in such a manner, but Bird was someone special. He was an eccentric character and the subject of many anecdotes.
Delap Special! Long throws back in business in Premier League
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 13/09/2025
» Ever since the rules of football were introduced the humble throw-in has been the poor relation of the free-kick. The throw-in has always been a convenient uncontroversial device to keep the game moving rather than providing any great advantage to the team awarded the throw.
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.
From Jeeno's record win to Federer's tribute: Celebrating the best
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 28/12/2024
» It's that time of the year when Nobby hauls himself out of the armchair and acknowledges the men and women who have graced the sports pages this past year. Here are just a few memorable moments beginning with the Thai successes, particularly the kingdom's female golfers who did themselves proud.
From the Ammies to the Posh
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 12/10/2024
» While most football fans know the nicknames of clubs in the Premier League and Championship they are probably less familiar with those in the lower divisions. Some simply reflect a team's colours or a variation on the club name. But many provide an insight into the cultural and economic environment of towns and regions where the clubs first developed.
It's a welcome change of fortune for Patty
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 02/03/2024
» This time last year Thai golfer Patty Tavatanakit finished last in the Honda Thailand tournament and must have been wondering what the future would hold. Just two years earlier she had stunned the golfing world with a magnificent performance to win the Chevron Championship, a major and her first LPGA victory. It included the traditional celebratory dip in Poppie's Pond.
Stags put Clough back in the limelight after high scoring game
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 17/02/2024
» An English football result that caught the eye during the week came in League Two where Mansfield Town defeated Harrogate Town 9-2, an eyebrow-raising score even for fourth-tier football. It is the highest scoring Football League game since 2011.
FA Cup serves up some intriguing clubs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 04/11/2023
» While the focus of English football will be on the Premier League this weekend, there will be plenty of drama at the smaller grounds around the country as little-known teams from the lower divisions do battle in the first round of the FA Cup.
World Cup a triumph for La Roja, women
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 26/08/2023
» The success of the ninth edition of Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which ended last Sunday, has displayed just how rapidly women's football has advanced in recent years and the huge crowds that attended the tournament have to be a good omen for the future.