Showing 1 - 10 of 12
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.
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.
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.
The charm of team names in Scottish football league
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 25/03/2023
» For all the criticism of the Scottish League, there is no disputing they boast some of the most attractive club names in football.
Root rediscovers magical touch
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 13/02/2021
» Fans of England cricket captain Joe Root had been hoping he would have a decent first game against India in Chennai to mark his 100th Test match. And he didn't disappoint, hitting a superb 218 in the opening innings, leading to an unexpected 227-run victory over a confident Indian side fresh from victory over Australia.
Alliss, the soothing sound of an English summer, will be missed
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 12/12/2020
» It was sad to learn of the passing of legendary BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss at the age of 89.
Supporting cast make a welcome comeback to the English game
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 05/12/2020
» For the first time in nine months, we will be seeing a limited number of fans at five of the English Premier League football stadiums this weekend.
RIP 'Big Jack': A true giant of the game
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 18/07/2020
» When a young Northumberland lad and son of a miner decided at an early age that making a living playing football would be more enjoyable than a life in the pits, he made a very smart decision.
Football films can be a mixed bag
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 09/05/2020
» Last week I watched on TV a couple of half-decent films on American sports -- Moneyball (2011) starring Brad Pitt as a baseball manager and Any Given Sunday (1999) with Al Pacino as coach of an underperforming American gridiron team.
Things that could have been better said by commentators
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 11/04/2020
» Following last week's column on the verbal gems football commentators have treated us to in the past, it seems only fair to acknowledge other sports in which commentators have performed heroically over the years.