Showing 1 - 10 of 49
Lincoln's Imps the first English side to celebrate promotion
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 11/04/2026
» We are at the business end of the 2025-26 season in the English Football League and the first club to celebrate promotion are Lincoln City of League One. The Imps' 2-1 win at Reading last Monday was enough to guarantee a place in the Championship, the first time they have been in the second tier in 65 years.
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.
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.
Emotional scenes at EPL stadiums
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 24/05/2025
» It has been a rather curious season for the English Premier League which winds up its fixtures tomorrow. With Liverpool comfortably taking the league title and the relegation issue settled many weeks ago it could have been a rather tame end to the season.
Playing from the back takes skill
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/04/2025
» Back in the old days when football was a straightforward game our school coach had an equally straightforward golden rule for defenders -- "Never pass the ball around in your own penalty area. Just hoof it!" That might explain why we did not win any medals.
It's desperate times for Luton
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 01/03/2025
» In the Premier League there is a distinct possibility that the three newly promoted sides could be going straight back down, although Ipswich and Leicester fans might dispute that. Rather ominously the same thing happened the previous season.
It's been a long journey for Moyes as he faces Man U
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 22/02/2025
» It was nearly 11 years ago when David Moyes was abruptly sacked as Manchester United manager after a stressful 10 months at Old Trafford. The game that sealed his fate was ironically a 2-0 loss to Everton. It was arguably the lowest point of his career.
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.
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.
Promoted trio facing long season
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 05/10/2024
» With just six games played in the Premier League it's early days but there appears to be a difficult road ahead for the three newly promoted clubs, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton who are all still seeking their first victory.