Showing 1 - 10 of 21
It's crunch time: Saints seek Cup inspiration from 50 years ago
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 04/04/2026
» It's time for the quarter-finals in the FA Cup with six Premier League teams in the mix joining Championship side Southampton and League One strugglers Port Vale in the battle to advance to the final four.
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.
The calm, cool, and collected Swede who caused a stir in England
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 31/08/2024
» Tributes have been pouring in for Sven-Goran Eriksson who passed away on Monday at the age of 76. The fact that there have been so many headlines containing the word "gentleman" is a reflection of the respect the football world held for the Swede who was the first foreign coach of England's national team.
Desperate times for Royals as club fights to survive
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 20/01/2024
» As a life-long Reading fan it was very sad to witness the scenes at my home town club last Saturday. The League One match between Reading and visiting Port Vale was abandoned after 16 minutes when an estimated 1,000 fans ran onto the pitch to protest against Royals' owner Dai Yongge, a Chinese businessman.
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.
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.
Royals return to their third-tier roots after remarkable 21 years
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 20/05/2023
» It understandably didn't make many headlines but after a miserable season, my home town team of Reading have been relegated to League One -- their first time down in the third-tier in 21 years.
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.
Good times for Bees, Seagulls, Cottagers
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 21/01/2023
» Few pundits would have predicted that at this stage of the Premier League season Fulham, Brighton and Brentford would be above the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Mixed results for Thai owners of teams in England
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 18/06/2022
» Exciting though the past football season was, it has also served as a reminder for Thai owners that it is definitely not all honey and roses running an English club.