Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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.
Southgate makes a wise decision to quit as manager
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 20/07/2024
» Gareth Southgate's resignation as England manager hardly came as a surprise. It was clear that despite reaching the final of Euro 24 all the abuse he received from critics during the tournament had hurt him deeply. After all, he had been England's most successful boss since 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey.
A World Cup like no other with customary build-up missing
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/11/2022
» It is probably fair to say that there has never been a World Cup quite like the one that kicks off in Qatar tomorrow if only for its timing, being played in November and December rather than the regular June and July.
Pressure on Lampard to perform as he starts life with the Toffees
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 05/02/2022
» Now the dust has settled on the January transfer mayhem, arguably the most intriguing move was not the signing of any individual player but Frank Lampard taking over the hot seat at Goodison Park.
Goals galore in Premier League, but the outlook for fans is gloomy
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 26/09/2020
» When you get down to the basics in football, it is goals that people want to see and that's what we were treated to in the Premier League last week.
The real scrap is down at the bottom
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 01/02/2020
» With Juergen Klopp's Liverpool running away with the title in grand style, apart from the customary scramble for European places, the main interest in the Premier League for many fans has switched to the bottom half of the table and the battle to avoid relegation.
Blood, sweat, smiles, tears and cheers in 2019
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 28/12/2019
» It's that time of the year when Nobby drags himself out of his armchair to acknowledge assorted sporting heroes and villains that have graced our sports pages in 2019.
Big name clubs seek former glory
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 30/11/2019
» Take a glance down the English football divisions to third tier League One and you will find several clubs desperate to return to their former glory days in the top flight.
Forty gaffers gone, and still counting
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/04/2019
» When Steve McClaren was told he had been sacked by Queens Park Rangers on April 1, he could have been forgiven for thinking it was some kind of bad taste April Fools' joke. Unfortunately for him, it was not fake news.