Showing 1 - 10 of 44
Another FA Cup opportunity for the Silkmen
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/02/2026
» With seven Premier League teams away to lower league sides in this weekend's fourth round of the FA Cup, there is the potential for an upset or two, which is the essence of this competition.
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.
Sounds of Prokofiev inspires Black Cats in Premier League opener
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 23/08/2025
» The most interesting aspect of the first week's results in the Premier League is that two of the newly promoted teams won their opening games, unlike the clubs involved last season, all of whom were later relegated. It is only the third time the newcomers have experienced such a good start since the Premier League was established in 1992.
Liverpool look to be in the driving seat
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 16/08/2025
» After being bombarded by transfer news for weeks, it is something of a relief that the 2025-26 Premier League season is finally getting underway this weekend. One game has already been played, with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield last night. It would be nice if they could all start the season on the same day.
When Spurs did the 'Double' in the remarkable 1960-61 season
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 01/02/2025
» Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Leicester City last weekend has understandably put a lot of pressure on Australian boss Ange Postecoglou. It was their sixth defeat in seven Premier League games and left Spurs in an embarrassing 15th place.
'3 B's' give hope to the smaller clubs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/12/2024
» Back in the 1960s as a teenager I would regularly visit Elm Park to watch my home town team Reading in the old Third Division. Among the visiting sides were Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford. Just like Reading, these clubs looked destined to stay in the lower divisions forever although by some miracle Reading made it to the Premier League in 2006 for an all-too-brief stay.
Midweek goal fest: 35 strikes, thrilling ties
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 07/12/2024
» For many years there has been something special about matches between Newcastle and Liverpool that guarantees entertainment. Fans were not disappointed in the midweek clash at St James' Park as they witnessed a 3-3 thriller in a game that some called the best of the season.
Club anthems play inspirational role
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 28/09/2024
» When the Leicester team came out onto the pitch at the King Power Stadium last Saturday it was good to hear they are still greeted by the stirring strains of the Post-Horn Gallop. It must be the most traditional piece of music to grace a football stadium in the English League and quite appropriate for a team nicknamed the Foxes.
Local derbies add a touch of spice to the action in Premier League
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 21/09/2024
» With seven London clubs in the Premier League it is hardly surprising that local derbies come thick and fast in England's capital city. Last week was the "big one", the North London clash in which Arsenal secured an important 1-0 away win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Tough times for clubs in the ‘Steel City’
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 13/04/2024
» Football fans in Sheffield can be forgiven if they are currently feeling a strong sense of déjà vu. Three seasons ago in March 2021 the opening paragraph in this column read: “It has not been a good year for football fans in the city of Sheffield, with United almost certain to drop out of the Premier League and Sheffield Wednesday clinging on by their fingernails in the Championship relegation battle.”