While the rest of the country was distracted by events at Old Trafford, a corner of south-east London focused on the departure of another long-serving gaffer. Though Kenny Jackett’s departure as Millwall manager probably cause any palpitations on Wall Street, it was no less a surprise to supporters than Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement was to Manchester United. A mere six years in charge doesn’t even come close to matching the reign of Govan’s most famous son. Such is the nature of English professional football, however, that by the time of his exit, Jackett had been in post longer than all but five of his peers. He’ll be almost as hard an act…
David Beckham and Oasis: a Tale of Career Decline
They won’t like this but David Beckham’s retirement from football this week put me in mind of a bunch more readily associated with the other half of Manchester, Britpoppers Oasis. Both came to prominence in the mid to early 90s; Oasis at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and Beckham at Preston North End’s Deepdale ground. Initially, the characteristic that united them can be broadly defined as swagger. Beckham would hurtle down the right flank on buccaneering runs before angling in impossibly delicious crosses while Oasis would brandish their guitars like totems; Liam Gallagher’s snarled vocals and Noel’s lofty hauteur…
Great Football League Teams 43: Preston North End 2000-1
Last week, it was announced that a certain Scotsman would take the reins at England’s biggest club come August. David Moyes’ record at Everton has been called into question by the more arrogant among Red Devils’ fans but his supposed unfamiliarity with real achievement can be further rebuffed with recourse to his astonishing six year sojourn at Preston – taking a club that had been recently in danger of relegation from the 92 to regular contenders for Premier League football. Here, Jo Breen looks back to a pivotal season in that famous period. … As the 2000-1 season began, Preston North End…
Getting AFC Wimbledon Fit for The Football League
Today, we are delighted to welcome back Chris Lines, curator of the long established Narrow The Angle, one of the best football websites in business. Chris is a season ticket holder at AFC Wimbledon and in between mops of his brow with a handkerchief following fellow Two Unfortunates’ contributor Jack Midson’s nerveless spot kick against Fleetwood, he took time to reflect on Neal Ardley’s impact at Kingsmeadow. … When the full-time whistle sounded at Kingsmeadow on April 27 and brought Wimbledon’s 2012-13 campaign to a close, the wave of elation that saw thousands spill onto the pitch to mob their…
Book Review: Promised Land: A Northern Love Story
Promised Land: A Northern Love Story by Anthony Clavane Published by Yellow Jersey Press 2011, £8.99 Growing up in the 90s, Leeds were a permanent top flight fixture and played at one of the country’s showcase grounds yet – unlike many other sides – I cannot remember coming across a single Whites supporter in my youth. Granted, it was spent hundreds of miles away from Elland Road in Plymouth but whereas the sight of Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs colours was about as common as coming across a green shirt, Leeds just didn’t figure. Considering the size of this single-club…













