I blame Barcelona. Barcelona and Bill Shankly. ‘Mes que un club?’
But what if that club isn’t more than a club? What if they aren’t a great bastion of Catalan nationalism, the collective klaxon of an embattled inner city working class, a cultural front against Francoism, a buzzing wave of souls embodying a Socialist ideal?
What if they’re just Watford? Or Newport County? Or Hull?
It doesn’t matter any more. …
The eminent economist Jonathan Portes, Director of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, likes to cite two examples in attempting to convince audiences of the merits of free movement of labour. The first is his own field – economics – where collaboration between academics trained within country traditions has produced the field’s most innovative work, and seen real international powerhouses established in the UK, the USA and …
It may have taken half an hour of the hors d’oeuvre clash between Porto and Napoli, but the largely partisan home crowd at Arsenal’s showpiece season opening ‘Emirates Cup’ have finally found a reason to become animated. Often noted for their quiet approach to both triumph and despair, the patrons of Ashburton Grove have laid to one side their sang froid and sputtered into a chorus of boos.
The …
A look at the Professional Footballers’ Association list of out of contract and available players becomes more depressing by the year, even if there are Premier League outcasts aplenty whose current availability is often more a consequence of protracted contract negotiations and a choice of suitors. Hence, Chris Baird, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Carlton Cole and the like will end up somewhere eventually.
Of those, the pick of the list …
Following yesterday’s start to pre-season, in which we looked at all 24 League 2 clubs, our intensive schedule continues as we move on to League 1. Tomorrow, attention will turn to the Championship.
Bradford City
Fairytale Bradford City have added a little sheen to their well built squad as they look to attack League 1 at a canter – Rochdale’s Jason Kennedy and experienced winger Mark Yeates join …
Ben: Sounds like an interesting read - and a useful companion-piece to Tony...
sean smith: Brilliant article. Shared. COYS...
Steve: C.f. Phil Neville on MOTD2 talking about Rosicky's audacious blind pas...
Steve: Excellent article....
Winch: An enjoyable read. I'm not sure they bring back any good memories, but...
