The time has come to admit it, with apologies to Tottenham fans. In 2019, Liverpool and Spurs contested an all-English Champions League final in Madrid. Many reasons have been advanced for Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph. Some – well, mainly Glenn Hoddle – say the early Liverpool penalty was harsh. Some say Liverpool controlled the game fromContinue reading “How I won the Champions League for Liverpool”
Category Archives: Football
Who killed the Champions League?
The Champions League – successor to the old European Cup, in which the champions of each European country competed to be champions of Europe – had a controversial start. The inclusion of multiple teams from the same countries gave the lie to its name: it was no longer made up of champions. You could finishContinue reading “Who killed the Champions League?”
Southgate’s not the one
In the final analysis, at least we are spared the books, the seminars, even an update to the enjoyable if slightly deluded play. Because make no mistake, that is where we were headed. What lessons can we learn from Gareth Southgate’s success in winning an international tournament? was going to be the question and managementContinue reading “Southgate’s not the one”
Imagine…on tragedy chants at football games
Imagine your child, parent, sibling or friend went to a football match and died. Crushed to death in the most horrific manner imaginable. Imagine that for years, the authorities made a huge and concerted effort to cover up the cause of their death, to blame your loved one and their fellow supporters. Imagine that, asContinue reading “Imagine…on tragedy chants at football games”
From believers to broken hearts
He turned us from doubters to believers…and then he broke our hearts. Liverpool fans have long dreaded the day when Jurgen Klopp would depart Anfield. For the announcement to come out of the blue on a cold Friday in January – with the team flying again in all competitions – was a seismic shock. Klopp hasContinue reading “From believers to broken hearts”
Football Manager and FIFA aren’t real, lads
In 2011, a guy called John Boileau applied for the job of Middlesbrough FC manager, citing his experience and success in the Football Manager game. It was a good joke that was enhanced by the rejoinder from Steve Gibson, the club Chairman, telling Boileau how delighted he was that someone of his status had applied.Continue reading “Football Manager and FIFA aren’t real, lads”
And here’s to you, Jordan Henderson…
There’s not many footballers I love more than Jordan Henderson. I’ve just finished reading his autobiography and it cemented my admiration for him as a player and a person. As the book almost recognises, he seems destined to be one of those football players who never quite gets the credit he deserves from the footballContinue reading “And here’s to you, Jordan Henderson…”
Confessions of an armchair football fan
When I was young, I was convinced that in later life, I’d live in Liverpool and have a season ticket for Anfield. As a boy, my Dad would take me to games, but money being tight, it was nowhere near as often as I wanted to go. When I’m grown up, I told myself againContinue reading “Confessions of an armchair football fan”
So you don’t like football? You never said…
In the midst of the World Cup, with a daily diet of football and football chat, it probably sucks to not like the game. I can understand, indeed empathise with, people in that position. I don’t watch Strictly or Game of Thrones and I never got into Line of Duty, though I may well wellContinue reading “So you don’t like football? You never said…”
Ranking World Cups while feeling queasy about this one
Is this the least anticipated World Cup ever? Every football fan I talk to thinks so. Qatar should never have been awarded it given its vile human rights record – staging it there feels like a new low in attempted sports washing. Cheering on football teams in stadia migrant workers died building, in a countryContinue reading “Ranking World Cups while feeling queasy about this one”
Rory writes 