Final Premier League games could be make or break for World Cup hopes October 28, 2022 The eyes of the footballing world are already beginning to look into their peripherals and see the opening day of the Fifa World Cup looking back at them. Because, in a little over three weeks, the first Middle Eastern World Cup, held in Qatar, will begin. It’s been a tournament shrouded in controversy since the [...]
Ed Warner: My advice to aspiring youngsters is to do your homework October 27, 2022 I never imagined I’d end up spending half my working week immersed in the world of sport. I stumbled into it via a serendipitous alignment of the stars in my mid 30s and have been privileged to parlay my enthusiasm for sport and my business knowledge into emotionally rewarding experiences for the past fifteen years. [...]
World Cup spells win for struggling advertising market October 27, 2022 The ad sector is set to score a much-needed goal this winter with the Qatar World Cup driving up advertising spend. According to new data from the Advertising Association (AA), ad spend for the final quarter is set to climb by 4.5 per cent from last year’s record high, to a total of £9.5bn. This [...]
Ad build-up to Qatar World Cup is ‘oh so quiet’ October 26, 2022 The World Cup is a little over three weeks away but it’s oh so quiet. At least when Björk sung those words, the accompanying music video by Spike Jonze showed people spontaneously spilling into the street in a Busby Berkeley-style choreographed celebration. But it’s increasingly hard to shake the feeling that there isn’t quite that [...]
Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham AFC criticises player for boots with ‘f*** the Tories’ on October 25, 2022 One of the oldest football clubs in the world has criticised one of its players for printing football boots with “f*** the Tories” on. Wrexham AFC, which was sensationally bought by US actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, said the boots “will not be worn tonight, or in any other” fixture, after striker Paul Mullin [...]
Champions League offers Liverpool and Klopp respite October 25, 2022 It has been Liverpool’s worst start to a Premier League season under the reign of Jurgen Klopp, but his side are one point away from securing knockout European football for the 12th time in 15 seasons. The Merseyside club have amassed just 16 points from their opening 11 Premier League games, sit eighth in the [...]
Premier League: Newcastle in top four, Arsenal draw and Villa impress October 23, 2022 Was it the day Tottenham saw their, admittedly unlikely, title challenge come to an end or was it the day Newcastle United knocked on the door of the Big Six’s office and asked for a seat around the undoubtedly extravagant table? A 2-1 win for the Toon in north London moved United into the top [...]
From Liverpool’s Under-18s coach via Rangers to Aston Villa: What is next for Steven Gerrard? October 21, 2022 Steven Gerrard’s sacking at Aston Villa leaves the former England and Liverpool midfielder having to consider what comes next. After all, the football star is just 42 years old. Considering the route Gerrard has taken – from Liverpool’s Under-18s coach, via Rangers to Aston Villa – it is evident he is no drop-in celebrity manager. [...]
Blues cruise: How Potter’s serene start could prove pivotal for Chelsea October 21, 2022 It has been six weeks since two 47-year-olds took on the biggest jobs of their careers and it’s fair to say that it has gone better for Graham Potter than Liz Truss. While Truss was forced out of Downing Street after 44 catastrophic days as Prime Minster, new Chelsea manager Potter has enjoyed a serene [...]
Tottenham Hotspur looking to improve big-match record at Manchester United October 18, 2022 It might seem strange to suggest that Tottenham Hotspur have plenty to prove at Manchester United on Wednesday given their results so far this season. After all, Spurs’ haul of 23 points is their best return from the opening 10 games of the Premier League season in the 30 years since the competition began. But [...]