The man to call upon come cup final day… The word ‘legend’ is far too often overused in football today. Too often very good or even great players are afforded the status of ‘legend’ or ‘legendary’. People are quicker to crown someone with the word ‘legend’ than with the word ‘world-class’. Someone can become aContinue reading “Didier Drogba: The Man For The Cup Final”
Author Archives: Fergus Jeffs
The First: British and Irish Lions Tour, 1888
A 35-match tour that featured no test matches played by a team calling themselves the ‘English Footballers’… The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union institution. Every four years, a squad comprised of international players from the home nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland goes on a tour of one of the threeContinue reading “The First: British and Irish Lions Tour, 1888”
Whatever Happened to ‘The Wanderers’?
5-time FA Cup winners… The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is the oldest national football competition, having existed since 1871. It preceded the Football League’s existence by 17 years. If you look through the winners of the near-150 editions of the tournament, you’ll not be surprised by who’s atContinue reading “Whatever Happened to ‘The Wanderers’?”
The Rise and Fall of Leeds United 1996-2007: Part 4
Excellence Shrouded By Scandal, 1999-2000 Manager: David O’Leary Top Scorer: Michael Bridges (21) Premier League: 3rd FA Cup: Fifth Round League Cup: Fourth Round UEFA Cup: Semi-Finals League Record: 21 wins, 6 draws, 11 defeats Transfers: £-11,685,000 Transfers in £28,310,000 15 June 1999 DF Danny Mills Charlton £4 million 9 July 1999 DF MichaelContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Leeds United 1996-2007: Part 4”
Revisiting ‘Bloodgate’
Rugby’s bloodiest scandal… On 5th November 2019, the rugby world was shocked when it was announced that Saracens, the reigning English and European champions and winners of four of the previous five Premiership titles and three of the previous four Heineken Champions Cups, had been found guilty of making illegal payments to the club’s playersContinue reading “Revisiting ‘Bloodgate’”
All The Tournaments The England Football Team Has Won Since 1966
England’s trophy cabinet isn’t as bare as you think… Enough column inches and website articles have been written bemoaning England’s lack of success on the international football stage. England’s only success occurred in 1966 when a team featuring Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Gordon Banks won England’s first and so far only WorldContinue reading “All The Tournaments The England Football Team Has Won Since 1966”
The Rise and Fall of Leeds United 1996-2007: Part 3
The Kids Are Alright, 1998/99 Manager: George Graham, David O’Leary Top Scorer: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (18) Premier League: 4th FA Cup: 5th Round League Cup: 4th Round UEFA Cup: 2nd Round League Record: 18 wins, 13 draws, 7 defeats, Goals for 62, Goals against 34 Transfers Total Cost: £-7.55 million Transfers in £7.75 million DannyContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Leeds United 1996-2007: Part 3”
Hermann Hreidarsson: The Most Relegated Man in Premier League History, Part 1
You’d think he’d stop signing for Premier League clubs eventually… Hermann Hreidarsson is one of football’s journeymen, having played for 10 clubs over 21 seasons of professional football between making his debut in 1993 and retiring in 2014. His total transfer fees add up to £8.15 million. During his career, he won the Football LeagueContinue reading “Hermann Hreidarsson: The Most Relegated Man in Premier League History, Part 1”
A Penalty Shootout- In Rugby Union?
Cardiff Blues and Leicester Tigers make history in 2009… When people think of the concept of a penalty shootout deciding a sporting event, their minds will immediately turn to football, and that is completely understandable. Football is the stage where penalty shoot-outs are most commonly witnessed, being used in knockout competitions to decide a winnerContinue reading “A Penalty Shootout- In Rugby Union?”
24 Premier League Matches Without Tasting Victory: The Making of Gareth Bale
It wasn’t always easy being Gareth Bale… It is no controversial statement to say that at the time of writing, Gareth Bale is one of the best midfielders in the world. Despite constant rumours about his future that refuse to go away stating that Bale is unhappy at Real Madrid or the current manager wantsContinue reading “24 Premier League Matches Without Tasting Victory: The Making of Gareth Bale”
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