Featured Articles
Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Marcus Gayle: I'm proud of my Jamaican heritage
Brentford club ambassador and educator pays tribute to Windrush Generation and those who blazed a trail before
Wes Morgan: We are indebted to the Windrush Generation
Former Leicester captain discusses the importance of his Jamaican heritage
How Everton help young people understand safeguarding
Ahead of Play Safe weekend, read how Everton educate 11 to 18-year-olds about staying safe
Academy players finish first year with U9 Welcome Festival
Over 450 youngsters from 26 clubs make new memories and friends during high-quality tournament
Premier League Primary Stars champions crowned at Elland Road
Youngsters representing all 20 Premier League clubs enjoy a footballer's life for a day in thrilling tournament
Youth Development Conference sets course for continued progress
Man Utd host Premier League's annual conference at Old Trafford, with clubs collaborating on development plans
Kilman returns to roots at non-league Maidenhead
Everything you need for Gameweek 7 of FPL with the latest tips and advice
PL30: 'Newcastle's Be A Game Changer was a life changer'
How Newcastle United Foundation's programme had a lasting impact on a PL30 Community Captain
As the rain pours down on the Newcastle United Foundation building, there are smiles galore on the 4G pitch on the roof, as a range of football sessions run throughout the day.
One of those smiles belong to Foundation staff member Josh Banyard, who unbeknown to him will be presented with the Premier League Community Captain award.
It is a befitting honour for Josh as the award recognises some of the e
As the rain pours down on the Newcastle United Foundation building, there are smiles galore on the 4G pitch on the roof, as a range of football sessions run throughout the day.
One of those smiles belong to Foundation staff member Josh Banyard, who unbeknown to him will be presented with the Premier League Community Captain award.
It is a befitting honour for Josh as the award recognises some of the e
PL30: How Swansea are using football to inspire students
We visit Pontarddulais Comprehensive as Community Captain Lee Trundle explains the impact of the PL Inspires programme
There is an audible marvel from the Pontarddulais Comprehensive School schoolkids as they file into the sports hall in Swansea.
Sitting perched, is the 25.4kg Premier League Trophy, 104cm tall and 61cm wide, the highest coveted prize in English football.
It now finds itself in Swansea as another stop on the Premier League Trophy Tour of England and Wales: a celebration to hig
There is an audible marvel from the Pontarddulais Comprehensive School schoolkids as they file into the sports hall in Swansea.
Sitting perched, is the 25.4kg Premier League Trophy, 104cm tall and 61cm wide, the highest coveted prize in English football.
It now finds itself in Swansea as another stop on the Premier League Trophy Tour of England and Wales: a celebration to hig
Player Spotlight: Tayla Honey – London Pulse Netball
In what has been a whirlwind debut season in England, I ask London Pulse’s Tayla Honey, what her proudest moment so far has been in her first Superleague season. In a very composed way, she smiles before telling me that she believes that moment will be this weekend. As the Pulse’s maiden play-off campaign nears closer, Honey’s answer is an indication of the exciting chapter both player and team find themselves in.
Player Spotlight: Funmi Fadoju – London Pulse Netball
‘I try to just take it one day at a time’. It’s an impressively humble response from one of the Vitality Netball Superleague’s rising stars when I ask about her approach to her career. Having had the privilege to interview Pulse’s Funmi Fadoju, we talk for about 20 minutes – about her ascent within netball, her key experiences, her inspirations, and challenges on the way up.
It would be the U17 Netball Europe tournament which, for Fadoju, signified a shift in her netball career. While her talen
It would be the U17 Netball Europe tournament which, for Fadoju, signified a shift in her netball career. While her talen
Player Spotlight: Halimat Adio – London Pulse Netball
When the Pulse faced up against Loughborough during the 2021 season in Wakefield, it signified a turning point. While the day belonged to the Lightning – taking a 12-point victory on the road to what would be a title-winning season, one key storyline from that day came from Pulse goalkeeper Halimat Adio, whose strong performance against two-time Golden Shooter Cholhok Mary Nuba raised eyebrows across the league. The game fitted seamlessly into what is a concurrent theme for Adio, who certainly d
Guest Blog: Sam Akpan – Experiencing VNSL Live – London Pulse Netball
Pulse unbeaten at home – all I knew is that this would be a heavyweight second versus third clash at the top of the league. Walking around, I was able to absorb the pre-match atmosphere, discussing what to expect from the four quarters ahead, who to watch out for and the implications of victory either way.
With my notebook ready, warm-ups concluded and the countdown to the start complete – the
excitement from the supporters was palpable, and as the players came out to a cheer and took the
kne
With my notebook ready, warm-ups concluded and the countdown to the start complete – the
excitement from the supporters was palpable, and as the players came out to a cheer and took the
kne
In defence of the referees..
‘Extra money, with some slight abuse on the side’. I remember describing to my friends my rationale for becoming a qualified match official during my time at university. It was a decision I had made rather easily, having volunteered as an official prior in more disjointed, disorganized levels. Yet, 6 months on from my last officiated game, as I reflect on my time at grassroots level – a certainly gruelling one at parts – it is quite interesting to see how my sentiments certainly reflecting the h
Archibald delights home crowd in London
International track cycling returned to the United Kingdom in style on Friday evening, as the third round of the UCI Track Champions League saw Katie Archibald maintain pole position in the women’s endurance league going into tonight’s final round.
Inside a packed Lee Valley VeloPark all eyes were on Archibald and British teammates Rhys Britton, Sophie Capewell, Ed Clancy, Josh Charlton and William Tidball, who received raucous cheers from the home crowd.
Having finished second in the scratch
Inside a packed Lee Valley VeloPark all eyes were on Archibald and British teammates Rhys Britton, Sophie Capewell, Ed Clancy, Josh Charlton and William Tidball, who received raucous cheers from the home crowd.
Having finished second in the scratch
Ruben Loftus Cheek, that day in New England and fighting back to the top
Ruben Loftus Cheek, that day in New England and fighting back to the top RLC in his most recent game versus Malmö FF in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage There are many dates which stick out to any fan and player within Chelsea Football Club. While the 29th of May 2021 remains a raw and fresh reminder of the club’s second European triumph, the 19th of May 2012 probably takes the cake as the most memorable. Fond recollections of that incredible European run being immortalised by Didie
Arsenal’s moment of truth on Friday night
When Leon Bailey replaced Axel Tuanzebe at the beginning of the second half, it posed an important test for Arsenal. In the three games I have had the privilege to watch Arsenal in the press box, a notable theme has been the drop off in Arsenal intensity following taking the lead. ‘Putting the handbrake on’, as Arteta eloquently put it, while in reference to the Crystal Palace game which saw the South London side grow into the game was also significant when analysing large parts of that second h
BCOMs' Samuel Akpan writes how England's football team helped bring the nation together
When I made my commute to work in the early afternoon on Sunday 11 July, I remember a distinct infectious feeling on the District Line.
Whether it was the assortment of iconic England jerseys, or the loud rumblings of excitement, there was a genuine excitement from everybody, knowing that today could be the day of glory for the England men’s national team.
Despite the result not going the way the nation wanted, it reminded me that football is more than a game.
In a time where the devastating
Whether it was the assortment of iconic England jerseys, or the loud rumblings of excitement, there was a genuine excitement from everybody, knowing that today could be the day of glory for the England men’s national team.
Despite the result not going the way the nation wanted, it reminded me that football is more than a game.
In a time where the devastating
Arsenal, Vieira and mitigating risk
When the full-time whistle blew at the Emirates, what was particularly notable was the dejected figures of the Crystal Palace players on the ground. The dejection of Patrick Vieira and the South London side was palpable, as they had had their three points snatched at the death by Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette. However, despite such a feel-good ending on a Monday night, Arsenal’s overall performance seemed to ask more questions than it answered.
After such an emphatic derby win, in which I comme
After such an emphatic derby win, in which I comme
How Arteta and Arsenal beat Tottenham
There is no bigger litmus test to gauge the competency and confidence of an Arsenal side and manager than a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. In the 204th meeting between bitter rivals separated by only four miles, Arteta and Arsenal rose to the challenge, dispatching their opponents convincingly 3–1. So how did they do it?
Tottenham Hotspur’s best two players are Harry Kane and Heung Min-Son, and a successful thwarting of both their massive impact is incredibly difficult. Even despite Ar
Tottenham Hotspur’s best two players are Harry Kane and Heung Min-Son, and a successful thwarting of both their massive impact is incredibly difficult. Even despite Ar
Jorginho and the problem with individual awards
The Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Men’s Best Player awards are the two most coveted individual trophies within men’s football. The ceremonies are star studded, the candidates boast extraordinary statistics and feats, and the football world argues relentlessly over which incredible athlete deserves the immortalisation of their performance in the records. So, it is little surprise, that winners and nominees alike are littered with some of the most flair-gifted, impressive footballers that the sport has
The night in Porto, three centre backs and the art of the ‘second chance’ in football
As a Chelsea fan, the past couple days since the triumph in Porto has allowed the observation of a beautiful irony with the discussions of our squad. The solidification of the ‘youth revolution’, with Reece James’ name now entering the upper echelons of right back discourse, along with the ever-increasing stardom of a future legend in Mason Mount. It provided the perfect reward for the season’s contributions made by Billy Gilmour, Faustino Anjorin, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi, especiall
Is Frank Lampard’s time up at Chelsea?
Six months ago, Chelsea arrived in Munich for the second-leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie against an unstoppable side in Bayern, who would eviscerate the Blues 4-1 on the day and go on to lift Europe’s top prize in Lisbon shortly after. For Lampard and Chelsea, there were few positives to take from what turned out to be a mere formality, besides an encouraging performance from youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea’s first match of 2021, a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City, provoke
Chelsea’s first match of 2021, a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City, provoke
Judge Jose Mourinho’s tactics on substance, not style
There is an aura that surrounds the self-proclaimed Special One in the English game. A polarizing figure, José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix is a magnet for attention from both his admirers and critics. There is little dispute to be had about his resume, Mourinho’s trophy cabinet speaks for itself, with a record of winning wherever he has managed, including his historic treble with Inter Milan.
However, while his past success may remain immune to challenge, a 1-1 draw at Molineux raised quest
However, while his past success may remain immune to challenge, a 1-1 draw at Molineux raised quest
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