Pride tinged with sadness for devoted AFC Wimbledon fans locked out of Plough Lane homecoming party November 3, 2020 This isn’t how AFC Wimbledon’s long-awaited first match back at Plough Lane was meant to be. The return of football to this corner of Merton on Tuesday evening, when Doncaster Rovers visit the Dons in League One, should have been a huge party for supporters. Instead, the only fans present will be the cardboard cut-outs [...]
How to make the most of the last pre-lockdown days, from a US election party pack to a prohibition jazz night November 2, 2020 During any other year, this would have been among the busiest weeks of the social calendar. Halloween parties would have spilled into US election parties, which would have led into Bonfire night, and before you know it, the weekend is upon you again. Instead, we have the bleak prospect of yet another lockdown. But try [...]
Sport rights set for devaluation as the industry reaches its Napster moment November 2, 2020 Alongside all the other ways Covid has disrupted our economy and lives, it might be set to have a dramatic impact on the value of sport rights. Some 83 per cent of executives, representing 4bn sports fans globally, believe that media rights have reached a high-water mark, a recent Seven League study found. These executives [...]
Manchester United and Arsenal leave Premier League looking like a one-horse race November 2, 2020 For a moment back then, there was an intoxicating sense of possibility about this Premier League season. Liverpool’s aura of invincibility looked to have been shredded by a seven-goal humiliation at Aston Villa. Villa, like Everton, were riding high and reviving memories of past glories with swashbuckling displays. After three years of duopoly, the league [...]
Fun in the age of Covid: How to enjoy Halloween weekend October 30, 2020 While coronavirus continues to scupper all but the most determined of fun-seekers, the London cultural scene is largely just getting on with things as best it can. In this new regular column, we fill you in on the the ever-changing restrictions and give you a list of ways to spend a perfect, Covid-safe Halloween Weekend. [...]
It’s England’s Six Nations to lose, and I fancy France to beat Ireland handsomely October 30, 2020 Everyone is thankful for competitive live sport like the Six Nations Championship at the moment. And the fact that the final round of fixtures on Saturday will decide the winner makes it even more exciting. Away from all the increasingly gloomy news in other areas of life, we have a Six Nations finale and a [...]
The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:23 Cheltenham, Doncaster & Newbury October 30, 2020 The jumps season is back and trainer Harry Whittington has a few runners on Saturday and Sunday at Cheltenham & Aintree. He joins us to discuss their chances, whilst Eve Johnson-Haughton talks about her 2 year old runners at Doncaster & Newbury this weekend. Racing Editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of the weekend action [...]
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on missing football, black managers getting less time, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea and dabbling in property October 30, 2020 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is bellowing instructions at a plumber amid the chaos of a building site as he answers the phone to City A.M.. The former Chelsea, Leeds and Holland striker and, more recently, promising manager is overseeing works at what will be a new family home for the Hasselbainks. When the 48-year-old is not [...]
The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:22 Champions Day at Ascot October 30, 2020 British Champions Day takes place at Ascot on Saturday with four Group 1 races to look forward to. Trainer Roger Teal talks about Oxted in the Champions Sprint and David Menuisier discusses the chances of his filly Wonderful Tonight in the Fillies & Mares. Both horses have already won Group 1 races this season. Racing [...]
The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:21 Newmarket Cesarewitch & Dewhurst Meeting October 30, 2020 Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell has four runners declared in this year’s Cesarewitch Handicap over 2 miles & 2 furlongs at Newmarket on Saturday, and he joins us in today’s programme. Racing Editor Bill Esdaile previews the top weekend races and Wally Pyrah looks at Sunday’s 10-race card in Hong Kong. Hosted by Chris Barnett About [...]