Millwall season preview: Lions sticking to their own path in bid to avoid costly Championship drop July 29, 2019 Millwall are playing a different game to the majority of their competitors in the Championship. Financially restricted and strategically conservative, the Lions are the antithesis of those former Premier League clubs spending big, desperate to make it back to the promised land. While others have shown little patience, chopping and changing managers, Millwall have stuck [...]
Championship favourites Fulham ‘cautiously optimistic’ of bouncing back to Premier League July 28, 2019 A year ago Fulham were about to embark on a keenly anticipated return to the Premier League with the full weight of billionaire owner Shahid Khan behind them. They had been promoted via the play-offs, but a 23-match unbeaten run, football that Pep Guardiola would have been proud of and an injection of cash for [...]
The Bowyer effect: Charlton boss has restored belief and can steer his side clear of the drop July 25, 2019 With the dawn of another season brings a renewed sense of optimism for many football fans, despite the tribulations they may have endured over the course of the preceding months and years. Down at The Valley things are no different. Charlton may have endured a turbulent time in the last half decade under unpopular owner [...]
Untapped potential: Why Premier League clubs are flocking to China for pre-season tours July 24, 2019 The Premier League may not kick off its new season for another fortnight but the fight for supremacy has already been raging elsewhere. On the pitch pre-season tours may be primarily about players building fitness and whetting the appetite of fans for the coming campaign but it is away from the pitch further benefits lie. [...]
Laurent Koscielny: a pre-season protest that threatens to worsen the leadership void at Arsenal July 15, 2019 Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny’s attempt to force a move away from the club by refusing to travel on their pre-season tour of the US has been greeted with shock and deja-vu in equal measure. Shock that such an unapologetic show of petulance would come from Koscielny, who, in his nine years at the club, has [...]
Thomas Cook shares hit record low amid £750m takeover talks with Fosun July 12, 2019 Thomas Cook’s shares sunk to their lowest price ever this morning as it confirmed it is in advanced talks with Fosun over a proposed £750m deal which would give the Chinese firm majority ownership over its tour operator business. Read more: Thomas Cook engages in Fosun talks to save company The deal would also give [...]
Women’s World Cup 2019: Was it a success? And how does football build on it? Sport industry insiders give their views July 8, 2019 After 31 days, 52 games and 146 goals, the most high-profile Women’s World Cup yet is over. But what impact has it made on the game and the wider landscape? We asked a selection of industry experts. Contributors Lisa Parfitt, managing director, Engine Sport and Brand Experience; Steve Martin, global CEO, M&C Saatchi Sport and [...]
Going, going… Dons: AFC Wimbledon aiming to raise £7m using crowdfunding to pay for new Plough Lane stadium July 8, 2019 AFC Wimbledon are a club founded by fans and now, 17 years on from their rebirth, they are hoping their supporters can help lay the foundations for a move back to the corner of south-west London they call home. The Dons are building a new stadium at Plough Lane, which they believe will be ready [...]
Frank Lampard’s honeymoon period won’t last for long in the Chelsea hotseat July 4, 2019 People stepping out of Fulham Broadway station this afternoon were greeted by the sight of an opportunistic salesman attempting to flog Frank Lampard adorned Chelsea scarves. If you still needed reminding, here was a visual representation of why this was no run-of-the-mill managerial appointment. As the club statement phrased it: “He’s home!” After the generally [...]
Following heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr’s lead towards punchy portfolios July 2, 2019 Until the start of this month, if you had shown someone a photograph of Andy Ruiz Jr and asked what sport he did professionally, there is a fair chance they would have guessed ‘darts’. We are fervently hoping Ruiz does not take that line amiss because, of course, the correct answer is ‘boxing’ and, on [...]