Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.
My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.
Areas of Expertise:
Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why
Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.
Alexander Isak has become a “huge problem” for Liverpool, former Reds star Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with the £125 million ($169m) striker “not at the races” and looking disinterested. The most expensive player in British football has failed to make the desired impact at Anfield, with it being suggested that he is struggling to handle the “weight” of an iconic shirt.
Mohamed Salah has been used as a warning for Manchester United, with Gordon Strachan explaining to GOAL why the Red Devils cannot bow to the contract demands of talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes and “give him everything he wants”. Fresh terms for the Portuguese are being lined up at Old Trafford, but he will soon turn 32 and should not be given a blank cheque.
Ryan Gravenberch flopped at Bayern Munich, before being billed as the Premier League’s best midfielder during Liverpool’s title triumph in 2024-25. Where does the Netherlands international stand now? Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann has answered that question for GOAL, with the all-action 24-year-old considered to be an important cog in the Anfield machine.
Gordon Strachan has told GOAL there is “not enough money in the world” for him to consider emulating Martin O’Neill, with the former Celtic boss in awe of the man still calling shots at Parkhead. Enigmatic Northern Irishman O’Neill is, having landed a permanent contract on the back of a Scottish Premiership title triumph, working towards his 75th birthday.
Marcus Rashford cannot live on past achievements and needs to become a “now player” for Manchester United, Gordon Strachan has told GOAL. The Old Trafford academy graduate, who has been absorbed back into the Red Devils’ fold following a loan spell at Barcelona, has been challenged to provide much-needed assistance for talismanic club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Brighton have enjoyed a meteoric rise under the ownership of Tony Bloom, with ex-Seagulls boss Mark McGhee explaining to GOAL why a "mathematical genius” intends to be much more than a “generous benefactor”. Celebrations of a major trophy win have never been enjoyed on the south coast, but the intention is to make history in the not too distant future.
Harry Kane has come close to matching Robert Lewandowski’s single season Bundesliga goal record, but Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL why making history on that front may be a case of Mission Impossible for Bayern Munich’s prolific striker. The England international has reached 36 efforts on a couple of occasions, but is still some way short of a remarkable milestone.
Cole Palmer has his smile back alongside close friend Morgan Rogers at Chelsea, with Robert Huth responding to surprising transfer talk by telling GOAL: “Why would he go to Man U?” The England international was seeing a return to his roots in the North West speculated on at one stage, but he is now fully committed to a friendly battle for goals and assists at Stamford Bridge.
An emotional return to Birmingham for Jude Bellingham is not being ruled out, although former Blues boss Steve Bruce has told GOAL that it could be a “long, long time” before such a move is considered. The No.22 shirt at St Andrew’s, which has been retired, is waiting to be filled again by a home-grown hero that is currently starring as a ‘Galactico’ with Real Madrid.
Dietmar Hamann has admitted to GOAL there is “always a chance” that Erling Haaland will leave Manchester City “when Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling”. Those approaches have not been made as yet, with the Norwegian striker tied to a contract through to 2034, but there will come a point when a fresh start away from the Etihad Stadium is considered.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been urged to make Jamie Vardy the next star of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, with Robert Huth telling GOAL that his former Leicester team-mate “certainly is Hollywood”. The former England international striker remains a free agent after leaving Italian side Cremonese, but the Red Dragons in North Wales have been warned that any deal will not come cheap.
Jamal Musiala has been told to “get healthy” before worrying about his form for Bayern Munich and Germany, with Dietmar Hamann explaining to GOAL how football will “take care of itself” as the 23-year-old manages a “neurological dysfunction” condition. He suffered two on-field collapses during pre-season and will be given all the support he requires at the Allianz Arena before a return to competitive action is made.
Elliot Anderson has a £116 million ($157m) price tag hanging around his neck at Manchester City. How does he go about justifying such an elaborate outlay? Dietmar Hamann has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. A Rodri-themed challenge has been presented to City’s latest England international addition.
Chelsea have been warned that “no successful teams” follows the tactical blueprint that has been adopted at Stamford Bridge, with Ruud Gullit - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - questioning how much influence Xabi Alonso has on transfer business. The Spanish tactician has seen big money spent in another transfer window, but is he being dictated to in some respects?
Nick Woltemade poses a transfer “problem” for Newcastle, with Dietmar Hamann explaining to GOAL what the “best solution” for the German striker could be ahead of the summer deadline passing. The towering frontman has only spent 12 months at St James’ Park, following a big-money move, but could soon bid farewell to Tyneside and the Premier League.
Manchester United won the last of their 13 Premier League titles in 2013 as Sir Alex Ferguson walked away. A 13-year barren run has been endured, but are the Red Devils closing in on top spot once more? Former captain Steve Bruce has answered that question for GOAL, with Michael Carrick’s side being warned that they are a “long way short of Arsenal” at present.
Florian Wirtz briefly became the most expensive player in British football when joining Liverpool for £116 million ($157m) in 2025, but could he be sold without ever producing his best in the Premier League? The 23-year-old’s fellow German, and former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann, has told GOAL when transfer speculation an Anfield will be ramped up.
In Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, do Chelsea boast the Premier League’s best attacking unit? Blues legend Ruud Gullit has answered that question for GOAL. Following another summer of big spending at Stamford Bridge, and further change in the dugout, the west London heavyweights are certainly not short on fearsome firepower.
Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL how Phil Foden can rediscover his spark at Manchester City following a “very draining” spell under Pep Guardiola. The England international is considered to be an “exceptional” player and is being backed to take his “big chance” under new boss Enzo Maresca - with a clean slate having been presented to the 26-year-old playmaker.
