Jack McRae

Jack McRae

Writer

Bio: I am a freelance sports journalist and first began writing about football regularly for my university’s student paper. Despite then going viral and suffering humiliation for an article on why Turkey were the 'dark horses' at Euro 2020, my obsession with watching and covering the beautiful game remained strong. I wrote my History degree dissertation on the rise of xenophobia in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup before moving to north London, a stone’s throw away from both Highbury and the Emirates Stadium, to complete a Master’s in International Journalism. I have been lucky enough to interview a number of professional sportsmen and women and, since starting as a freelance writer for GOAL in November 2023, have been able to cover some of the biggest games and events in the all-consuming world of football and sport.

My Football Story: Before I could walk or talk, I was put into an Arsenal shirt and I went to my first ever game shortly after my fifth birthday. Yet, ever since that 3-0 win over Watford in 2006, the Gunners have never quite been able to replicate the golden years of the early 2000s. For each season I have lived by the Emirates, the club have tortured me with a run of consecutive second-placed finishes, but maybe this could be the year. Fortunately, we can always rely on the women’s team to produce some magic.

Areas of Expertise:
  • Inside the joys and many frustrations of Arsenal Football Club
  • Coverage of the Premier League, Women’s Super League and major European clubs
  • Match reports from major tournaments, both domestic and international
  • The impact of football on political and social attitudes – and vice-versa
  • The spate of ACL injuries in women’s, and increasingly men’s, football

Favourite Footballing Memory: It is impossible to split being behind the goal as Reiss Nelson fired in his 97th-minute winner against Bournemouth and standing in the Clock End as Declan Rice scored his second stunning free-kick in the 3-0 win against Real Madrid. Two moments in which I thought we would win it all, even if they ultimately led to nothing.

 

Articles by Jack McRae
  1. Arteta offers injury update on Saka after Leeds victory

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the injury Bukayo Saka suffered in the warm-up ahead of the Gunners' 4-0 victory over Leeds. The winger was set to start on Saturday afternoon but suffered a hip injury and had to be replaced from the off by Noni Madueke. With games against Chelsea and Sunderland coming next week, Arteta will hope to have his star forward back soon.

  2. Marseille chief lifts lid on talk De Zerbi offered to quit

    The president of Marseille, Pablo Longoria, has issued an update on the future of his manager Roberto De Zerbi following reports that the Italian tended his resignation earlier in the week. This came after the club missed out on qualification for the Champions League knockout stages on goal difference, with De Zerbi supposedly willing to leave southern France.

  3. Chelsea star Palmer in row with neighbour over new gym plans

    Chelsea's star player Cole Palmer has been caught up in a row with his neighbours over potential plans to build a gym in his home. The England international has been hoping to add an outside gym to his garden in the mansion he lives in near the Blues' training ground in Surrey, but will face opposition from a neighbour who is reportedly unhappy with the supposed new build plans.

  4. Arsenal lose Saka to injury before crunch Leeds clash

    Bukayo Saka appears to have picked up an injury in Arsenal's pre-match warm-up before facing Leeds United. The winger joined his team-mates on the Elland Road pitch prior to the 3pm kick-off but went down the tunnel early. Gunners winger Noni Madueke went on to replace him in the line-up in a huge blow for Mikel Arteta's Premier League title-chasing side.

  5. Rooney in tears as brother John's Macclesfield upset Palace

    Wayne Rooney was reduced to tears on punditry duty for the BBC as he watched his brother John produce the greatest shock result in FA Cup history. Non-league side Macclesfield FC ran out 2-1 winners over cup holders Crystal Palace to progress to the fourth round and shock the footballing world with a late Yeremy Pino consolation not enough to save the Eagles’ blushes.

  1. lamisha musonda

    Former Chelsea youth player reveals he has just days to live

    Former Chelsea youth star Lamisha Musonda has shared that he might only have days to live. The 33-year-old Belgian, who joined the club from Anderlecht alongside brothers Tika and Charly, revealed on social media that he has been living with a health condition and that he is fighting to survive. He expressed his gratitude for the many people he has played alongside.