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Calum Preston Kelly

News writer

📝 Bio: I'm a news writer who joined up with the team at GOAL as of May 2025. This came shortly after I had completed my NCTJ journalism diploma at PA Media Academy, where I specialised in sports journalism. I previously received a BA (Honours) degree at King's College London, where I studied French and Spanish and was lucky enough to spend a year studying abroad. My experience in journalism dates back to 2017, when I got to report on Chelsea Women home matches for local newspapers and won awards two years running in the Newsquest Young Reporter Scheme. Even earlier that that, I began publishing a football blog the year that Leicester City won the Premier League. I also recently spent a season volunteering on the media team at National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough and have expertise in football across all levels of the pyramid and abroad.

⚽ My Football Story: I first fell in love with football as a seven-year-old watching the 2010 World Cup. Recording matches on my old-fashioned VHS player, I watched the recordings back time and again and learnt about all the players and teams. There the obsession began. The following season in 2010-11, my club QPR had the best campaign they have had in my lifetime, winning the Championship title and gaining promotion back to the Premier League, inspired by Moroccan magician Adel Taarabt. There have been moments of heartbreak too, though - namely England's gut-wrenching eliminations from the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.

🎯 Areas of expertise:

  • Insight on English football from the Premier League and Championship down to non-league
  • European football and the tactical nous deployed across different spheres of the game
  • The use of social media to engage fans
  • Comment and analysis on transfer news and the player stories which matter most
  • Always looking to provide a unique viewpoint in tune with my own experiences

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: As a QPR fan, the play-off final in 2014 will be difficult to beat. Getting to be at Wembley to see Bobby Zamora's 90th-minute winner go in was a memory you can never forget. The fact my younger self had been somewhat afraid to go to the game, as I was sure Derby County would win - which they almost did - made it all the more special.

Articles by Calum Preston Kelly
  4. Olivia Smith Arsenal 2025-26Getty Images

    'Not receiving £1m!' - Arsenal's Smith laughs off 'hefty' price tag

    Olivia Smith has addressed the noise surrounding her price tag, after the 21-year-old Canadian forward joined Arsenal for a record £1m to become the first-ever million-pound women's footballer. Smith began her Gunners career at a sprint with a stunning goal against London City Lionesses but she also spoke of the sadness she felt when leaving Liverpool after just a season.

  5. FBL-ENG-PR-BRENTFORD-MAN UTDAFP

    Man Utd fans spark social media row after Brentford defeat

    Manchester United fans have gone to war with the Premier League on social media following referee Craig Pawson and VAR's decision not to send off Nathan Collins during the Red Devils' defeat at Brentford last month. The PGMOL's official explanation of the decision was 'community noted' as 'permeating misinformation' and sparked a row over the incident, which was a key moment as United lost 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

  6. Wales Training SessionGetty Images Sport

    MOTD pundit denies abusing linesman at kids' game

    Match of the Day pundit and former Premier League star Ashley Williams has refuted claims that he abused a linesman at a recent Under-15s children's football match where his son played at Bromley FC. Reports state that he threatened the linesman and offered to 'take it outside'. Video footage depicts a confrontation involving Williams at the match. Williams denies he made any threats.

  7. Lamine Yamal fatherInstagram

    Details of attack on Yamal's father

    The harrowing details of an attack on Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal's father have been released, as witness accounts detail the moment that Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed multiple times during an altercation after he was confronted in a car park. The perpetrators have claimed that they were acting in self defence and so Nasraoui was taken in for questioning, where he told his side of the story to go alongside witness statements of the event.

  8. world cup

    Can YOU win the World Cup?! Int'l football to return in FM26

    Football Manager and Sports Interactive have confirmed that the FIFA World Cup and other official FIFA tournaments will feature in the game for the first time ever in FM26, as the company has signed an agreement with FIFA for their usage in a move which breaks new ground for lovers of the well-known football game. Announced on Friday, the move to include international football once again will arrive in a free future content update on FM26.

  1. Guglielmo Vicario Tottenham HICGetty/GOAL
    Player ratingsTottenham

    Vicario silences his critics in Spurs stalemate

    Guglielmo Vicario was the Tottenham hero as the Italian goalkeeper produced a heroic individual display to earn his side a 0-0 draw in Monaco on Wednesday. Spurs remain unbeaten in the Champions League and that is largely down to Vicario, who saved four times from Folarin Balogun and produced his best stop of the night to keep out a close-range Jordan Teze header.

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