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.
Lionel Messi has made more history in MLS, with the Argentine GOAT pulling clear of legendary Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was at his brilliant best for Inter Miami when helping them to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United. He bagged a brace in that contest, registering his ninth multi-goal performance of the season - a record in MLS competition.
Declan Rice has hit back at anybody questioning whether Jude Bellingham should be in the England squad, with the Arsenal star saying that the Three Lions "do miss" his fellow midfielder. Thomas Tuchel took to leaving the Real Madrid 'Galactico' out of his plans for a friendly date with Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia, leading some to ponder when or if a recall will be earned.
England superstars Harry Kane and Alessia Russo have teamed up on World Mental Health Day, with inspiring messages being passed out to those who are struggling. Kane and Russo have experienced tough times themselves on and off the pitch and want to use their voice, as prominent figures in society, to help spread the word of never being afraid to speak up and ask for help.
Morgan Rogers was delighted to make the most of his opportunity to impress for England against Wales, with the Aston Villa playmaker aware that "people will take your role" if the demands of head coach Thomas Tuchel are not met. Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is among those to have missed out on a place in the latest Three Lions squad, with competition for places now fierce across all areas of the field.
Thomas Tuchel has explained why England will be “underdogs” at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions have made faultless progress towards that competition, with maximum points being taken from five qualification fixtures. They have enough talent at their disposal to be considered serious contenders for a global crown, but Tuchel has sought to rein in pre-tournament expectations.
Harry Kane is “not a player that is really exciting”, Matt Jansen has admitted to GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich striker could still end up going down in history as the England GOAT. One of the most consistent forwards on the planet is already the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer and has their appearance record in his sights during the countdown to another World Cup.
Piers Morgan, who has always been a loyal Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, has revealed the identity of the one sportsperson that he ranks higher than CR7. That honour goes to Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, with Morgan of the opinion that Ronaldo “would understand” having to play second fiddle to an iconic bowler that liked to make headlines on and off the field.
Lionel Messi’s nephew and godson, Tomas, admits that his family has “suffered a lot” down the years as a result of the Inter Miami superstar’s global celebrity status. After bursting onto the scene at Barcelona, it did not take Messi long to take up a standing alongside the greats. He is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player of all-time, with many highs and lows being experienced over the course of a remarkable career.
Arsenal could be making a shock move to Wembley Stadium, much like north London rivals Tottenham once did, with brief relocation to the home of English football being considered as part of plans to upgrade Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are looking to expand their current base, with overall capacity being pushed beyond 70,000 and back above old adversaries Spurs.
Viktor Gyokeres has been defended from critics that “don’t have a clue about football”, with Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson of the opinion that his star striker remains in decent form. That is despite the prolific forward enduring a barren run at Arsenal on the back of his big-money move from Sporting over the summer. Gyokeres has failed to find the target through his last six appearances for the Gunners.
Christian Pulisic has earned high praise from AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta, with the USMNT star being told that there is no other player like him in Serie A. The United States international has starred across two seasons at San Siro, becoming a talismanic presence for the Rossoneri, and is now considered to be one of the leading lights in Italian top-flight football.
Jose Mourinho claims that five of his Benfica players were suffering a “self-esteem crisis” ahead of a crunch clash with Porto, leading to the ‘Special One’ adopting a pragmatic mindset against his former employers. Mourinho makes no apologies for setting his side up to frustrate table-topping opposition, with an important point being taken from an uneventful goalless draw.
Channing Tatum has responded to accusations from Ryan Reynolds that he led Wrexham’s squad on a “wild” night out and proved to be a bad influence during a trip to North Wales. Red Dragons co-owner Reynolds invited the 'Magic Mike' star over to watch a League One fixture in December 2024. Tatum ended up forming part of a post-match party that he admits got a little raucous.
Harry Kane has aired his ambition to become a Ballon d’Or contender, having maintained stunning individual standards with Bayern Munich, while revealing the secrets behind his current form. One of the greatest goalscorers to have ever played the game has been red hot at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, suggesting that he could come into contention for a prestigious Golden Ball award.
Barcelona legend Xavi has explained how “chosen one” Lamine Yamal compares to Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the teenage wonderkid becoming a global superstar in his own right. That standing has been achieved at just 18 years of age, with Yamal - who has been compared to Argentine GOAT Messi on a regular basis - rewriting the history books as a La Liga and European Championship title winner.
Harry Kane has reacted to speculation regarding transfers back to the Premier League or over to MLS, with the Bayern Munich striker prepared to have an “honest conversation” about his future in Germany. The England captain admits to being in no rush to leave his current surroundings, but has hinted at another new challenge being taken on at some point.
Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian, who continues to make an impressive contribution during a productive debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, has been urged to replicate a key quality that Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal possesses. The Brazilian teenager is being tipped to reach the very top after making an immediate impact in English football, with there still plenty of potential for him to unlock.
Chelsea’s defensive injury crisis continues to deepen, with Reece James being forced to withdraw from the latest England squad. The Blues captain had been called upon by former Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel for upcoming clashes with Wales and Latvia. James will play no part in those fixtures after picking up a knock, with his place in the Three Lions’ ranks going to Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly.
Christian Pulisic remains a hero to AC Milan supporters, but he briefly became a zero after skying a potentially match-winning penalty for the Rossoneri in their Serie A clash with old adversaries Juventus. The United States international was given a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in that contest early in the second half, but proceeded to fluff his lines from 12 yards.
Arsenal have revealed details of the injury suffered by Martin Odegaard in their Premier League win over West Ham, with the Gunners’ club captain sustaining medial collateral ligament damage. He will not be heading off with Norway during the international break, as medics in north London get to work, with no timeline being put in place for his recovery - after seeing fitness setbacks become an unfortunate theme in 2025-26.
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