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.
Declan Rice is “world-class” already, former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL, with the Gunners star considered to boast a special quality that makes him a potential Ballon d’Or contender of the future. England international Rice is hoping to come into contention for that prize while chasing down more major honours with club and country.
Ange Postecoglou will find it “hard” to land another Premier League job following his issues at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino has told GOAL. The Australian tactician, who delivered title glory during his time at Parkhead, is among those said to be in the frame to take over as Scotland boss following Steve Clarke’s departure.
Lawrence Shankland has finally secured his dream move to Rangers, but Kenny Miller has told GOAL why the Scotland international may find it difficult to maintain his prolific strike rate at Ibrox. He is expected to be a “strong signing” for the Gers, but will face an entirely different set of career challenges when operating under the brightest of Old Firm spotlights.
Alejandro Garnacho has been likened to Anthony Gordon, with both wingers considered to be limited, with former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino telling GOAL why the Blues may listen to offers for a £40 million ($53m) flop during the summer transfer window of 2026. Argentina international Garnacho only moved to Stamford Bridge 12 months ago, but uncomfortable questions are already being asked of his future.
Arsenal are being heavily linked with Morgan Rogers so could it be a case of one in, one out at Emirates Stadium as the Aston Villa playmaker replaces Martin Odegaard in Mikel Arteta’s plans? Stefan Schwarz has reacted to that surprising transfer talk during an exclusive interview with GOAL, with the former Gunners midfielder expecting the club’s Premier League title-winning captain to stick around for now.
Alexander Isak remains a “magical player”, former Sweden international Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL, with the Liverpool striker being told what he needs in order to prove as much at Anfield. With a record-breaking price tag hanging around his neck, the former Newcastle frontman endured an injury-ravaged debut campaign on Merseyside that delivered just four goals.
Leeds United have been advised against inviting offers for USMNT star Brenden Aaronson, with Matt Kilgallon explaining to GOAL why the American forward was “like Lionel Messi” at times last season after finding his feet in English football. The all-action playmaker has finally won over a sceptical fan base at Elland Road, but is entering the final year of his contract.
Everyone associated with Nottingham Forest is desperate to see the club continue to call the City Ground home for the foreseeable future. Peter Shilton knows how special that venue is, but has told GOAL why he - along with supporters and prominent boardroom members - will be wrestling with “wrench” and “necessity” emotions in an era of rising matchday revenues.
Manchester United’s class of 2026 are not yet ready to compete for the Premier League title, Gary Pallister has told GOAL, but Michael Carrick is being credited with returning two crucial qualities to Old Trafford. The Red Devils surged back into the top four last season, securing Champions League qualification, and are in the hunt for a first domestic crown since 2013.
Cole Palmer has been made aware of what he needs to do in order to become a “great player”, with Frank Leboeuf admitting to GOAL that the Chelsea star’s World Cup snub with England will feel like a “big slap in the face”. The enigmatic playmaker remains a match-winner at Stamford Bridge, but his numbers have dipped year on year after making a dazzling start to his spell in west London.
Peter Shilton has explained to GOAL how VAR would have changed the course of history had it been around in 1986, as there would have been no ‘Hand of God’, individual wonder goal or World Cup win for Diego Maradona. Argentina’s mercurial No.10 quite literally carried his nation to global glory single-handedly on Mexican soil, with his most memorable performance being delivered against England at the quarter-final stage.
Brian Brobbey would be a “great signing for Manchester United”, former Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL, with a £50 million ($66m) transfer making sense for all concerned. The powerful Netherlands international striker is currently on 2026 World Cup duty, but he is now Premier League proven and could be on the move at club level before the latest window closes.
Frank Lampard is, after overseeing promotion into the Premier League at Coventry, being backed to become a contender for the England manager’s top. Ex-Three Lions captain Terry Butcher has told GOAL why he is hoping to see more home-grown coaches compete for that prestigious post, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney not being ruled out of the equation just yet.
Eric Djemba-Djemba has explained to GOAL why Bryan Mbeumo was Manchester United’s best signing of 2025-26, with the Cameroon international able to conquer the biggest challenge that any move to Old Trafford presents. The former Brentford forward enjoyed a productive debut campaign at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, with value for money being found in a £71 million ($94m) transfer.
Legendary former Sunderland boss Peter Reid has admitted to GOAL that he did not give the Black Cats “a prayer” of securing European qualification at the end of their first season back in the Premier League, but he is now backing them to find more “ammo” in the summer transfer window. Regis Le Bris and his board are ready to spend again after upsetting the odds with a seventh-place finish.
Christian Pulisic is considered to have “bailed out” AC Milan at times, but Ruud Gullit has told GOAL why the Rossoneri’s appointment of Ruben Amorim could be “very dangerous” for the USMNT star and other proven performers. A Portuguese coach that was sacked by Manchester United in January has returned to management in Italy, but will he repeat the mistakes that were made at Old Trafford?
Declan Rice’s £105 million ($139m) switch to Arsenal is considered to have helped him step up “two or three levels”, with ex-England captain Terry Butcher telling GOAL why a big-money transfer helped a Three Lions star of the present to join the global elite. Rice is considered to sit inside that talent pool as a Premier League title winner, World Cup hopeful, Ballon d’Or contender and future skipper of his country.
As the Pep Guardiola versus Sir Alex Ferguson debate rages on, Peter Shilton has told GOAL how legendary Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough compares to iconic managers of the modern era. One of the most charismatic coaches to ever grace a dugout would have relished the opportunity to lock tactical horns with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
Hayden Hackney is a man in demand, with former Middlesbrough star Gary Pallister telling GOAL why the talented midfielder could tread a similar career path to England international and £130 million ($172m) Manchester City transfer target Elliot Anderson. Having proven himself in the EFL ranks, classy playmaker Hackney is ready to take the Premier League by storm.
The sight of Terry Butcher soaked in blood is forever etched into the memory of England supporters, but which member of the Three Lions’ class of 2026 is most likely to recreate that image? The man himself has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as warriors such as Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Harry Kane chase down World Cup glory.
