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.
Raul Jimenez’s injury blow is “gutting” for the player and Wolves, Matt Jarvis has told GOAL, as the Mexican striker has “still got bundles” and should be tearing up the Championship when fully fit. That may not be the case again until January, with the experienced frontman being forced to undergo surgery on a knee problem that has him stuck on the sidelines.
Replacing Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner Rodri was always going to be a thankless task for Manchester City, but Micah Richards has explained to GOAL how £116 million ($155m) midfielder Elliot Anderson has set about aiding that process. The classy England international has settled quickly at the Etihad Stadium, silencing any early doubters in the process.
Michael Ball has told GOAL that he felt “sorry” for Derek McInnes after seeing a close friend endure a tough start to his reign at Rangers, but an 11-game unbeaten run - which has included a couple of Old Firm derby wins - has talk of title challenges beginning to build again. Major silverware is back on the cards, with a place in the Scottish League Cup final already being secured.
Russell Martin remains manager of Leicester City for now, but has the end of that story become inevitable? Ex-Foxes frontman Jermaine Beckford has told GOAL that the former Southampton and Rangers boss needs to change his ways, altering his coaching “DNA” in the process, in order to get a disgruntled fan base back on side and keep himself in a demanding job.
Jarrod Bowen agreed to remain at West Ham following their relegation out of the Premier League, but does that expression of loyalty have an expiry date? Former Hammers star Matt Jarvis has told GOAL that the England international is likely to have made it clear to Danny Dyer and Co that promotion must be secured in 2027 in order for him to stay in the East End.
Zion Suzuki has helped Aston Villa to quickly forget about Emi Martinez, Brad Friedel has told GOAL, with the Japan international goalkeeper becoming Unai Emery’s “signing of the season”. There was a World Cup-winning void to be filled in the West Midlands during the summer of 2026, with £30 million ($40m) being invested in recruiting a new No.1.
Jack Grealish is enduring a troubled time at Everton, so what does the long-term future have in store for him? Ex-Toffees star Michael Ball has been asked by GOAL whether the 31-year-old playmaker could bid farewell to the Premier League in 2027 and potentially embrace a new challenge in MLS or another division that allows him to escape the English football spotlight.
Whether it's lacing up gloves or boots, stepping between the ropes or over a white line, it's impossible to ignore the ties between two sports that pride themselves on knockout passion
Brenden Aaronson is “never going to be a David Silva type”, ex-Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford has told GOAL, with the USMNT star being told what needs adding to his game as “question marks” continue to linger. There has never been any doubting the American’s tenacity and willingness to work hard for the collective cause, but his end product can be sporadic.
Christian Pulisic endured a testing 2026 World Cup with the USMNT, leading to “a lot of criticism” coming his way for “the first time in his career”, but Brad Friedel has told GOAL that the American superstar made the right career call in signing a new contract at AC Milan and retaining stability in his club career. The talented forward is now tied to terms at San Siro through to 2031.
Mateus Mane was a rare glimmer of hope for Wolves in their Premier League relegation campaign of 2025-26, and Matt Jarvis has told GOAL why getting kicked in the Championship for a year will serve the talented wonderkid well. The hottest of prospects, who is still just 19 years of age, has already been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United.
Harry Kane remains the undisputed leader of England’s attacking unit, as their record-shattering No.9, but has Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin become next in line for that striking berth? Former Whites striker Jermaine Beckford has answered that question for GOAL, with a star turn at Elland Road beginning to set his sights on Euro 2028 and a potentially “big year”.
Scott Parker is a “really sensible appointment” for West Ham, ex-Hammers star Matt Jarvis has told GOAL, but questions will inevitably be asked of whether a Championship promotion specialist can ultimately crack the Premier League while operating in the East End. Another managerial change has been made at the London Stadium, with Nuno Espirito Santo being relieved of his duties.
William Saliba is widely considered to be one of the best centre-halves on the planet, but should he walk back into the Arsenal team ahead of Ezri Konsa? The France international has recovered from an unfortunate injury picked up on World Cup duty, but sees a £55 million ($74m) summer signing blocking his path when it comes to earning an immediate recall.
Liverpool will need to identify a new No.1 in the summer of 2027, as long-serving Alisson runs his contract down towards free agency, and former Reds goalkeeper Brad Friedel has speculated with GOAL about who could register on the Anfield recruitment radar. Caoimhin Kelleher, Unai Simon and Gianluigi Donnarumma are among the names to have been mentioned.
Rumours of Arsenal asking questions of Erling Haaland’s availability have left Michael Ball stunned, with the former Manchester City defender reacting to “headliner” transfer talk during an exclusive interview with GOAL that has been sparked by Financial Fair Play (FFP) “mess”. Wild gossip has been raging as those at the Etihad Stadium wait on potential punishments in a long-running 114-charge saga.
In the latest instalment of GOAL’s ‘Brits Abroad’ series, a man that played for England schoolboys alongside Phil Foden talks waiting on a contract offer in Bali, dogs on the pitch and what to do in Cambodia
Cavan Sullivan is less than a year out from turning 18 - when he will be cleared to link up with Manchester City - and Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL why FFP punishments that relegate the Blues out of the Premier League could be “very good” for the USMNT wonderkid. It is yet to be determined which division City will be playing in next season.
James Trafford could easily spend the next decade at Leeds United, joining the likes of Paul Robinson, Nigel Martyn and John Lukic on the goalkeeping legend list at Elland Road, former Whites striker Jermaine Beckford has told GOAL. The England international shot-stopper has enjoyed a positive start to his time in Yorkshire following a big-money transfer from Manchester City.
Several teams, including “big European clubs”, missed out on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after asking “wrong questions” of the England international striker, former Leeds star Jermaine Beckford has told GOAL. The powerful frontman headed to Elland Road in 2025 when leaving Everton as a free agent, with interest from elsewhere being shunned after speaking with a number of suitors.
