Tom Ritchie Bio

Tom Ritchie

News writer

📝 Bio: I'm a freelance sports journalist and feature writer working in football and American football. After moving to Berlin on a whim four years ago, I have been writing about the culture of the German game for my self-published newsletter and numerous outlets. From covering grassroots games to visiting some of the Bundesliga's biggest stadiums, learning more about German football has reignited my passion for writing about football. My work has been published by GOAL, When Saturday Comes and MUNDIAL. 

My Football Story: It all started at The Valley. My dad took me to see my first game in the last few weeks of the 1997-98 season; a campaign that finished with Charlton beating Sunderland in the best playoff-final of all-time. I was there, and from that moment on, I was hooked. A season ticket holder during the club's glory years, weekly trips to The Valley primed me for years of active football fandom. After finishing university, me and a group of mates spent a month in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 World Cup. Since moving to Berlin, I've become a member at Union Berlin. Again, I got in at the right time, watching this small community-based club punch well above its weight in the Europa League and Champions League. After a decade of writing about business for trade publications and national newspapers, I decided to follow my life's passion to pursue a career in sports writing. 

🎯 Areas of Expertise: 

  • Feature writing 
  • German football and its associated history/culture
  • Expert football opinion and analysis 
  • News writing

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Standing on the Copacabana Beach with some of my best mates, waiting for England to take on Italy in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup. It felt like we were a part of something truly special. When Raheem Sterling scored that 'ghost goal', the ensuing dog pile of England supporters celebrating was one of the biggest outpourings of joy I have ever been a part of. It took us a solid three minutes to realise the ball actually had not found the back of the Italian net because we were celebrating so much.

Articles by Tom Ritchie
  1. Mid-flight mayhem for Guimaraes & Joelinton!

    Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have been delayed in reporting for Brazil international duty, as the plane carrying the two Newcastle team-mates was forced to turn around due to a broken window. Both players are part of Carlo Ancelotti's squad to face South Korea and Japan and were expected to report in time for a training session this afternoon in Seoul.

  2. Raya signs new Arsenal contract with no extension

    Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has been rewarded for his impressive form with an improved contract. It has been reported that the Spanish international's new deal represents an increase in remuneration from his reported £100,000-per-week wages. He has not agreed to extend his time at the north London club, with the new agreement expiring in 2028.

  3. Estevao reveals Maresca's words that inspired winning goal

    Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian has revealed the words of encouragement his Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave him before he scored the winning goal in the Blues' pulsating 2-1 win over Liverpool. The 18-year-old was introduced as a second-half substitute, ppping up at the perfect moment to cap off a sweeping team move that earned the Blues all three points.

  4. 'It's my job!' - Sesko channels Keane after Man Utd goal

    Benjamin Sesko shared his delight in scoring his first goal at Old Trafford in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Sunderland. The Slovenian striker did not get too caught up in the moment however, as he channelled his inner-Roy Keane in saying it's "his job" to score goals and that the Red Devils fans have yet to see the best of him despite finding the target on two occasions in his last two games.

  5. Crisis at the back? Liverpool boss Slot confirms Konate injury

    Arne Slot has confirmed that Ibrahima Konate's second-half substitution in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat against Chelsea was due to injury. The centre-back was withdrawn after 56 minutes of action, with Ryan Gravenberch partnering Virgil van Dijk for the remainder of the contest. Liverpool have announced the player will undergo further assessment to determine the severity of the quadriceps injury.

  6. Madrid provide Mbappe update amid new injury concern

    Real Madrid have provided an update on Kylian Mbappe's ankle injury, suggesting the star striker will take part in France's upcoming international fixtures despite limping out of Los Blancos' 3-1 win over Villarreal. The 26-year-old scored his side's third goal of the game, before he was substituted in the 83rd minute after spraining his right ankle.

  7. Neville criticises 'absolutely useless' Liverpool attackers

    Gary Neville used his post-match podcast to eviscerate the second half efforts of Liverpool's attackers after the Reds fell to their third consecutive defeat in all competitions with a 2-1 defeat away at Chelsea. The ex-Manchester United man went as far as to call the efforts of Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo as "completely useless" in the closing moments of the fixture.

  1. Solanke undergoes surgery to address ankle injury

    Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke has undergone "minor surgery" to resolve a persistent ankle injury. The ex-Bournemouth man has been struggling for fitness in the 2025/26 season, with last appearance for the Lilywhites coming against Manchester City on August 23. He was absent from training on Monday, and did not feature in Thomas Frank's squad for his side's 1-1 draw against Bodo/Glimt.

  2. FIFA insist Trump cannot change location of World Cup games

    One of FIFA's vice-presidents has insisted that US President Donald Trump cannot decide which cities host games in the 2026 World Cup. Victor Montagliani, who is also president of CONCACAF, was speaking at a conference in London after Trump suggested he would move games away from cities he thought could be "even a little dangerous for the World Cup".

  3. Electric Magpies thump Union SG as superb Gordon scores brace

    Newcastle put forward a dominant display in their 4-0 win away win over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise. Eddie Howe's side were ruthless in attack, with Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon linking well in their first start together as a trio. Woltemade opened the scoring with a clever flick, before Gordon twice bagged from the spot with substitute Harvey Barnes adding the fourth.

  4. Pogba's birthday antics! Chef to Premier League stars reveals all

    Private chef Johnny Marsh has revealed his secrets in cooking for a host of current and former Premier League stars including Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen and Paul Pogba. Ahead of the release of his debut cookbook, the 28-year-old lifted the lid on a number of anecdotes from his career, including catering Pogba's birthday party that shook the walls of a Manchester hotel.

  5. PGMOL chief backs VAR on Gyokeres penalty shout denial

    Howard Webb has backed Jared Gillett and the VAR officials for their decision to overturn a penalty following Nick Pope's challenge on Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal's 2-1 win away at Newcastle on Sunday. The PGMOL boss made the comments on Sky Sports' Match Officials Mic'd Up, telling Michael Owen that Pope's touch on the ball made it a "clean challenge" making the original call a "clear error".

  6. Nuno Espirito Santo

    Nuno is back! West Ham confirm ex-Forest boss as Potter replacement

    West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as the club's new head coach, replacing Graham Potter just hours after the latter was sacked on Saturday. Nuno has agreed to personal terms with the east London club, and is expected to be officially unveiled as the Hammers new boss ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton on Monday. Potter was sacked after winning just six of his 25 games in charge.

  7. Wrexham's winless home run continues as Derby strike late

    Wrexham's winless run at home to start life in the Championship continued after a brilliant Ben Brereton Diaz goal denied them all three points against Derby on Saturday. The Red Dragons had taken the lead in the 59th minute after Lewis O'Brien nodded home a delightful Issa Kabore cross. The former Nottingham Forest man was lucky to still be on the pitch after the referee only showed him a yellow for a reckless tackle.