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.
Brighton are flying at the Amex, with the Seagulls soaring into Europe, but Mark McGhee has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - lifted the lid on life before Premier League fairytales came true. He has, following the opening of a new gallery celebrating the club’s colourful history, explained what it was like to work at the divisive Withdean Stadium.
The Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04 will forever hold a special place in football folklore, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira rewriting the Premier League history books. Arsene Wenger’s squad was loaded with talent at that time, and Highbury academy graduate John Halls - who has gone on to become a male model - has namechecked two iconic Gunners that would have been “super superstars” at any other club during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Bruno Fernandes will never be a Roy Keane, Paul Ince or Bryan Robson-esque leader, but legendary Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has explained to GOAL why the occasionally “petulant” Portuguese remains the best skipper option at Old Trafford. The Red Devils rely heavily on their "outstanding" and record-breaking playmaker to provide moments of inspiration.
Neymar continues to see a move to Inter Miami speculated on, which would see him link up with ex-Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but Giuseppe Rossi has explained to GOAL why a ‘MSN’ reunion in South Florida could be a “mistake” for MLS. With ambitious plans being drawn up in the United States, “snail’s pace” progress warnings have been sounded.
Erling Haaland “leaving Manchester City one day is inevitable”, Gareth Barry has told GOAL, with a prediction being made on when the prolific Norwegian striker could push for a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium. The record-shattering frontman is tied to a contract through to 2034, but the expectation is that he will depart before that lucrative deal comes to a close.
Vinicius Junior’s links to Arsenal were “classic agent play”, Premier League legend Gareth Barry has told GOAL, with there never much chance of the Brazilian superstar leaving Real Madrid for Emirates Stadium. After generating shock transfer rumours, the South American forward eventually committed to a new contract in Spain - with the Gunners exploring alternative options.
Manchester United have not sought another upgrade on Diogo Dalot in their right-back department, despite Danny Simpson admitting to GOAL that “one week he’s a nine, the next week he’s a six”. That inconsistency has been an issue at times, but a man that once filled the same position at Old Trafford believes that any transfer funds need to be invested in other areas.
Jarrod Bowen surprised many when committing his future to West Ham on the back of their relegation out of the Premier League. Was that decision influenced by a desire to keep his wife Dani and father-in-law Danny Dyer happy? Ex-Hammers star Ray Houghton has answered that question for GOAL, with the England international shunning all transfer speculation.
Are Barcelona playing the long game when it comes to Erling Haaland, with the Manchester City superstar destined to end up at Camp Nou at some point? Ex-Blues winger Steve McManaman, who spent time in La Liga with Real Madrid, has - while speaking exclusively to GOAL - discussed “mythical” transfer speculation after seeing the Blaugrana leave themselves short on central striking options.
Aston Villa wonderkid Brian Madjo has been advised to use Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as the perfect role model, with Emile Heskey telling GOAL why the 17-year-old striker could end up being England’s long-term successor to Harry Kane in their No.9 berth. Such a standing remains a long way off for now, but there is plenty of potential to be unlocked.
Cristiano Ronaldo is fast closing in on 1,000 competitive career goals, but could the Portuguese GOAT retire once that milestone has been reached? Former Manchester United team-mate Giuseppe Rossi has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with future questions being asked of the legendary frontman in Al-Nassr and Portugal camps.
Alejandro Garnacho has been warned that “alarm bells should be ringing" for him on the back of Manchester United and Chelsea flops, but Ray Houghton has told GOAL that Unai Emery can help to get the Argentina international back on track during a loan spell at Aston Villa. Said move may have seen the 22-year-old winger step into the Premier League’s last chance saloon.
Alan Shearer may need to watch out, with Emile Heskey telling GOAL that Harry Kane could line up a Premier League return for 2028 - after extending his contract at Bayern Munich - with more records to be broken in that division. A history-making spell at Tottenham for the prolific striker came to a close in 2023, but does he have unfinished business in English football?
Dominik Szoboszlai is considered to be Liverpool captain material, as the potential heir to Virgil van Dijk at Anfield, but Reds legend Ray Houghton has highlighted to GOAL the selection mistake that Andoni Iraola and Co must avoid when it comes to the all-action Hungarian. Szoboszlai has seen his versatility put to good use across three seasons on Merseyside.
Harry Maguire is being backed to remain at Manchester United beyond the 2026-27 campaign, with Danny Simpson telling GOAL that the long-serving centre-half could “stay on to coach” at Old Trafford. The latest contract signed by the England international is only one-year in length, but it does include the option for a further 12 months that will take him beyond celebrations of a 35th birthday.
Emi Martinez is seemingly eager to form part of the mass exodus at Aston Villa, but the World Cup-winning goalkeeper has avoided criticism for that transfer push from former Villans star Ray Houghton - who has been speaking exclusively to GOAL. The Argentina international has been seeking a move for over 12 months now, as he attempts to “make a lot of money” before hanging up his gloves.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is “way better” than Yan Diomande at present, Steve McManaman has admitted to GOAL, but Real Madrid’s €140 million (£120m/$162m) new boy has been urged to embrace inevitable comparisons with his fellow 19-year-old. Two talented teenagers will be looking to illuminate La Liga in 2026-27 while operating on opposing sides of the fierce Clasico divide.
Adam Wharton is generating transfer talk again, with ex-Liverpool star Ray Houghton revealing to GOAL that fellow Reds legend Jan Molby is a “big fan” of the Crystal Palace midfielder. Anfield has been mooted as a potential landing spot for the England international, with interest building ahead of the summer deadline in 2026 - with formal bids seemingly in the pipeline.
Jose Mourinho once helped to make Frank Lampard the best goalscoring midfielder in world football, but can he repeat the trick with Jude Bellingham? Blancos legend Steve McManaman has explained to GOAL why one England international superstar faces challenges posed by team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior when it comes to emulating another Three Lions icon.
Rio Ngumoha may be first in line to take on the challenge of filling Mohamed Salah’s boots at Liverpool, but ex-Reds star Emile Heskey has told GOAL what the teenage wonderkid “needs to change” in order to thrive in that role. Somebody is required to follow in the footsteps of Anfield’s ‘Egyptian King’, with it possible that a 17-year-old sensation will be charged with that task.
