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.
Manchester United have completed “two for the price of one” transfer business, with Michael Owen telling GOAL why the Red Devils have found impressive value in deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. The combined cost of those two signings comes in at less than the single fees paid out by Manchester City and Tottenham for Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been hogging headlines for England at the 2026 World Cup, with ex-Three Lions star Gary Pallister telling GOAL who has been an unsung hero for Thomas Tuchel’s side. All-action midfielder Elliot Anderson is considered to fit that bill, with the Manchester City new boy putting in the graft that allows others to deliver guile.
Kobbie Mainoo has been surprisingly snubbed by Thomas Tuchel throughout the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Manchester United midfielder may yet have a Geoff Hurst role to play for England. The 21-year-old is having to be patient in pursuit of game time at FIFA’s flagship event, but “unlikely heroes” have emerged at previous tournaments.
Michael Owen has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - lauded the Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne-esque influence of Jude Bellingham on England’s World Cup class of 2026, discussed the Ballon d’Or battle that could soon break out between international team-mates and what the Three Lions need to do in order to bring 60 years of hurt to a close.
England cult hero Dan Burn is more than just a “head it and kick it” centre-half, Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with another defender from the North East explaining why a 2026 World Cup viral sensation was always destined to make it. Burn may have doubted that himself at times, but is now a trophy-winning Premier League regular and vital “finisher” with his country.
Lionel Messi is “more mortal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions considered to be capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defence. Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to lock horns with the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked of how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Daniel Farke has fended off the threat of a “big name” appointment at Leeds, but former Whites defender Matt Kilgallon has admitted to GOAL that any manager is only ever “three games” away from losing their job. Having cemented Premier League status at Elland Road, Farke will be given the opportunity to build on those foundations during the 2026-27 campaign.
Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel have “history” and continue to butt heads occasionally, but former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL why the pair’s latest exchange of words is nothing more than a “storm in a teacup”. The Three Lions’ class of 2026 are chasing down immortality at the World Cup in North America, with it important that no cracks are allowed to form in that camp.
Evangelos Marinakis boasts big ambition at Nottingham Forest, with Reds legend Des Walker telling GOAL that trophy targets on Trentside can be hit as “dancing” at Wembley is enjoyed. Another new era is about to be opened at the City Ground as, following plenty of movement on the managerial front, Oliver Glasner leads the collective charge in 2026-27.
Florian Wirtz endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool on the back of his £116 million ($155m) transfer to Anfield, with Danny Murphy telling GOAL that double figures for goals and assists will be the “bare minimum” requirement in 2026-27. The Germany international is aware that patience can only stretch so far when it comes to making a telling contribution to the collective cause.
Scott McTominay has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in Italian football, on the back of leaving Manchester United for Napoli, with ex-Serie A star Des Walker telling GOAL how that success has been enjoyed after “starting from way below” many of those around him. The many challenges of life in Italy have been conquered in style by a title-winning MVP.
Cole Palmer’s spectacular debut season at Chelsea saw him earn comparisons with Blues legends Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, but Tony Cascarino has told GOAL what the talented playmaker needs to do in order to emulate icons of the past. Palmer’s output in west London has been heading in the wrong direction, with a fading spark needing to be rekindled.
Sandro Tonali was being linked with Manchester United and teams across Europe, but has completed a £100 million ($134m) transfer to Tottenham. Is that big-money move the result of a desire to live in London? Ex-Spurs star Danny Murphy has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL, while assessing a busy window in the English capital.
Morgan Gibbs-White can see his No.10 “ego” massaged at Nottingham Forest, Reds legend Des Walker has told GOAL, with there no need for a transfer elsewhere to be considered. The England international playmaker is a proven Premier League performer, which means that he inevitably attracts interest, but “main man” status can continue to be enjoyed at the City Ground.
Celtic should consider bringing Robbie Keane in alongside Martin O’Neill at some stage, Tony Cascarino has told GOAL, with the perfect managerial mentor in place at Parkhead for a potential head coach of the future. The Hoops are placing trust in a familiar face for now, but are aware of the need to find a long-term successor to their evergreen 74-year-old boss.
Harry Kane forms part of GOAT conversations in the England national team, but former Three Lions striker Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL how “recency bias” impacts that debate and why a “pool” of greats should be celebrated rather than singling out individuals. Kane is currently enjoying the best form of his career, with World Cup glory being pursued in North America.
Jude Bellingham’s “arrogance” is considered to be a good thing and more productive than similar qualities boasted by Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, with Danny Murphy explaining to GOAL why criticism of England’s No.10 has been made to look “laughable”. A ‘Galactico’ performer from Real Madrid has been starring at the 2026 World Cup finals.
Morgan Rogers has seen a big-money transfer away from Aston Villa speculated on - potentially at £130 million ($175m) - but Stan Collymore has told GOAL why the likes of Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze are unlikely to be targeted as potential replacements for their fellow England international. Unai Emery is expected to bolster his ranks with a different type of player.
England need to find the answer to one big question at the 2026 World Cup: How do you keep Erling Haaland quiet? Ex-Three Lions defender Des Walker has attempted to provide a solution during an exclusive interview with GOAL, ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s side taking in an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final clash with Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday.
Harry Kane has been in the form of his life across 2025-26, including at the World Cup finals, with former England international Danny Murphy explaining to GOAL why the prolific frontman is at the peak of his powers. There are considered to be two important reasons why the Three Lions’ record-breaking captain is performing at a career-best level.
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