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.
Lisandro Martinez has come in for some criticism at Manchester United, but former Red Devils defender Paul Parker has told GOAL that more questions should be asked of Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro. The former is considered to have “no legs to get back”, while the latter looks like a “bag of nerves” when being asked to operate as a centre-half.
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why he does not want to be handed a second Premier League winners’ medal as Manchester City’s long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) case sparks title-stripping discussion. It has been suggested, with 114 charges hanging over the club, that the Blues could see several trophy triumphs scrubbed from their roll of honour.
Former England right-back Danny Mills has told GOAL who his preferred option to fill that position would be, with Trent Alexander-Arnold back in the fold and competing with the likes of Reece James and Tino Livramento for a regular starting berth. The Three Lions are looking to build on their semi-final run at the 2026 World Cup, with positive progress being made in UEFA Nations League competition.
Leeds are ready to pile pressure on under-fire Michael Carrick, ex-Whites star Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL, with another passionate War of the Roses clash set to take place at Elland Road on Sunday. The hosts head into that game with confidence running high and have been told that if you contain Bruno Fernandes, then you “stop” the misfiring Red Devils as a collective.
Neco Williams is Nottingham Forest’s reigning Player of the Year, but City Ground legend Des Walker has admitted to GOAL that the Reds’ “best” performer across the last 18 months may need to be replaced as a long-running left wing-back debate rumbles on. With Oliver Glasner favouring a three-man defensive unit, specialist individuals are required in order to deliver collective balance.
Manchester United have already “tried everything” in the head coach department, from Jose Mourinho to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Michael Owen telling GOAL that more “chopping and changing” is “not a good look” for the Red Devils as they reportedly mull over Michael Carrick’s future. More movement in the dugout could be on the cards at Old Trafford.
James Trafford has faced some uncomfortable questions for the first time as a Leeds United player, on the back of his £40 million ($53m) transfer from Manchester City, but Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL why the England international can be likened to David Seaman and Jordan Pickford. The 24-year-old shot-stopper has become a record-shattering addition at Elland Road.
Florian Wirtz struggled again for Liverpool when in direct competition with Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki, while Bradley Barcola is still waiting on his first goal contribution for the Reds. Michael Owen has told GOAL that “Mo Salah numbers” will forever haunt big-money additions at Anfield, with transfers worth more than £100 million ($132m) piling on pressure.
Jesse Lingard has been warned by former Manchester United team-mate Anderson that passionate supporters in Brazil will either “love you or hate you”. The ex-England international is now on the books of Corinthians, with a one-time colleague at Old Trafford telling GOAL that fans in South America will go to extreme lengths if their patience is tested.
Serious questions are being asked of Michael Carrick’s future at Manchester United, as the shortest priced entry in Premier League sack race markets, but Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why the man calling shots at Old Trafford “deserves time”. The Red Devils only handed a permanent contract to their current head coach in May, but are said to be already regretting that decision.
Wayne Rooney has been told what he “should have” done to prevent managerial flops at Birmingham and Plymouth. The Manchester United legend has been out of coaching since leaving Home Park in late December 2024, with former Everton team-mate Alan Stubbs telling GOAL why the former England international is unlikely to head back into the dugout any time soon.
Bruno Guimaraes is a “wonderful player” and will soon be “starting every week” for Arsenal, Paul Dickov has told GOAL, with the Brazilian midfielder set to “take some of the pressure” off Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. The South American did just that in his latest Premier League appearance as he netted a stunning match-winning goal in a home date with Leeds.
Danny Mills has admitted to GOAL that a “slap on the wrist” for Manchester City at the end of their protracted Financial Fair Play (FFP) case would be “an absolute farce”. The Blues, who are appealing, have been found guilty of 114 regulation breaches. No punishments have been revealed as yet, with Mills explaining what he considers to be a “fitting” outcome.
For some people playing Ultimate Team and Career Mode is not enough, they need to be more hands on as the lines between fantasy and reality become increasingly blurred
Alexandre Pato has been making surprising headlines at Northampton, as part of a consortium that has acquired a 70 per cent stake in the club, but ex-Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has told GOAL there is “no new Wrexham” to be found in the English Football League. Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have enjoyed considerable success in North Wales.
Manchester City remain wedged under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) microscope, but Danny Mills has told GOAL why - “with certain caveats” - billionaire owners in the Premier League should be allowed to “spend what they want”. The deepest of pockets can now be found in boardrooms across English football, so why are the super wealthy not able to splash the cash?
Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs has explained to GOAL why Premier League transfer talk has faded away for Hoops and USMNT centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Tottenham academy graduate was being heavily linked with a return to England at one stage, but plenty of difficult recruitment questions are now being asked at Parkhead.
Arsenal spent big on Viktor Gyokeres, and saw him register 21 goals last season, but continue to favour Kai Havertz as a false nine when it comes to leaders of their attacking line. Ex-Gunners striker Paul Dickov has explained to GOAL why that is the case, while also speculating on whether another proven goalscorer will be sought in upcoming transfer windows.
Barcelona star Raphinha has been surprisingly left off the 30-man list of contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, but Anderson has told GOAL that his fellow Brazilian would miss out on a “top three” finish regardless. The South American forward has been posting Ronaldo-esque goal numbers at the start of 2026-27, but does not find himself in the running for a prestigious Golden Ball.
Brazilian wonderkid Estevao has been advised to learn at Chelsea, rather than leave, with Carlton Cole telling GOAL why the 19-year-old still has areas of his game to work on. The South American forward, who generated plenty of excitement at Stamford Bridge last season, has found himself stuck on the bench of late - leading to inevitable transfer talk being sparked.
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