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. Guehi will leave Crystal Palace in 2026 - Glasner

    Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has confirmed that club captain Marc Guehi will not sign a new contract, and he will leave Selhurst Park next year. The 26 year-old's deal expires on June 30, 2026, when he can leave the Eagles on a free transfer. Many of Europe's elite clubs are interested, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona reportedly chasing him.

  2. Arsenal's injury claims brutally rejected by Fulham boss Silva

    Marco Silva has rejected claims that Arsenal are suffering an injury crisis, using his pre-game Friday press conference ahead of his Fulham side's Premier League clash with the Gunners to highlight the strength of Mikel Arteta's squad. The Gunners will be without a bevy of attacking talent for the fixture, with Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all absent.

  3. Maguire's retrial for overturned conviction finally set to start

    Harry Maguire's ongoing legal troubles in Greece may finally be resolved almost five years after his arrest and original conviction. His retrial is scheduled to start on Wednesday. This is the fourth attempt to restart proceedings, after his original conviction for assaulting a police officer and attempted bribery was automatically quashed under appeal Greek law.

  4. Yamal among stars defended over 'flogging' of footballers

    Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole has taken aim at football's administrators, claiming that the over-saturation of the football calendar is putting stars at heightened injury risk, and diluting the quality of the overall product. Cole pointed towards PSG and Chelsea's current injury problems, as well Rodri's persistent fitness issues and Lamine Yamal's concerns, as examples of players being 'flogged for financial reasons'.

  5. Tory leader Badenoch furious at 'Amorim of politics' tag

    Embattled Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch was dealt a crushing insult by LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari on Tuesday, when he gleefully compared her tenure to that of Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim. Badenoch and Amorim both took on their respective roles in November 2024, and have presided over some of the worst results in the history of two of the UK's most successful institutions.

  6. Palmer successfully trademarks 'Cold' nickname

    Cole Palmer is looking to cash in on his signature celebration and nickname, as he has successfully trademarked the term 'Cold Palmer'. The granting of the trademark means nobody can use the Chelsea star's nickname for commercial reasons without his permission, and allows him to make financial gain on the phrase. Palmer's application included a number of products he intends to sell.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. '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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.