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.
Liverpool have been told that they missed a transfer trick in not identifying West Ham star Jarrod Bowen as the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah, with Michael Owen assessing links to Bradley Barcola during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is said to have become available, but the France international will come with a “massive price” around his neck.
Lee Trundle was king of the showboat in his heyday, but who would he welcome aboard that vessel from the Premier League class of 2026? The former Swansea and Wrexham ace has answered that question for GOAL. Rayan Cherki, who is something of a “throwback”, earns said honour while starring at Manchester City, while Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze is another creative magician.
Arsenal are Premier League champions again, for the first time in 22 years, but which members of their 2026-27 title-winning class would make the fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003-04? Ex-Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack, who formed part of Arsene Wenger’s ranks back then, has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Manchester United are hoping to see Bruno Fernandes sign a new contract, but who will inherit the captain’s armband at Old Trafford when the Portuguese playmaker moves on? Lee Sharpe has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, thrown a few names into the mix - with Mason Mount considered to be a potential on-field leader for the ambitious Red Devils.
Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL the only way that a move to Real Madrid happens for Michael Olise, with it possible that Bayern Munich would snub a €200 million-plus (£171m/$231m) bid for the France international. It has been suggested that the Blancos are, in their search for more ‘Galacticos,’ prepared to part with a record-shattering transfer fee.
Benjamin Sesko remains the only out-and-out No.9 on Manchester United’s books, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why he has “doubts” over the Slovenian’s ability to become the “long-term” central striking option at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old frontman played his way into form last season, following a slow start, but Michael Carrick is considered to be in need of further firepower.
Harry Kane being snubbed in the 2026 Ballon d’Or vote would be “bizarre”, Chris Waddle has told GOAL, with the Bayern Munich and England superstar considered to be the logical pick for Golden Ball recognition. World Cup glory with Spain on North American soil has put the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri in the hunt for ‘best player on the planet’ honours.
Harry Kane could move to MLS “when he’s 35”, former Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL, while a return to England is also expected to form part of the record-setting striker’s future. For now, the prolific frontman - on the back of two Bundesliga title wins in Germany - is expected to extend a contract at the Allianz Arena that has just 12 months left to run.
Lewis Hall has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL why the opportunity to “double” his salary will hold obvious appeal to the Newcastle left-back. A mass exodus of talent, on and off the field, has been taking place at St James’ Park. There is a chance that an England international defender will form part of that process.
Michael Carrick has helped to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around, but Lee Sharpe has sounded a trophy-winning warning to the Red Devils’ new permanent boss. A return to the Champions League party will be enjoyed in 2026-27, but pressure will build on the man at the helm if major silverware falls out of reach across domestic and continental competition.
Harry Kane has been advised to use Cristiano Ronaldo as a World Cup warning, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL that involvement with England at the 2030 World Cup will be a “big ask” for the Three Lions’ record-shattering captain. Kane is showing no sign of slowing down, with club and country, but questions continue to be asked of his international future.
Eddie Howe is considered to be an England manager of the future, but Newcastle legend Chris Waddle has told GOAL that the former Magpies boss should be looking to move abroad for his next job. The 48-year-old has surprisingly become available, with options now being mulled over that will allow already impressive coaching credentials to be enhanced.
Paul Mullin is a Wrexham legend, but there is little place for sentiment in professional sport and former Red Dragons star Lee Trundle has admitted to GOAL that football can be “cruel”. More tough decisions have been made in North Wales this summer, with a promotion-winning striker that registered 110 goals for the club seeing his contract terminated by mutual consent.
Clean sheet king David Raya is being backed to make Premier League history in 2026-27, with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack telling GOAL why the Gunners’ No.1 is favourite for a fourth consecutive Golden Glove award. Spain international Raya has been dominating in that department, while capturing a domestic title, with a place in the record books now up for grabs.
Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why Manchester United need to “break the rules” when it comes to Bruno Fernandes, with it imperative that the club captain at Old Trafford commits to a new contract. The Portuguese playmaker, who made Premier League history last season, is yet to agree an extension to terms that are due to expire in the summer of 2027.
James Trafford has completed his £45 million ($61m) transfer from Manchester City to Leeds, with Graham Stack telling GOAL why that deal makes sense despite the England hopeful “playing less and moving for more money”. The highly-rated 23-year-old goalkeeper has been on the move, with sizable fees changing hands, in three of the last four summer windows.
Mikel Arteta is a graduate of the Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola school of coaching, with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack explaining to GOAL the similarities that a title-winning tactician at Emirates Stadium shares with other Premier League champions. Arteta has become a managerial master in his own right, with important lessons being learned along the way.
Harry Kane is “loved” at Bayern Munich, but Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL what the England captain needs in order to join the likes of Oliver Kahn, Franz Beckenbauer, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery on the club’s list of legends. The signing of a new contract at the Allianz Arena will aid that cause, with fresh terms expected to be thrashed out imminently.
Marcus Rashford is seemingly set to be absorbed back into the fold at Manchester United, with Lee Sharpe explaining to GOAL why the England international is worth a calculated transfer risk. A home-grown star at Old Trafford was considered to have “downed tools” before heading out on loan, but is talented enough that a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams cannot be entirely ruled out.
Bruno Guimaraes appears destined to leave Newcastle for Arsenal, with Chris Waddle explaining to GOAL why a switch to Emirates Stadium holds obvious appeal for the Brazil international. A £75 million ($101m) transfer is being mooted, with the South American midfielder set to line his pockets in north London while competing for more major honours.
