15 h. ago Wing, Back, Utaka: a brief history of footballers with names similar to their position | The Knowledge

Plus: most champions-in-waiting beaten en route to Champions League glory and the hottest English match on recordMail us with your questions and answers“Arsenal have signed a new keeper, Kepa,” noted John Marsden last week. “Are there any other examples of players with a name so similar to their position?”While we can’t find a player named Left Back, there is a former Anderlecht defender by the name of Mark De Man (which, admittedly, is an on-pitch instruction not a role). The Belgium international earned five caps for his country and retired in 2012 with a spell at third-division KSK Hasselt, having rejected the chance to make the move to Kilmarnock. “I have two children and my wife has a good job. I did not want to move to Scotland on my own,” said De Man. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago Arsenal make statement and agree world record transfer deal with Liverpool for Olivia Smith

Arsenal are set to become the first club in women’s football history to spend £1m on a female star with Olivia Smith due to complete a move from Liverpool to North London

Economics

6 d. ago Sisters make history as first Muslim female football referees in Wales

Football has been a lifelong passion for Eleeza and Rosheen Khan

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1 week ago Lionesses will be going home if they do not shape up but history offers hope | Tom Garry

Much better display is needed against the Netherlands from a team with a habit of bouncing back under WiegmanThe England fans in Zurich have a new favourite song, replacing the word “Tequila!” with “Sarina!” It is a fun twist on a 1950s number from The Champs, written by the American saxophonist Chuck Rio. If the band’s name is fitting, for a few more days at least, for England’s status as defending champions, by full-time at Stadion Letzigrund against France the artist’s name was more in keeping with the mood among supporters, because Sarina Wiegman’s side are in genuine danger of being chucked out of Euro 2025.England will point to Alessia Russo’s goal at 0-0 being ruled out for an offside that did not seem conclusive even from zoomed-in VAR images, yet the simple truth is this: if England do not improve markedly when they face the Netherlands on Wednesday, they will probably be out before they face Wales in their final group match. Defeat would spell the end unless France lose to...

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2 w. ago Liverpool confirm signing of teenage prodigy who's already made football history

Liverpool have handed a new contract to record-breaking midfielder Trey Nyoni, with the youngster now set to link up with the first-team for pre-season

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2 w. ago An oral history of England’s Euro 2022 triumph: ‘It was an out

Those who played and witnessed firsthand the Lionesses’ success at a rapturous Wembley share their memoriesOn 31 July 2022 the Lionesses made history, Chloe Kelly’s goal in extra time earning a 2-1 win over Germany to secure a first major title at Euro 2022. The home Euros had swung the nation behind the team and women’s football has not looked back. What did the day of the final look like? Ahead of the Lionesses beginning their title defence, this is the inside story of English women’s football’s greatest day.Waking up on the morning of the final, there was an eerie air of calm and confidence in the England camp. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Saipan film to reopen old wounds between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy ultras

Drama-biopic starring Steve Coogan will reignite a row that split Irish football fans but there are good signs for its artistic meritWatching the teaser trailer for Saipan before its cinematic release later this summer called to mind that episode of Friends in which it is revealed Joey leaves his copy of The Shining in a freezer whenever it becomes too scary for him to continue reading. While 23 years may have passed since Roy Keane’s fabled eruption on the eponymous volcanic speck in the western Pacific, it is hard to get past the feeling that the makers of this drama-biopic might have been better off leaving the most seismic row in Irish football history and its accompanying media frenzy hidden among the frozen peas, ice-cream and portions of batch-cooked lasagne. Instead it is about to be sent out into a public domain where it will almost certainly reopen old and, in many cases, still festering wounds.Everyone of a certain age with a passing interest in football has their own ver...

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3 w. ago Man City cult hero Sun Jihai is now worth £20million after unexpected career change

History-making Chinese footballer Sun Jihai, who spent six years at Manchester City, has enjoyed great success in the world of business since hanging up his boots

Economics

3 w. ago Lionel Messi reveals he is NOT friends with Cristiano Ronaldo as Inter Miami star offers rare glimpse into his relationship with his rival

The legendary football duo remain two of the most decorated players in history and have scored almost 2,000 goals for club and country between them over the years.

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