The parameters for declaring a nationality when playing English football are being a UK resident, having English parents, or having English grandparents. It is so broad that it often gives the players more than one home nation to choose from. As such, a player can change nationalities, although only once, and Irish players are more frequently moving to England. These players have been supported as if they were English through team cheers and as fan favourites, as well as through punters placing bets on them. Irish players who know casinos.com is Ireland’s premier gaming destination also active ..read more

According to one report, the day was saved by ‘the West Ham fans’ refusal to let disappointment turn to sullen resentment’. With football still recovering, post-Hillsborough, the sight of supporters in all manner of fancy dress, celebrating their club despite the day’s events, put football in a different light for a few hours. Embed from Getty Images Yes, we’re talking about the 1991 FA Cup Semi-Final with Forest at Villa Park, an occasion for which the word ‘bittersweet’ might have been invented. And it was a big day – our first semi for eleven years, earned with a superb quarter-final win ov ..read more

There was so much to comment on that the events of the 1996/97 season will have to be covered in two parts. This will focus solely on the close season and the first two months of the campaign. It’s been difficult to know where to begin with this piece. Not least because, such was the change in 1996/97, it’s hard to believe that events of 1995/96 took place only a few months earlier. It seemed as though several years worth of change and progress took place in those few months between seasons, not just in football but culturally and politically too. To compare the final league tables, it wouldn ..read more

The draw for the 2023/24 Champions League has been made. And despite only two Spanish clubs remaining in the competition, there are four managers from Spain still in the running to lift this season’s top prize on the continent. Of all four of those Spaniards, they all have a connection to one team, Barcelona. Here, we look at them in more detail. Pep Guardiola Probably the most well-known manager in the world in 2024 is Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona boss led Manchester City to the Champions League in 2023. His City team is 7/4 to win it again in 2024. In the Premier Lea ..read more

Half a chest bump between wing-back Ryan Broom and striker Promise Omochere before the match against Barnsley said much about the camaraderie slowly beginning to build at Fleetwood Town. Shorn of its identity during the Lee Johnson era, Highbury has a bit of bounce back, a bit of shebang and zing. Charlie Adam – new to the management game and The Cod Army’s seventh appointment in just six years – always had the look of a grizzled ex-player (girth and strained eyes testament to his commitment both off and on the field), but his presence is now seemingly beginning to make a difference to this ra ..read more

There’s no point in asking Derry City right-back Ronan Boyce what the Candystripes’ objectives for the 2024 League of Ireland season are. There is only one aim; to become the first Premier Division champions not named Shamrock Rovers since 2019. But how do you bridge that gap and mount a challenge vs Stephen Bradley’s four-in-a-row champions? Well, football is a simple game as they say, and goals win games. Alex Ferguson might argue that defenses win titles, but Derry are already well stocked in that area, having finished last season’s league campaign with 18 clean sheets.  ​Ruaidhrí Higg ..read more

Some big changes are coming to the World Cup format. Back in 2023, the FIFA council approved a brand-new structure, marking the first change of any kind since the 1998 World Cup. These changes have sparked an explosive conversation amongst the global football community, with some in favour of them and others highly critical. The 2026 World Cup format explained The 2026 World Cup will feature: 12 groups of 4 teams 104 games The top two teams from each group along with the eight best third-placed teams will then progress to a brand-new round of 32. From there, it will be the round of 16, quart ..read more

Andrés Iniesta is a name that reverberates through the hallowed halls of football greatness. This unassuming midfielder from Fuentealbilla, Spain, would go on to become one of the most celebrated players in the history of the sport. Let’s take a stroll through the life and successes of the man who danced with the ball like no other. Early years and humble beginnings Born on 11th May 1984, in the small town of Fuentealbilla, Iniesta’s journey in football, including the excitement of football betting, began in the dusty streets where dreams were as wild as his dribbling skills. His talent c ..read more

The young midfielder has been one of the few shining lights in Manchester United’s poor season. His late winning goal in their 4-3 away win at Wolves underscored how special of a talent he is. The Red Devils have been terrible in the first half of this Premier League season. Pre-season talk of a title challenge seems laughable now, and United currently stand at 1000/1 in the Premier League with some major bookmakers. The emergence of central midfielder Kobe Mainoo has been one of the few positives United fans can take from the season. Embed from Getty Images The 18-year-old featured heavily in ..read more

There aren’t many managers who come into the Premier League and establish themselves very fast. However Australian Ange Postecoglou is defying such odds after a strong start at Tottenham Hotspur, following his arrival from Scottish giants Celtic FC. The manager went on to win three consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards, creating history as he led the team through a fine start to the season. Well, he was slowed down a bit by injuries to key players but the well experienced manager has been able to wade through, guiding the team through a tough period before strengthening in the ..read more