The madness of Lombardo, Goldberg and Palace: An interview with Dom Fifield

In November 1997 an aspiring journalist arrived at Selhurst Park on a work internship. No sooner had Dominic Fifield started than things changed. “Originally I was only meant to be there for a month as the editor went on a four-week trip to Australia, but I was kept on as his assistant after he returned.”AndContinue reading “The madness of Lombardo, Goldberg and Palace: An interview with Dom Fifield”

Pulis, Pragmatism and Points deductions

When Tony Pulis arrives at your club in November it usually means you are in a bit of trouble and in need of the footballing equivalent of Red Adair to come to the rescue. Sheffield Wednesday are the latest club to enlist the services of a manager who has famously never been relegated. Considering WednesdayContinue reading “Pulis, Pragmatism and Points deductions”

A Return to Plough Lane: Andy Brassell on a 29-Year Wait

On many occasions Andy Brassell would have been extremely busy trying to keep the BT Sport audience abreast of the goals as they rained in across Europe. Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition of Atalanta was put into the shade by Borussia Monchengladbach’s shellacking of Shaktar Donetsk, and on it went. 36 goals in just eight Champions LeagueContinue reading “A Return to Plough Lane: Andy Brassell on a 29-Year Wait”

Handball law is damaging: “It’s destroying my enjoyment of the game of football,” Roy Hodgson

When Leicester were awarded their third penalty of the match against Manchester City on Sunday it was the 20th spot kick in the 25th Premier League game this season.  If that ratio continues, there will be 304 penalties this season and, considering that the most in a Premier League season to date stands at 106,Continue reading “Handball law is damaging: “It’s destroying my enjoyment of the game of football,” Roy Hodgson”

Football’s Endgame: How clubs now face a grim fight for survival this winter

In my first blog post in late August I wrote about how eerie and soulless football was without fans after being among forty-odd people watching QPR play Sheffield Wednesday: “The likelihood is that this will be the way matches are going to be played out for the foreseeable future. Josh Scott, QPR’s Operations Manager, toldContinue reading “Football’s Endgame: How clubs now face a grim fight for survival this winter”

“Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” …

Kevin Day, writer, broadcaster, comedian and Palace for Life Trustee talks to Richard Foster about going to watch Palace away at Southampton in September 1989. Kevin Day harbours a simmering resentment of how Southampton ruined his dreams as a 15-year-old. “During the glorious FA Cup run of 1976,” Day says. “I had been to bothContinue reading ““Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” …”