Celebrating Panini’s 60th anniversary

There are countless sticker collections gathering dust in lofts across the country. Panini albums have been avidly compiled by millions of people across many generations, dating back to the first that was launched in the UK for the 1970 World Cup. The sticking phenomenon was so popular, it even had its own language — ‘swapsies’,Continue reading “Celebrating Panini’s 60th anniversary”

The referee’s a ****** – How abuse has reached a disturbing level

Referees are considered by many football fans to be fair game for having abuse hurled at them from a dizzy height. They are the Aunt Sallys of football – an easy target when things are going wrong for your team and you need to vent your frustration. A variety of chants cascade from the standsContinue reading “The referee’s a ****** – How abuse has reached a disturbing level”

Kenny Sansom’s fight against his demons and dementia

Kenny Sansom was one of my first football heroes. He made his debut as a 16-year-old and was described by club historian Reverend Nigel Sands as “the first tangible product of the youth policy instituted by Malcolm Allison…and was unquestionably Palace’s best ever left-back.” He was an integral member of that enticing, exciting “Team ofContinue reading “Kenny Sansom’s fight against his demons and dementia”

Jeremy Wisten: A life cut short

On Wednesday night Mason Greenwood scored his first goal in the Champions League with United’s opener against RB Leipzig. After scoring such a momentous goal his first thoughts were not about himself or this landmark achievement. He dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky in honour of Jeremy Wisten, who died a fewContinue reading “Jeremy Wisten: A life cut short”