Author Archives: Michael James

(Author’s Note: This is the first of a four-part series highlighting the major football stadiums in London, as well as their surrounding environs. Today’s feature is on grounds in West London, with pieces on North, South, and East London still … Continue reading →

Caught your breath yet from Sunday’s Premier League season finale excitement? What a way to end the 2011-12 season. After 38 games, the table doesn’t lie, or so says the time-honored cliché, and Manchester City is deserving champions. With that … Continue reading →

As a 22-year-old American postgraduate student at the University of Reading, I’m in heaven. Let me explain. Like an already massive and ever-growing number of American kids, I grew up playing soccer, and continued playing until I went to college. … Continue reading →

Shortly after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea yesterday, their team bus was attacked by an as-of-yet unknown assailant, who cracked the bus’ front windshield (as pictured here) with a thrown bottle. No one was hurt, and United continued their … Continue reading →

According to an article on ESPNsoccernet, the Premier League will explore the possibility of implementing a rule that would require its 20 member teams to include at least two academy graduates from that particular club in the seven available substitutes … Continue reading →

The Premiership’s 8th-leading goalscorer of all time, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, retired today, and I’m amazed at how quietly the whole thing has gone down. The Dutchman is one of two players never to have played in the Eredivisie and still … Continue reading →

After a week of protest and criticism from fans and neutrals alike, myself included, current Newcastle owner Mike Ashley finally got the message: he’s not wanted anymore. Here’s the complete transcript of the statement he made earlier today: “I have enjoyed … Continue reading →

Last December, I wrote a post detailing the impressive late-game exploits of Everton and Australia attacking midfielder Tim Cahill. There is no doubt that Cahill is the most clutch player in the world, bar none. Cristiano Ronaldo? No. Lionel Messi? Nope. Fernando … Continue reading →

You’re an owner of a Premiership team, one that’s well-known all across Europe and is one of the best-supported in England. You’ve just gotten rid of your manager, one who you brought back just a few months ago to rescue … Continue reading →

Another Premiership manager bit the dust today as Kevin Keegan joined Alan Curbishley on the unemployment line. The “Geordie Messiah” was supposed to turn Newcastle’s fortunes around and make them a top-four contender, if you believe most of the Toon … Continue reading →

The first managerial departure of the season came today as Alan Curbishley resigned his post as West Ham manager. Curbishley had been at or near the top of the list of managers speculated to go, along with Newcastle boss Kevin … Continue reading →

Here’s one of those random news stories we read about every season: Born in the same Liverpool suburb as current well-known midfielders Steven Gerrard and Joey Barton, Peter Reid had a solid playing career, most notably at Bolton, Everton, and … Continue reading →

Coventry City hasn’t been in the Premiership since the 2000-2001 season, when they were relegated after finishing 19th with 34 points. The Sky Blues have spent every season since then in the Championship, so close to England’s top flight, but … Continue reading →

Manchester United’s 1-0 victory at Portsmouth earlier this afternoon concluded the second round of fixtures in the Premiership. It would be foolish to read too much into the standings at this point in this season, but it’s still interesting to … Continue reading →