Monthly Archives: September 2012

League Cup Breeds Unhealthy Obsession With Youth

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False Nine writer Felix de Grey examines the dangers of overhyping young footballers…

This week, news of John Terry’s international retirement and racism trial hijacked the back pages of red tops and broadsheets alike. Implicit in the number of column inches dedicated to these stories is more evidence -as if it were needed- that the Premier League’s mass appeal draws interest like nothing else. Terry’s actions again demonstrated that we now live in an era in which no lips go unread, and no World Cup is more important than club football. Continue reading →

Premier League can be the platform for Belgian success

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False Nine writer Matt Malone takes a look at the recent influx of Belgians in English football and asks what they might be capable of…

For many years, asking a person to name three famous Belgians proved to be a sure fire way to bring about a prolonged silence followed by the sheepish response that perhaps, despite being fictional, Hercule Poirot and Tintin must count as the two great detectives summed up a country that was far more famous for its beer and waffles then it ever could be for the great people that represented it on a world stage. Continue reading →

John Terry – Captain, Leader, Legend?

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In the wake of John Terry’s retirement from international football, James Dutton assesses the distorted perceptions of the former captain…

There is a certain banner that adorns one of the ends at Stamford Bridge, which conveys a simple unifying message amongst Chelsea support; ‘JT: Captain, Leader, Legend’ it proclaims. Continue reading →

The Full Monty: A Lesson in Fan Harmony

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False Nine editor Hugo Greenhalgh pays tribute to Montpellier and their supporters…

Great achievements in football often become more incredible once the dust is allowed to settle. There were several feats around Europe last season that will no doubt be looked back on as a great year for the sport. Continue reading →

Celebrating 20 Years of the UEFA Champions League

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In anticipation of the resumption of football’s premier club cup competition, James Dutton delves into the historic past of this captivating tournament…

The 2012-13 incarnation of the Champions League marks 20 years since its inception as a radical reformation of the European Cup. Continue reading →

Lest We Forget – The Bradford City Fire

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Some reflections on the Bradford City Fire and Hillsborough from False Nine editor Hugo Greenhalgh

David Conn: “If at Hillsborough, police mismanagement exposed Sheffield Wednesday’s and the game’s ramshackle approach to the safety of supporters, the Bradford fire can be said to have highlighted football’s dysfunctional priorities even more starkly”. Continue reading →