2024

Manchester United’s FA Cup-winning captain Martin Buchan was widely-mentioned in the tributes to legendary commentator John Motson when he died last month. Motty delivered one of his best lines: “How fitting that a man called Buchan should be first to climb the 39 steps” at the 1977 final when United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley….

There is no road through Grimsby that leads anywhere else. The town isn’t a staging post, it’s a destination, together with Cleethorpes, the seaside resort to which it is joined. Half a mile from the amusement arcades and fish and chip shops on every corner is Blundell Park. All that lies beyond, 120 yards beyond to…

There is no road through Grimsby that leads anywhere else. The town isn’t a staging post, it’s a destination, together with Cleethorpes, the seaside resort to which it is joined. Half a mile from the amusement arcades and fish and chip shops on every corner is Blundell Park. All that lies beyond, 120 yards beyond to…

Gary Lineker will not host the BBC’s live FA Cup coverage from Brighton on Sunday, after struggling with voice problems which deteriorated overnight. Lineker was due to front the broadcaster’s live show featuring the clash between Brighton and Grimsby on Sunday afternoon. However, he was noticeably struggling with his voice during Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Burnley, and…

Gary Lineker will not host the BBC’s live FA Cup coverage from Brighton on Sunday, after struggling with voice problems which deteriorated overnight. Lineker was due to front the broadcaster’s live show featuring the clash between Brighton and Grimsby on Sunday afternoon. However, he was noticeably struggling with his voice during Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Burnley, and…

If you are going to christen your football club’s inflatable lucky charm ‘Harry Haddock’, you best make sure it’s a haddock, especially in a town such as Grimsby, so synonymous with the fishing industry. ‘As soon as it went on sale, we had Grimsby fish merchants ringing the newsroom and telling us, ‘That’s not a…

If you are going to christen your football club’s inflatable lucky charm ‘Harry Haddock’, you best make sure it’s a haddock, especially in a town such as Grimsby, so synonymous with the fishing industry. ‘As soon as it went on sale, we had Grimsby fish merchants ringing the newsroom and telling us, ‘That’s not a…

Occasionally things align beautifully.  A young man whose grandfathers lifted the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1969 scored a last-minute winner; progression to a semi-final provided Sheffield United with a real fillip. They needed it.  Not just for the romance of Wembley and not just to continue momentum that they hope will take them straight…

Occasionally things align beautifully.  A young man whose grandfathers lifted the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1969 scored a last-minute winner; progression to a semi-final provided Sheffield United with a real fillip. They needed it.  Not just for the romance of Wembley and not just to continue momentum that they hope will take them straight…

Before he gets around to clearing his desk, Antonio Conte has been anxious to get a few things off his chest. First about the Tottenham fans, impatient and unappreciative of the size of the task against AC Milan, and about the culture of the club, steeped in failure with its losing mentality. Now the players,…