The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 5

1997/98 season Manager: Dave Bassett Top Scorer: Pierre van Hooijdonk (34) First Division: 1st (promoted as champions) FA Cup: 3rd Round League Cup: 2nd Round League record: 28 wins, 10 draws, 8 defeats, 82 goals scored, 42 goals conceded Transfers: £-5.33 million Transfers in: £5.85 million Date Position Player From Fee 2nd July MF AndyContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 5”

European Nights: Celtic vs FC Porto, 2003 UEFA Cup Final

The final that marked the rise of one of football’s greatest and most controversial managers… Love him or hate him, José Mourinho is one of the most successful club managers in football history. In a coaching career spanning three decades, the man who began his time in the dugout as a long-time assistant to BobbyContinue reading “European Nights: Celtic vs FC Porto, 2003 UEFA Cup Final”

The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 4

Following the prevailing trend of the time, the board would ask 34-year-old club captain Stuart Pearce to serve as caretaker player-manager until further notice. Pearce would agree and unintentionally begin his journey as a football manager. The man famously nicknamed ‘Psycho’ was now in charge of Nottingham Forest.

The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 3

1995/96: A Rounded Affair Manager: Frank Clark Top Scorer: Ian Woan (12) (all competitions) Premier League: 9th FA Cup: Quarter-Finals League Cup: 2nd round UEFA Cup: Quarter-Finals League record: 15 wins, 13 draws, 10 defeats, 50 goals scored, 54 goals conceded Transfers: £+2.575 million Transfers in: £7.425 million Date Position Player From Fee 1st JulyContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 3”

George Weah-The Premiership Year

George Weah’s time in English football is a short but fascinating tale where you often whether it even happened. One of the best players of the previous decade turns out for an upwardly mobile team attempting a title challenge and a newly-promoted side looking to make a big splash. But what happened once the man nicknamed ‘King George’ arrived on England’s shores? Find out soon.

Cardiff City F.C.: The Time The Bluebirds Turned Red

For the time being, it seemed like such radical plans had been pushed down by fan opposition. However, on 6th June 2012, one month after the original plans were leaked and retracted, plans would change again. On this day, Cardiff City would announce that starting the following season, the club’s official colours would change from blue to red, including the team’s home shirts. The club’s crest would also change from solely featuring a bluebird to prominently featuring a red dragon, with a much smaller bluebird sitting underneath. Cardiff City’s home kit for the 2012-13 Championship season would include a red shirt with white and black detailing, black shorts with red and white detailing and red socks with white and black details. In a move that was also sure to anger plenty of fans, the club’s traditional home kit of a blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks would become the new away kit. In addition, the club’s owners pledged to invest in the playing squad, expand the Cardiff City Stadium, upgrade the training ground and pay off the £30m owed to former owner Sam Hammam.

The FIFA Confederations Cup-What Happened?

A ‘champion of champions’ competition made for a Saudi king that turned into a World Cup test event… The FIFA Confederations Cup is a defunct international footballing competition that is not looked back upon particularly fondly or even talked about that much. However, for 20 years, this tournament was seen (by FIFA at least) asContinue reading “The FIFA Confederations Cup-What Happened?”

Middlesbrough 8 Manchester City 1: A Defining Moment in Premier League History

A remarkable final-day scoreline that would lead to a new empire forming in the blue half of Manchester… Since being bought by Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group in August 2008, Manchester City has become the most dominant team in English football. Over the past decade and a half, fourteen trophies have beenContinue reading “Middlesbrough 8 Manchester City 1: A Defining Moment in Premier League History”

The Last Great Premier League Final-Day Relegation Battle?

Five teams vie for Premier League safety on the final day of the 2010-11 season… The last day of any Premier League season is often the most exciting. While the opening day of any top-flight campaign is filled with hope and optimism for what may come, the final day is full of nervous anxiety asContinue reading “The Last Great Premier League Final-Day Relegation Battle?”

The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 2

1994/95: A Bigger Splash Manager: Frank Clark Top Scorer: Stan Collymore (25) Premier League: 3rd FA Cup: 4th round League Cup: 4th round League record: 22 wins, 11 draws, 9 defeats Transfers: £-2.35 million Transfers in: £2.55 million Date Position Player From Transfer Fee 1st August MF John Burns Belvedere Undisclosed 1st August    GKContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Nottingham Forest 1993-1999: Part 2”