Aidan Russell 
John Charles captained the West Ham team that defeated Liverpool to win the FA Youth Cup in 1962-63 and was capped by England at youth level. John was the first black player to captain a team to win a major trophy. He established himself as a regular full-back in the Hammers line-up in 1965-66 and … Read more
On 13 November 2002, Juan Alberto Schiaffino, one of soccer’s great players died aged 77. He scarcely looked a footballer being dark-haired, pale, and thin. Still, Juan Alberto Schiaffino possessed superb control and exceptional positional play amalgamated to a talent for spotting openings for others and the ability to find them with precision passes. And … Read more
In the ever-changing landscape of football, there has been one constant. For 15 years, Lionel Messi has displayed an unrivaled dominance on the pitch; his success with Barcelona has been unparalleled. But World Cup glory continues to elude him. In the eyes of many Argentines, his failure to deliver the biggest prize in football may … Read more
Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He did not always demand the final word. He did not always expect to dictate how his club’s money was spent in the transfer market. The … Read more
Bobby Robson is one of England’s greatest soccer managers. In a career that spanned over four decades, Robson would manage professional clubs such as Fulham, Ipswich Town, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Newcastle United, and the pinnacle for any Englishman, the English National Men’s Team. It could be argued that the beautiful game has lost … Read more
Aston Villa Football Club was founded in March 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Handsworth. However, there was fascinating history about their formation in the years prior. The pioneers of the athletic movement in the Birmingham area were the members of the Birmingham Athletic Club, which was founded in 1866. Their … Read more
Uruguayan superstar Luis Suárez divides opinions. He was beloved by many, despised by more. This is a man who attracted the ire of an entire continent, a man notorious for biting opponents, but also a family man and a generational talent. Seneca the Younger once wrote that there is no genius without a touch of … Read more
Every soccer team has a unique look. From Real Madrid’s royal white to Argentina’s legendary stripes, there are innumerable iconic soccer jerseys. Still, few are synonymous with success and history as Brazil’s canarinho: the unmistakable vibrant yellow base with green accents. At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Brazil was torn between embracing tradition and … Read more
The mighty Pelé often overshadowed Brazilian players of bygone generations. Still, there were some whose star shone just as bright and sometimes brighter than that of their legendary teammate. One of these iconic athletes was Mané Garrincha, a tricky speedster who defined the winger position and became one of his nation’s most revered players. The … Read more
Canada was primarily a British country in the years leading up to and during World War Two. However, immediately following the war, thousands of people from all over Europe emigrated to Canada, dramatically changing the demographics from Anglo-Saxon to multi-national. The change in the makeup of the population turned Canada soccer on its head. Canada … Read more