Like many players of his era, Daniel, (a.k.a Danny) Winter lost the best years of his career to the war. He signed professional forms for Bolton Wanderers on his 18th birthday and had just established himself in the side when war broke out. Along with the entire Wanderers’ squad, he enlisted in the 53rd (Bolton) … Read more
Soccer players today have a reputation for being a somewhat uncultured group of individuals, whether deserved or not. Indeed that has often been the public perception of professional players throughout the history of soccer. The cultured, thinking footballers of the 1890s, men with a broad interest in matters outside of football, were generally amateurs from … Read more
As football becomes ever more cutthroat and profit-driven, brand exposure has developed into a prominent aspect of the business. Clubs can take different approaches. Some clubs sign players from specific markets or partner with existing teams in certain parts of the globe to increase their profile. Then there’s the case of Jorge Vergara. In 2005 … Read more
“History is written by the victors” and “no one remembers who came in second” are old adages that don’t always ring true. The best example of that is the Netherlands team that finished runner-up at the 1974 World Cup. This star-studded Dutch side played scintillating football and left an indelible mark on the game. Building … Read more
When Lionel Messi hoisted the World Cup trophy aloft at Qatar 2022, to all intents and purposes the Argentine superstar had completed football. Having won just about every major honour available to him at the club level, the most glittering of medal hauls now boasted international mementoes. Having helped to inspire a Copa America triumph … Read more