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Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton

Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton: The Great Entertainer of Big Sam’s Plan (2001-06)

There are some transfers that look stranger with every passing year. Jay-Jay Okocha joining Bolton Wanderers is definitely one of them. Especially when you sadly consider where the club are now and where they once were. In 2002, the Nigerian international left Paris Saint-Germain and signed for a club that had only just survived its first season back in the Premier League. Four years later,… Read More »Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton: The Great Entertainer of Big Sam’s Plan (2001-06)

What Happened to Boavista FC?

How Football Fans Can Rescue Boavista FC from Extinction

Founded in Porto in 1903, Boavista have spent more than 120 years building one of the most distinctive identities in Portuguese football. The famous black-and-white chequered shirts have been worn by everyone from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to João Vieira Pinto, while generations of supporters have filled the Estádio do Bessa. Their greatest moment arrived in 2000/01, when Boavista did something almost unthinkable in modern Portuguese… Read More »How Football Fans Can Rescue Boavista FC from Extinction

Romario at PSV

Romário at PSV: The Making of a Brazilian Legend (1988-93)

Before Barcelona, before the 1994 World Cup and before becoming one of the most recognisable footballers on the planet, Romário was terrorising defenders in Eindhoven. PSV signed the diminutive Brazilian striker from Vasco da Gama in 1988. He arrived in the Netherlands as a hugely exciting talent, but few could have predicted just how devastating he would become. Over five seasons, Romário developed into one… Read More »Romário at PSV: The Making of a Brazilian Legend (1988-93)

Ronaldo at Corinthians

Ronaldo at Corinthians: The Story Behind R9’s Return to Brazil

By the end of 2008, many believed Ronaldo Nazário’s career was over. Myself included. I was only 11 at the time, but even I could see what was also evident for everybody else. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner had already conquered Europe with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan. The last one didn’t quite go as planned, but enough of that.… Read More »Ronaldo at Corinthians: The Story Behind R9’s Return to Brazil

Emile Heskey at the 2010 World Cup

Why Emile Heskey Deserved His 2010 World Cup Call-Up

I’ve always had a soft spot for Emile Heskey and seeing him after his career has only increased that feeling. Especially when the same questions still crop up about his career. Namely: “Wait… England took him to a World Cup?” And my favourite: “Was he even that good in the first place?” Then somebody else usually laughs and says something along the lines of “he couldn’t… Read More »Why Emile Heskey Deserved His 2010 World Cup Call-Up

Federico Macheda v Aston Villa

What Really Happened to Federico Macheda

After the Max Dowman goal v Everton, we started reminiscing about other similar moments. And few come more iconic than what Federico Macheda did when breaking through at Manchester United. But that’s where our story begins… and unfortunately it’s not really where it ends. In that moment, Federico Macheda looked like the typical ‘next big thing‘. Sir Alex Ferguson had just unleashed a new hero. The celebration… Read More »What Really Happened to Federico Macheda

Claudio Caniggia at Dundee

Claudio Caniggia’s Crazy Dundee Spell (2000/01)

If you’re the kind of fan who still gets misty-eyed about cult heroes and oddball signings then few come more intoxicating than Dundee’s Claudio Caniggia era. Claudio Caniggia — Argentina World Cup icon, long-haired chaos merchant, and a man who’d shared pitches with the biggest names on the planet — rocked up at Dens Park in October 2000. Not for a testimonial. Not for a friendly. But to play… Read More »Claudio Caniggia’s Crazy Dundee Spell (2000/01)

Shevchenko and Rebrov Partnership

Shevchenko and Rebrov: Dynamo’s Deadly Duo (’95-’01)

If I were to ask you to name me some of the best strike partnerships, few fans of today will really remember the prolificacy of Shevchenko and Rebrov. Well, that changes right now! Long before Andriy Shevchenko was winning Ballon d’Ors and Sergiy Rebrov was masterminding tactics from the dugout, they were simply two young Ukrainian lads lighting up European nights with an almost telepathic… Read More »Shevchenko and Rebrov: Dynamo’s Deadly Duo (’95-’01)

Martin Palermo at Boca Juniors

Martin Palermo: An Ode to ‘El Loco’ & Championship Manager 00/01

At eight years old, there was no doubt in my mind who the greatest footballer in the world was: Martin Palermo. Martin Palermo’s Gaming Hero Status I didn’t know what he looked like, what his skillset was, or why he was particularly effective in a front two. What I did know was that if I paid between £11,000,000 and £13,000,000 for him on Championship Manager… Read More »Martin Palermo: An Ode to ‘El Loco’ & Championship Manager 00/01

Diego Forlan at Villarreal

Diego Forlan’s Stunning Turnaround at Villarreal (2004-07)

Every football fan loves a redemption arc. And this particular football fan loves Diego Forlan. Why I love Diego Forlan When I ask myself as to ‘why’ – two clear things come to mind: 1) He was a Manchester United forward player in an era of expression over tactical rigidity and 2) He had a ponytail. Don’t judge me! As a United fan myself whose… Read More »Diego Forlan’s Stunning Turnaround at Villarreal (2004-07)