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Joe Ryan

Sports Journalist

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Referee controversy as Manchester United deny Aston Villa Champions League space

Manchester United have bowed out of the 2024/25 season in great fashion with a 2–0 win against Champions League chasing Aston Villa.This win drags United from 16th in the league, to the nose-bleeding heights, of 15th.Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana were both left out of the match team squad as news of their possible exits has heated up.After United’s disastrous 1–0 loss to Spurs in the Europa League final on Wednesday, Garnacho commented that he would “see what happens” following the summer t...
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A reflection of the Europa League final — what comes next for Manchester United?

In the 67th minute when Rasmus Hojlund connected with Guglielmo Vicario’s clearance, I thought Manchester United had finally found a lifeline, something they could grasp onto to propel them forward to go on and win their most important match of the last decade.Just before Vicario’s punch, I started to rise out of the tattered leather settee that was placed in front of the TV in my University flat. Surrounded by friends and acquaintances, the warm, cheap can of Red Stripe in my hand took second p...
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From panic to poetry: United cruise past Athletic Bilbao after early scare

United never do it the easy way, do they?After an early scare against Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United fought their way back to ensure they made their third-ever Europa League final.But with fans cheering “Ruben Amorim” throughout the match, the chances of any United fan caring about those first 45 minutes are slim to none.In the 30th minute, Bilbao pounced.Mikel Jauregizar had an audacious shot from 25 yards out that was hit perfectly. His strike curled past Onana and into the corner of the n...

Student Football Writer of the Year awards – the shortlists

by Jim White, FWA National Committee and Telegraph


From a record numbers of entries, the judges in this year’s three FWA Student Football Writer of The Year categories have made their choice of top three. Here are what they have judged to be the best three pieces in alphabetical order. The winning entries will be announced on 12 May.





FWA Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year Award 2025 shortlist





Isobel Gilligan, University of Durham


“We have something that is not f...
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When Manchester turned Red — the forgotten 1905 British bribery scandal

Let’s rewind to 1905. Edward VII was the King of England, the world’s largest diamond had just been discovered, and the English First Division was a fiercely competitive battleground, with Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Everton all vying for the coveted title.City had come agonisingly close the previous season, finishing with 44 points — their highest-ever tally at the time. Despite their valiant effort, they fell just three points short of champions The Wednesday, a club we now know as...

England veteran victory at Subbuteo World Cup

The Subbuteo World Cup made a triumphant return to England after 14 years, with Italy once again proving their dominance in the iconic tabletop football game.

Held from September 20-22 in Tunbridge Wells, the game’s birthplace, the event drew hundreds of enthusiasts eager to compete in a game that’s been cherished for over 75 years.

Founded in 1947 by Peter Adolph, Subbuteo evolved from simple beginnings to a full-fledged board game. Despite its popularity in the 1960s and 70s, the game saw a...
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"Some guy wished I died of aids" Being an LGBTQ+ football fan: a taboo topic How fans deal with abuse in their 'safe space'

Joshua Dodd is a member of Pride of Irons, an LGBTQ+ group for fans of West Ham
"If I had a friend who was gay and a professional football player in the premier league and they asked me if I should come out as gay, I would worry for them."
The state of how the LGBTQ+ community is treated in football at this current time is shocking.
Homophobia is rampant and it is no surprise that many professional footballers do not want to come out...