Simon Burnton
Sports Paulo Dybala: 'Lots of People Pay More Attention to Footballers Than to Presidents'

Paulo Dybala: 'Lots of People Pay More Attention to Footballers Than to Presidents'

It is only a few days since Juventus beat Sampdoria to seal their ninth consecutive Scudetto, and Paulo Dybala already has his mind on other challenges…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports  Defense the New Priority for Watford

Defense the New Priority for Watford

As the season progressed and their team failed to drag themselves clear of the relegation battle Watford were forced to draw up detailed contingency plans in…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports Deeney's Decision to Stay Away Justified by Watford's Positive Tests

Deeney's Decision to Stay Away Justified by Watford's Positive Tests

This week Troy Deeney explained why he would not be returning to small-group training. He was concerned, he said, that black people are four times more likely…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports Players Who Have Thrived After Leaving England

Players Who Have Thrived After Leaving England

Arsenal – Kristoffer Olsson (Krasnodar) In two years at Arsenal the Swede appeared in one matchday squad and made it on to the pitch for 36 minutes of a…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports Manchester United Fan Odion Ighalo Ready to Realise Childhood Dream

Manchester United Fan Odion Ighalo Ready to Realise Childhood Dream

After Odion Ighalo’s unexpected loan move at the end of January and his coronavirus-related quarantine, at Stamford Bridge on Monday he is expected to become…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports Rangers’ Ianis Hagi Next in Line for Bumpy Ride in Football’s Junior League

Rangers’ Ianis Hagi Next in Line for Bumpy Ride in Football’s Junior League

My father was a lawyer and, in my childhood imagination and so far as I can ascertain also in fact, quite a good one. From time to time, as I blundered towards…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports Nigel Pearson’s Plain Speaking and Tactical Rejig Reap Rewards at Watford

Nigel Pearson’s Plain Speaking and Tactical Rejig Reap Rewards at Watford

As recently as early November, Bournemouth were seventh in the Premier League and flying. Manchester United had just been beaten 1-0 thanks to Josh King’s…

Simon Burnton (London)
Sports As England Played its 1,000th, the Story of the First Full Football International

As England Played its 1,000th, the Story of the First Full Football International

“The laws of the Association game are exceedingly simple, numbering only 12, as against some 40 in the Rugby code,” wrote the Scotsman. “One of the principal…

Simon Burnton (London)