Daniel Taylor

Ravel Morrison interview: Older, wiser and ‘moving on’ after Manchester United troubles The player once heralded as the future of English football opens up about mistakes made, ADHD, his relationship with managers and the future

"Even now, I can guarantee that if I signed for a club in England, the headline in all the newspapers would be something negative.

"If another player at Manchester United gets into trouble, he’s always ‘the next Ravel.’"

Ravel Morrison talks to @dtathletic.bsky.social

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas – from Arsenal youth captain to shame and prison for drug smuggling The story is one of a lower-league footballer who fell to temptation, with his lies and deceit bringing shame and now a prison sentence

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was once a brilliant prospect for Arsenal and became an accomplished centre-forward for other clubs in England and Scotland.

Now he is in prison as an international drug smuggler.

@dtathletic.bsky.social & Stuart James tell the story of his downfall.

Jonathan Morgan exhibited ‘bullying behaviour’, called Maddy Cusack a ‘psycho’, hearing told A preliminary hearing on Tuesday heard evidence relating to the circumstances that preceded Cusack's death in September 2023.

Jonathan Morgan, the manager at the centre of the FA's investigation into the Maddy Cusack tragedy, subjected players to “bullying behaviour,” branded her a “psycho” and contributed to her deterioration in mental health, a hearing has been told.

✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social

The Manchester United rebels of FC United, 20 years on: ‘We’re fighting for fan culture’ It is two decades since a group of fans turned their backs on the Glazer takeover to start again - despite mockery they are alive and well

‘It won’t last until Christmas’ - that quote can look awfully silly approaching the 20th anniversary of FC United of Manchester.

Special report on ‘The Rebels’, the breakaway club formed by disillusioned anti-Glazer Manchester United fans - with Eric Cantona now among them.

The bizarre story of a football prodigy, a stolen Ming vase and a Japanese extradition row The life of Kaine Wright, once a promising player at West Ham, has the feel of a true crime documentary - this is his story

Kaine Wright was on West Ham United’s books and appeared for England in Neymar’s five-a-side tournament.

Now he could become the first UK citizen to be extradited to Japan.

@dtathletic.bsky.social reveals a bizarre story of a stolen Ming vase, a jewellery heist and wasted talent.

In 2011, Arne Slot — then a midfielder at PEC Zwolle — received the ball at kick-off… and booted it up in the air.

It was a bizarre moment which baffled Dutch pundits.

So why did he do it?

@dtathletic.bsky.social & @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

In Scandinavia, a VAR revolution is brewing.

Sweden has already rejected the system and now fans in Norway are organising walkouts and throwing fishcakes onto the pitch in protest.

Could this be the start of a wider rebellion?

✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

If it’s mid-80s onwards (so no Kenny Burns/Larry Lloyd argument to be had) then yeah, that sounds about right with me too. Des a legend and a shoo-in (but still couldn’t do half the things Murillo can with the ball)

Murillo – the most watchable centre-back in modern football Murillo did not make his debut for Brazil against Colombia, but the Forest defender's time will come

There aren’t many players who could persuade me to stay up until 3am to watch them remain on the bench …

But Murillo is one.

My eulogy to a special talent - ‘the most watchable centre-back around’ (and surely soon a full Brazil international) 👌🌳

www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

With Newcastle United finally ending their long silverware drought it begs the question — who are the new trophyless kings?

Tim Spiers and @willjeanes.bsky.social take a (not too serious) look at what the numbers tell us ⤵️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...

Why Hidetoshi Nakata, face of the 2002 World Cup, retired at 29: ‘I’m not a fan of football’ The midfielder became a global star and earned moves to Italy and England but has never regretted his decision to stop playing

'I never had a dream to become a professional footballer, but somehow it happened and I played in World Cups and I went to Italy and England. I played all the time for passion. I’m not a fan of football, I like to play football'

My interview with Hidetoshi Nakata

www.nytimes.com/athletic/617...

Today’s the anniversary of The Greatest Goal Of The 90s.

We’re not talking about Yeboah, Baggio, or Weah.

Instead, I present to you: Gary Crosby at the City Ground, 1990.

You sneaky little shithouse.

Kevin Campbell’s family demand answers over alleged hospital failings before his death The former Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Everton striker died aged 54 in June of last year.

Kevin Campbell’s family have brought in specialist medical-negligence lawyers ahead of his inquest.

The family’s legal team will examine alleged hospital failings before death of ex-Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Everton striker at Manchester Royal Infirmary last June.

#AFC #NFFC #EFC

Premier League figure had ‘cash for sex’ with teenage girl he denies raping, says court papers The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is working in English football while awaiting a date for a High Court trial

A well-known figure in English football arranged “cash for sex” sessions with a teenage girl he is accused of raping at his house and leaving with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to court documents.

✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social & @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

Elliot Anderson, his enforced Newcastle exit and how he has thrived at Nottingham Forest The midfielder is a boyhood Newcastle fan and had not envisaged leaving, but he has blossomed at Nottingham Forest

⚫ New contract noises to PSR saviour 🤯
⚪ Emotional Howe call 📞
⚫ #NUFC felt he was underpriced 🫰
🔴 #NFFC opportunism 🌳
⚪ England awaits? 🦁

🌟 From enforced #NUFC exit to thriving at #NFFC: Elliot Anderson's year, w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @dtathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/614...

Pretty recent! Thursday lunchtime ⤵️

A beaut!

Oh I made sure to go there too … and gave far too much thought to pinching one of the old iron turnstiles that had been left/dumped outside.

That’s superb!

Realise old-school Scottish football grounds aren’t everyone’s cup of tea … but I like to think I can win you over.

Nice little road trip this week (Celtic v Bayern) and some magnificent floodlight action courtesy of Greenock Morton, Kilmarnock, Queen of the South and various others 👌 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

England to play at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground for first time in 84 years with June friendly against Senegal Forest have not hosted an England international since a wartime friendly against Wales in 1941.

The City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, to host its first England international for over 80 years.

The FA has invited Senegal to be the opponents for Thomas Tuchel's team at #NFFC's 30,400-capacity stadium in June.

Story with @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/611...

Sorry for belated reply mate: NFFC have an option to extend for another year, same as they did last season. But think it’s out there that club would like to agree new terms etc. Top player, so hopefully will get sorted 🙏

‘Fly high three beautiful butterflies’ – how Southport FC helped a town in mourning A football club is among those who have tried to help a shattered community through its darkest moments

‘Fly high three beautiful butterflies.’

How Southport FC – a football club very much at the heart of its community – have helped the town through its darkest moments.

With thanks to everyone at the club for trusting us with this story. 🦋🦋🦋

www.nytimes.com/athletic/608...

2/2) So, out of the blue, MGW rang Brian when @theathleticfc.bsky.social story came out to say 'hi' and arrange tickets for Wolves v Forest last Monday.

Brian went with his grandson and, after the match, Morgan met him in the foyer at Molineux and gave him his shirt from #NFFC's 3-0 win. Luvleh!👌

Well, this is nice. Remember this story about the scout, Brian Punter, who found Morgan Gibbs-White (aged 8) for Wolves but had never seen him play in the Premier League?

Brian, who's 89, just rang me. And it turns out MGW got to hear about it (1/2) .... #NFFC

Morgan Gibbs-White – the mischievous schoolboy who became a ‘special’ footballer The Nottingham Forest star's biggest influences - from the scout who discovered him to his first PE teacher - share their memories

Morgan Gibbs-White is a huge part of Nottingham Forest's push for Europe.

I wanted to tell his story in full for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

So I've spent a few weeks finding out about the #NFFC & England player – even his first-ever scouting report (aged 8). Enjoy!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/602...

Announcement of Rowetta’s departure from the Happy Mondays resembling that of a League One manager whose failed promotion campaign saw them lose the dressing room and away fans.

Lovely email waiting for me from Louis van Gaal this morning to follow up the @theathleticfc.bsky.social feature on Kath Phipps at the weekend ♥️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/597...

Inside the crisis derailing Manchester City's season A game in training in which first-team players were outshone by youngsters is one example of the effect a long winless run is having on City

Inside the crisis derailing Manchester City's season: A game in training in which first-team players were outshone by youngsters is one example of the effect a long winless run is having on City