"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

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

nytimes.com

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.

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

nytimes.com

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

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.

nytimes.com

‘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 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

nytimes.com

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.

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

nytimes.com

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...

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...

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

nytimes.com

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...

'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...

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

nytimes.com

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 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

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.

nytimes.com

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

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

nytimes.com

⚫ 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...

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

nytimes.com

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 👌 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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...

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.

nytimes.com

‘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...

‘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

nytimes.com

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

Daniel Taylor@dtathletic.bsky.social · 2y ago

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...

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...

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

nytimes.com

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

dlvr.it

Visiting Upton Park on a matchday: 'Are West Ham at home? No, they're away at Stratford': Ahead of the Arsenal game, The Athletic went to West Ham’s old home to see what happens in the area ahead of a Premier League fixture

Visiting Upton Park on a matchday: 'Are West Ham at home? No, they're away at Stratford'

Ahead of the Arsenal game, The Athletic went to West Ham’s old home to see what happens in the area ahead of a Premier League fixture

dlvr.it

Lots of The Athletic FC team are now on BlueSky! 🦋 Here's our Starter Pack so you can connect with them... 👇 go.bsky.app/A5FgF6E

Barcelona's 125th anniversary: When their star striker was kidnapped for 23 days: The kidnapping of Quini is one of the most remarkable stories in Barca's 125-year history

Barcelona's 125th anniversary: When their star striker was kidnapped for 23 days

The kidnapping of Quini is one of the most remarkable stories in Barca's 125-year history

dlvr.it

This is on the wall of the Forest ground (I’m assuming it’s the same Steve Cooper). Either way, find it strange seeing his record mocked after the job he did for #NFFC - taking over a club that had spent 35 days bottom of the Championship - and his management CV before that too (1/2)

Without making myself too unpopular on day one of Bluesky posting, why are so many journalists ignoring the Maddy Cusack story? Our latest is here: why one of her team-mates has quit playing because she’s so disillusioned by the sport’s response to Maddy’s death. www.nytimes.com/athletic/592...

Nina Wilson on Maddy Cusack’s tragic death and why she has quit playing: ‘It can happen again’

Former Sheffield United goalkeeper says she and other women's players are being failed by the sport - with terrible consequences

nytimes.com

Great football weather. And a reminder that football peaked in the 1980s.