Columns - Irish Examiner

The Secret Footballer

If you can’t beat them, buy them

Our man inside the game is braced for an onslaught of Premier League spending as clubs compensate for poor coaching by expensively filling the holes in their squads.

Tue, 30 May, 2017

And the TSF award goes to...

Our super sleuth recognises the moaners and chancers and spoofers and stars of the season with his inaugural awards ceremony, writes The Secret Footballer.

Mon, 22 May, 2017

The Alli shuffle: Not every young talent ends up as a punchline

The Next Big Thing was on the pitch at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane goodbye yesterday. Wayne Rooney was once the next big thing. Will Dele Alli learn from his mistakes, asks The Secret Footballer.

Mon, 15 May, 2017

Football must learn to care for minds as much as hamstrings

The Secret Footballer knows too well that depression can take root with no regard to profession or income...

Mon, 08 May, 2017

Joey Barton pays the price for football’s wages of sin

The Secret Footballer has been immersed in gambling culture all his career and knows Joey Barton is an easy fall guy.

Mon, 01 May, 2017

Antonio Conte knows enough to leverage ‘posh boy’ advantage

Money dictates most things at the business end of Europe’s top leagues, but the Secret Footballer believes there’s still a place for knowledge.

Mon, 24 Apr, 2017

I worry about Russia. So should English hooligans.

Leicester City’s fans showed that English hooliganism hasn’t gone away. Which is worrying what with the World Cup in Russia coming up next year, writes The Secret Footballer.

Mon, 17 Apr, 2017

Divine Pochettino dragging Spurs towards the mountain top

Tottenham runs in the blood of The Secret Footballer. And Mauricio Pochettino has got pulses racing for a family affair...

Mon, 10 Apr, 2017

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Old Trafford

Time Jose Mourinho took himself on in the blame game

After another turgid home draw, Jose Mourinho turned on a BBC journalist and then on his attacking players? After lavishing a fortune on an average squad, isn’t it time he held his own hand up?

Mon, 03 Apr, 2017