Book Review: The Secret Diary of a Liverpool Scout by Simon Hughes
Now this is an intriguing book. Whilst most of the key architects of Liverpools's lasting success over the four decades after Bill Shankly took over avtively shunned publicity, most were still pushed into the limelight. Click to continue reading...

We'll be back a little later on today with a report on the match between Paulton Rovers and Norwich City. In the meantime, however, The First Round of The FA Cup started yesterday evening with three matches. The remainder, of course, are to be played over the next three days. One of the traditions of The FA Cup is the press sending one of their hacks who is probably none too happy at not being to assigned to a Premier League match to write a few words about the smaller clubs that are taking their spot in the limelight.

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While all were oohing and aahing over Barcelona's sex on a pitch football and the free-spending ways of Florentino Perez returning to Madrid, the biggest difference maker in Spanish football was lurking under the Spanish limelight. In fact it was lurking so far under the Spanish limelight it was in Britain. Click to continue reading...

For more than two years, they formed the public face of Hull City, each gravitating towards the limelight in a manner that endeared them to some but increasingly irritated others. As chairman and manager, Paul Duffen and Phil Brown tried to project a positive image, regardless of results. Click to continue reading...

After a decade in relative anonymity at the wrong end of the English football league pyramid, you would think Hull City fans would be enjoying their spell in the limelight. But given the worrying nature of the headlines over the past few weeks, you could forgive them for wishing for a return to the peace and quiet of the lower leagues. Click to continue reading...

After a decade in relative anonymity at the wrong end of the English football league pyramid, you would think Hull City fans would be enjoying their spell in the limelight. But given the worrying nature of the headlines over the past few weeks, you could forgive them for wishing for a return to the peace and quiet of the lower leagues.

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You can watch West Ham v Arsenal Live online here.

West Ham v Arsenal
Upton Park
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:15 BST

West Ham welcome Arsenal in the last Premier League game on Sunday - this London derby may not spark as much interest as the Liverpool - Manchester United game earlier in the day but it's a key game for both London clubs.

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Read the column here.

There were a couple of Aguirre quotes left over that didn't get into the column for space reasons.

The first concerns the infamous incident against Panama in the Gold Cup where Aguirre actually enters the field of play in an effort to influence the game.

The incident is here if you haven't seen it:

And here's Aguirre's rationale for his actions:

"When I lifted up my foot it was just an impulse.

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The general mindset of most local clubs officials and players is to keep "things within four walls" and it's not very often we see war-of-words trading across feuding parties to ensure the mood of solidarity in the local football fraternity (because of the "Code of Conduct" I guess).
Personally, nothing wrong with that as nobody would want to see a WWE-styled reality show since the main product is the game itself. Click to continue reading...

You couldn't pick a bigger stage to make a name for yourself than UEFA's Champions League. When a European minnow is pitted against a traditional superpower like Liverpool or Inter Milan, one tricky move or decisive goal can instantly transform you from a no-name footballer into the hottest property around.

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Manchester United's Michael Owen is going to become a father for the fourth time.

What's there to say: we all must bow down to his reproductive prowess.

Louise is a few months along and the baby is due in early March 2010. If you're not familiar with Mrs. Owen, she's a horse lover (much like her hubby), keeps out of the WAGtastic limelight, and she just keeps looking better and better after every baby.

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Time is tight this busy Monday but having a 'weekend preview' as the top story is just irritating. So instead we've used Football 365's ever excellent 'winners and losers' feature. Cheers...

The original story can be found here.

Winners

Wigan
Defeat for Chelsea, history for Wigan, relief for the chasing pack and welcome credibility for the other half of the Premier League.

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- The cutting-edge QPR Report Messageboard: Visit - even post on - the combination quasi-blog and messageboard for additional up-to-the-minute news about QPR, combined with QPR nostalgia and occasionally, general football items. Links to items on other QPR boards, always welcome!
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER! Click to continue reading...

Perhaps it was the joys of Christie Park, perhaps he didn't fancy Port Vale at home, or perhaps he genuinely did have concerns over the future of Notts County. Whatever his reasons, Sol Campbell's departure from the League's oldest club has thrown the Magpies and their 'project' back into the limelight, with sports journalists across the county digging into the reasons for his departure.

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Can Diamanti emulate Di Canio?

Can West Ham United's new Italian talent have the same impact on the Hammers as club legend Paolo Di Canio did between 1999 and 2003? Gianfranco Zola signed Alessandro Diamanti for a fee of around £6 million in the summer. Big money for an untested player especially in light of West Ham's supposed financial handicap.

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