Leeds United and the Fall of Icarus: a tale of hubris, gold, and ruin
In the annals of English football, few fables are as grandiose or as calamitous as the rise and fall of Leeds United at the turn of the millennium.
Paddy Moore – Ireland’s “Pocket Hercules”
Irish football historians will tell you that Paddy Moore was second only to George Best as the most naturally gifted footballer ever produced in the island’s 32 counties. (Originally written in September 2015)
Back-Post interview: Stephanie Roche
Padraig Byrne sat down for a chat with former FIFA Puskas Best Goal nominee Stephanie Roche in December 2014. Read the interview here. ((Originally published in December 2014)
Back-Post interview: Ian Rush
Padraig Byrne sat down for a chat with Liverpool legend Ian Rush back in 2015. Read the interview here. (Originally published in April 2015)
Fear and loathing in the stands: the strange, twisted relationship between football and drugs
Football and drugs. Two elements of modern life that have been inextricably linked for decades, both feeding into each other like a never-ending ouroboros of excess, delirium, and chaos.
Among the Lions: the fan culture of Millwall FC
Love them or hate them, Millwall and their fans are as much a part of football’s tapestry as the game itself. And as the chant goes, no one likes them—and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Arsene Wenger: The Early Years
Arsene Wenger is most famous for his work with Arsenal, whom he took over in 1996 and has won multiple trophies for, however, one would be forgiven for not remembering his work prior to his Gunners career.
José Mourinho: Portrait of an asshole
José Mourinho, the master of the mind game, or so the narrative of the last decade or so would lead us to believe; but narrative is a funny thing in football. (Originally written in November 2015)
The Mad Dog of Sofia: The Life and Times of Hristo Stoichkov
Bulgaria in the late '80s was a swirling cauldron of smoky bars, backroom deals, and a government teetering on the edge of collapse. Somewhere in that maelstrom of concrete and desperation, a young, feral footballer with a chip on his shoulder the size of Mount Vitosha was sharpening his fangs.
Follow Me