Almanac Soccer – Brendan Rodgers: So Close, Yet So Far

Dr Cruel has watched the going’s-on at Liverpool with great interest since Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield. After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory for the 2013/14 EPL title and some less than successful transfer calls, John W Henry and the boffins at Fenway Sports Group have decided that Rodgers is not the man to manage the Reds. As always, the good Doctor explains why he had to go. [Nicely balanced… for a Gooners fan! – Ed]

Finals Week 3 – The Iliad and the Odyssey

Peter Baulderstone and the Zestok Orao (Avenging Eagle in Croatian) continue their epic European odyssey with a reflection on a weekend where life reflects sports reflects opportunity, chance and achievements (big and small).

Almanac Soccer – EPL: Do We Believe The Hype?

The English Premier League’s 2015 season kicked off this weekend. While the money from television broadcast deals swamps the coffers of the English FA, has soccer/football in England benefitted (on and off the pitch) from the largesse? Vaughan Menlove isn’t quite sure it has.

The Magic of the Cup

Tom Riordan welcomes with open arms the FFA Cup, which is back for its second edition, and foresees a bright future for the competition.

Round 16 – Adelaide v Port Adelaide: Two codes, one city and over 107,000 people.

Chris Michaels reflects on a couple of days that saw the Adelaide Oval packed for an emotional Showdown between the Crows and Power, as well as EPL giants Liverpool taking on Adelaide United in the world game.

Almanac Soccer – Those Magnificent Matildas

No Y chromosome? No money? No respect from sections of the chattering class? No worries! Dennis Gedling’s stellar tribute to the Matilda’s and their feats at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

From OS to Koowee: an Aussie teacher comes home

Haje Halabi and family are back in the Australian bush. Here’s a superb story about battlers. [Absolutely magnificent Haje – JTH]

Junior Almanac: My Story as a Goalkeeper

Jamie Broughill fell into soccer initially, and then fell into goalkeeping. Fate, it seems, has served him well.

What forced Sepp Blatter’s hand?

Tim Noonan considers the factors which forced Sepp Blatter to resign. [This article was first published in The Equal Times]

FIFA Scandal: Sepp Blatter speaks

Our western correspondent shares exclusive footage from inside FIFA headquarters.

Almanac Soccer – The Goodfellas A-League and EPL Season Wrap (2014-2015)

With Melbourne Victory taking the local honours in the A-League and Chelsea claiming the EPL title, Dr Cruel and Stone Cold Steve Baker wrap up the seasons that were in Australia and English soccer. Gorn, GET IN!

Grand Final – Traditional for Football?

Vaughan Menlove is happy that the A League champion is decided with a grand final playoff and not on league season points. It’s the Australian football way.

Almanac Soccer – Who sponsors the AFC Bournemouth Under-10s?

The beauty of the English Premier League; while the title is often a four horse race, the promotion and relegation battle at the opposite end of the table throws up some compelling stories; this year, AFC Bournemouth is the fairytale story. Roy Hay profiles club stalwart and Geelong soccer referee; Russell Butler.

A Missing Part of a Bigger Picture

A timely reminder from Roy Hay of Soccer’s contribution to Australian servicemen on the front-lines; the Australian soccer team’s trip to the Independence Day tournament in Saigon. Sappers sweeping the pitch for land-mines, the Viet Cong watching from the sidelines and Diggers on guard duty with orders to shoot anyone who stops on their bicycle outside the Aussie barracks. A neglected chapter of the sport and service narrative we remember on ANZAC Day.

The Perfect Storm Ends Tonight

Wayne Ball takes stock of the Western Sydney Wanderers progress in their first three years, culminating in tonight’s losing tie in the ACL.

Two games from oblivion

Tom Riordan explains how he fell for the doomed Tranmere Rovers.

How greed can interfere in a sporting dream

Author DrCruel73 explains how supporters of a football club can suffer due to greed and ego by the clubs administrators/ owners.

Soccer in New South Wales 1880-1980 by Phil Mosely

Significant, well-researched soccer history by Phil Mosely is out now.

Have the Socceroos won back Australia’s heart?

It might have been a friendly, but for Vaughan Menlove, the Socceroos draw with Germany wasn’t about the scoreboard. Ange Postecoglou’s game plan has breathed life and flair into the national football team, which was sorely missing under the conservative approaches of past bosses Pim Verbeek and Holger Osiek

Who Will Stand Up To FIFA?

The repercussions of FIFA’s decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup continue to impact soccer’s governing body. Vaughan Menlove hopes that the compensation packages handed out to the powerful European leagues don’t come at the expense of grass-roots football.