About this weblog
David Fox
I might as well admit this straight away – I'm a Manchester United fan. I'm not from Manchester. Sorry about that. I should mention though that I've supported United through the good times (various league titles, 2 Champions League titles) and the bad (the signing of Eric Djemba-Djemba, the Glazer takeover) for about 18 years now and will continue to do so regardless of what the future holds for a club with such mountainous debt...
I will do my best to be impartial – fan or not, I can still be frustrated by the actions of those in charge of my team, and the players who wear the shirt – and won't be afraid to express my opinions even if they might be unpopular. After a two year hiatus from football writing, I'm really looking forward to getting back into it here at reallifenews. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading my ramblings too.
Young'un
I'm not the oldest guy in the world, but that doesn't mean I'm not a big fan, with no knowledge of the beautiful game. I'm an avid Arsenal fan, started supporting The Gunners in 1999 and the addiction started there.
I love my team mainly because of the delightful football they play, and, especially nowadays with the new stadium, it's also a pleasure to go and support them. I admire Wenger's vision, dedication and shrewdness in the transfer market, but on the pitch, there are always plenty of players you want to see week-in, week-out. Marc Overmars was my 'first love' and he was followed by the Arsenal legend that is Thierry Henry, as well as everybody's favourite, Freddie Ljungberg. But I love the game in general and feel honoured to write here.
I'll try not to be too biased, but I doubt that's possible!
Gringo Maclure
I live and work in Brazil, and when I can find the time I watch, talk, read and play the beautiful game along with the 250 million other fanatical football fans in this extraordinary country. In Brazil, I tend to cheer for the north east teams propping up the Brazilian top flight - Nautico (from Recife) and America (from Natal), but I try to catch the likes of Santos, Sao Paulo and Corinthians when I can. Despite the "quality" going to Europe to earn big money, the Brazilian league has its own charm, beauty and passion.
I'm also an avid Arsenal supporter. When I was eight my parents moved to part of North London roughly situated between Arsenal and Spurs. My peers were incredulous I didn't support either. "What's your favourite colour?" they asked on the first day at my new school. "Red", I said. And the rest is history.
Seb
I am an overseas blues fan currently living in Dubai. Born in Hammersmith and living approximately 7 minutes from Stamford Bridge (Yes I timed myself).
I attended my first match at 6, and grew up watching the likes of Sparky Hughes, Dennis Wise, God (Gullit to everyone else), and of course the incomparable Gianfranco 'Best foreigner ever' Zola. This is my first time writing regularly for a blog, so I intend to make the most of it and be as biased and one sided as I can.
Stewart Robson
During my time at two prominent Public Schools it became clear that I was destined to become a professional footballer. Therefore I joined Arsenal at 16.
Within 6 months I made my debut as the youngest player in the clubs history whilst also captaining England Youth and the U21's. I was sold to West Ham for £800K in 1987 but suffered some severe injuries which threatened my career. Despite being told I wouldn't play again I joined Coventry City as captain and continued for several more years. I was player of the year at all three clubs.
On retiring I joined Forest School as Head of Games Development, before going back into professional football as Youth team coach at Wimbledon F.C, producing many players into the 1st X1 . Within two years I had been promoted to Head Coach and led the club through significant change. After leaving Wimbledon I became Head Coach at Southend United and then Rushden & Diamonds which was interspersed by working as a consultant for SFX sports management Group.
I currently write for the Sunday Telegraph, co-commentate for several production companies and provide various clubs with coach education sessions.
I'm going to give a technical and tactical insight into why games are won and lost, scrutinise team performances and analyse individual players. I`ll also reflect on life inside the game and the broader issues surrounding football in this country.
Zeno
Just what the world needs - one more guy talking about Chelsea. Expect inflammatory remarks, vitriolic banter, and general nastiness, all in the name of good old-fashioned journalism. And if it makes anyone feel any better, yes... I was watching Chelsea when we were rubbish.
The Addickted
I've been going to the Addicks home and away games since I was 5 and have now reached the grand old age of 18. I am as proud of Charlton today as I have ever been and equally proud of my season ticket. So why not follow my ramblings here at reallifenews as Charlton move ever closer to the premiership title!
Akzoony
I started following the Reds with a passion 15 years ago and have patiently waited for the here and now. It has taken many years for the Souness legacy to pass us by. The energy provided by Evans and the organisation by Houllier is finally being brought together by the genius of Rafa.
His (and our) first major trophy was an amazing result, and has paved the way for a glorious future. It may not be the first time we have thought ‘maybe next year' but –perhaps - it may be the first time we have thought it with any real conviction.
Come on the Reds.
You'll never walk alone.
Liam
I began supporting Wigan just before our saviour Dave Whelan took over the club and set out to make us the force we are today. My first game was a 0-0 at home, in front of a crowd of less than 1,500. How times have changed.
I have lived through the bad times supporting Wigan, not knowing whether my club would survive another season. I can still remember marching towards the old Springfield Park ground wondering will I have a club to support the week after. Then Dave Whelan came in and everything changed.
We won the division 3 title and after countless failed attempts in the League 1 (old division 2) play-offs, we won promotion to the Championship in style, finishing with 100 points. 25 years on from getting elected into the football leagues we had just reached the Championship for the first time ever.
It took just two years for us to make it to the promised land and I have loved every minute of it. A lot of credit goes to the management duo of Paul Jewell and Chris Hutchings, without them we would still be trying to get out of league 1. I have been to every game this season, bar Tottenham away (work commitments) and its been worth every penny. We might not be the biggest of clubs, have the largest fan base or most history. That's because were making that now - walking in a Wigan Wonderland for many years to come!
Jasper Reed
I work in professional sport in Australia (though not as an athlete, and not in football), but was born and raised in England and still have an obsessive interest in the English game. I write mostly about the A-League with an English audience in mind, but hopefully there will be enough for Australian readers to relate to and comment on.
I should also mention that I'm an Adelaide United fan (I have been since the old NSL days when we were Adelaide City/Force). So, whilst I will try to be impartial and evenhanded my bias may show through on occasions. If you'd like to redress this imbalance why not write about your local A League team.
Roland Deschain
I'm 29 years of age, born in the great city of Newcastle. I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and seen many great things in my short time on the globe – Gazza, complete with autograph. Mirra, ditto. Beardsley & Cole, together. Sir Les, Daveeed and Sir Alan. I was brought up on hope, but with capitalism comes a diminishing of that hope and now my only true hope is that the club will soon be run by someone capable, someone useful – in short, not Shepherd…….
Blue Champion
I'm a 'post-Jose' Chelsea fan. And I dont want to hide this. After all, you gotta become a fan at some point or the other. Mine happened to be after Roman/Jose invasion of the Premiership. That's when I started watching football seriously. But I became a fan before they started winning big time. So, that tells you that I dont have decades of football-following as I hail from India where football is scarcely played and watched. Yes, that makes me the rookie of this lot, but you can judge me by my writing rather than anything else. I get to see all the matches every weekend on TV and I've not watched a football match from the stadium yet, despite my visits to Europe and UK.
I do have strong opinions on football and I'm a wee-bit biased in favour of Chelsea and I see nothing wrong in it. You can also see biased opinions positively as opinions from a different perspective and they can trigger good healthy discussions, which are essential for a blog. I write for my own football blog as well. I'm just too crazy about Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven series. I'm 27 and I'm a banker and certified accountant by profession.
MartinF
I co-founded Real Life News in February 2006. I've been a long-time Arsenal supporter and though I don't manage to get to every game I still manage a few home games each season. Like David, my aim is to comment on Arsenal but also wider footballing stories – when I have time off from actually running the site that is.
DavidM
I'm a co-founder of Real Life News with Martin and like him I am an Arsenal fan for my sins. I didn't really follow anyone until 1991 when I moved to within 500 yards of Highbury. After 4 years of going to the games, being part of the crowd and joining the celebrations, I moved away. I still get to several games a season and was lucky enough to be part of the farewell to Highbury party, which was the best footballing experience of my life. With a fantastic atmosphere, tension from needing the result and the emotion of leaving Highbury it was an amazing day.
