CATEGORIES

Is Griffiths getting his own back on the Prem?

Finally, the Championship has a champion in Edward Griffiths, who is going to shine a light at the end of the long tunnel that has been the clubs’ battle to survive in these professional times.

Heads out of the bunker chaps and point the way!

Lady Godiva’s dress-down ride through Coventry; Sir Thomas Fairfax’s rout of the Royalist forces south of Bristol; the first stirrings of the Battle of Britain; the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland: all things considered, the 10th day of July had more than its share of historical resonance even before Darren Childs addressed the rugby nation.

NOWHERE ELSE I'D RATHER BE

Author and superfan STEVE HILL made up Chester’s sole representation at Moss Lane last Sunday and, despite the result, he would’ve had it no other way

YOU'D BE MAD NOT TO FEAR HATTERS!

NEXT summer will mark a decade since the end of Stockport County’s 106-year residence in the Football League.

NO STONE WAS LEFT UNTURNED

IT WAS only when Boreham Wood’s 118page matchday protocol document landed in my email inbox last week did I realise the true scale of the mission to restart Non-League.

MAGPIES' MESSI IS MAN OF MAGIC

THE magic of Cal Roberts ensured Notts County enjoyed the perfect one-year celebration since their existence was secured – and sent them to Wembley for a shot at a Football League return.

JACK IN THE BOX IS TALK OF TOWN

JACK Muldoon was the toast of Harrogate after his poacher’s finish booked the club’s first ever Wembley appearance – and took them to within 90 minutes of the Football League.

I FEAR WE ARE BEING TOO HASTY

I’VE spoken to numerous managers in recent weeks and we all agree it’s great to be back. Training has restarted at many clubs and we seem to have got the buzz back. But let’s just take a big deep breath here.

COLOSSAL ROBINS GIVE YORK THE BOOT

A FRUSTRATING season for York ended with one final kick in the teeth as the Minstermen were soundly beaten by Altrincham in what may be the final match at Bootham Crescent.

WE HAVE FEARS DOWN THE PAN

Restrictions could turn fans away

ALL THE LIP AND A REAL EYE FOR GOAL!

FOR most players, legendary status is the painstaking by-product of loyalty, goals, medals and memories.

Heed Heroes Are So Glad For Brad As Saints Yield

They brought step ladders and climbed trees – but while the locked out Brackley Town fans had the perfect view of Shane Byrne’s wonder goal, they were also staring straight down the barrel when Gateshead keeper Brad James saved three shoot-out kicks to send the Heed through.

Whitgift produce sporting all-rounders of excellence

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

Rugby in Hawaii? Book me in please Danno!

ONE of the major disappointments with American Rugby over the decades is that Hawaii hasn’t made more of an impact, although that could all be about to change after the formation of a Kanaloa Hawaii team to hopefully compete in the MLR from next season onwards.

Johnny focused on starting at Scarlets

JOHNNY Williams insists he is in no rush to follow Dragons recruit Nick Tompkins and fast track his way into the Wales team after swapping Newcastle for Scarlets.

Twist facts how you like, Tests still reign supreme

AS THE old saying goes: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The inference, of course, is that statistics can be used to defend a weak argument by the use of numbers, not facts.

Shirt-swap stars can carry on regardless

Scotland set the long-distance ball rolling, England joined in, Wales followed suit and Ireland are now poised to complete a Home Nations’ custom.

Memo to PRO16: Dublin to Cape Town is 15 hours

If Coronation Street is our longest-running soap, then the PRO14 is doing its best to rival it. Its chequered history dates back nearly 20 years, starting with the four Irish provinces, the two Scottish franchises, and nine (!) Welsh teams.

Maverick talents that England failed to trust

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

Injury ended my shot at England...and All Blacks

DAN BOWDEN THE FORMER HIGHLANDERS, BLUES, CRUSADERS, LONDON IRISH, LEICESTER AND BATH FLY-HALF

Beziers takeover hits the buffers

It’s taken several weeks, and several twists, but the Beziers afternoon soap opera is running down for the summer.

So Vital Gatland Goes For Tried And Tested Coaches

The big positive from the announcement of the 2021 Lions itinerary this week is that there is continuity, because it is the same tour schedule in South Africa as it was before the Covid lockdown.

Covid-19: Why Are So Many Bame Patients Dying From The Disease?

Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionate rates. What’s the story behind the statistics?

WOOD RHEAD PLAY-OFF SCRIPT

HE HAS won Nation-al League titles with Mansfi eld Town and Lincoln City – now Matt Rhead is after a promotion hat-trick after keeping Boreham Wood’s Football League dream alive.

QUALITY KITS TO MOVE FORWARD

This is an uncertain time for everyone as the UK recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. If the last few months have taught us anything it’s the value in thinking local, whether that’s ordering from the restaurant just down the road or buying your coffee from a small independent instead of a large global chain.

WHITE: WE CAN ROCK ROMANS

PROMOTION special-ist Marc White looked ahead to this afternoon’s play-off showdown against Bath City and insisted: “We’re the favorites.”

JUST LIKE MO, WE'RE READY!

JORDAN Hulme reckons he and his Altrincham teammates are in such good shape they could give Mo Farah a run for his money!

WILKIN PLANS A HIGH NOON

Brackley bank on forgotten man

MAGIC MIKE WAS JAN'S MAN!

CHRIS DUNLAVY REMEMBERS THE TOUCH OF CLASS THAT WAS MIKE MARSH

DARTS LOOK IN FINE FETTLE

SURREAL. That’s the only word to describe the feeling going into today’s play-off match with Slough Town.