2016 T20 Blast: Northamptonshire

I love an underdog triumph as much as the next man, and when the victorious tale involves a team that you support, then it is that much sweeter. To call Northamptonshire underdogs in the T20 format may sound odd; after all, the county won the tournament in 2013, and were runners-up last season. Yet in terms of resources, the county are a prime example of a team punching above their weight.

During my childhood I was lucky enough to enjoy the era of Lamb, Larkins, Bailey, Capel and so many others, including current coach David Ripley. The two final defeats in 1987 were hard to take, and the 1995 County Championship contenders containing Anil Kumble was another story of so near yet so far. Our 2013 T20 win was thrilling, but it was only when I started to take my son to Wantage Road in 2014, that my enthusiasm was truly stirred again.

2015/16: Boreham Wood

In this season of Leicester City and their Hollywood story, it is easy for some achievements to go by unnoticed. Rotherham staying up, the resurgence of Barnsley, and Northampton's triumph through adversity, just three examples of relative success that should be applauded. 

A letter to Arsene

This open letter first appeared in issue 258 of The Gooner

Dear Arsene,

Why does it have to end like this?

When you arrived in 1996, I will be honest and say I was a little unsure. But it only took a few weeks to convince me that there was something different about you. Just one glimpse of Patrick Vieira was enough to highlight your knack of spotting a player, and your knowledge of the French market saw you deliver players such as Petit, Anelka, Pires, and rescue Henry from his Italian nightmare. Within a couple of years you brought us the double, and you were probably just a penalty kick away from repeating the feat again in 1999.