2023-06-01 10:58
We all know that football didn’t start in 1992, but the English top flight’s rebranding from the First Division in 1992 to the Premier League has played a big part in making the… Read More
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Tales From The Top Flight Blog
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Tales from the Top Flight started as a weekly football column in Spain’s largest English speaking newspaper on the Costa Blanca, The Costa Blanca People in 2015.
Written by Chris Darwen, the weekly column then became a book and then a daily blog.
Having spent over a decade with dreary commutes to work, Chris decided that he might be able to help cheer up people every morning, even if for only five minutes. From that decision came the idea of making Tales from the Top Flight a daily read for people, emailed directly to their inboxes in time for their bus or train journey into the office. Even those that drive in receive it in time for their first coffee of the morning.
Tales from the Top Flight is not about in-depth football analysis. It will never tell you the difference between an inverted wing back and a regista. It will, hopefully, give you at least one laugh per column – maybe even two if Chris is feeling particularly on form.
Sign up below to ensure you receive Tales from the Top Flight directly to your inbox each morning – (guaranteed by 0630*)
*not actually guaranteed, but we will do our best!
2020-04-14 14:26
The spread of coronavirus has impacted the staging of football events around the world, and the Premier League is no exception. Many sporting leagues have declared their season null and void… Read More
2019-09-05 13:29
Premier League bigwigs have come under a storm of fire from furious players, managers and supporters after signing a lucrative sponsorship deal with a KILT manufacture that will see all top… Read More
2019-08-29 16:21
Groundsman at the leading clubs in the Premier League will tell you the profession has come a long way since the inception of the greatest league in the world back in 1992.
These days no end… Read More
2019-08-22 14:27
There have been many Premier League managers over the years who would have liked the chance to exorcise various ghosts — usually in the shape of players who misbehave or misfire &mdash&hell…Read More
2019-08-15 16:02
Everton boast rap artist King Nuisance. Aston Villa have romantic wordsmith Pansy Smella. And Watford can count on lyrical genius Gladys Prothero. Confused? Well, don’t be – we&r&hell…Read More
2019-08-09 11:21
Premier League giants Manchester United have rarely been described as a sleeping giant — with an array of glittering prizes adorning their well-stocked trophy cabinet.
But under the le… Read More
2019-07-26 16:18
Billionaire foreign owners of Premier League football clubs are often much maligned — for some reason, supporters love the fact that the big bucks come flooding in to the club, but the… Read More
2019-07-09 07:51
You know urine trouble when it comes to desperate sponsorship deals at your football club as the powers that be try to get find backers to decorate the ground’s toilets in their brandi… Read More
2019-06-21 18:02
For the Premier League big clubs, shirt sponsorship deals are hugely lucrative. The deals are multi-layered and teams of legal eagles ensure every t is crossed and every i is dotted; it&rsqu&hell…Read More
2019-06-18 10:40
Mesut Ozil’s generous spirit has come to light recently thanks to his donation of thousands of pounds to needy kids but the Arsenal star isn’t the first footballer to help with d… Read More
2019-06-17 14:08
World order and how America continues to play its vital part in it is the daily duty for President Donald Trump these days — but as fans of Southend United will tell you, it could easi… Read More
2019-06-14 19:27
It’s a fine line between failure and success in all walks of life (except for funambulists). The football world is no different. Some players make it; others don’t and luck plays… Read More
2019-06-14 08:45
Arsenal have been urged to pull out of the Europa League next season and instead focus their attention on snaring some silverware in the Watney Cup. Indeed, Arsenal may have a decent chance… Read More
2019-06-13 11:53
Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a wanted man. Anytime soon he will swap his role at Selhurst Park for the big time with a remarkable, mega-dosh switch to moneybags Manchester… Read More
2019-06-10 13:18
A bone-chilling film that exposes the terrifying new wave of football hooliganism is set to cause a storm when it is aired later this month. For unlike the snarling yobs who battle each othe… Read More
2019-06-10 12:57
Football fans disloyal to their teams now have a window of opportunity to make a move to follow another club, thanks to new rules proposed by football hierarchy.
Up until now supporters have… Read More
2019-06-04 13:18
Facial hair in all its guises has been trendy for a while now…. and Premier League footballers are just about to get in on the act after a beard-growing organisation blasted the autho… Read More
2019-06-04 10:35
It’s a story which stretches credulity. But when the dust finally settles on the season just gone, one particular chapter will ignite the imagination of football fans forever and a day… Read More
2019-05-22 18:47
Osama Bin Laden was a big Arsenal fan. John Lennon had an unswerving love for York City. And Harpo Marx enjoyed nothing more than cheering on West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground.
Hard to be… Read More
2019-05-22 15:45
The supporters of Leeds United have always been passionate. They travel in huge numbers to cheer on their heroes and replicate the same level of devoted support when their idols take to the… Read More
2019-05-22 09:48
English football has a long history of rivalries between clubs who are simply unable to get along amicably with each other.
Many of these are based purely on geography, while others have dev… Read More
2019-04-06 10:20
Struggling lower league clubs have welcomed the news that football bigwigs have sanctioned a move which will allow them to alter their names to incorporate sponsors.
Now Premier League big b… Read More
2019-03-29 10:43
Controversial new plans to ensure each Premier League club must field at least three women in their teams from next season have been blasted by football fans.
The new rules mean the top-flig… Read More
2019-03-23 12:09
The name Hamish McSporran has probably been lost in the mists of time. It’s no surprise, really. It’s been 60 years since Hamish made his mark, shameful though it was, in the foo… Read More
2018-11-06 15:23
“Where did the idea come from? It sounds utterly preposterous to me,”
said a bemused Terry John. He was right to be perplexed. The mere notion that mixed football — that is… Read More
2018-10-17 17:27
Jose Mourinho is an unlikely pantomime dame, of that most of us can agree. But, in a move that will startle some, shock others and leave many indifferent, the Manchester United manager has a… Read More
2018-10-16 09:21
Football has been described as the “beautiful game” — but what about the ugly side to the sport that so enthrals millions of fans all over the globe (as well as the small b… Read More
2018-07-11 20:46
Did you know that East Anglia lays claim to one of the fiercest football rivalries in the U.K.? No? Neither did we. But according to the 2008 Football Rivalries Report, it is the second most… Read More
2018-06-11 20:28
Nigeria will stun football this summer in Russia by becoming the first African nation to lift the FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles are poised to get their hands on the trophy to shock follow… Read More
2018-06-11 13:04
There were more than a few raised eyebrows when it was seen that this years World Cup hosts have been drawn alongside Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Group A. It means they have a genuine… Read More
2018-06-01 14:27
Unai Emery’s first job after being appointed the new manager of Arsenal, fans would hope at least, is to tie both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere down to new contracts.
But it seems tha… Read More
2018-06-01 09:53
Every year the Portuguese wonder-boy (that’s probably the name he has given himself) likes to kindle a little speculation about will he be leaving his employers – currently Real… Read More
2018-04-17 17:30
Hang on, I was promised a full midweek Premier League programme. And what have we actually got? Four matches and none of them really mean anything. Look at them, tell me they mean something… Read More
2018-04-17 14:30
Crying Gigi
Let’s get one thing straight, Gianluigi Buffon is a legend of football. He will be seen as such when he hangs up his gloves at the end of the season and it is a crime that… Read More
2018-04-17 14:00
Welcome to your TV guide. I have bad news. There is no European football this week. Not even Europa League. I have good news – there’s Premier League action instead! The troubles… Read More
2018-04-17 09:30
Did you know Jose Mourinho has won many, many things in his management career? Of course, you did! Because he loves to remind you at every single opportunity. Even losing at home to the wors… Read More
2018-04-16 17:30
Henlo frens!
Pan The Pundits makes it’s literally unawaited return because I’m very lazy. This week it’s back with Gary, Al and Wrighty as I attempt not to lose the will to… Read More
2018-04-16 15:30
So Man City clinch the title thanks to West Brom and Man Utd, but the real story of the last few days in the beautiful game lies in pop music and in film. We learn that you don’t… Read More
2018-04-16 15:00
Yeah, let’s not get too excited. A doubleheader is a good thing for a lot of Fantasy Football players, but not me. It’s two chances in a week to look like a prat. And already, al… Read More
2018-04-16 14:30
On Saturday, Wolverhampton Wanderers won promotion back to the first division for the first time since their back-to-back relegations of 2012 and 2013. They’re a bit of a mad club y&rs&hell…Read More
2018-04-16 14:00
In a totally unsurprising turn of events, Manchester City were mathematically crowned the Premier League champions on Sunday. They would have preferred to win it by humiliating their cross-t… Read More
Super Subs, The Best Right Foot In The League And A Midfield Machine. Who Is In Team Of The Weekend?
2018-04-16 09:30
Greetings and welcome to Team of the Weekend, the article where we name, fame and shame the best and worst of the Premier League from the latest round of fixtures. It is Grand National seaso… Read More
2018-04-16 05:30
What’s that? Manchester City led a game at half-time and went on to win? Are you sure? I thought they had soft mentalities and all that? Surely, you cannot mean that they are actually… Read More
2018-04-14 11:30
Before proceeding with the rest of the column, please join me in partaking in a minute’s silence for all those who don’t like football. One, two, three.. sixty. Alright then, let… Read More
2018-04-13 17:30
There’s a scene at the start of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves where Kevin Costner dares a prison guard to cut off his hand, and says in his broad American accent: “This is Englis… Read More
2018-04-13 15:30
I would like to start this week by congratulating Harry Kane: not for being awarded Tottenham’s 2nd goal against Stoke last weekend, but for his complete lack of grace and decorum in h… Read More
2018-04-13 15:00
We are heading into a long run of Premier League football over the next six days or so, just so you are warned. In this run, Manchester City will be crowned Champions (which will no doubt re… Read More
2018-04-13 14:30
Back again for Gameweek 34 – I’ll be joining the dots with all the Premier League fixtures. Some are more deserving than others.
SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA
Antonio Conte drags his unw… Read More
2018-04-13 14:00
Well, it’s finally here. The beginning of the home stretch is heralded by the arrival of our first proper double game week of the season where we find 8 teams playing twice and points… Read More
2018-04-13 11:30
It seems that the Golden Boot is now the most important piece of silverware still up for grabs and has led to Harry Kane robbing everyone who has Cristian Erikksen in their Fantasy team of a… Read More
2018-04-13 09:30
Earlier this week, a story surfaced from France Football suggesting FIFA officials are considering a reform to the loan system. Some believe the committee members, who are set to m… Read More
2018-04-12 15:00
In February, I debated whether any of the five English clubs progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League could go far in the competition. I even talked about the likelihood of… Read More
2018-04-12 14:30
I am building a website called The Football Ground, with links to free web content by club, competition and country, and – unsurprising to regular readers of my football articles &ndas&hell…Read More
2018-04-12 14:00
A post shared by ArsenalFanTV.com (@arsenalfantv) on Apr 11, 2018 at 11:12am PDT
October 17th, 2006: the last time Arsenal travelled to Russia for a competitive game against CSKA Mosc… Read More
2018-04-11 18:00
This past week has been a rough one for Pep Guardiola and his Citizens. Less than seven days ago, the Manchester City boss saw his team thrashed by Jurgen Klopp’s dominant Liverpool si… Read More
2018-04-11 17:30
Eion and Bob are back after another of Eion’s well-timed holidays to talk everything Manchester which delights Bob no end.
The guys also lament the loss of Dean thanks to Wrestlemania… Read More
2018-04-11 15:30
Fair enough. When you play for Spurs, even the slightest whiff of Silverware is worth chasing hard for. Yet, even with that as a motivating factor, Harry Kane’s determination to claim… Read More
2018-04-11 15:15
As Gameweek 33 of the Premier League season stretches into the horizon, we are faced with the realisation that there really won’t be many more stunning comebacks, intense derby matches… Read More
2018-04-11 15:00
With Manchester City soaring to their first Premier League title under Pep Guardiola and 2-0 up in the clinching game against their faltering closest rivals, no one could’ve predicted… Read More
2018-04-11 15:00
What is going on at Newcastle?
After last week’s win against Huddersfield took us to the brink of safety in the Premier League, I was expecting a quiet end to the season and a bottom… Read More
2018-04-11 14:00
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, three derbies (well, three derbies that people actually care about) were played out in Merseyside, Manchester and Madrid. These games ranged from the… Read More
2018-04-11 09:30
Well, would you look at that! The Greatest Team the English Premier League Has Ever Seen TM won’t win the quadruple, treble or even a sodding double after they were knocked o… Read More
2018-04-10 15:30
A former Premier League manager approached us here at Tales and asked that we publish his diaries, so he could show the public what life is like out of the game. His only request was that he… Read More
2018-04-10 15:00
We have to dip out of the Premier League momentarily in today’s Mag7 because #1 is far too daft to ignore and shows the FA up to be exactly what they are, incompetent idiots with their… Read More
2018-04-10 14:30
You’re jealous – it’s fine
Liverpool Football Club possess the greatest fans in the world. People have a go at us and moan about us, saying that we think we are above every… Read More
Match Of The Days: Champions League, Scottish Cup Semi Finals, Rome Derby And A Bonus Saturday Night
2018-04-10 14:00
Greetings and welcome to another week of TV goodness. We’ve got Champions League and Europa League second legs to look forward to, along with the usual full weekend of league action in… Read More
2018-04-10 11:30
48 hours after losing the Manchester derby, the chance to win the Premier League, his psychological hold over Jose Mourinho, his secret pact with Paul Pogba and what hair he has left, Pep Gu… Read More
2018-04-09 15:30
Manchester City fans must be distraught. With a handful of games to go their 13 points clear in the league, already have one trophy under their belt, plus they are still in the Champions Lea… Read More
2018-04-09 15:00
Oh yes, another weekend of Fantasy Football stuff and as I say – I may as well let the computer pick the team.
Why? Well, it never lets me put out the team I want to. Mind you, there w… Read More
2018-04-09 14:30
Happy Monday to you all, I’m back to review the best and worst of the weekend, and what a weekend it was. Derby games were the order of the weekend, but let’s say some were much… Read More
2018-04-09 14:00
And then there were six. This Premier League season is slowly trundling towards a conclusion that everyone saw coming several weeks ago. Or is it? Let’s find out.
The Good
Manchester U… Read More
How Allardyce The Wind-Up Merchant Is Digging Everton Deeper And Deeper Into An Everton-shaped Hole.
2018-04-09 11:30
Think of all the seasons in years gone by. Think of all the Augusts spent guessing the league table from 1-20. All the years ‘yer da’ said that the three teams who had just come… Read More
2018-04-09 05:30
What’s that? Manchester City have been screwed twice in a week since partnering with Tinder? Who saw that coming?!
As Martin Tyler said to Gary Neville, without a hint of irony, the Ma… Read More
2018-04-07 13:00
Recently, BT Sport resurrected the iconic Channel 4 Golazzo for a one-off special documentary, inviting James Richardson to reminisce with some familiar faces over what was a classic time in… Read More
2018-04-07 12:30
Today sees a very special derby day for the Premier League, two huge Derby matches in one day, The Manchester Derby and the Merseyside Derby.
The Merseyside derby sees two teams of very diff… Read More
2018-04-07 11:30
It’s fair to say the Premier League well and truly returned last weekend! From Christian Eriksen to Cristiano Ronaldo, this week has propped up a haul of beautiful goals for you to tak… Read More
2018-04-06 17:30
My god those hands were frozen. I’m not talking a bit nippy; more like snap-them-off-they’re-icicles punishingly sub-zero freezing. The worst part was not the excruciating agony… Read More
2018-04-06 15:30
At least last week’s football reminded me of why I try not to make predictions. ‘Game of the Week’ I said, looking forward to Notts County taking on Wycombe. It didn’… Read More
2018-04-06 14:30
With the Premier League back in full swing, it’s time to review ‘derby day’, ‘Super’ Sunday, and a fairly dull 3pm on Saturday.
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
Finally, an… Read More
2018-04-06 14:00
Wow it’s Friday again?! These short weeks fly by. We enter week 33 on a moderate high – my score of 65 beat the average of 48 and saw the much sought after green arrows populate… Read More
2018-04-06 11:30
Much to no one’s delight regular host, Jim makes a return in the brand new On The Left Side; The Funny Football Show. Your regular dose of funny football podcast this week looks, in aw… Read More
2018-04-06 09:51
Photo by Matthew Wilkinson, CC BY
There are many times in your life when you are faced with a decision—times when you arrive at a crossroads and the direction of travel… Read More
2018-04-05 15:30
So you wake up tomorrow morning and you’re the chairman of West Bromwich Albion.
Back on home soil tomorrow #TheHawthorns #WBALEI #PremierLeague #PL #WBA
A post shared by West B… Read More
2018-04-05 15:00
It is February 2035. A freshly-turned 50 year old Cristiano Ronaldo has finally breached the realms of human footballing ability. There is no question any more: Lionel who?
Messi, in fact… Read More
2018-04-05 14:30
If you are as old as me you will remember iconic moments from the 1960s and 1970s such as: Fry’s Turkish Delight ads (whatever did happen to Hakan Sukur and other ‘golden generat… Read More
2018-04-05 14:00
Cristiano Ronaldo’s been busy this week hasn’t he? Naturally after scoring that spectacular overhead kick that all too familiar debate has re-emerged. Just who is better at footb… Read More
2018-04-04 15:00
A massive step towards survival
Last weekend saw Huddersfield visit St James’ Park for a massive relegation six-pointer that we couldn’t afford to lose. A win would see us almost… Read More
2018-04-04 14:30
Premier League football was back with a bang last weekend after a drab international break trying to hype up the England football team. One manager eventually succumbed to the axe as his tea… Read More
2018-04-04 14:00
After many miserable days, the Easter weekend finally saw the return of some Premier League action. It also bore witness to possibly the final few nails in Antonio Conte’s coffin and t… Read More
2018-04-04 11:30
Thankfully, the Premier League is back. That means reflecting upon Chelsea’s inconsistencies, West Brom’s lack of any skill and frankly, Man City’s dominance, can become pa… Read More
2018-04-03 15:30
A former Premier League manager approached us here at Tales and asked that we publish his diaries, so he could show the public what life is like out of the game. His only request was that he… Read More
2018-04-03 15:00
We all knew it was coming. We are all surprised it came when it did. What are we talking about? #1 will no doubt explain.
#1 Alan Pardew
There’s got to be some weird betting syndicate… Read More
2018-04-03 14:30
The Barnes Enigma
What the hell has happened to Ashley Barnes?! This time last year I’d have laughed at a future me if I told me (I think that’s right) that Ashley Barnes would b… Read More
2018-04-03 14:00
Well you did it. You survived the International break and all the pain it caused and now we’re back in the thick of club football for the remainder of the season. This week we’ve… Read More
2018-04-03 05:30
So the axe has finally fallen. West Bromwich Albion have sacked Alan Pardew, which is not the shock. The shock is WHY NOW? I mean, up until even three games ago there was a teeny, tiny, toon… Read More
2018-04-02 15:30
The final of our guest presenters to take the reigns is late night BBC radio legend, Dotun Adebayo. Puma. And Usain Bolt has scored, but not like you might have read in the papers a few week… Read More
2018-04-02 15:00
I really do, I blame Easter and the whole Christian faith if I have to. I need to share responsibility for this week otherwise it might just start getting me down.
Good news – the play… Read More
2018-04-02 14:30
Ah Premier League football, how I have missed you. Now the pesky International break is over we’re on a solid run in to the end of the season with wall to wall club football to enjoy… Read More
2018-04-02 14:00
And we’re back after the international break! You lot have already suffered enough over these past two weeks, so I’ll dispense with the preamble and jump straight into it.
The Go… Read More
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