Alex Duff
@duffofbrentford.bsky.social
Author of Smart Money (Brentford FC), Le Fric (Tour de France) & Football's Secret Trade (Player transfers).
Big, if true .. at ManU. 🧐
November 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Big, if true .. at ManU. 🧐
I understand the good people of @escapecollective.bsky.social are responsible for this.. 😳
#1 in cycling on Kindle; paperback sold out in Australia; hardback gone in UK.
Allez, Vive Le Fric 🇫🇷
#1 in cycling on Kindle; paperback sold out in Australia; hardback gone in UK.
Allez, Vive Le Fric 🇫🇷
November 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I understand the good people of @escapecollective.bsky.social are responsible for this.. 😳
#1 in cycling on Kindle; paperback sold out in Australia; hardback gone in UK.
Allez, Vive Le Fric 🇫🇷
#1 in cycling on Kindle; paperback sold out in Australia; hardback gone in UK.
Allez, Vive Le Fric 🇫🇷
Reposted by Alex Duff
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Alex Duff
I've always wondered (and feared) what might happen if everyone started taking set pieces seriously. The first eight weeks of the Premier League season might be giving us a glimpse into the future, where soccer no longer features much, well, soccer: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Are set plays ruining the Premier League? How throw-ins are boosting Arsenal, but adding boredom
As Premier League teams learn set pieces are a more efficient way to score, open play goals become rarer. Can the game withstand such a shift?
www.espn.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I've always wondered (and feared) what might happen if everyone started taking set pieces seriously. The first eight weeks of the Premier League season might be giving us a glimpse into the future, where soccer no longer features much, well, soccer: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Here's Ron Greenwood on the Central Line with the FA Cup in 1964.
October 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Here's Ron Greenwood on the Central Line with the FA Cup in 1964.
Gino Pozzo has fired 15 Watford managers in the last decade.
In the modern era, few football club owners are in the same league.
In the modern era, few football club owners are in the same league.
October 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Gino Pozzo has fired 15 Watford managers in the last decade.
In the modern era, few football club owners are in the same league.
In the modern era, few football club owners are in the same league.
The Times: let's just outsource all U.K. government policy to the Dutchies 🇳🇱
October 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Times: let's just outsource all U.K. government policy to the Dutchies 🇳🇱
Great to see 'Smart Money' is available in public libraries in Brentford, Chiswick, Hounslow, Richmond, Sutton and Luton! Come on You Hatters. Keep the faith.
October 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Great to see 'Smart Money' is available in public libraries in Brentford, Chiswick, Hounslow, Richmond, Sutton and Luton! Come on You Hatters. Keep the faith.
The Amaury family (which owns the Tour de France and La Vuelta) made €2.3 million from offshore investments last year, according to @publico.es
It is an above-board scheme known as 'cash pooling' using the family's reserves - profits taxable in France and Spain.
www.publico.es/politica/inv...
It is an above-board scheme known as 'cash pooling' using the family's reserves - profits taxable in France and Spain.
www.publico.es/politica/inv...
El otro negocio de Unipublic con La Vuelta: dinero público que termina invertido en paraísos fiscales
Unipublic envía sus excedentes de tesorería a una sociedad de su matriz francesa que los invierte en sicav situadas en paraísos fiscales.
www.publico.es
September 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The Amaury family (which owns the Tour de France and La Vuelta) made €2.3 million from offshore investments last year, according to @publico.es
It is an above-board scheme known as 'cash pooling' using the family's reserves - profits taxable in France and Spain.
www.publico.es/politica/inv...
It is an above-board scheme known as 'cash pooling' using the family's reserves - profits taxable in France and Spain.
www.publico.es/politica/inv...
Moneyball not so much any more.
Brentford has 20th costliest squad by transfer fees in world football, according to CIES Football Observatory.
More than former European champions AC Milan, Benfica and Marseille. Not far off Barcelona either 👀
Brentford has 20th costliest squad by transfer fees in world football, according to CIES Football Observatory.
More than former European champions AC Milan, Benfica and Marseille. Not far off Barcelona either 👀
September 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Moneyball not so much any more.
Brentford has 20th costliest squad by transfer fees in world football, according to CIES Football Observatory.
More than former European champions AC Milan, Benfica and Marseille. Not far off Barcelona either 👀
Brentford has 20th costliest squad by transfer fees in world football, according to CIES Football Observatory.
More than former European champions AC Milan, Benfica and Marseille. Not far off Barcelona either 👀
Reposted by Alex Duff
In the 80s, a fact checker found that an unedited issue of The New Yorker contained 1,000 errors. (This figure itself wouldn’t survive a fact-check, but never mind.) Zach Helfand delves into the history of the vaunted department.
The History of The New Yorker’s Vaunted Fact-Checking Department
Reporters engage in charm and betrayal; checkers are in the harm-reduction business.
www.newyorker.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:04 AM
In the 80s, a fact checker found that an unedited issue of The New Yorker contained 1,000 errors. (This figure itself wouldn’t survive a fact-check, but never mind.) Zach Helfand delves into the history of the vaunted department.
Reposted by Alex Duff
Spanish Government replies to the UCI's statement, pointing out that the UN has just declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide. Brutal final words: "Peace without justice is peace in the graveyard."
Lappartient is out of his depth. He is not protecting cycling with his actions and words.
Lappartient is out of his depth. He is not protecting cycling with his actions and words.
September 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Spanish Government replies to the UCI's statement, pointing out that the UN has just declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide. Brutal final words: "Peace without justice is peace in the graveyard."
Lappartient is out of his depth. He is not protecting cycling with his actions and words.
Lappartient is out of his depth. He is not protecting cycling with his actions and words.
"The UCI's view that sport must "remain autonomous," separate from politics ..
..
(Somewhere deep in the small print)
..
*except when it concerns the French state and the affairs of Amaury Sport Organisation.
..
(Somewhere deep in the small print)
..
*except when it concerns the French state and the affairs of Amaury Sport Organisation.
September 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
"The UCI's view that sport must "remain autonomous," separate from politics ..
..
(Somewhere deep in the small print)
..
*except when it concerns the French state and the affairs of Amaury Sport Organisation.
..
(Somewhere deep in the small print)
..
*except when it concerns the French state and the affairs of Amaury Sport Organisation.
Los chavistas lo dejaron en libertad cuando buscaron en Internet su nombre y descubrieron que se trataba de uno de los protagonistas del famoso sketch fish-slaping-dance, de los Monty Python'
🔴 Milicianos chavistas retienen durante siete horas a Michael Palin, actor de los Monty Python. Los raptores acabaron pidiéndoles autógrafos
Milicianos chavistas retienen durante siete horas a Michael Palin, actor de los Monty Python
La unidad acabó reconociendo al actor británico y le pidió autógrafos
social.elpais.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Los chavistas lo dejaron en libertad cuando buscaron en Internet su nombre y descubrieron que se trataba de uno de los protagonistas del famoso sketch fish-slaping-dance, de los Monty Python'
Happy transfer deadline day
In 2017, @tariqpanja.bsky.social and I published 'Football's Secret Trade' an exposé of an underground investment market in player transfers
Now banned, it made a lot of money for a few already-wealthy people
www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/s...
In 2017, @tariqpanja.bsky.social and I published 'Football's Secret Trade' an exposé of an underground investment market in player transfers
Now banned, it made a lot of money for a few already-wealthy people
www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/s...
‘I Own Players’: How West Ham’s Transfer Scandal Upended English Soccer (Published 2017)
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Happy transfer deadline day
In 2017, @tariqpanja.bsky.social and I published 'Football's Secret Trade' an exposé of an underground investment market in player transfers
Now banned, it made a lot of money for a few already-wealthy people
www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/s...
In 2017, @tariqpanja.bsky.social and I published 'Football's Secret Trade' an exposé of an underground investment market in player transfers
Now banned, it made a lot of money for a few already-wealthy people
www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/s...
NYT missed a bit.
On the walls, there was nothing look-at-me, apart from a blown-up photo of Tana wearing a suit – no tie – and a broad smile while holding a bottle of champagne next to a dozen men in a bath. The caption: ‘Brentford Football Club win promotion to the third division’.
RIP Dan.
On the walls, there was nothing look-at-me, apart from a blown-up photo of Tana wearing a suit – no tie – and a broad smile while holding a bottle of champagne next to a dozen men in a bath. The caption: ‘Brentford Football Club win promotion to the third division’.
RIP Dan.
Dan Tana, a teenage soccer player who defected from Communist Yugoslavia, bounced around teams in Western Europe and Canada, won a big poker game one night in 1956 and high-tailed it to Hollywood, where he opened the buzziest and most beloved Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, died on Saturday.
Dan Tana, Whose Clubby Red-Sauce Restaurant Drew Stars, Dies at 90
Dan Tana’s was said to be as central to Hollywood as palm trees and Botox. On a scale of 1 to 10, the people watching was a 10. Even the steak came with pasta.
nyti.ms
August 18, 2025 at 8:53 PM
NYT missed a bit.
On the walls, there was nothing look-at-me, apart from a blown-up photo of Tana wearing a suit – no tie – and a broad smile while holding a bottle of champagne next to a dozen men in a bath. The caption: ‘Brentford Football Club win promotion to the third division’.
RIP Dan.
On the walls, there was nothing look-at-me, apart from a blown-up photo of Tana wearing a suit – no tie – and a broad smile while holding a bottle of champagne next to a dozen men in a bath. The caption: ‘Brentford Football Club win promotion to the third division’.
RIP Dan.
"Maestro, fúmate un purito despacito."
I had not heard this phrase before but si, es la leche 👌
I had not heard this phrase before but si, es la leche 👌
Opposition to the bloodsport has been growing in Spain, but a rivalry between two very different characters — both gored in the past week — is captivating audiences
Ferocious matador feud that’s reviving fortunes of bullfighting
www.thetimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 2:12 PM
"Maestro, fúmate un purito despacito."
I had not heard this phrase before but si, es la leche 👌
I had not heard this phrase before but si, es la leche 👌
Challenge: To all professionals (and retirees) in the journalism, film, television, theatre, entertainment, and arts world, join the challenge to post a photo of yourself in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession.
August 12, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Challenge: To all professionals (and retirees) in the journalism, film, television, theatre, entertainment, and arts world, join the challenge to post a photo of yourself in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession.
Billy Grant on Antoni Milambo:
"He's got some dancing feet on him."
Yes sir, he can boogie.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
"He's got some dancing feet on him."
Yes sir, he can boogie.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Premier League fans’ previews: our club-by-club guide to 2025-26
The Guardian’s fans network looks ahead to the new season: fresh talent, weak links, and who will be sacked first
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Billy Grant on Antoni Milambo:
"He's got some dancing feet on him."
Yes sir, he can boogie.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
"He's got some dancing feet on him."
Yes sir, he can boogie.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Rare Tony Bloom interview but with a hint of PR including 'betting advisory' euphemism.
Wish him luck taking on Rangers & Celtic - he has more chance of winning the league with Hearts than Brighton.
Just needs one bad season for Celtic.
Wish him luck taking on Rangers & Celtic - he has more chance of winning the league with Hearts than Brighton.
Just needs one bad season for Celtic.
Exclusive interview with Tony Bloom...
We talked about the high wire act of Brighton's envied trading system, his stake in Hearts and why Americans buy Premier League clubs.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
We talked about the high wire act of Brighton's envied trading system, his stake in Hearts and why Americans buy Premier League clubs.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Meet Tony Bloom: poker expert and Brighton’s cheat code
In an exclusive interview, ‘The Lizard’ explains how his secret algorithm has transformed his boyhood club
observer.co.uk
August 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Rare Tony Bloom interview but with a hint of PR including 'betting advisory' euphemism.
Wish him luck taking on Rangers & Celtic - he has more chance of winning the league with Hearts than Brighton.
Just needs one bad season for Celtic.
Wish him luck taking on Rangers & Celtic - he has more chance of winning the league with Hearts than Brighton.
Just needs one bad season for Celtic.
With the Tour de France Femmes starting today, there will be 9️⃣ hours of cycling on the main channel of Dutch public broadcaster NOS today.
However there will be be a brief interlude in the schedule for the news - in case anything else is happening.
However there will be be a brief interlude in the schedule for the news - in case anything else is happening.
July 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM
With the Tour de France Femmes starting today, there will be 9️⃣ hours of cycling on the main channel of Dutch public broadcaster NOS today.
However there will be be a brief interlude in the schedule for the news - in case anything else is happening.
However there will be be a brief interlude in the schedule for the news - in case anything else is happening.
Matthew Benham selling minority stake in Brentford FC to Gary Lubner as early as tomorrow, according to Sky News.
Won't hold it against him when we go on to win the Premier League, but he grew up as a West Ham fan in 1960s South Africa.
www.thetimes.com/article/6cda...
Won't hold it against him when we go on to win the Premier League, but he grew up as a West Ham fan in 1960s South Africa.
www.thetimes.com/article/6cda...
Gary Lubner: I want to change the lives of millions of people
The South African businessman bankrolling the Labour Party talks about why he believes in Starmer and how growing up under apartheid shaped his politics
www.thetimes.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Matthew Benham selling minority stake in Brentford FC to Gary Lubner as early as tomorrow, according to Sky News.
Won't hold it against him when we go on to win the Premier League, but he grew up as a West Ham fan in 1960s South Africa.
www.thetimes.com/article/6cda...
Won't hold it against him when we go on to win the Premier League, but he grew up as a West Ham fan in 1960s South Africa.
www.thetimes.com/article/6cda...