Michael Walker
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
Freelance football reporter at The Athletic and Irish Times. NUJ. FWA.
Reposted by Michael Walker
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
✍️ This is Middlesbrough
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
This is Middlesbrough and this is what Rob Edwards will be missing
Analysis of Middlesbrough's 2-1 win over Birmingham City at the Riverside
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
✍️ This is Middlesbrough
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
Reposted by Michael Walker
What a lovely, original, piece of football writing here from @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social. The threads of history lend meaning to a modern match.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
What a lovely, original, piece of football writing here from @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social. The threads of history lend meaning to a modern match.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Morning all.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Morning all.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
🚨 Wolves set to confirm appointment of Rob Edwards early next week. Expected to sign 3.5yr contract + arrive at club on Monday; talks over coaching staff continue. Compensation agreed with #Boro ~£2m & #WWFC plan to back 42yo in Jan window 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Rob Edwards set to be appointed Wolves head coach, Middlesbrough agree £2m compensation fee
There is club-to-club agreement over a compensation fee in the region of £2million for the 42-year-old, who previously coached at Wolves.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🚨 Wolves set to confirm appointment of Rob Edwards early next week. Expected to sign 3.5yr contract + arrive at club on Monday; talks over coaching staff continue. Compensation agreed with #Boro ~£2m & #WWFC plan to back 42yo in Jan window 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
FT Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal. Scene at the final whistle of a dramatic, engrossing 106 minutes. Sunderland are third, Arsenal top but the clean sheet record is over. Some occasion.
November 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
FT Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal. Scene at the final whistle of a dramatic, engrossing 106 minutes. Sunderland are third, Arsenal top but the clean sheet record is over. Some occasion.
Reposted by Michael Walker
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Rob Edwards did not take training today. As of now he remains Middlesbrough manager. Implausible he will be in dugout for tomorrow’s match though.
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Rob Edwards did not take training today. As of now he remains Middlesbrough manager. Implausible he will be in dugout for tomorrow’s match though.
Reposted by Michael Walker
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka. ‘It was the worst day of my life. It was the best day of my life’
The Sunderland captain talks leadership, Arteta, Arsenal, the day he was booed off at the Emirates and his new side's aspirations
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Middlesbrough have refused Wolves permission to speak to Rob Edwards. Boro are keen to keep him.
Took training this morning and compensation will be required, but surprise now would be if Rob Edwards is in Middlesbrough dugout on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards subject of Wolves approach
Edwards took over at Middlesbrough in June, with the Teeside club third in the Championship after 14 games.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Middlesbrough have refused Wolves permission to speak to Rob Edwards. Boro are keen to keep him.
Took training this morning and compensation will be required, but surprise now would be if Rob Edwards is in Middlesbrough dugout on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards subject of Wolves approach
Edwards took over at Middlesbrough in June, with the Teeside club third in the Championship after 14 games.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Took training this morning and compensation will be required, but surprise now would be if Rob Edwards is in Middlesbrough dugout on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka. ‘It was the worst day of my life. It was the best day of my life’
The Sunderland captain talks leadership, Arteta, Arsenal, the day he was booed off at the Emirates and his new side's aspirations
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Oldest surviving victim of Post Office Horizon scandal finally receives compensation payout.
“I don't want to put my feet up,” said Betty Brown, 92. “I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them.”
“I don't want to put my feet up,” said Betty Brown, 92. “I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them.”
Oldest victim of Post Office scandal, 92, receives final payout
"I can settle up my affairs. I can turn the heating up full blast, and that will be wonderful," 92-year-old Betty Brown told the BBC.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Oldest surviving victim of Post Office Horizon scandal finally receives compensation payout.
“I don't want to put my feet up,” said Betty Brown, 92. “I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them.”
“I don't want to put my feet up,” said Betty Brown, 92. “I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them.”
Reposted by Michael Walker
St.Pauli have been dealing with the revelation that one of their most popular club songs was written by a Nazi propagandist.
I went to meet the researcher who made that discovery.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
I went to meet the researcher who made that discovery.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
A left-wing German football club’s anthem and an ‘uncomfortable’ Nazi connection
Research into the origins of a song St. Pauli fans have loved for decades led to some difficult findings
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 AM
St.Pauli have been dealing with the revelation that one of their most popular club songs was written by a Nazi propagandist.
I went to meet the researcher who made that discovery.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
I went to meet the researcher who made that discovery.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Liverpool clearly look stronger and more balanced with Dominik Szoboszlai at No 10.
That raises obvious questions about Florian Wirtz, who has had a tough start to life at #LFC. But he performed really well on the left against Real
Madrid last night. Problem solved?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
That raises obvious questions about Florian Wirtz, who has had a tough start to life at #LFC. But he performed really well on the left against Real
Madrid last night. Problem solved?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
By moving Florian Wirtz to the left, Liverpool look to have found a home for a rare talent
Arsene Wenger said the champions had “destroyed their midfield” by playing the £116m summer buy as a No 10, now they have found balance
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Liverpool clearly look stronger and more balanced with Dominik Szoboszlai at No 10.
That raises obvious questions about Florian Wirtz, who has had a tough start to life at #LFC. But he performed really well on the left against Real
Madrid last night. Problem solved?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
That raises obvious questions about Florian Wirtz, who has had a tough start to life at #LFC. But he performed really well on the left against Real
Madrid last night. Problem solved?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Michael Walker
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The BookKeeper: Exploring the dizzying world of Barcelona’s finances, levers and debts
Step inside the fascinating story of Barcelona's money problems, told like never before in the latest edition of The BookKeeper
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Celtic have victory and a final. Rangers have a performance with ten men. Hearts have a nine-point lead. It's been a wild start to the season in Scotland, where drama and intrigue go hand-in-hand with concerns about standards. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Are there ‘signs of life’ for Celtic, Rangers and Scottish football?
It's been a terrible season for the Old Firm – and Scottish football in general – but did the Scottish Cup semi-final show all is not lost?
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Celtic have victory and a final. Rangers have a performance with ten men. Hearts have a nine-point lead. It's been a wild start to the season in Scotland, where drama and intrigue go hand-in-hand with concerns about standards. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Maroon is the colour as Hearts bloom in Scotland
Maroon is the colour as Hearts bloom in Scotland
With a canny scouting system made available by their Brighton-owning backer, Derek McInnes’s team are breathing fresh life into the Scottish title race
www.irishtimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Maroon is the colour as Hearts bloom in Scotland
Reposted by Michael Walker
EXCL: A year since MUFC announced Ruben Amorim. Here's a detailed article about secret meetings in Seville & Lisbon beforehand.
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
The secret meetings behind Ruben Amorim's Manchester United appointment, one year on
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:56 AM
EXCL: A year since MUFC announced Ruben Amorim. Here's a detailed article about secret meetings in Seville & Lisbon beforehand.
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Brendan Rodgers resigned from his job at Celtic on Monday.
This was followed by an unrestrained and public attack by Dermot Desmond.
Amid criticism of Rodgers, the board, recruitment and more, Celtic have turned ‘toxic’.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
This was followed by an unrestrained and public attack by Dermot Desmond.
Amid criticism of Rodgers, the board, recruitment and more, Celtic have turned ‘toxic’.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Brendan Rodgers resigned from his job at Celtic on Monday.
This was followed by an unrestrained and public attack by Dermot Desmond.
Amid criticism of Rodgers, the board, recruitment and more, Celtic have turned ‘toxic’.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
This was followed by an unrestrained and public attack by Dermot Desmond.
Amid criticism of Rodgers, the board, recruitment and more, Celtic have turned ‘toxic’.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Hearts 3-1 Celtic. The end of Brendan Rodgers last match as Celtic manager. Came in after and gave a measured press conference, but this has been a deteriorating relationship. A surprise but not a surprise.
October 27, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Hearts 3-1 Celtic. The end of Brendan Rodgers last match as Celtic manager. Came in after and gave a measured press conference, but this has been a deteriorating relationship. A surprise but not a surprise.
FT Hearts 3-1 Celtic. Daylight. Maybe . . . Hearts go eight points clear.
It’s dreich, really dreich, but this could be a day when Hearts throw a different light on Scottish football.
October 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
FT Hearts 3-1 Celtic. Daylight. Maybe . . . Hearts go eight points clear.
It’s dreich, really dreich, but this could be a day when Hearts throw a different light on Scottish football.
October 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
It’s dreich, really dreich, but this could be a day when Hearts throw a different light on Scottish football.