Chris Alfred
@chrisalfred.bsky.social
Comms in the betting & gaming industry. Likely to post about sport, including the pain of supporting Blackburn Rovers and why rugby is so badly run. FPL and Football Manager enthusiast
Come to the conclusion after season 3 of Blue Lights, that it is better than Line of Duty: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
‘The best cop show’: Blue Lights just gets better with every single episode
This rivetingly tense Bafta-winning drama crackles with raw energy. Its third series is its finest yet – and is rapidly becoming one of the greatest TV series in existence
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Come to the conclusion after season 3 of Blue Lights, that it is better than Line of Duty: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Fascinating insight into why there might be more long shot winners in Group 1 races these days: www.racingpost.com/news/britain...
What just happened?! From Qirat to Powerful Glory, we look at why so many longshots have won Group 1 races in 2025
www.racingpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Fascinating insight into why there might be more long shot winners in Group 1 races these days: www.racingpost.com/news/britain...
Thought-provoking read www.cityam.com/my-mistakes-...
My mistakes as a female breadwinner - and why we need to rethink this rising phenomenon
Female breadwinners are one of the fastest growing demographics in the UK, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, found Eliza Filby.
www.cityam.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Thought-provoking read www.cityam.com/my-mistakes-...
So good to have Jason and Osi back presenting an NFL highlights show in the UK again. Watch it on YouTube here: youtu.be/wPYr4pzbrRE?...
Mahomes a Mid-Season QB?! | Jason & Osi: The Breakdown | Week 2 NFL UK & Ireland
YouTube video by NFL UK & Ireland
youtu.be
September 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
So good to have Jason and Osi back presenting an NFL highlights show in the UK again. Watch it on YouTube here: youtu.be/wPYr4pzbrRE?...
Reposted by Chris Alfred
On the same day in the Telegraph:
![The Telegraph
Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement
Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty
Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence
[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]
Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent
29 August 2025 8:57am BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihe5mm7nwmwvzhtgadmsafyvsaxhrufuai2d2j2rju5zt6g2lytea@jpeg)
![The Telegraph
Money > Property > Second homes
How to avoid tax on your second home
From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net
[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]
Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer
29 August 2025 1:21pm BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreieuwgc2vsmyfcctmf4cnpcqckij2pqdk2gmzajpnihrsqyqmzyr5e@jpeg)
September 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
On the same day in the Telegraph:
So in the end, only two of these things happened. Hedges extended, and Buckley sold.
😟To say I am worried is an understatement.
Looking forward to hearing from the club in the podcast with fans' questions, which is a step forward in fan communications. I think it will need heavy editing!
😟To say I am worried is an understatement.
Looking forward to hearing from the club in the podcast with fans' questions, which is a step forward in fan communications. I think it will need heavy editing!
Looking at the Rovers squad, here is what I would do heading into next season:
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
September 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
So in the end, only two of these things happened. Hedges extended, and Buckley sold.
😟To say I am worried is an understatement.
Looking forward to hearing from the club in the podcast with fans' questions, which is a step forward in fan communications. I think it will need heavy editing!
😟To say I am worried is an understatement.
Looking forward to hearing from the club in the podcast with fans' questions, which is a step forward in fan communications. I think it will need heavy editing!
At least we will be a real challenge in FM26 this year!
Blackburn Rovers transfer narrative fuelled by biggest risk yet on deadline day
Blackburn Rovers transfer narrative fuelled by biggest risk yet on deadline day
Analysis of Blackburn Rovers' transfer window and the shock sale of Dom Hyam on transfer deadline day
dlvr.it
September 2, 2025 at 2:07 PM
At least we will be a real challenge in FM26 this year!
Attention Blackburn Fans!
Burnley are 13/8 to finish bottom of the Premier League this season with BetWay.
One of the few easy wins we can take this season
Burnley are 13/8 to finish bottom of the Premier League this season with BetWay.
One of the few easy wins we can take this season
August 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Attention Blackburn Fans!
Burnley are 13/8 to finish bottom of the Premier League this season with BetWay.
One of the few easy wins we can take this season
Burnley are 13/8 to finish bottom of the Premier League this season with BetWay.
One of the few easy wins we can take this season
Reposted by Chris Alfred
this week’s column (new thursday slot!) is on the deeply strange world of fantasy premier league, and an essential tension at the heart of the game: do football’s subcultures enrich the appeal of the sport or dilute it? www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
Triumph and disaster for you, soft power for the Premier League: fantasy football is back | Jonathan Liew
Celebrities play it. Footballers play it. Gradually, insidiously, fantasy football has seeped into the way we consume the game
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 8:56 AM
this week’s column (new thursday slot!) is on the deeply strange world of fantasy premier league, and an essential tension at the heart of the game: do football’s subcultures enrich the appeal of the sport or dilute it? www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
Read my thoughts on Blackburn's season ahead in the @ntt20.com excellent Championship Preview: Club-By-Club Cheat Sheet www.ntt20.com/p/ntt20s-cha...
NTT20's Championship Preview: Club-By-Club Cheat Sheet
Get to know the Championship squads and see what fans have to say about their teams ahead of the new season.
www.ntt20.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Read my thoughts on Blackburn's season ahead in the @ntt20.com excellent Championship Preview: Club-By-Club Cheat Sheet www.ntt20.com/p/ntt20s-cha...
If Tyrhys Dolan does end up at Espanyol, he will essentially be at the Spanish Burnley www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
J.J Watt, Burnley owners part of Espanyol takeover
The owners of Premier League club Burnley, led by the Alan Pace, have reached an agreement to take over Espanyol, the Catalan team announced on Monday.
www.espn.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
If Tyrhys Dolan does end up at Espanyol, he will essentially be at the Spanish Burnley www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
Blackburn fans I am selling at 9-12-month home infant kit on Vinted for £10 www.vinted.co.uk/items/672528...
July 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Blackburn fans I am selling at 9-12-month home infant kit on Vinted for £10 www.vinted.co.uk/items/672528...
I would have Tuipulotu and Jones in the centres and Morgan at 7 and move Curry to 8. Otherwise looks good
This is now looking a lot more like a Test match starting team #Lions
July 7, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I would have Tuipulotu and Jones in the centres and Morgan at 7 and move Curry to 8. Otherwise looks good
Someone in the comms team at Wimbledon is having a lot of fun writing these Royal Box daily roll calls
www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/a...
www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/a...
www.wimbledon.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Someone in the comms team at Wimbledon is having a lot of fun writing these Royal Box daily roll calls
www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/a...
www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/a...
Initially, it was a bit meh, but this kit is growing on me. I will probably still wait for the special 150th kit instead
🗞️ #Kitnews as the new 2025-26 Blackburn Rovers 150th anniversary kit made by Macron has been released.
📸 www.thekitman.co.uk/blackburn-ro...
Some class details on this shirt! 🥀
#TheKitman 👕
#Rovers #BlackburnRovers #Macron
📸 www.thekitman.co.uk/blackburn-ro...
Some class details on this shirt! 🥀
#TheKitman 👕
#Rovers #BlackburnRovers #Macron
June 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Initially, it was a bit meh, but this kit is growing on me. I will probably still wait for the special 150th kit instead
This is spot on: "Good promotions that connect stars and fans change mindsets and nurture true fandom: fans who want to go to the races not only to bet, drink and be seen, but also to see their heroes, be close to them and share in their triumphs and defeats."
COMMENT | Where’s The Derby Promo? The Right Connection Is Needed
If racing is ever going to succeed in its quest for new fans, it must follow Japan’s lead and make the sport’s heroes, the horses, central.
idolhorse.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is spot on: "Good promotions that connect stars and fans change mindsets and nurture true fandom: fans who want to go to the races not only to bet, drink and be seen, but also to see their heroes, be close to them and share in their triumphs and defeats."
Reading this made me feel so sad about the irreparable damage this decision has caused to so many and our club:
Tears, anger and the fall of Blackburn Rovers Women: ‘No one will trust this club again’
www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
Tears, anger and the fall of Blackburn Rovers Women: ‘No one will trust this club again’
www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
‘No one will trust this club again’: Tears, anger and the fall of Blackburn Rovers Women
www.nytimes.com
May 31, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Reading this made me feel so sad about the irreparable damage this decision has caused to so many and our club:
Tears, anger and the fall of Blackburn Rovers Women: ‘No one will trust this club again’
www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
Tears, anger and the fall of Blackburn Rovers Women: ‘No one will trust this club again’
www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
Current best odds for Blackburn Rovers next season in the Championship:
Winner: 50/1
Promotion: 14/1
I can't find any bookmaker with a relegation market live yet. It will be interesting to see what odds that will be priced at ...
Winner: 50/1
Promotion: 14/1
I can't find any bookmaker with a relegation market live yet. It will be interesting to see what odds that will be priced at ...
May 28, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Current best odds for Blackburn Rovers next season in the Championship:
Winner: 50/1
Promotion: 14/1
I can't find any bookmaker with a relegation market live yet. It will be interesting to see what odds that will be priced at ...
Winner: 50/1
Promotion: 14/1
I can't find any bookmaker with a relegation market live yet. It will be interesting to see what odds that will be priced at ...
Excellent tip. Thanks @zonal-marking.bsky.social
I'm also not a betting man, but 13/1 for Arsenal to win seems...unusual for a final. I'm not necessarily sure the odds are *wrong*, Barca are obviously strong favs. But 13/1? On neutral ground? (equally, in 2021 I was amazed Chelsea were as short as 5/2, they were massive outsiders surely)
May 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Excellent tip. Thanks @zonal-marking.bsky.social
Even the FT are writing about the growth of fantasy football these days! #FPL on.ft.com/3HlGLPE
How Fantasy Premier League became a global obsession
For millions of fans, the statistics and stress of FPL are now an essential part of the experience of England’s top-tier competition
on.ft.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Even the FT are writing about the growth of fantasy football these days! #FPL on.ft.com/3HlGLPE
Reposted by Chris Alfred
Do you have experience of 24hr slot machine shops (adult gaming centres) such as Merkur, Admiral, Cashino, Game Nation, Little Vegas etc?
Keen to hear from customers and/or staff who are willing to talk to me. Will be 100% confidential unless you say otherwise.
Keen to hear from customers and/or staff who are willing to talk to me. Will be 100% confidential unless you say otherwise.
At 3am on a Peterborough high street, 24hr slot machine shops are doing a brisk trade.
But did the firm that owns them mislead the council and why are these venues spreading so fast?
But did the firm that owns them mislead the council and why are these venues spreading so fast?
Spin doctors: gambling firms adopt hard tactics to flood towns with 24hr slot machines
Companies deploys highly paid lawyers and appears to mislead councillors – but local authorities are fighting back
www.theguardian.com
May 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Do you have experience of 24hr slot machine shops (adult gaming centres) such as Merkur, Admiral, Cashino, Game Nation, Little Vegas etc?
Keen to hear from customers and/or staff who are willing to talk to me. Will be 100% confidential unless you say otherwise.
Keen to hear from customers and/or staff who are willing to talk to me. Will be 100% confidential unless you say otherwise.
Looking at the Rovers squad, here is what I would do heading into next season:
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
May 4, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Looking at the Rovers squad, here is what I would do heading into next season:
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
Trigger one-year extension: Hedges, Hyam, Markanday (and try and sell)
New contract: 1 year - Baath, Weimann multi-year - Travis, Tronstad, Brittain
Sell: Buckley, Pears
Loan: JRC, Batty, Leonard
It’s always the hope that kills you with Blackburn Rovers.
Kargbo and Dennis lack of match sharpness at the end was telling.
Onto next season and who knows how the Venky’s can find new ways to destroy our club
Kargbo and Dennis lack of match sharpness at the end was telling.
Onto next season and who knows how the Venky’s can find new ways to destroy our club
May 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
It’s always the hope that kills you with Blackburn Rovers.
Kargbo and Dennis lack of match sharpness at the end was telling.
Onto next season and who knows how the Venky’s can find new ways to destroy our club
Kargbo and Dennis lack of match sharpness at the end was telling.
Onto next season and who knows how the Venky’s can find new ways to destroy our club
Blackburn fans give this great interview with David Dunn a listen. It covers his England cap, his career regrets, his move to Birmingham, and not speaking to Valencia. He also talks about his son Issac and his potential at Blackburn
open.spotify.com/episode/5mow...
open.spotify.com/episode/5mow...
Capped: David Dunn on his England appearance v Portugal in 2002
The England Pod · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Blackburn fans give this great interview with David Dunn a listen. It covers his England cap, his career regrets, his move to Birmingham, and not speaking to Valencia. He also talks about his son Issac and his potential at Blackburn
open.spotify.com/episode/5mow...
open.spotify.com/episode/5mow...