James Wright
James joined FootballBoard as senior editor after thirty years covering the English game — first on regional papers, then in the broadsheet press. He owns the long view: the retro features, the era-defining columns, the 'best ever' lists that frame today's stories against everything that came before. He prefers context to controversy, paragraph rhythm to hot takes, and proper full stops to tweet-bait.
By James
30 articlesSavage Demands Mentality Shift as Peterborough Era Begins
Robbie Savage has wasted no time setting the tone at Peterborough, calling on his squad to shed a culture of underachievement ahead of a League One trip to Leicester City.
By James Wright · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsMessi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina in 3-0 Win Over Benin
Lionel Messi closed the curtain on a 21-year international career on Tuesday, scoring his 126th goal as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires.
By James Wright · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsKane on the Brink of England's All-Time Appearance Record
Harry Kane stands one cap away from becoming England men's joint all-time leading appearance maker ahead of Tuesday's match against the Czech Republic at Wembley.
By James Wright · 6 Oct 2026OpinionKeith Alexander: The Pioneer Who Changed English Football Management
As Black History Month unfolds, those who knew Keith Alexander best reflect on the enduring legacy of a trailblazing manager who helped open doors for generations to come.
By James Wright · 5 Oct 2026InternationalsJorge Jesus Hits Back at Media Over Ronaldo Handling Questions
Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has responded sharply to media scrutiny over his management of Cristiano Ronaldo after the veteran departed the squad amid a dispute over playing time.
By James Wright · 5 Oct 2026OpinionKeith Alexander: The Manager Who Blazed a Trail for Black Coaches
As Black History Month continues, those who knew Keith Alexander reflect on his enduring legacy as a pioneer for black managers in English professional football.
By James Wright · 5 Oct 2026InternationalsFernandes: Ronaldo will always be Portugal's greatest symbol
Bruno Fernandes has moved to calm tensions after Cristiano Ronaldo departed the Portugal squad, insisting the 41-year-old remains the nation's greatest footballing icon.
By James Wright · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsFernandes: Ronaldo will always be Portugal's greatest symbol
Bruno Fernandes has moved to calm the storm surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's squad exit, insisting the 41-year-old remains the defining figure of Portuguese football.
By James Wright · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsCavan Sullivan Makes History as USMNT Rout Mexico 3-0
Seventeen-year-old Cavan Sullivan became the youngest scorer in USMNT history as the United States delivered a composed 3-0 victory over Mexico at State Farm Stadium.
By James Wright · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsCan John McGinn Rediscover His Best Form for Scotland?
Approaching 100 caps and fifth in Scotland's all-time scoring chart, John McGinn remains revered — but his most decisive international moments have become increasingly rare.
By James Wright · 3 Oct 2026InternationalsCan John McGinn rediscover his best form for Scotland?
Approaching 100 caps and fifth in Scotland's all-time scoring charts, John McGinn remains revered — but his most decisive moments for his country have grown scarce.
By James Wright · 3 Oct 2026InternationalsBellamy Opens Up on Abuse After Wales End Winless Run
Craig Bellamy has spoken candidly about a torrid few months of criticism following Wales's morale-boosting 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
By James Wright · 2 Oct 2026InternationalsScotland's Key Questions Ahead of North Macedonia Test
Sebastien Pocognoli seeks his first win as Scotland head coach when his side travel to Skopje on Saturday, with several selection dilemmas to resolve.
By James Wright · 1 Oct 2026OpinionFrom Beckham to Bale: Ranking Britain's Best Football Exports This Century
From Kieran Trippier's La Liga triumph to Jadon Sancho blazing a trail at Dortmund, British football's overseas contingent has never been more impressive.
By James Wright · 1 Oct 2026InternationalsPep Guardiola's Legacy and Ronaldo's International Future Under Scrutiny
Manchester City's turbulent season raises fresh questions about Pep Guardiola's enduring legacy, while Cristiano Ronaldo's fallout with Portugal's manager casts doubt on his international future.
By James Wright · 1 Oct 2026Premier LeagueBurnham 'really concerned' at prospect of Man City ownership change
Andy Burnham has expressed serious concern over the possibility that Manchester City's Abu Dhabi ownership group could sell the club following guilty verdicts on Premier League financial charges.
By James Wright · 30 Sept 2026Premier LeagueMan City Found Guilty: What Happens Next After Premier League Verdict?
Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18, raising major questions about punishment.
By James Wright · 30 Sept 2026InternationalsInfantino signals willingness to increase FIFA payouts to member associations
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated he will back larger financial distributions to member associations from the governing body's $6bn reserves, following pressure from Uefa and Concacaf.
By James Wright · 29 Sept 2026Premier LeagueMan City Found Guilty: What the Premier League Verdict Means
Manchester City have been found guilty of the majority of Premier League charges against them, triggering widespread debate about the future of English football's financial rules.
By James Wright · 29 Sept 2026ChampionshipGraham Alexander Appointed Preston Manager From Bradford City
Preston North End have turned to Graham Alexander to arrest a wretched Championship start, bringing him in from League One leaders Bradford City.
By James Wright · 28 Sept 2026InternationalsUSA 4-1 Peru: Teenage Debutants Signal Start of 2030 Cycle
Eleven players earned their first US caps in Orlando as Pochettino's side thrashed Peru 4-1, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan the headline name among a host of promising newcomers.
By James Wright · 27 Sept 2026InternationalsThe Forgotten Trio Who Made USMNT History Before Anyone Noticed
Long before Cavan Sullivan's teenage call-up made headlines, three high schoolers quietly broke the same barrier in a 1991 friendly — and most fans have no idea.
By James Wright · 26 Sept 2026InternationalsScotland's New Era: What Should Pocognoli Do Against Slovenia?
Sébastien Pocognoli takes charge of Scotland for the first time on Saturday in Ljubljana, and his team selection raises more questions than answers.
By James Wright · 25 Sept 2026OpinionBBC Football Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge Daily
BBC Sport's trio of daily football quizzes — Who Am I?, Five in Five and Brainteaser — offer fans a sharp way to flex their football knowledge every day.
By James Wright · 25 Sept 2026InternationalsRobbie Ure: From Rangers exit to Sevilla and a Scotland debut
Robbie Ure's journey from a single minute at Rangers to La Liga and a first Scotland cap is one of Scottish football's most compelling development stories.
By James Wright · 23 Sept 2026OpinionWhich Football Stadiums Have the Best Google Ratings?
A fan's exhaustive trawl through every Football League ground on Google reveals Anfield tops the charts while Stevenage's SPORTA Arena sits bottom of the pile.
By James Wright · 23 Sept 2026TransfersCeltic Back O'Neill After Painful Week of Defeats and Financial Hit
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson has pledged full support for manager Martin O'Neill following three successive defeats and a sharp drop in club revenue.
By James Wright · 23 Sept 2026InternationalsLuis Binks: From Thierry Henry's Hotel to Scotland's Defence
Luis Binks has lived a football life unlike most — from lockdown pizzas with Thierry Henry to captaining Brøndby — and now he wants to leave his mark on Scotland.
By James Wright · 22 Sept 2026InternationalsDiogo Jota Chants at Rúben Neves Expose Saudi League's Growing Pains
Sickening chants directed at Rúben Neves during an Al-Hilal win have forced the Saudi Pro League to confront a scrutiny it has long sought but is still ill-prepared to handle.
By James Wright · 22 Sept 2026OpinionHow Football Quizzes Can Sharpen Your Knowledge of the Game
Daily football quizzes offer fans a structured and enjoyable way to test their knowledge, from player identification to rapid-fire trivia challenges.
By James Wright · 22 Sept 2026
