Marcus Hopkins
Marcus covers the leagues most football coverage forgets about — the Championship promotion race, League One on a Tuesday night, League Two on the road, the FA Cup giant-killings, the SPFL when it crosses with England. He'll name the away end before the centre-forward, and his sentences run a touch longer than a Big Six story would because the lower-league story usually needs the breathing room.
By Marcus
30 articlesLawlor: Barry-Murphy and Bellamy Share the Same Football DNA
Cardiff and Wales defender Dylan Lawlor says club boss Brian Barry-Murphy and national coach Craig Bellamy are 'so similar' in how they approach the game.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026ChampionshipLawlor: Barry-Murphy and Bellamy share the same football DNA
Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor says Brian Barry-Murphy and Craig Bellamy are 'so similar' in outlook, making switching between club and country feel seamless.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026Women's FootballLeanne Ross Targets World Cup Dream as Scotland Face Czech Republic
Scotland assistant coach Leanne Ross says reaching Brazil 2027 would be a proud moment after never experiencing a World Cup as a player during her 133-cap career.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsUSMNT's Perfect Window: Teen Stars Shine as Pulisic Question Lingers
The United States Men's National Team won all four games in October's international window, scoring 12 goals and unearthing a crop of exciting young talent.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026OpinionHow Social Media Is Bringing Fans Back to Non-League Football
From Dorking Wanderers' half-billion YouTube views to KSI investing in Dagenham, social media is quietly transforming the grassroots game and filling terraces again.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsMessi calls Argentina farewell his 'saddest day' after Benin win
Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on a 21-year Argentina career in emotional fashion, scoring in a 3-0 win over Benin before addressing fans at the Monumental Stadium.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026ChampionshipChampionship 2026-27: How Well Do You Know the Season So Far?
With EFL football returning on 9 October after the international break, now is the perfect time to test your Championship knowledge from the opening eight fixtures.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsJustin Ellis seals perfect window as USA edge Canada 1-0
A scrappy friendly at Allianz Field gave Mauricio Pochettino's side four wins from four, with teenager Justin Ellis making the difference.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueBBC Sport's Daily Football Quizzes: How Well Do You Know Your Game?
BBC Sport's trio of daily football brain-teasers — Who Am I?, Five in Five and Brainteaser — are back to put your football knowledge to the test.
By Marcus Hopkins · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueMartin O'Neill Reaffirms Celtic Commitment After Period of Doubt
Martin O'Neill says he is 'raring to go' as Celtic manager after a brief spell of reflection following back-to-back defeats to Rangers and a Europa League loss.
By Marcus Hopkins · 6 Oct 2026InternationalsGilmour Eyes 50th Scotland Cap With New Role Under Pocognoli
Billy Gilmour is closing in on a 50th Scotland cap and thriving in a more advanced midfield role under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
By Marcus Hopkins · 6 Oct 2026Women's FootballMarie-Louise Eta: Union Berlin's history-maker on her own terms
Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to manage a men's top-flight side in Europe's big five leagues — and she wants to be judged purely on her work.
By Marcus Hopkins · 6 Oct 2026InternationalsNations League 2026-27: How It All Works for England and the Home Nations
From knockout qualification to relegation play-offs, here is everything you need to know about how the 2026-27 Nations League unfolds for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
By Marcus Hopkins · 6 Oct 2026InternationalsStephen Welsh: From Celtic Academy to Scotland Starter
Stephen Welsh's journey from Celtic's crowded centre-back ranks to a starting berth for Scotland is a story of patience, mental fortitude and a fresh start at Motherwell.
By Marcus Hopkins · 6 Oct 2026InternationalsEngland Thrash Croatia 7-0 in Surreal Nations League Demolition
England produced a stunning 7-0 demolition of Croatia in a Nations League fixture played before a crowd of local schoolchildren, leaving Luka Modric ashamed and Thomas Tuchel reflective.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026InternationalsMcGinn, McTominay, Robertson: Can Scotland's Greats Still Be Undroppable?
Scotland's first win under Sebastian Pocognoli raises big questions about whether the nation's most celebrated players still command automatic selection.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026OpinionSPFL Round-Up: Thistle Close Gap as County and Elgin Impress
Partick Thistle narrowed the gap at the top of the Scottish Championship while Ross County and Elgin City posted big wins across the SPFL divisions.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026ChampionshipSPFL Round-Up: Thistle Close Gap as County and Elgin City Run Riot
Partick Thistle trimmed the top of the Scottish Championship table while Ross County and Elgin City posted convincing victories across the SPFL divisions on Saturday.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026ChampionshipDerby County's Season Derailed by Takeover Collapse and Injuries
Turki Alalshikh's last-minute withdrawal from his Derby County takeover has set off a chain of events that have left the Rams rooted in the Championship relegation zone.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026ChampionshipDerby's Perfect Storm: How the Alalshikh Takeover Collapse Hit the Rams
A last-minute takeover collapse, a crippling injury list and a summer of scrambled recruitment have left Derby County mired in the Championship relegation zone.
By Marcus Hopkins · 5 Oct 2026OpinionBBC Sport Daily Football Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge
BBC Sport's daily football quizzes — Who Am I?, Five in Five and Brainteaser — are back to put your footballing knowledge to the test on 4 October 2026.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsPocognoli Earns First Scotland Win Against North Macedonia
Scotland's new manager Sébastien Pocognoli got off to a winning start as the national side beat North Macedonia, sparking debate about who impressed most.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026TransfersGateshead sack Lee Cattermole after woeful National League start
Gateshead have dismissed manager Lee Cattermole and assistant Martin Smith after just 14 games, with the club rooted to the foot of the National League.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsJesse Marsch: Canada's American Coach Who Chose the Other Side
Jesse Marsch opens up on US propaganda, Mark Carney's Everton fandom, and what it means to lead Canada against his own country this international window.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026League OneBradford City's promotion push at a crossroads after Alexander exit
Graham Alexander's sudden departure for Preston has left Bradford City navigating a managerial void just as their League One promotion dream was gathering real momentum.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsBowie and McGinn fire Scotland to Pocognoli's first win
Kieron Bowie's early strike and John McGinn's penalty gave Scotland a comfortable Nations League victory in Skopje, handing Sébastien Pocognoli his first win as manager.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsScotland Rout North Macedonia 2-0 But Deserve Far More
Scotland dominated in Skopje with 25 shots and 10 on target, yet only a 2-0 scoreline to show for it as Pocognoli claims his first win in charge.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026InternationalsScotland Cruise in Skopje as Pocognoli Era Finds Its Footing
A 2-0 win over North Macedonia flattered the hosts as Scotland dominated every meaningful statistic on Andy Robertson's 100th cap night.
By Marcus Hopkins · 4 Oct 2026Women's FootballToone vows to bounce back after 'difficult week' as United edge Liverpool
Ella Toone spoke candidly after Manchester United's 1-0 WSL win over Liverpool, admitting she has endured a tough week but is determined to come back stronger.
By Marcus Hopkins · 3 Oct 2026OpinionSir Alex Ferguson Opens Up on Brain Haemorrhage and Class of '92
In a rare and candid BBC interview, Sir Alex Ferguson reflects on his 2018 brain haemorrhage, his Glasgow upbringing, and the trust he placed in United's famous youth generation.
By Marcus Hopkins · 2 Oct 2026
