Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 2h

Your left-right dichotomy is a bit stark. It's possible to be a 'liberal' voice on a right-leaning paper. I've never once been told what to write. Plus, probably 90% of newspapers are right of centre.
No, sport isn't that gateway.

1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 3h

Care workers...

The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.

2 3 5

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks Adam.

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 3d

How Wayne Rooney liberated his voice and his personality by talking - after the long silent siege of his playing career.

Commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Wayne Rooney has found his voice – and with it, a strange...

The most famous (ex-)players understand the media game and have become skilled at tailoring their juiciest thoughts to a vast market of fans

observer.co.uk

1 4

Reposted by Paul Hayward

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 4d

How close is a cure for MND?
With Lewis Moody's diagnosis I spoke to experts on the front-line about recent cases in sport. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

The cure is the goal: unlocking the mystery of motor neur...

As former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody becomes the latest athlete to be diagnosed with the illness, questions remain over the risk posed by hi...

observer.co.uk

1 3

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 4d

How close is a cure for MND?
With Lewis Moody's diagnosis I spoke to experts on the front-line about recent cases in sport. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

The cure is the goal: unlocking the mystery of motor neur...

As former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody becomes the latest athlete to be diagnosed with the illness, questions remain over the risk posed by hi...

observer.co.uk

1 3

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 4d

Not sure why fans should be the only people you can't criticise (Tuchel, Wembley).
God knows everyone else in sport gets stick.

2 7

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 7d

In this week's 'How It All Played Out' by me and Mark Pougatch, how Barry McGuigan united Ireland in a time of murderous conflict.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

The world champion boxer who united Ireland

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 08/10/2025 · 38m

podcasts.apple.com

1 6

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 8d

Sorry to hear that about your mum, Ash. Yes, Lou Gehrig's name ended up being attached to a disease that was sketchily defined before he died from it.

1 1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 8d

In the replies to this there's a long list of people struck down. Thanks to all those who contributed.
Should say - this isn't just about people in sport.
Every expert says the challenge is one of underfunding for research/a cure.

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 9d

Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Lewis Moody, in the UK alone.
Only the science can say whether there's a direct causal link between rugby and MND (a 2022 University of Glasgow study found increased risk.)
All people with MND need more funding to find a cure.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Lewis Moody: Former England captain reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in an exclusive BBC interview.

www.bbc.co.uk

2 9

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 8d

A pet theory of mine...

The golden age of creativity in sport (roughly, 1965-75) - in 'How It All Played Out,' by me and @markpougatch.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

1965-1975: The Gilded Age Of Creativity

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 01/10/2025 · 36m

podcasts.apple.com

1 10

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 9d

Naples is proving quite restorative for players discarded in Manchester...
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.

1 1 10

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 9d

Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Lewis Moody, in the UK alone.
Only the science can say whether there's a direct causal link between rugby and MND (a 2022 University of Glasgow study found increased risk.)
All people with MND need more funding to find a cure.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Lewis Moody: Former England captain reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in an exclusive BBC interview.

www.bbc.co.uk

2 5 27

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

Very kind of you. And I'm struck by your experience of the tournament. All the best.

1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

Thank you.

2 1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

27 July - Lionesses win the Euro, again.
27 Sept - Red Roses win the World Cup.
My piece from Twickenham on a stellar 60 days for English women's sport.

1 2 8

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

Let's face it. The Ryder Cup attracts some seriously obnoxious spectators.

35 14 220

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

How Pep Guardiola has led the retreat from his own idea...
My column for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the end of possession for possession's sake.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Pep Guardiola isn’t losing his religion, but it’s time to...

Pep-ball helped consign the worst bits of the ‘English way’ to history, but tactics have shifted again

observer.co.uk

4

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

The tight circle of victory and the slouch of defeat as England's women reflect on their World Cup final win over Canada.
A wonderful day to end a fine tournament.

1 3 16

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

An astonishingly good atmosphere here at the Women's Rugby World Cup final between England and Canada.
82,500 at Twickenham. A triumph for women's sport.

5 32

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

As Europe face Trump's America in New York, 'How It All Played Out' returns to the 'War on the Shore' and the 'Battle of Brookline' to explain Ryder Cup golf's journey to the dark side.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

How Ryder Cup rivalry was born: ball tampering, 'underdog' Seve & The War on The Shore

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 24/09/2025 · 31m

podcasts.apple.com

3

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 21d

Trump found his epitaph when he called climate change "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
A distillation of who and what he is.

19

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 22d

This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the making and breaking of Ricky Hatton after a night of delirium in Manchester.
Contains reflections on sportsmen and women losing their way when the cheering stops.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global

podfollow.com/1811806941/e...

How It All Played Out: Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu: The night The Hitman shocked the world

After the tragic passing of Ricky Hatton, this week's bonus episode of How It All Played Out takes you back to the defining fight of his career. On June 4 2005 a raucous crowd in Manchester watched...

podfollow.com

5

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 24d

Today's Observer front page...

2 19 67

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 27d

You certainly did Oli. Yes, I was just talking around that specific quote. One trophy in eight years is a big comedown for him. Maybe being anti-ideas is the big idea he's "died" with.

2 1