Tom Burrows
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tburrows16.bsky.social
Tom Burrows
@tburrows16.bsky.social
Football writer for The Athletic

My articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/tom-burrows/
Pinned
Ended a busy 2024 writing about Wayne Rooney's exit at #PAFC

Here's a piece from each month last year that I particularly enjoyed writing/found especially rewarding for
@TheAthleticFC

Onwards into 2025 💪
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked his signature shivering celebration.

Palmer’s application, which included a short clip of him performing the celebration, was approved by the United Kingdom’s government Intellectual Property Office on Friday.

@tburrows16.bsky.social
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer trademarks signature shivering celebration
Other players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Gareth Bale and Erling Haaland have also had celebration trademarks confirmed.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
'He’s just great, he’s a diamond to have in your camp'

🔹 Helped #BWFC punch above their weight
🔹 Overhauled #LFC scouting dept
🔹 Namechecked by Klopp over Salah signing

A piece on Dave Fallows, why #CFC hired him + how he'll fit into their sporting leadership team

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
The ex-Liverpool ‘wizard’ who is Chelsea’s new sporting director: ‘A diamond to have in your camp’
Dave Fallows has worked for Newcastle, Manchester City and Liverpool, and is now part of a five-strong leadership group at Stamford Bridge
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM
McLaren waged a ‘long and expensive war’ against Alex Palou, his lawyer said today

Was back at London's High Court for closing submissions in the McLaren v Palou case

My write up from today, with judgement expected by mid-December (at the earliest)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
McLaren waged ‘long and expensive war’ against Alex Palou, says driver’s lawyer
The trial, which began at the end of September, saw both legal teams give their closing arguments at London’s High Court on Wednesday.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Olympique Lyonnaise are exploring a January loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick.

A simple loan has been mooted, with Madrid paying part of Endrick’s wages — according to sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

From Mario Cortegana & @tburrows16.bsky.social
Lyon exploring January loan move for Real Madrid’s Endrick
A simple loan has been mooted, with Madrid paying part of Endrick's wages.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Lucas Paqueta has avoided a fine after breaching the Football Association’s rules over his co-operation with an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing.

More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
'One of the biggest sporting scandals in history'

My write-up from two days in court, where Felipe Massa is claiming £64m over 'Crashgate' in 2008

FIA, FOM & Bernie Ecclestone deny wrongdoing and are asking the judge to strike out his claim

www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
F1 ‘Crashgate’ ‘one of the biggest scandals in sports history’, says Felipe Massa’s lawyer
Nick De Marco KC, representing Massa, was speaking at the second day of the ‘Crashgate’ hearing at London’s High Court on Thursday.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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...
October 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Football’s lawmakers have discussed the possibility of extending the VAR reach to step in when an incorrect yellow card is given.

They also debated whether to apply a countdown to goal kicks and throw-ins.

More from @tburrows16.bsky.social
Football’s lawmakers discuss VAR interventions on second yellows, countdowns on throw-ins
Marginal offside decisions and countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks were also discussed by IFAB on Tuesday.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Twenty years ago today, Paul Gascoigne became Kettering Town manager.

What followed was an extraordinary 39 day spell.

This is the story of that time, as told to @theathleticfc.bsky.social by those who were there

www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
Gazza’s chaotic 39 days at Kettering: Mid-training pizza, a fully clothed shower and a Ferrari promise
Paul Gascoigne arrived at the sixth-tier club 20 years ago as a footballing legend. Those who were there at the time relive a crazy period
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:11 AM
'For someone to tell you there’s a possibility you might not play football again…I was extremely upset. I went home, my wife was 8 months pregnant at the time, and I broke down'

My interview with Colby Bishop, almost a year since his comeback from open heart surgery

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Colby Bishop on his open-heart surgery: ‘You have to sign a death waiver’
A routine pre-season check revealed a life-threatening issue with the Portsmouth striker's aortic valve. This is his journey back to playing
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:33 AM
This is a topic close to my heart after becoming a dad again this year (yes, the idea came to mind during a sleepless night...)

A piece exploring footballers and fatherhood, how it works and how it's all evolved compared to some incredible stories of old

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
How football’s relationship with fatherhood has grown up
Even if the idea of taking paternity leave remains virtually unheard of in football, the experience of players becoming fathers is evolving
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
🔹 Ligue 1 young player of the month
🔹 The striker competing with Andre Gray for a starting spot
🔹 £19m midfielder with a goal in his first league start on Saturday

How the 15 #CFC loanees are faring across Europe so far this season

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Chelsea’s loan players: How they’re faring across Europe
Competition in Chelsea’s first-team squad is fierce before we even consider the players out on loan. But how are they all getting on?
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Chelsea and England playmaker Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked the term ‘Cold Palmer’.

Palmer’s application, submitted to the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office in November, was approved on Friday.

More from @tburrows16.bsky.social ⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
▪️ Why has UEFA approved European league games going overseas?
▪️ Who will benefit?
▪️ Will the Premier League go abroad?
▪️ How do other European leagues see it?

We explain yesterday’s UEFA’s landmark decision and what the implications could be.
UEFA has approved European league games being staged abroad. So what now?
Explaining UEFA's decision yesterday and how the world game views the prospect of playing league games overseas
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
EXCL - Cole Palmer has now successfully trademarked his nickname 'Cold Palmer'

His application dropped any reference to wine following a challenge from historic French winery Chateau Palmer

A piece on what this all means for Palmer and #CFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Cole Palmer has trademarked ‘Cold Palmer’. What does it mean for him (and Chelsea)?
The Athletic can reveal Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked 'Cold Palmer' and is trying to register other marks
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
A former Football League assistant referee has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 16 sexual offences against three 15-year-old girls.
Ex-EFL match official sentenced to 13.5 years over 16 sexual offences against three underage girls
In her sentencing remarks in court today, Judge Caroline English told Viccars his behaviour was “persistent, manipulative and predatory”.
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
🚨 EXCL: Tim Lewis leaves Arsenal in shock boardroom revamp. 62yo integral to #AFC rise but new-look hierarchy sees Richard Garlick become CEO, Josh Kroenke increasingly prominent, Ben Winston join & 3 more appointments including 2 from KSE 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Tim Lewis to leave position as Arsenal executive vice-chair
Managing director Richard Garlick is set to become CEO in a significant shake-up of the club's board
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Daniel Levy has stepped down as the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur after nearly 25 years in charge.

More from @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⤵️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 4, 2025 at 5:22 PM
'Everyone finds him interesting because of what he's done, he's a football icon.

'And to be around someone like that and to have had that experience, not many people can say that'

The story of Gazza's 39 days at Kettering Town, told by those who were there

www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
Gazza’s chaotic 39 days at Kettering: Mid-training pizza, a fully clothed shower and a Ferrari promise
Paul Gascoigne arrived at the sixth-tier club 20 years ago as a footballing legend. Those who were there at the time relive a crazy period
www.nytimes.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
🔈 Emotional team talks
🦷 A recreation of dentist chair celebration
🍕 Takeaway pizzas at training
🚿 Gazza in the showers fully clothed
👋 A bitter exit

Twenty years since Paul Gascoigne's only managerial job, a big read on his remarkable 39 days at Kettering Town

www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
Gazza’s chaotic 39 days at Kettering: Mid-training pizza, a fully clothed shower and a Ferrari promise
Paul Gascoigne arrived at the sixth-tier club 20 years ago as a footballing legend. Those who were there at the time relive a crazy period
www.nytimes.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Bryan Mbeumo is (finally) now a #MUFC player

I wrote this with @jaydmharris.bsky.social last season on the forward’s footballing journey, his steady rise at Brentford + hard work to improve his finishing, his love of chess and teaching himself how to play the piano

www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...
How Bryan Mbeumo became one of the Premier League’s hottest properties
The forward has become a pivotal figure for Brentford and is likely to attract interest in the summer transfer window
www.nytimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
“It’s Arsenal. They won’t just ignore it.”

Thomas Partey, the allegations and what the club knew

For @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
‘It’s Arsenal. They won’t just ignore it’ – Thomas Partey, the allegations and what the club knew
Arsenal have been aware of complaints about Partey, all of which he denies, for more than three years. Questions are now being asked
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Diogo Jota won the Premier League and Nations League earlier this summer. Then on June 22 he married the mother of his three children.

In the early hours of Thursday, the Liverpool forward died in a car accident.

The Athletic reports from Zamora on what happened, and what has happened since.
The heartbreaking death of Diogo Jota
The Liverpool player died in a car accident 11 days after his wedding. The Athletic reports from Spain on a tragedy that stunned football
www.nytimes.com
July 4, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Diogo Jota was a superb striker and a serial winner for Liverpool, Wolves and Portugal.

But he was far more than that.

He was a husband, a father and a cherished friend to the colleagues he leaves behind.

This is his story.
Diogo Jota: Liverpool’s supreme goalscorer who was far more than just a footballer
The Portuguese, who has died aged 28, was a force of nature on the pitch and cherished by his team-mates off it
www.nytimes.com
July 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
Premier League footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a professional player for Portuguese side Penafiel, have died after being involved in a car accident in Spain.
July 3, 2025 at 9:08 AM