Michael Walker
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
Freelance football reporter at The Athletic and Irish Times. NUJ. FWA.
Reposted by Michael Walker
It turns out Bazball is infectious. Even in Australia.
The opening day of the Ashes in Perth was riddled with it.
🔗 theathletic.com/6819497/?sou...
The opening day of the Ashes in Perth was riddled with it.
🔗 theathletic.com/6819497/?sou...
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
It turns out Bazball is infectious. Even in Australia.
The opening day of the Ashes in Perth was riddled with it.
🔗 theathletic.com/6819497/?sou...
The opening day of the Ashes in Perth was riddled with it.
🔗 theathletic.com/6819497/?sou...
Reposted by Michael Walker
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Michael Walker
Breaking: Ireland will play Czech Republic away in March in World Cup playoff www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...
World Cup playoff draw live updates: Republic of Ireland to play Czech Republic
Northern Ireland to play Italy in March after tricky draw
www.irishtimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Breaking: Ireland will play Czech Republic away in March in World Cup playoff www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...
Northern Ireland have beaten Italy just the once, though it was to get to the 1958 World Cup. Game after was Wales away . . .
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Northern Ireland have beaten Italy just the once, though it was to get to the 1958 World Cup. Game after was Wales away . . .
Reposted by Michael Walker
🔴 At least 26 people were killed in Ternopil after a Russian strike, and another 26 — including three children — may still be trapped under the rubble.
Nearly 100 people are wounded as rescuers and police work through the night at both apartment buildings.
Nearly 100 people are wounded as rescuers and police work through the night at both apartment buildings.
November 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
🔴 At least 26 people were killed in Ternopil after a Russian strike, and another 26 — including three children — may still be trapped under the rubble.
Nearly 100 people are wounded as rescuers and police work through the night at both apartment buildings.
Nearly 100 people are wounded as rescuers and police work through the night at both apartment buildings.
Reposted by Michael Walker
Mountain of waste dumped in Oxfordshire field contains rubbish from councils
Mountain of waste dumped in Oxfordshire field contains rubbish from councils
Evidence of waste from primary schools and local authorities in south-east England points to possible large-scale corruption, expert says
Waste from local authorities in the south-east is among the vast mound of rubbish dumped illegally next to a river in Oxfordshire, it can be revealed.
The finding provides evidence of possible large-scale corruption in waste management, a legal expert has warned. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Mountain of waste dumped in Oxfordshire field contains rubbish from councils
Reposted by Michael Walker
We are doing our best not to dismember any more journalists with bone saws www.ft.com/content/dc11...
November 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
We are doing our best not to dismember any more journalists with bone saws www.ft.com/content/dc11...
Ally MacLeod’s at Glasgow airport.
November 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Ally MacLeod’s at Glasgow airport.
Reposted by Michael Walker
“Selma van de Perre, a valiant Jewish secretary who during World War II covertly transported suitcases bulging with cash, seditious newsletters, identity cards and ration books to Dutch resistance agents, even penetrating Nazi headquarters in Paris, died on Oct. 20 in London. She was 103.”
Selma van de Perre, Dutch Jew Who Resisted Nazis, Dies at 103
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:38 PM
“Selma van de Perre, a valiant Jewish secretary who during World War II covertly transported suitcases bulging with cash, seditious newsletters, identity cards and ration books to Dutch resistance agents, even penetrating Nazi headquarters in Paris, died on Oct. 20 in London. She was 103.”
Kim Hellberg appointment still on track but Adi Viveash will be in Middlesbrough dugout at Oxford United on Saturday.
Middlesbrough look to be close to Kim Hellberg appointment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Middlesbrough finalising deal to appoint Hammarby coach Kim Hellberg after Rob Edwards exit
Hellberg, a 37-year-old Swedish coach, has just guided Hammarby to a second-place finish in the Swedish top division.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Kim Hellberg appointment still on track but Adi Viveash will be in Middlesbrough dugout at Oxford United on Saturday.
Reposted by Michael Walker
How a move to Dutch football revived Troy Parrott’s career
How a move to Dutch football revived Troy Parrott’s career
Dutch football writer Jan Willem Spaans on the way Ireland’s young striker silenced critics in the Netherlands and became AZ’s talisman
www.irishtimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:21 AM
How a move to Dutch football revived Troy Parrott’s career
Reposted by Michael Walker
Troy Parrott gave us a chance to be innocently happy. Whatever happens from here, that lasts forever
Troy Parrott gave us a chance to be innocently happy. Whatever happens from here, that lasts forever
Over the campaign, this Ireland side showed themselves to be all the things you’d want from a team representing the country
www.irishtimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Troy Parrott gave us a chance to be innocently happy. Whatever happens from here, that lasts forever
Middlesbrough look to be close to Kim Hellberg appointment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Middlesbrough finalising deal to appoint Hammarby coach Kim Hellberg after Rob Edwards exit
Hellberg, a 37-year-old Swedish coach, has just guided Hammarby to a second-place finish in the Swedish top division.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Middlesbrough look to be close to Kim Hellberg appointment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
That Troy Parrott celebration . . .
November 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
That Troy Parrott celebration . . .
Reposted by Michael Walker
Shane Warne took 708 wickets in 145 Tests for Australia and reinvigorated what had become the dying art of leg-spin bowling.
But Shane Keith Warne was so much more than statistics.
🔗 theathletic.com/6787575/?sou...
But Shane Keith Warne was so much more than statistics.
🔗 theathletic.com/6787575/?sou...
November 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Shane Warne took 708 wickets in 145 Tests for Australia and reinvigorated what had become the dying art of leg-spin bowling.
But Shane Keith Warne was so much more than statistics.
🔗 theathletic.com/6787575/?sou...
But Shane Keith Warne was so much more than statistics.
🔗 theathletic.com/6787575/?sou...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Exclusive interview with Ross Barkley:
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ross Barkley interview: ‘I haven’t drunk since the summer. It created situations I don’t want anymore’
In a wide-ranging interview, Ross Barkley discusses the up and downs of his career from Everton to Villa and all in between
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Exclusive interview with Ross Barkley:
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
✍️ This is Middlesbrough
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
This is Middlesbrough and this is what Rob Edwards will be missing
Analysis of Middlesbrough's 2-1 win over Birmingham City at the Riverside
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
✍️ This is Middlesbrough
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/256074...
Reposted by Michael Walker
What a lovely, original, piece of football writing here from @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social. The threads of history lend meaning to a modern match.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
What a lovely, original, piece of football writing here from @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social. The threads of history lend meaning to a modern match.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Morning all.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Morning all.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Photograph by David Hurn. Sheep shelter from the rain, on an artillery range Mynydd Epynt, Wales 1973.
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Arsenal’s last clean-sheet record ended in 1903 – meet the Glossop tripe-dresser who Dan Ballard emulated
Arsenal's clean-sheet record came to an end on Saturday, and there are some surprising links to a similar run in 1903…
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal and some history ancient and modern. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Michael Walker
🚨 Wolves set to confirm appointment of Rob Edwards early next week. Expected to sign 3.5yr contract + arrive at club on Monday; talks over coaching staff continue. Compensation agreed with #Boro ~£2m & #WWFC plan to back 42yo in Jan window 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Rob Edwards set to be appointed Wolves head coach, Middlesbrough agree £2m compensation fee
There is club-to-club agreement over a compensation fee in the region of £2million for the 42-year-old, who previously coached at Wolves.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🚨 Wolves set to confirm appointment of Rob Edwards early next week. Expected to sign 3.5yr contract + arrive at club on Monday; talks over coaching staff continue. Compensation agreed with #Boro ~£2m & #WWFC plan to back 42yo in Jan window 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
FT Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal. Scene at the final whistle of a dramatic, engrossing 106 minutes. Sunderland are third, Arsenal top but the clean sheet record is over. Some occasion.
November 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
FT Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal. Scene at the final whistle of a dramatic, engrossing 106 minutes. Sunderland are third, Arsenal top but the clean sheet record is over. Some occasion.
Reposted by Michael Walker
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...