Paul Hayward
@paulhayward.bsky.social
Sportswriter at The Observer.
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' sports history podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' sports history podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
As Barry McGuigan says here, an Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul fight would be incredibly dangerous - unless the whole thing is panto. If Joshua lands properly, Jake Paul's health will be in serious jeopardy.
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 PM
As Barry McGuigan says here, an Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul fight would be incredibly dangerous - unless the whole thing is panto. If Joshua lands properly, Jake Paul's health will be in serious jeopardy.
Britain in the 21st century...
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Britain in the 21st century...
Tom Brady cloned his late dog.
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Tom Brady cloned his late dog.
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
And people wonder why Bernie Sanders talks of the American oligarchy...(source: Forbes)
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
And people wonder why Bernie Sanders talks of the American oligarchy...(source: Forbes)
The Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds is now open....
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
The Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds is now open....
Truro City fans made a record 914-mile round trip, only to see their team lose a two-goal lead and draw 2-2.
Heroes, all.
Heroes, all.
October 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Truro City fans made a record 914-mile round trip, only to see their team lose a two-goal lead and draw 2-2.
Heroes, all.
Heroes, all.
How to get an embarrassing tantrum published - here, by the BBC...
October 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
How to get an embarrassing tantrum published - here, by the BBC...
Tom Peck in The Times on Vote Leave campaign director and snappy dresser Dominic Cummings...
October 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Tom Peck in The Times on Vote Leave campaign director and snappy dresser Dominic Cummings...
Britain is so in denial about its monarchical system that a Labour government thinks it should be up to the royal family to decide on 'prince' Andrew's punishment.
You'd think it was our decision, not theirs.
You'd think it was our decision, not theirs.
October 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Britain is so in denial about its monarchical system that a Labour government thinks it should be up to the royal family to decide on 'prince' Andrew's punishment.
You'd think it was our decision, not theirs.
You'd think it was our decision, not theirs.
Care workers...
The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.
The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.
October 15, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Care workers...
The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.
The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.
Naples is proving quite restorative for players discarded in Manchester...
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.
October 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Naples is proving quite restorative for players discarded in Manchester...
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.
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.
27 Sept - Red Roses win the World Cup.
My piece from Twickenham on a stellar 60 days for English women's sport.
September 28, 2025 at 10:17 AM
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.
27 Sept - Red Roses win the World Cup.
My piece from Twickenham on a stellar 60 days for English women's sport.
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.
A wonderful day to end a fine tournament.
September 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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.
A wonderful day to end a fine tournament.
Today's Observer front page...
September 21, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Today's Observer front page...
On the trains to London today there were people in MAGA hats. On mine a bloke had a Crusader's shield and talked about "the communists."
British people have an endless capacity to be conned.
It's getting very serious now..
British people have an endless capacity to be conned.
It's getting very serious now..
September 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
On the trains to London today there were people in MAGA hats. On mine a bloke had a Crusader's shield and talked about "the communists."
British people have an endless capacity to be conned.
It's getting very serious now..
British people have an endless capacity to be conned.
It's getting very serious now..
It says everything about Peter Mandelson that he used his farewell letter to staff to boast about his achievements - even as he left in utter disgrace.
September 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
It says everything about Peter Mandelson that he used his farewell letter to staff to boast about his achievements - even as he left in utter disgrace.
In the whole world of books, I think I've found the one I'm least likely to read: 320 pages of Nick Clegg writing about the internet.
September 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
In the whole world of books, I think I've found the one I'm least likely to read: 320 pages of Nick Clegg writing about the internet.
James Milner, 39 - still scoring in the Premier League 23 years after his first one...
August 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
James Milner, 39 - still scoring in the Premier League 23 years after his first one...
Purged for applying the law to insurrectionists.
Every warning sign is flashing..
Every warning sign is flashing..
August 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Purged for applying the law to insurrectionists.
Every warning sign is flashing..
Every warning sign is flashing..
Two things jump out about racing going on strike...
- The proposed tax change treats games of chance and an industry employing thousands of people equally, which is foolish
- Bookmaking returns crumbs to racing. The sport's business model has been flawed for 60 years.
Via Sunday Times
- The proposed tax change treats games of chance and an industry employing thousands of people equally, which is foolish
- Bookmaking returns crumbs to racing. The sport's business model has been flawed for 60 years.
Via Sunday Times
August 17, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Two things jump out about racing going on strike...
- The proposed tax change treats games of chance and an industry employing thousands of people equally, which is foolish
- Bookmaking returns crumbs to racing. The sport's business model has been flawed for 60 years.
Via Sunday Times
- The proposed tax change treats games of chance and an industry employing thousands of people equally, which is foolish
- Bookmaking returns crumbs to racing. The sport's business model has been flawed for 60 years.
Via Sunday Times
KGB man and boss of a kleptocracy versus confused American real estate developer.
There was only going to be one winner (via The Times)...
There was only going to be one winner (via The Times)...
August 16, 2025 at 6:15 AM
KGB man and boss of a kleptocracy versus confused American real estate developer.
There was only going to be one winner (via The Times)...
There was only going to be one winner (via The Times)...
Some amazing stats here by @zaltzcricket.bsky.social on the England-India Test series, via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Some amazing stats here by @zaltzcricket.bsky.social on the England-India Test series, via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Launch day for a game-changing and very entertaining book by @karendobres.bsky.social
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
August 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Launch day for a game-changing and very entertaining book by @karendobres.bsky.social
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
Launch day for a game-changing and very entertaining book by @karendobres.bsky.social
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
August 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Launch day for a game-changing and very entertaining book by @karendobres.bsky.social
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...
There's cause for reflection, laughter and change in these pages...