A Sticker's Worth 500 Words

Last month’s final World Cup qualifiers provided all the drama one could hope for from international football. Scotland overcame Denmark in a game for the ages proving that Scott McTominay was robbed for this year’s Ballon d’Or and providing the Tartan Army with yet another crack at getting past the group stage in a major international tournament. Having snuck past the mighty Liechtenstein to set up a winner takes all/a play-off spot showdown with North Macedonia, Wales went on to obliterate their opponents 7-1 only to see Belgium inflict similar violence on the aforementioned microstate to deny them top spot. Even San Marino raced into the lead against Romania, no doubt traumatising Stuart Pearce , before receiving their traditional shellacking but there was far more exciting news for the more successful minnows with Curacao, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan securing their slots at their first ever World Cup finals. Then the worst double act since Dick and Dom in da Bungalow hiked the tick...

At the end of the 2019/20 season Jude Bellingham left his boyhood club Birmingham City to join German giants Borussia Dortmund. He first joined the Blues as an under-8, worked his way through the age groups and signed a two-year scholarship contract in July 2019. By the end of August he had become the club’s youngest ever first team player and goalscorer. By January he was a first team regular and was subject to a £20m deadline day bid from Manchester United. After the Covid-19 lockdowns he continued to perform well as the season resumed and helped Birmingham narrowly avoid relegation on his way to being named Championship Apprentice of the Year and EFL Young Player of the Year. This was undeniably an impressive debut season and Bellingham’s rise to England and Galactico stardom is testament to his undeniable talent. At the same time it seemed a bit odd when, following his departure to the Bundesliga, Birmingham City retired his no.22 shirt. The practice of honouring certain players f...