Some of the most passionate sports fans around, football lovers always have their finger on the pulse. From downloading football-related applications on their smartphone devices and playing football-themed games to following their beloved clubs up and down the country and watching highlights shows on television every weekend, fans everywhere dedicate much of their lives to the biggest sport on the planet.
One of the many reasons why people adore football so much is due to the ever-changing landscape of it. Almost like a soap opera in many respects, there are stories surrounding players’ personal lives, reported bust-ups in the changing rooms, waves of transfer news on a daily basis, and opinions being shared by ardent supporters and knowledgeable pundits on the radio and on social media.
Football can be hard to keep up with on occasions, though. In fact, there is so much news and opinion surrounding the sport. All it takes is a few weeks away on holiday somewhere, and a fan can feel out of the loop. As such, it’s extremely helpful to have some useful resources at your disposal. With the new Premier League season on the horizon, let’s take a brief look at some handy options you can rely on throughout the campaign.
The Best Football Websites to Read
Given the popularity of the sport, there are hundreds of publications that cover it. You can download applications or simply visit their websites on a daily basis to learn about the latest developments in the sport. Four Four Two certainly fits the bill in that respect, with the publication’s tactical and statistical analysis standing out for many. Additionally, the football monthly magazine features the latest news and a range of in-depth feature articles to read.
Alongside the aforementioned Four Four Two are sites like FootballFanCast, a place where fan-led opinions are shared. Additionally, CaughtOffside also contains fans’ views, alongside everything you’ll need around transfer rumours, news, and gossip. Who Ate all the Pies is another site, particularly if you’re wanting to have a laugh and scroll through the array of funny content that is on there. BBC Sport’s football section also deserves a mention, especially for fans who want up-to-date, official news from a respected news source. World Soccer also warrants a regular look, with some excellent writers covering an extensive range of fascinating topics.
There Are Some Great Podcasts to Listen To
Podcasts are booming in today’s world, particularly as people steer clear of 1000-word articles and prefer to soak up video-based content and various soundbites dedicated to the sport. Podcasts provide this and more, with a selection of fantastic productions gaining plenty of recognition in recent times. Whether you’re keen to gain insight into statistics to help with your sports betting escapades or you want to listen to the views of like-minded supporters, there are some great options in this particular category.
For starters, it’s impossible to ignore hit podcasts like Stick to Football. Whether you listen to the show or watch it on YouTube, you’ll learn a lot about the current state of English football’s top flight and be treated to some classic football stories from the likes of Roy Keane and Ian Wright. Also containing interviews with some of the greatest names in football, plus a range of other sports, it’s a superb option. The Totally Football Show with James Richardson is another solid option here, although it does focus on the sport outside of England at times by taking a more detailed look at the European game as a whole. FC Bullard solely focuses on the game in England, though, with both Jimmy Bullard and John Fendley providing plenty of comical value in a podcast where club building is at the forefront. Undr The Cosh also deserves a mention, particularly if you’re keen to hear from former professionals with controversial opinions and hilarious stories to share.
YouTube Is Filled With Excellent Content
If you don’t have the patience to listen to a podcast for a few hours or read detailed articles online, then you might prefer the opportunity to watch video-based content on YouTube. Google’s American online video-sharing platform has always been a preference for football fanatics, with fans uploading passionate rants on a weekly basis and talented content creators sharing their informative views and analytical insights to their strong communities of viewers.
One of the best channels on the platform that perhaps goes under the radar a bit is The Club. Although some of the opinions shared can be a tad over the top at times, the likes of Rory Jennings and Adam McKola clearly know what they’re talking about when it comes to clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United. If you prefer to hear from professionals within the game, though, then watching The Coaches’ Voice is a must. From Xavi to Jose Mourinho, the channel boasts a strong selection of videos that look at coaching philosophies and tactics from some of the game’s biggest legends.
Euro Football Daily is another go-to channel for many football fans, with videos around the top leagues and players pulling in millions of views. Tifo Football is another impressive option, with the channel winning plenty of admirers thanks to its unique combination of visual storytelling and deep analysis. Sky Sports Premier League definitely shouldn’t be ignored either, with the dedicated Premier League channel housing the latest highlights from the weekend’s games, analysis from former players who have been there and done it, and interviews with some of the sport’s most famous faces.