The Rise and Fall of Cobh Ramblers

The year 2008 will not be looked back upon with fond memories for anyone connected to Cobh Ramblers of Ireland’s Premier Division. After a magnificent 2007, events off the pitch have been both comical and catastrophic for the team that produced Roy Keane.

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Links

The Sweeper (August 18)»

Did you know Didier Drogba is Flo-Jo’s doppelganger? Just add nails.

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Women's football

Olympic Women’s Football: Day One»

Jennifer Doyle reviews the first day’s action from the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, and finds some fluid play and shaggy haircuts.

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World Football Culture

Nigerian Footballers in Finland»

There are a lot of foreign footballers in Finland, even in the lower divisions. We spoke to some Nigerian players who have started the 2008 season in Kajaani as they attempt to make a career in Europe.

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Media

North American Television Coverage of International Soccer»

Why was ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2008 so much more successful than their previous efforts, and what does it mean for soccer in America?

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American soccer

U.S. Development Academy — The Future?»

In two weeks, viewers in the U.S. will be able to tune in to ESPN and watch the future of American soccer. Almost a year after its founding, the US Soccer Development Academy — consisting of 64 teams from across the country — will showcase its best eight teams at U-18 and U-16 levels in front of the television cameras for its inaugural national finals. How has this new venture fared in its first year?

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Politics and Economics

Paul Ince: Blazing a Trail?»

Paul Ince might be the first British black manager in the Premier League, but does that really solve the institutional block to black managers in the English game?

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History

Lucient Laurent and the Eternal Goal»

Seventy years ago next month, the first ever World Cup goal was scored on a wintry day in Uruguay. The goalscorer’s journey to the tournament was a world away from today’s jamborees, as Michael Oliver explains.

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Non-league football

From Leigh RMI to Leigh Genesis»

Another visionary chairman tries to revolutionise English non-League football, setting another dangerous precedent.

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