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Michael Walker

@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
1.7K followers 362 following 386 posts

Freelance football reporter at The Athletic and Irish Times. NUJ. FWA.

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Reposted by Michael Walker
Gateshead FC @gatesheadfc.bsky.social · 16h
Gateshead Football Club can confirm that a sale agreement has been reached in principle with American based private investment company, Flacks Group, subject to Independent Football Regulator approval. Full statement 👉 ow.ly/sFIj50ZWnkL
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 09/10/2026
Racing’s true greats are obvious and dual Arc winner Daryz isn’t one of them
irishtimes.com
Racing’s true greats are obvious and dual Arc winner Daryz isn’t one of them
There have been just two indisputably great racehorses in our expert’s time scribbling on the game
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Regis Le Bris good on Man City: "Football has rules on and off the pitch. You have to respect those rules. When they are broken, you should have consequences, otherwise it’s not fair, and we want fair competition." Also revealed Dan Ballard will miss Nov internationals. Big blow for DB, NI & S'land.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
David Ornstein @david-ornstein.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
🚨 EXCL: Everton put up for sale by The Friedkin Group. #EFC owner already seeking investment but now ready to exit if/when right buyer emerges. TFG plan to maintain full support in meantime after stabilising club + completing stadium move 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/767...
nytimes.com
Everton owner The Friedkin Group open to full sale of club
The Athletic reported in September that Everton's American owner was looking for fresh investment into the club.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The first chapter of a four-part series explains the genesis of Manchester City's 'sham' spending - and the numbers behind it www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
nytimes.com
The BookKeeper: Why did Manchester City introduce ‘sham’ spending? What was the extent of it?
The first chapter of a four-part series explains the genesis of Manchester City's 'sham' spending - and the numbers behind it
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Scott Friedlander @scottfriedlander.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Anne Carson addresses René Descartes' famous sentence cogito ergo sum, I think, therefore I am. “But if you look at the sentence, it says: dubito ergo cogito, ergo sum. ‘I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am’. www.instagram.com/louisianalit...
instagram.com
Louisiana Literature on Instagram: "Poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson addresses French philosopher René Descartes, known for his famous sentence cogito ergo sum, I think, therefore I am. “But ...
71K likes, 400 comments - louisianaliterature on September 11, 2024: "Poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson addresses French philosopher René Descartes, known for his famous sentence cogito ergo s...
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Amy Lawrence @amylawrence.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
"People are describing that ‘you guys changed our life’. I mean, what does that mean?" A treat to interview Mikel Arteta and try to get a grasp of what goes on inside his world. On olive trees, ideas, curiosity, club culture and healing the poison in his veins. www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
nytimes.com
Mikel Arteta exclusive interview: ‘I have poison in my veins at Champions League defeat. It left a scar’ (Gift Article)
The Arsenal manager speaks to The Athletic about the pain of defeat and why the Premier League title is 'just the beginning'
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Steve Rosenberg @bbcstever.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
"In this building lived and worked journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Killed 7 October 2006"
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David Ornstein @david-ornstein.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🚨 BREAKING: Tonda Eckert given suspended 6wk ban by Football Association after investigation into ‘spygate’ scandal. 33yo Southampton head coach also handed fine having been charged with bringing game into disrepute. No #SaintsFC punishment @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
nytimes.com
Southampton’s Tonda Eckert handed suspended six-week ban for role in ‘Spygate’ scandal
The German coach has also been handed a small fine, having been charged by the FA for bringing the game into disrepute in July.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 04/10/2026
‘Protestant and proud’ Young Spencer: Meet the Shankill Road’s answer to Kneecap
irishtimes.com
‘Protestant and proud’ Young Spencer: Meet the Shankill Road’s answer to Kneecap
Rapper says music is bringing young people together in Northern Ireland and talks about how his association with nationalist rap trio ‘divides opinion’
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Conte on what he's learned from guiding some of Europe's biggest clubs to success, and why he is eyeing a return to the Premier League www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
nytimes.com
Antonio Conte on financial mismatch: ‘In England, they’re using bazookas. Everywhere else, they’re using a pistol’
Conte on what he's learned from guiding some of Europe's biggest clubs to success, and why he is eyeing a return to the Premier League
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Middlesbrough’s 150 year anniversary match today. Juninho’s back at the Riverside.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
His supporters say he is a hero, a moral crusader who was brave enough to shine a light upon football's shadowy hinterlands www.nytimes.com/athletic/609...
nytimes.com
Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose leaks prompted investigations into Man City
His supporters say he is a hero, a moral crusader who was brave enough to shine a light upon football's shadowy hinterlands
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Ceadach O'Neill made a short but significant 4th Northern Ireland appearance in the 3-0 win against Ukraine in Slovakia. It ends one debate. O'Neill will play for NI, not Rep of Ireland. Focus may shift to how Michael O'Neill's NI are developing. P. Charles, Atcheson, Donley all again impressive.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
In today's Observer, my exclusive interview with Sir Alex Ferguson about the games of his life...
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Ceadach O'Neill made a short but significant 4th Northern Ireland appearance in the 3-0 win against Ukraine in Slovakia. It ends one debate. O'Neill will play for NI, not Rep of Ireland. Focus may shift to how Michael O'Neill's NI are developing. P. Charles, Atcheson, Donley all again impressive.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Tennis balls were thrown onto the Aviva Stadium pitch on Thursday night but a decent game of football broke out too www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
nytimes.com
Ireland’s players and fans find some footballing harmony amid ongoing protests over Israel fixtures
Tennis balls were thrown onto the Aviva Stadium pitch on Thursday night but a decent game of football broke out too
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
After a tumultuous year, with managerial changes and play-off final heartbreak, Scott has rebuilt the squad with promotion again the target www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
From ‘Spygate’ to that £21m Morgan Rogers sell-on fee – meet Middlesbrough head of football Kieran Scott
After a tumultuous year, with managerial changes and play-off final heartbreak, Scott has rebuilt the squad with promotion again the target
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Irish football's ongoing eligibility question, Arsenal's Ceadach O'Neill & the Irish FA's evolving Academy system. www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
Ceadach O’Neill: Talented Arsenal teenager, coveted Irish international
The 18-year-old is one cap away from committing his long-term future to Northern Ireland, but the Republic of Ireland are still courting him
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Very good obituary of Sandro Mazzola in today’s Guardian by Richard Williams.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Nine years of wrongdoing - as laid out in the independent commission's damning judgment - disfigured English football www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
Manchester City have become ‘Sham FC’. They deserve the heaviest punishment
Nine years of wrongdoing - as laid out in the independent commission's damning judgment - disfigured English football
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The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The game went ahead, Ireland won - but that doesn't even start to tell the history and controversy of Sunday's match www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
The story behind Israel vs Ireland: Bowed heads, black armbands and a one-man boycott
The game went ahead, Ireland won - but that doesn't even start to tell the history and controversy of Sunday's match
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Oliver Kay @oliverkay.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Of course. We can do what we want.” That's the line, in the hacked emails published by Der Spiegel in 2018, that sums up the sense of entitlement that fuelled Manchester City's cheating under this ownership. Column for @theathleticfc.bsky.social #MCFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
The damage of the Manchester City verdict runs deep. An era of Premier League history is tainted (Gift Article)
This may look like a victory for the Premier League but it has come at a cost that cannot be fully calculated
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 26/09/2026
Ken Early: Why the discomfort over Israel fixtures? Because we know our position is a fudge
irishtimes.com
Ken Early: Why the discomfort over Israel fixtures? Because we know our position is a fudge
Ireland are anxious to get through these games without creating any unnecessary trouble. Israel are long past caring about that
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Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/athletic/618...
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Man City’s next game being Liverpool away is quite the fixture.
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
FT Georgia 0-1 Northern Ireland. Excellent from NI. Awful refereeing display but Shea Charles scores and brother Pierce saves penalty. Ceadach O’Neill wins significant third cap and looks sharp. Big win.
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
On top of Brian Brobbey, looks like Dan Ballard has just done a hamstring for NI v Georgia. Bad news for Sunderland.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 25/09/2026
Parades Commission to allow Orange Order march down Garvaghy Road
irishtimes.com
Parades Commission to allow Orange Order march down Garvaghy Road
Local residents have pledged to ‘mobilise’ if parade approved
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Reposted by Michael Walker
David Ornstein @david-ornstein.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City found guilty on virtually all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations. #MCFC expected to appeal against verdict issued by independent commission. Sanctions undecided, process ongoing @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
nytimes.com
Manchester City found guilty on almost all Premier League charges relating to financial breaches
City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023.
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The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The French striker opens up on his journey from the child who idolised Zidane and Ronaldo to becoming one of the sport's greatest www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Kylian Mbappe interview: Making history, the Ballon d’Or, mid-air Liverpool talks and why he will not be silenced
The French striker opens up on his journey from the child who idolised Zidane and Ronaldo to becoming one of the sport's greatest
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Lee Clark resigns after Hartlepool’s latest National League defeat and, not far away at Gateshead, Lee Cattermole may follow. Gateshead 6-0 down at home to Southend - at halftime.
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Reposted by Michael Walker
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 19/09/2026
Roberto De Zerbi in dire need of a net gain on Tottenham’s big summer spending
irishtimes.com
Roberto De Zerbi in dire need of a net gain on Tottenham’s big summer spending
Spurs manager looks to discover attacking threat as goal drought threatens to derail campaign
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Reposted by Michael Walker
Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Brentford v Chelsea. How to run a club v how not to
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Nutmeg Magazine @nutmegmagazine.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It's a decade since issue one of Nutmeg arrived. To celebrate, we’re publishing some of our favourite articles across that time. This is the tale of Neil Forsyth's friendship with Tannadice legend Ralph Milne from our first issue 📖➡️ tinyurl.com/yk7atabb
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Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞: 𝐀 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 A moment in time, preserved in history Special report for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
Sunderland in Europe: A football club reborn in record time (Gift Article)
An Enzo Le Fee penalty gave Sunderland a winning start in the Europa League but just being there was what mattered
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
FT Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar. A first European match in 53 years ends 1-0 for Sunderland, Enzo Le Fee scoring a penalty into the same corner as Arsenal on Saturday. Memorable atmosphere, draining game. AZ good, technical, Meerdink decent. Home players looked shattered at end. But a win, a start.
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Sam McBride @sjamcbride.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
When the Belfast Telegraph was bombed by the IRA in 1976, the 800 staff took refuge in St Anne's Cathedral. At midday on Saturday - the day our printer Joseph Paton died from his injuries - there will be a memorial service for him in St Anne's. All are welcome.
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Middlesbrough and the meaning of football in troubled times www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Middlesbrough and the meaning of football in troubled times (Gift Article)
It has not been an easy fortnight for Teesside, an area which has long experience of being talked down. But the football club offers hope
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Going to be a tight, fascinating end to the League of Ireland season.
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LeaLyster @lealyster.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"The problem in our country isn't with books being banned, but with people no longer reading. You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." - Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 Holly Farrell Paperbacks acrylic and oils on board 2022
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Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Now very unlikely Visit Ghana will be adorning Sunderland shirts this season. Leaves #SAFC as only Premier League club w/o FOS sponsor. Club remain confident a separate partnership will be inked in coming weeks - without a £££ haircut @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Sunderland not expecting sponsorship deal with Visit Ghana to proceed (Gift Article)
The club cited the "lack of approval and clarity" from the Ghanaian government in delaying the proposed deal.
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Middlesbrough and the meaning of football in troubled times www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Middlesbrough and the meaning of football in troubled times (Gift Article)
It has not been an easy fortnight for Teesside, an area which has long experience of being talked down. But the football club offers hope
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Thomas Meunier is 35 today and faces Arsenal with his new club, Sunderland. Birthday interview with a right-back, who is much more than that. Goals, art, politics, Meunier is a serious presence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
‘I find a bit of myself in Sunderland’: Thomas Meunier on his new life in England, a striking past and Balogun
The Belgium full-back talks surrealism, playing under Tuchel and Emery and alongside Mbappe and Neymar, and what lured him to the north east
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
FT Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal. Start of Sunderland’s biggest week for half a century - and a hard one. Arsenal formidable, Odegaard excellent, Raya vital, work ethic from whole team huge. Le Fee pen may have changed things. Onto AZ Alkmaar and the Europa League for Wearside.
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
FT Middlesbrough 4-3 Norwich City. The end of an open, chaotic, entertaining match. Boro 3-1 up at ht concede two. At 3-3 Ash Phillips wins it for Boro in injury time. Riverside bouncing.
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The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The Belgium full-back talks surrealism, playing under Tuchel and Emery and alongside Mbappe and Neymar, and what lured him to the north east www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
‘I find a bit of myself in Sunderland’: Thomas Meunier on his new life in England, a striking past and Balogun
The Belgium full-back talks surrealism, playing under Tuchel and Emery and alongside Mbappe and Neymar, and what lured him to the north east
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 11/09/2026
In their first interview since Billy's death, Keith and Camilla Vigar speak about their son, their hurt and their anger towards the FA www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Billy Vigar lost his life playing football. His parents want justice
In their first interview since Billy's death, Keith and Camilla Vigar speak about their son, their hurt and their anger towards the FA
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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Thomas Meunier is 35 today and faces Arsenal with his new club, Sunderland. Birthday interview with a right-back, who is much more than that. Goals, art, politics, Meunier is a serious presence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
‘I find a bit of myself in Sunderland’: Thomas Meunier on his new life in England, a striking past and Balogun
The Belgium full-back talks surrealism, playing under Tuchel and Emery and alongside Mbappe and Neymar, and what lured him to the north east
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Iain Hepburn @iainhepburn.me · 10/09/2026
Rattled through this in a day. Big fan of @danielgraywriter.bsky.social’s writing anyway, but this is a fantastic read - an excellent charting of both football’s evolution in the 80s and 90s and the broader ways fan culture overlaps and brings groups together.
A copy of Daniel Gray’s new book Fanzine: The story of football’s alternative press, featuring an 80s b/w photo of some young football bands outside the entrance to a ground.
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