This week I watched darts. Gian van Veen has grown from boy to man to reach the world championship final. Few sports can have such transformative impact in such a short space of time as darts. And GvV’s opponent Luke Littler knows that more than most. jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/03/t...

This week I watched Baller League, where the fun never stops. Even when it should. After six hours of forced entertainment, shoddy football and countless adverts, the thousands of empty seats do little to suggest this is truly a 'new era of football'. jackimmcrae.com/2025/12/20/t...

Harry Kane rescues a point for Bayern Munich against bottom-of-the-table Mainz. Lennart Karl impressed again, but Vincent Kompany's rotated side were almost made to rue missed chances in 2-2 draw as Daniel Batz had the game of his life in the Mainz net. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

This week I watched chess. It was strange to go to the Emirates and not watch #AFC, but the sport played in silence was captivating. Not able to truly understand the moves of elite players in the London Chess Classic, watching their emotions became my fascination. jackimmcrae.com/2025/12/04/t...

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz look to finally be clicking as Liverpool win 2-0 at West Ham. Mohamed Salah was left on the bench and may struggle to regain his place as the Reds secure a vital victory. Liverpool ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

This week I watched golf. The ANNIKA at Pelican is trying to be more than just an LPGA event & this year, invited the 461st best US junior and President Donald Trump's granddaughter to make her pro debut. Unsurprisingly, Kai Trump was not good enough. jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/18/t...

Hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski leads Barcelona in cutting La Liga gap to Real Madrid to three points. Blaugrana defence was shaky, but Marcus Rashford again impresses for #FCB as he continues to make the left-wing his own. Barca ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Manchester City capitalised on Chelsea's draw with Arsenal to go top of the WSL after closely contested victory over Everton. Miedema and Shaw were on target, but Yamashita's shot-stopping was key to visitors taking all three points. City's ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Gianni Infantino continues to cosy up to “close friend” Donald Trump and self-interested politicians who care little for football. Meanwhile, Arsenal fan @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social has been elected New York mayor and poses a challenge to the game’s ruling authority. jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/08/p...

As part of a new series, I will be watching and writing about a new sport every fortnight. This week I watched rugby. I saw England beat Australia 25-7 and wrote about how Henry Pollock adds a necessary youthful verve to England and the sport. jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/04/h...

Eberechi Eze has shared that he was "prepared to go to Tottenham", before the Gunners dramatically hijacked the deal. On Sunday, he plays against Crystal Palace for the first time since his move to #AFC, where his importance is already starting to shine. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Wrote something short on the “new Jack Wilshere” taking charge of his first game of Luton Town on Saturday. Everyone already has their own idea of who Wilshere is, or was. Now, the former #AFC star has a chance to reinvent himself as a coach at #LTFC. jackimmcrae.com/2025/10/16/t...

Spain were absolutely perfect tonight in a 6-0 midfield masterclass against Turkey. Hattrick hero Mikel Merino continued extravagent goalscoring form alongside #AFC teammate Martin Zubimendi and the wonderful Pedri. My full match ratings for @goal here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Ahead of the return of the #PremierLeague tonight, I wrote this about Arsenal. Three second-place finishes and #AFC fan hysteria had made me hesitant to get swept up by excitement. But, as ever, I have succumbed to the horrible state of anguish: hope. jackimmcrae.com/2025/08/15/s...

Fermin Lopez steals the show as rampant Barcelona destroy Como 5-0 in Joan Gamper Trophy. Yamal and Fermin score braces with Raphinha adding another as #FCB ease to victory. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

For Boxing News, I met with Johnny Greaves to discuss his 100-fight career and new book. The former journeyman talks about his battles with mental health, depression and suicidal thoughts. Yet, there is hope in the incredibly open and friendly Greaves. boxingnewsonline.net/former-journ...

Three days before Perth Glory's final game, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson asked Megan Wynne about her summer plans. 30 minutes into that game, Wynne injured her #ACL. She talks to me about the injury, its mental challenges and her missed #WEURO2025 chance. jackimmcrae.com/2025/06/30/p...

Tonight, Numan Hussain fights for the Southern Area title at York Hall. For Boxing Scene, I spoke to him and his wife, fellow pro fighter Amy Andrew, about their careers, watching each other fight and being role models for women and the Bengali community. www.boxingscene.com/articles/whe...

Nuno Mendes the star of the show as Portugal win the #NationsLeague on penalties. Ronaldo is the man for the big occasion and led the line impressively. Spain dominated but Portugal showed resilience. Credit must go to Martinez. Ratings for Goal here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Unbelievable from the Arsenal! Super Stina. #COYG #AWFC 🔴⚪️

In Lisbon tonight, #AWFC and #FCB play the #UWCLfinal. In the last Lisbon final, star-studded Tyresö FF lost to Wolfsburg. A month later, they barely existed. Speaking to its former players, this is the story of Tyresö FF: the forgotten fallen giant. jackimmcrae.com/2025/05/24/t...

‘I could not live with myself and be content if I quit’: @thornsfc.com & Nigeria's Nicole Payne’s #ACL story Payne has injured her ACL twice, but remains positive - inspired by a World Cup dream, #NWSL success and her sister, Everton's Toni Payne. jackimmcrae.com/2025/04/29/p...

An absolutely brilliant game as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to win the #CopaDelRey. Kounde's brilliant drive from distance in extra-time was the difference after an Mbappe-inspired second-half changed the game in #RMFC's favour. #FCB match-ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Wrexham promoted again. #WxmAFC make history and become first side to earn third successive promotion in top five English leagues. Matty James pulled the strings as Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith powered Red Dragons to Championship. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Bayern Munich on brink of clinching Bundesliga title after comfortable 3-0 win against Mainz. Olise the star of the show with a goal and assist to ensure Bayern need just two points to become champions. At RB Leipzig next weekend, but will be without Kane. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Great news as Amy Sayer is back playing football. After a year out with an #ACL injury, she made her return to the Kristianstads DFF side yesterday. I was lucky enough to speak with Amy last year about her injury and future goals with the Matildas. You can read the full story here:

Absolutely brilliant. Arsenal were incredible over both legs and 5-1 against Real Madrid on the biggest stage is a statement that this club and Arteta deserve. Saka, Rice, MLS and Timber were phenomenal. So proud 🔴⚪️ #AFC

With Sam Eggington fighting Lee Cutler on Sunday, I spoke with his coach Jon Pegg about the fight and their 13-year boxing journey. Pegg, also an award-winning film director, discusses filmmaking and his pride in seeing his daughter, actress Kia Pegg, succeed. jackimmcrae.com/2025/04/14/t...

The Arsenal ❤️

Big one tonight… #COYG #AFC

With Gabriel out for the season, Arsenal‘s chances of silverware hang heavy on Jakub Kiwior’s slender shoulders. He may be a competent defender, but Kiwior has been dropped in the deep end. Now, he must swim with the Real Madrid sharks and survive. #AFC jackimmcrae.com/2025/04/04/s...

Bukayo Saka ❤️

Bukayo back? #AFC

This week, I read an article that suggested Chelsea fans would want a Petr Cech-style goalkeeper back over a shorter, ball-playing equivalent. But, having watched Cech play out of the back for #AFC, I am not so sure. My defence of the modern No. 1: jackimmcrae.com/2025/03/28/d...

Fantastic, Russo-inspired second half from the Arsenal. Hopefully we will see a repeat result in two weeks’ time… #AWFC #AFC

Ahead of the British Boxing Awards this month, I met with Islington Boxing Club’s Lenny Hagland to discuss their nomination for the Grassroots Hero/Initiative award. Hagland speaks about the club's transformation, its community and wanting to leave a legacy. jackimmcrae.com/2025/03/13/l...

‘I never got to say goodbye the way I wanted’: Taylor McGlashan's #ACL story 30 minutes into McGlashan's farewell game for Partick Thistle, she ruptured her ACL. We discuss her injury, Cheryl McCulloch's support and how she is ending her career on a high. jackimmcrae.com/2025/03/04/a...

Wrexham and Bolton both missed huge chances to take all three points as the promotion hopefuls drew 0-0 in north Wales. Ryan Longman was impressive for #WxmAFC but Thomas O'Connor will not want to watch his glaring open-goal miss again. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

When I spoke to Joshua Al-chamaa in 2023, he was full of positive optimism and energy. Now, following the death of Lazar Dukic, the CrossFit athlete is in a much different place. We speak about loss, his next steps and the need to 'just enjoy life'. jackimmcrae.com/2025/02/20/j...

Two hat-tricks in as many weeks for Mika Biereth as former Arsenal youngster continues to shine at Monaco. Amid an injury crisis, the Gunners may regret letting the Dane leave for just £4m. (Even if Mikel Merino turns into the league's best striker) www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

‘Finishing my football story, my way’: Partick Thistle’s Cheryl McCulloch’s #ACL story For my ACL Archives series, the @partickthistle.bsky.social defender and firefighter discusses isolation in recovery and finding a new lease of life in football after her injury. jackimmcrae.com/2025/02/04/p...

Phenomenal performance from Arsenal! Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are stars and offer a lot of optimism for the future - but important to stay humble. #AFC

Disappointing that Nwaneri isn’t starting for Arsenal but have to hope Trossard and Martinelli have one of their better games. Big game. #AFC

Kyra Cooney-Cross’ deliveries from set pieces have been superb this season for #AWFC. Great header by Wubben-Moy to meet it too.

Wrexham steal all three points at Crawley as Elliot Lee scores late winner. James opened scoring after 62 seconds, 88 dull minutes passed, then an Ibrahim screamer prompted injury-time chaos. Crazy end to poor game as #WxmAFC keep pressure on Birmingham. www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

A brilliant game at the Etihad as an Ella Toone-inspired Manchester United capitalise on Manchester City's defensive calamities. It is also a day to forget for Khiara Keating in the City goal whose mistakes are ruthlessly punished. #ManCity ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Erin Cuthbert pulled the strings for Chelsea in 5-0 thrashing of West Ham. Hammers could not deal with the Scottish midfielder who dictated the game and earned herself a goal. Blues go seven points clear at top of the #BarclaysWSL. #CFCW ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...

Partey is a complete liability every time he plays. Slow, lethargic and careless with the ball. Injuries don’t help but he should not be starting each game. Enough has been said about the depth upfront but painfully evident again. Miracle needed for #AFC to turn this around.

Such an important win for Arsenal and some big performances from a number of players. Gabriel and Rice were so strong. Lewis-Skelly is a gem and is getting better and better with every performance. Onto Villa. #AFC

13 years ago, I saw Arsenal come from 2-0 down to beat Spurs 5-2. Mocking their rivals, #AFC fans sang: "Two nil and you fucked it up". Swearing has its place in football. But, as it often has in the #NLD, it should never become discriminatory. jackimmcrae.com/2025/01/15/t...