5 must-see stadiums in world football

 By Dan Smith

1 – Estadio Azteca

The Estadio Azteca is one of the most remarkable sights in world football. Since opening in 1966 it has been home to both the Mexican national team and Club America. The 87,000 capacity makes it one of the biggest stadiums in world football and it also played host to one of the most controversial scenes in the history of the sport. The Hand of God. Committed by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup. And during the 1970 World Cup it held what is dubbed the ‘Game of the century’ between West Germany and Italy. Not only does it host football but it has also held American football matches, Concerts as well as boxing.

Embed from Getty Images

2 – Olympiastadion

A ground steeped in history, located in the heart of Berlin it can hold 75,000 people and has been the scene for some of the most famous moments not in only in football history but world history. It was the place where Jesse Owens upstaged Hitler at his own event. Home to Hertha Berlin since 1963 and the German national team it has held the 1936 Olympics, 1974 & 2006 World Cups as well as the 2015 Champions League Final. Just like the Azteca it has not only hosted football. Concerts and American football have also been played here. This is an iconic, must see ground for any football or sporting fan alike.

628959272.jpg

3 – Sapporo Dome

This arena as made the list not because of its history. But because of how unique it is. It is a ground that can host both Football and Baseball. This is made possible by the fact that there is a rotating pitch in place. An astro turf baseball field lays below a grass surface for football meaning that when needed the football ground can be moved in or out of the stadium. Built in 2001 it also played host to 3 three games during the 2002 World Cup. It is a proposed venue for the 2020 summer Olympics and this is certainly one of the most unique grounds in the world.

496295440

The rise of the phoenix clubs 

By Dan Smith

Phoenix clubs are something now that have become common in modern day football and there are more than you might think.

A phoenix club is defined as a new parent company that is set up to replace the parent company of a club that has failed in business terms but not in sporting terms. In simple terms, it is basically a new club set up after the previous one had gone out of business.

These clubs tend to be set up by fans of the former club to make sure that they keep their clubs spirit alive. Hey also tend to keep similar club colours, crest and name as the former club.

The most well-known Phoenix club in modern day English football is AFC Wimbledon, set up after Wimbledon FC had moved to Milton Keynes and changed their name to MK Dons. Fans did not take kindly to this and set up a breakaway club that began in tier 9 of the English Football Pyramid. After 6 promotions in 13 years they now find themselves in League 1, the same league as their biggest rivals, MK Dons.

Embed from Getty Images

Chester FC are one of the more recent and successful Phoenix clubs. Currently plying their trade in the Vanarama National League thy have come a long way since their financial trouble back in 2010. After failing to field a team for their game against Forest Green Rovers they were suspended from the League. Subsequent court appearances followed for the club as they wound up in administration and ultimately, they went out of business.

Starting off in the NPL Division one north in 2010 they won three successive promotions and have been in the conference since 2013. They are still hugely supported and continue to bring in big crowds, a record attendance of 5,000 against Northwich Victoria in 2012 only goes to prove this.

Aside from AFC Wimbledon, notable Phoenix clubs include Chester FC, Hereford, FC United of Manchester and Accrington Stanley. This just goes to show clubs and fans that even if things ultimately go wrong there is still hope that there club can return to where they once were.

Embed from Getty Images

Has Simon Mignolet reclaimed his place at Liverpool? 

By Ben Clubley
Embed from Getty Images

Simon Mignolet was back in action for Liverpool as they faced up against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.

After sitting on the side-line and watching on as summer recruit Loris Karius took his place in goal Mignolet got his recall after a bad spell of form from Karius.

Mignolet had a quiet but solid game against Middlesbrough keeping his first clean sheet of the season. The Belgian also pulled off a fine save in the first half, getting a firm hand to a shot by Viktor Fischer.

Karius has been scrutinised recently for his poor judgement and lack of control in his area. He was blamed by several pundits when Dimitri Payet curled in a free-kick against Liverpool last Sunday.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, went out to state that he feels Karius is getting his hands on the ball, but his wrists aren’t strong enough, causing goals to be conceded against both AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.

Embed from Getty Images

When it comes to key statistics it could be said that Karius is better than Mignolet. With the German boasting a 62.5% save percentage to the 55.5% (prior to the Middlesbrough game) of Mignolet.

The key question for Liverpool at the moment seems to be. Mignolet or Karius?

Who’s in the hunt for the NFL Playoffs? 

By Ben Clubley
Embed from Getty Images

The end of the NFL season is coming towards an end with only three games remaining, with the hunt for an NFL playoff position heating up nicely.

As it stands only one team has secured their spot in the post season, which is the Dallas Cowboys. This week of fixtures could prove vital in the playoff race with several teams one game away from joining the Cowboys.

There are five teams who are most certainly joining the Cowboys in the post season. With the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks both a game away from securing their respective divisions, and the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and New York Giants all close to clinching their places.

AFC North

The fight for the AFC North will be between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two teams will meet in week 16 in Baltimore. The Ravens are currently seeded eighth, and as well as facing off against Pittsburgh, play games at home versus the Philadelphia Eagles and away against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh will be the favourites for the AFC North standing a game ahead of the Ravens and having an easier schedule, also travelling to the Bengals and ending their season at home against the Cleveland Browns.

Le’Veon Bell will be crucial to the Steelers playoff push. The running back rushed for three touchdowns and 236 yards last week against the Buffalo Bills, a franchise record.

Embed from Getty Images

AFC South

Three teams are in the hunt for the AFC South Division title. The Houston Texans currently lead the division with a 7-6 record. The Tennessee Titans also sit at 7-6 but behind on head-to-head. The Indianapolis Colts sit a game behind and are seeded tenth in the conference.

The fight for the division could go down to the final week with the Texans travelling to Tennessee to face the Titans.

Tennessee will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas on Sunday, who are flying high on a 10-3 record after they beat the Oakland Raiders 21-13 last week. A loss seems probable for the Titans, and will be followed by games at the Jacksonville Jaguars before their game against Houston.

Bill O’Brien and his Texans have an easier schedule, having home games against the Jaguars and Bengals before they travel to their season finale at Tennessee.

Out of the three teams, the Colts have the hardest schedule and you could say I am quite kind just including them in ‘the hunt for the NFL playoffs’. Games at the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland before concluding at home against Jacksonville. Currently sat at 6-7, the Colts will most likely end 8-8 and therefore miss out on the playoffs. They will need a load of luck and also Andrew Luck if they are to make the playoffs.

AFC East

New England are just a game away from securing the division, but will have to get past a no-fly-zone in Denver if they want to do so this weekend. After facing off against the Denver Broncos, Tom Brady and his side will fly back to Boston to play the New York Jets before travelling to play the Miami Dolphins.

Miami themselves are looking for their first winning season since 2008, a year in which they made the playoffs through a wildcard but lost to the Ravens. Miami will be without injured quarterback Ryan Tannehill for possibly the rest of the season, with him picking up a knee injury against the Arizona Cardinals.

Matt Moore will take the helm in Miami till the end of the season, and English running back Jay Ajayi who has had a stellar season will most likely be called upon more often.

Miami’s last three games are against the Patriots, Jets, Bills and Patriots. One win could see them steal a wildcard spot. Two could assure them a spot in the post-season.

AFC West

Three teams are in the hunt in the AFC West. Kansas City, Oakland and Denver are looking to secure a place in the playoffs, with Kansas City currently leading the division.

The fight for the division will be between Oakland and Kansas. Both teams sit at 10-3 with similar schedules, both having to play against the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers.

Embed from Getty Images

The Raiders also face off against the Colts while the Chiefs play at home against the Titans this week.

Despite currently being sat in a wildcard spot with a record of 8-5. The Broncos may find themselves missing out on the playoffs. Denver has probably the hardest schedule in the last three games with games against the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders.

There is a possibility that one win could see the Broncos make the playoffs if the likes of the Titans and Dolphins mess up. Two wins would most probably secure their place and give the AFC West three teams in the post-season.

NFC North

The NFC North could be one of the most heated contested fights for a playoff place. There are three teams still in with a chance of clinching the division crown. These are the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit currently sit on top, two games ahead of Green Bay and Minnesota. However, they have the hardest schedule with games against the Giants, Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers, a game which could decide who wins the division and makes the playoffs.

Green Bay are currently on a role having beaten Seattle 38-10 last week at home at Lambeau Field. However, they need to win their last three remaining games to have a chance. First up is the Chicago Bears with Minnesota and Detroit to follow.

Embed from Getty Images

The Vikings who started the season so well have since gone off the boil. Their last three games give them a strong chance of making the playoffs, with games against the Colts and Bears, and as already mentioned, they play away against the Packers.

With the three teams in the hunt all playing one another throughout the last three weeks, the NFC North is the division to watch!

NFC South

Who thought the Carolina Panthers would have such a bad season? The NFC South sees Carolina sat in third with the Atlanta Falcons perched on top, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers second.

The Atlanta Falcons have had a great 2016 season and will be the favourites to win the division. A relatively easy schedule with games against San Francisco, Carolina and also the New Orleans Saints could see the Falcons end the season 11-5.

Tampa are also currently 8-5 this season and quarterback Jameis Winston will be looking to reach the playoffs in his second season in the NFL. They will also play Carolina and New Orleans in their last three games, as well as playing Dallas.

For Carolina a chance of the playoffs looks slim. They would rely on Atlanta and Tampa losing all three of their games, while winning their own three games.

If the Panthers and Broncos fail to make the playoffs it will be the first time since 2003 that both the Super Bowl finalists from the prior season don’t make the playoffs the following season. It will also be the fifth time it has occurred in NFL history.

NFC East

Dallas are already in the playoffs but will be looking to seal the top seed in the conference to ensure a home draw in the playoffs. The only team the Cowboys have lost to is the New York Giants who sit two games behind the Cowboys.

Embed from Getty Images

The Giants will fancy their luck for their first playoff spot since they went all the way in 2011, and there is no doubt that Eli Manning would like to have one-up on his brother by adding a third Super Bowl ring to his collection.

Games against the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, are up first for the Giants though.

Washington are also a contender for a playoff wildcard place. The Redskins have a current record of 7-9-1, with the tie coming in London against the Bengals. The tie could cost Washington, who have a tricky game against the Carolina Panthers this week before playing the Chicago Bears. The season for Washington ends at the MetLife Stadium in New York when they face the Giants.

NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks will most likely win the NFC West with the Arizona Cardinals sitting three games back. Seattle need just one win and could do so on Thursday when they play against the struggling Los Angeles Rams, who fired their head coach Jeff Fisher this week.

Failing to do so, the Seahawks have games against the Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals playoff hopes could be over after their loss against Miami last week, and they would simply need a miracle to get to the playoffs.

My Playoff Predictions

AFC: Patriots, Chiefs, Steelers, Texans, Raiders, Titans

NFC: Cowboys, Seahawks, Falcons, Packers, Giants, Redskins

As a Denver Broncos fan. I can only ask for the football Gods to provide me with a big win against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

MLS CUP FINAL PREVIEW 

By Stefan Dagher

Last Wednesday saw the play-off final in Canada where Toronto faced Canadian rivals Montreal Impact, and Toronto came out on top, winning 5-2 on aggregate.

Embed from Getty Images

Their 5-2 win over Montreal wasn’t just perhaps one of the most entertaining playoff games in the MLS history but also ended up as the highest scoring series in the playoff’s history. Now, Toronto will go and face Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final on the December 10th.

On the other hand, the Sounders knocked off the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference Championship on Sunday, earning their ticket to the league title final game.

Embed from Getty Images

A lot has been said about the potential of both teams and those wildly divergent paths, but what about the final itself? What can we expect? And what shape might that game take?

Both teams have big payrolls, big stars, a huge fan base but most notably no MLS trophies. Therefore, on December 10th one of the team will lift the MLS trophy for the first time and will make history for the club.

TORONTO

Embed from Getty Images

So much of what Toronto FC’s done in an attacking sense revolves around their 3-5-2 formation. Spreading central defenders across the back and allowing their fullbacks to go forward and create chances. Toronto’s big three: Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley have simply been impossible to stop this season – scoring 32 goals between them. Those three will undoubtedly be Toronto’s key men to ensure they get the win. Manager, Greg Vaney, has this side playing an exciting brand of football and although star Giovinco has been held scoreless the past two games his presence on the field improves his side greatly. In addition, the improved play of the two Americans, Bradley and Altidore have been a big part of this playoff run and on Saturday it should help complete a dream season and make sure Toronto FC lift the MLS Cup.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Embed from Getty Images

Some say that the Sounders have been the best team in MLS over the past three months – winning 8 of their last 12 games. Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro are in top form, but it has been their defence that have impressed, conceding very little recently. They handed Colorado Rapids their first defeat at home in 19 games in their playoff game which will give Seattle a real boost for the final. This will be Sounders first ever final, they will surely want to make the most of it and the opposition side will not affect to way they are going to approach this critical game. The story of the back third of the Sounders’ season has more or less been wedded to Lodeiro’s performances. If he has a good day on Saturday it might be just enough to beat Toronto on the road.

MLS is a notoriously difficult road league, and both Toronto’s home record and Seattle’s away record bear that out this season. Last time these 2 teams meet was back in July. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Regardless of who lifts the trophy, we know one thing for certain: It’ll be one serious spectacle.

FA and Nike sign 12-year contract extension

By Michael Rietdyk

Despite the England team’s early exit from Euro 2016, and the sport being rocked by the sexual abuse scandal, the FA have announced a kit deal extension with Nike. The American brand first sponsored England in 2013, which will see the global sports brand supply kits to all 24 England teams based at St. George’s Park. It is understood the deal is worth in the region of £400m – a baseline figure that could be added to significantly should any performance-related bonuses be achieved.

Screen Shot 2016-12-14 at 23.40.43.png

FA group commercial and marketing director, Mark Bullingham, said in a statement: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Nike until 2030. It was always important for us to secure such a long-term commitment to allow both parties to build an even stronger partnership together. With The FA striving to be a world-class organisation, it’s vital for us to partner with innovative global leaders such as Nike and look to the future together. As well as supplying all of our England teams with state-of-the-art apparel, Nike is a huge supporter of our technical division’s work and of grassroots football across the country. It’s fantastic that this support will not only continue but increase from now until 2030.”

FA chief executive Martin Glenn added: “This is another hugely significant deal for The FA and closely follows the landmark Emirates FA Cup broadcast rights announcement last October.” This deal is the most lucrative kit sponsorship deal in its history and much of the investment will be reinvested by the FA back into the game, especially in grassroots football. This is incredibly important in the light of recent news surrounding the child sex abuse allegations made by hundreds. It shows that one of the FA’s key stakeholders has backed them both financially and morally in such times.

Top 5 of sex scandals in football in 2000’s

By Izabela Muczynska

Young, rich and handsome- football players all well known for having an ability to sleep with whoever they want. They usually have the most beautiful wives or girlfriends. Apparently that is not enough and they want to keep on trying new things. Sometimes hooking up with a random beauty seems to be boring for them. Footballers need more of an excitement- so they decide to hire escorts or.. steal their colleagues’ women. That is the short list of the most interesting and surprising stories regarding to football players being cheaters.

  1. BAYERN MUNICH

Former Bayern’s players- Oliver Kahn and Steffan Effenberg have been both cheating on his wives, so nothing like that can shock football fans from Munich. Those two former players are good examples, but current Bayern Munich is not any better. The biggest scandal was involving French midfielder- Franck Ribery and an underage prostitute- Zahia Dehar. Once he even sent a charter to pick her up. At that time Ribery was married and having sex with a prostitute, who did not turn 18 yet ruined his image. However, Bayern Munich got used to this sort of scandals and Franck Ribery did not face any serious consequences.

Embed from Getty Images
  1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Young Portuguese player is the sex symbol for many women in the entire world. He can pick any girl he wants and there is no chance she will refuse. One of his targets was Paris Hilton. He met her on his holidays spent in Los Angeles and they landed in bed same night. Apparently Ronaldo did not enjoy time spent with Paris, because they never met each other again. Maybe his expectations were a bit too high! CR7 is well known for having fun with prostitutes. When Cristiano was playing for Manchester United, him and his friends were inviting girls to his mansion and organising “sex parties”. However, his long-term relationship with Irina Shayk build his image up.

Embed from Getty Images
  1. Brazilian Ronaldo

Let’s stick to “Ronaldo” name. Il Fenomeno also likes to pay girls for having fun with them from time to time. The worst “faux pas” he made was back in 2008. He left his girlfriend alone at home, found 3 prostitutes and took them to the hotel room. He did not expect one thing. When he started getting rid off their clothes it turned that all of them are.. MEN! A massive argument started- “prostitutes” wanted money for keeping the silence, but Ronaldo refused giving them any money, so they spread the story.

543726080.jpg

  1. John Terry

His reputation has been permamently damaged and John Terry will never be able to fix it. Back in 2005 when Terry was engaged with Toni Poole already, he was caught by reporters on “having fun” with a 17-year old girl in his car. His wifey forgave him, but instead of improving, John started an affair with his teammate- Wayne Bridge’s fiancée just after captain tied his knot with Toni.

Embed from Getty Images
  1. James Pearson, Tom Hopper and Adam Smith

Those 3 young lads will be always regretting this massive mistake they made. When the team was visiting Bangkok, they have decided to know the “Thai culture” a bit better and they invited prostitutes to come over. The orgy has been recorded on one of the phones and unfortunately for them it went viral somehow. We were able to hear in the video how players were racially abusing which made the case even worse for them.

Screen Shot 2016-12-14 at 14.45.59.png

These sex scandals are nothing new- it has always been an issue and I do not think there is any way to make them stop. The stories we know are probably just a small percentage of what is happening in silence.

An Interview with Tony Oakey

By Curtis Bagley

In this exclusive interview, Extra Time interview former British, Commonwealth and WBU light-heavyweight champion, Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey. Born and bred in Portsmouth, Tony first made his break in Boxing, winning the ABA’s twice in 1998. Following on from this, Tony picked up recognitions from legendary Boxing promoter, Frank Maloney, who wasted no time in signing him up. “My uncle was on a flight back from America, after seeing a Lennox Lewis fight, when he bumped into Frank Maloney. He spoke to Frank about me winning the ABA’s, and Frank was keen to meet up with me. He gave my uncle a Business card and told to give him a ring, and my boxing career went from there.”

With British Boxing producing stars such as, Henry Cooper and more recently, Anthony Joshua, Tony may not have been as well known, however won his fair share of belts and competitions. When asked what his biggest achievement, he struggled to single out just one. “It’s hard to tell you what my biggest achievement in Boxing is, as they all meant so much to me, but the three biggest for me were the WBU title, which was also won by my good friend Ricky Hatton, the Prizefighter, which was on Sky Sports, having your arm lifted 3 times in one night, was fantastic, and probably the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title.”

As a youngster, Tony was compared to Hall Of Fame great, Rocky Marciano, so when asked who his Boxing idol was, it wasn’t hard to guess his answer. “One of my earliest memories was watching Mike Tyson beat Trevor Berbick. Tyson was so fast and ferocious, I just remember thinking, I wanna be like that, winning titles and being on TV. Also being compared to Rocky Marciano, I always looked up to him as it was special to be compared to such a great boxing.”

Tony fought ex WBA champion, Nathan Cleverley back in 2008, and has come across many tough opponents. “My toughest opponent, I would have to say was Chris Davies, the Welsh lad, although I won, he was so tough and hit so hard, it was a very even fight.”

Tony’s most recent opponent was Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy, an American boxer who has fought the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jr. Tony Amazingly won the fight and unexpectedly gained a new friend in Lacy. So whats next for Oakey Kokey? “My dream was to always fight in America. Me and Jeff have been in contact, and are in talks for a rematch in Florida, but if that doesn’t happen, I am more than happy to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing, as I’ve achieved everything I wanted in Boxing.

Football’s Top 5 bad boy returns 

By Joe Heslop
Embed from Getty Images

Following Ched Evans retrial he was found not guilty of rape and is now an innocent man in the eyes of the law. He is now back playing football for league two strugglers Chesterfield United. He has hit form since signing for the Spireites and this weekend could make it 3 goals in as many games, Chesterfield take on Bolton on Saturday with Ched Evans in fine goal scoring form bagging 5 goals in his 15 appearances for the club. We will now take a look at 4 other footballers who have been to jail during their careers, been released from jail and continued playing football.

Joey Barton

Embed from Getty Images

Controversial figure Joey Barton is well known as a bad-boy of modern football for his bad temper and often outrageous outbursts on the pitch. As a result of this he has served 100 days in jail on different occasions throughout his career. He is also remembered for his days as a QPR player on the last day of the season being sent off against Manchester city for elbowing City striker Carlos Tevez, after being shown the red card he then kneed Sergio Aguero before attempting to headbut Vincent Kompany. Since his latest release from prison he has gone on to play for clubs such as Marseille and Rangers before being released from the later for his involvement in a training ground bust up. He is now a free agent while also doing occasional punditry work on television.

Troy Deeney

Embed from Getty Images

In June 2012 the Watford striker was jailed for 10 months following an attack on a group of students. The incident took place in Birmingham following a night out and Deeney can be seen in CCTV footage kicking a defenceless victim on the floor. Since serving his sentence he has gone on to become a hero among Watford fans and has gained promotion to the premier league where they have cemented their place thanks to his important goals. The striker has claimed going to jail was ‘the best thing to ever happen to him’ and has gone from strength to strength after being released 2 months into his sentence for good behaviour. Since his release he has gone on to score 88 goals for Watford as is currently captain of the Premier League club.

Marlon king

The Ex- Birmingham striker has served three jail sentences during his career and has other convictions such as criminal damage, speeding and drink driving. In between the sentences, he returned to play football for various club’s including Coventry City and Birmingham before hanging up his boots in 2013 following a brief stint with Sheffield United where he scored once in eight appearances.

Luke McCormick

The goalkeeper started his career at Plymouth argyle after coming through the academy there before signing a professional contract in 2000. In 2008 however, the keeper was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving following a crash on his way home from a former team mates wedding. The following day he was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in his blood and driving with no insurance. Plymouth Argyle suspended the player on 2nd July and his contract was terminated on the 22nd. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and a four-year driving ban on 6th October 2008. On 6th June 2012, McCormick was released from prison and went on to play for Conference south team Truro City and Oxford United before returning to Plymouth Argyle in 2013. The season of 2014/15 was a success for the goalkeeper resulting in him being named the club’s player of the season, he is still with the club, however, has not made an appearance yet this season.

Blast from the past…

Graham French

Graham French was best known as a winger for Luton town between 1965 and 1973, however, he was also known for the wrong reasons as his temperament spoke for him a lot of the time as he was known for starting games worse for wear after sessions at local pubs. In 1970 though French was jailed for 3 years following a shooting incident. He came out of jail and was offered a return to Luton Town however he struggled to regain his place and ended his career with a short spell at Reading before appearing 3 times for American team Boston Minutemen. He then had 2 years out before finishing his career at Southport in 1976 under the new name of Gary Lafite.

Who would be an editor? 

By Leon Smith

Anger. Frustration. Pure hatred at times. These are just some of the feelings I have found simmering beneath the skin, having played editor in chief for a newly set up sports website, this past month.

What I can say in confidence is that I have learned A LOT!

I have learned new skills, new levels of organisation I didn’t even know existed and most importantly I have learned, a great deal, about people.

I found myself volunteering to take a lead role in the running of the website. I consciously raised my hand when asked if anyone would be interested in doing so. What was I thinking? It seemed like a great idea at the time. No doubt when all my current assignments are done and I look back, I will be glad I did this but right now, and for the past month, I’ve wanted to run for the hills.

With deadlines hitting me from all angles and countless new series on Netflix to be watched, I found myself lost for time. Did you know, there are simply not enough hours in the day? I’ve grown up listening to my dad tell me that. He’s right you know!

The term ‘deadline’ doesn’t have as much meaning to some as it does to me. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve read and edited some fantastic work over the past month, some absolute delights to read. Some other work needed a little more TLC, but I was happy to spend that extra five minutes because the work had met THE DEADLINE!

I only presume out there in the ‘real world’ if someone is missing deadlines then they’re missing from the office in the future. They’ve been sacked probably or put on tea duty. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t do that and I even had to make my own tea.

I’m probably being a little over the top and I do apologise, it has been a long semester.

Have I enjoyed being editor in chief? Yes. To be honest, have I enjoyed being in control is probably a more fitting question? Absolutely.

I’ve read some brilliant work and on the most part, found myself enjoying what I was reading and enjoyed putting this whole show together. I’d love to have the opportunity to do it again in the future and if I was asked to continue doing this over semester two, would I? Yes I would…if the pay cheque was fruitful!