Former England star and Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has said he doesn’t “like ladies talking about men’s football” in a recent interview.What year are we in again?…
Referring to international football being covered by those who used to play professional women’s football, specifically, Keegan said: “I don’t like to listen to ladies talking about the England men’s team at the match because I don’t think it’s the same experience. I have a problem with that.”
The 72-year-old’s quotes were taken from his own self-titled talk, ‘An Evening With Kevin Keegan’, held in Bristol last week and although he did claim to be a big supporter of the women’s game, he is apparently nnot so keen on female footballers talking about the male sport.
How could women ever hope to match such Kevin Keegan insights as "football is easier when you have the ball" and "Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America" https://t.co/fEMPtaVNmwpic.twitter.com/S6W0g2sEnf
Ah yes, Kevin Keegan, the font of all footballing knowledge.
The OBE-awarded ex-pro and reitred coach reportedly went on to add, “The presenters we have now, some of the girls are so good, they are better than the guys.
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“But if I see an England lady footballer saying about England against Scotland at Wembley and she’s saying, ‘If I would have been in that position I would have done this’, I don’t think it’s quite the same — I don’t think it crosses over that much.”
We have never winced at the word ‘lady’ so much before. The article also claims that these comments were met with applause from large sections of the audience.
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The reaction online and in the media on both sides has also led to another former manager coming out to give this two cents on Keegan’s remarks, as Harry Redknapp appeared on TalkTV to say he was “brave” to come out with these opinions and that he “can see where he’s coming from a little bit”.
"He's very brave for saying it… I can see where he's coming from!"
Harry Redknapp gives his take after former England manager Kevin Keegan said 'lady footballers' are not qualified to express opinions about the men’s international game.@Iromg | @Redknapppic.twitter.com/D59KTh9Zgh
“It’s a great time for the ladies. When I was England manager [February 1999-October 2000] I went to coach the England ladies and I had this perception of what the quality would be like and they were so much better than I thought they were going to be.”
He even joked about being surprised when he was nutmegged by a female professional during a training session. Wow, a professional athlete showing up an aging ex-pro for no other reason than their own sporting ability, we’re stunned…
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Even when Keegan did trying to speak more positively on “good lady presenters”, stating that he was set to be working with Gabby Logan in two days time, instead of acknowledging her as the seasoned sports presenter, pundit, former GB gymnast and household name we all know, he instead referred to her simply as “Terry Yorath’s daughter”.
Honestly, how are we still hearing condescending rubbish like this in 2023? Also, why should, say, Jill Scott’s opinion — an individual who has actually won a major trophy at international level — not count for just as much (if not more) than the countless male ex-pros then get on to talk about every tournament?
Featured Image — Manchester City/Lionesses (via Instagram)/Sky Sports
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
5th October 2023 
