Some 870 years ago, Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine in a ceremony that was no doubt befitting the coming together of two noble families. What’s that got to do with football? Well, we’ll get to that, but needless to say it’s all to do with the presence of lions on their family crests. Fast …
Discovering the History Behind England’s Three Lions Read More »
Football matches have always been more than just a game; they’re a shared experience filled with energy and excitement, fuelled by the presence of crowds. When fans pack the stadium, they create an electric atmosphere, cheering and chanting for their favorite teams. These live reactions can boost player morale and influence the game’s flow. However, …
From the four gold medals they won at the Olympic Games in 2012, to Kim Jong-il’s incredible (wink wink) eleven holes-in-one in his only ever round of golf at Pyongyang Golf Course, North Korea has enjoyed some sporting highlights over the years. The secretive Asian nation hasn’t quite delivered the same success in football – …
North Korea Wins the Under-20 World Cup to Hint at Future Football Glory Read More »
When you think of the phrase ‘village football’, the images conjured up are perhaps mud-caked goalmouths, pot-bellied midfielders and, shall we say, some ‘agricultural’ tackles being made. But for one village-based club, ambitions have extended far beyond a gentle kickabout between a group of mates on a Saturday afternoon. Bishops Cleeve, a village in Gloucestershire …
The worlds of football and horse racing have collided countless times throughout history, with many footballers having keen interests in the equine sport. Clubs regularly have social events at some of the biggest meetings in the United Kingdom throughout the season, with Liverpool stars typically seen in attendance at Aintree, and Aston Villa famously visiting …
How Claudio Pizarro and Joey Barton Ended Up Buying a Horse Together Read More »
It dawned on us today that despite having the name ‘Football Collective’ we have never spoken about the best football collections that people should start. Being a football-based site, we obviously all love football and most of us dedicate a lot of our free time to collecting football items (that cost a lot of money). …
The numbers certainly stack up: 25 fouls, 14 yellow cards and one penalty. Another set of digits – 0-1 – confirm that Chelsea defeated Bournemouth at their Vitality Stadium home in September 2025, but the result of the game was a mere footnote to the carnage that had ensued between the two teams. Referee Anthony …
Chaos on the Coast! Bournemouth vs Chelsea Becomes Premier League’s Dirtiest Game Read More »
It has long been known that football has a match fixing problem. It might not permeate into the beautiful game at the highest level, but it still blights the lower reaches of leagues around the world – including England’s own football pyramid. That affront to the integrity of the sport, as well as the damage …
Football Has a Match Fixing Problem: But Should Fans Be Concerned? Read More »
According to FIFA’s world rankings, San Marino are the worst international team on the planet – considered to have less talent that footballing powerhouses such as Anguilla and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But the governing body may need to update their rankings pronto: for San Marino have now won their first competitive international game! The …
San Marino Win First Competitive Game After 34 Years Read More »
Tactical periodization is a modern training method that has changed football team preparation. It does not separate fitness, tactics, and psychology from each other and places all of them under the prism of a game. Initially developed in the 1990s, this approach enables the coach to organize their sessions based on real match situations and …
The Influence of Tactical Periodization on Football Training Regimens Read More »
