Football’s systemic economic flaws have long been known. The coronavirus pandemic could be the catalyst for some much-needed change.
The superpowers of the football world include the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. These global phenomena are no longer simply football clubs, but rather major international businesses. The attraction of extortionate wage packets, mouth-watering sponsorship deals and lucrative broadcasting agreements have caused those at the zenith of football to detach themselves from the rest of the footballing world, creating an almost impenetrable ring of footballing and economical success.
While there have been instances whereby a less likely club has won a major honour since the dawn of the huge wealth disparities in football — such as…
Legacy claims it was a great revolutionary event. It was no more than a coup.
When you think of the Russian Revolution of October 1917, images of patriotic revolutionaries storming the Winter Palace and forcefully seizing power probably come to mind. Reality sees it differently.
The Night of 24–25 October
Having gained control of Russia, Lenin and his compatriots decided the time was right to put their mark in history and oust power from the Provisional Government (the temporary government established after the February Revolution).
On the night of 24–25 October, members of the Red Guards (workers armed and trained by Bolsheviks), sailors and garrison soldiers were sent out to take hold of key points of Petrograd (St. Petersburg —…
The 1930s were a combustion of political extremism, but Britain managed to maintain democracy
Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Russia, Mussolini’s Italy. The lead up to the Second World War was full of dictatorial regimes and political extremism. There were some threats to democracy in Britain, too, so why did they fail?
Political extremism in Britain
The British Union of Fascists
The story of a dedicated Suffragette who fought until death.
In the early twentieth century, the women’s suffrage movement in Britain was gaining steam and rising up through the social strata. There was one woman whose actions were pivotal in making this happen, she was Emily Wilding Davison.
In 1897, the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) — or Suffragists — was established by Millicent Fawcett. Their aim was to get votes for women through non-violent methods, such as discussions or processions. But, after six years of fairly stagnant progress, the frustrated Emmeline Pankhurst set up the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), or the Suffragettes as they are…
Russia was synonymous with autocracy and, later, communism. But did they have a liberating Tsar in the nineteenth-century?
The Romanov dynasty began in 1613 with Michael Romanov and ended with the dramatic revolution of 1917. This period is — among other things — is well-known for the nationalism, imperialism, orthodoxy, and autocracy conveyed by the Tsars (leaders of Russia).
However, towards the end of the dynasty (1855–1881), Alexander II was Tsar. Compared to his predecessors — and certainly his successors — he had slightly different aims and intentions for Russia.
Reform
Often called the ‘Tsar Liberator’, Alexander implemented a series of reforms during his time as Tsar.
Local government was reformed in 1864, whereby zemstva (assemblies, or councils) were…
Football, particularly the Premier League, is notoriously hard to predict. I don’t expect this season to be any different. However, I am willing to give it a go, albeit potentially looking very silly at the end of the season (yes I was ‘one of those’ who predicted Sheffield United to go straight back down last season…).
N.B. It is important to note that this is being published before the end of the transfer window, meaning business done after this is published could drastically affect the outcomes.
Table
20. West Bromwich Albion
Unfortunately for the Baggies, I am predicting them to go straight back down this…
