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...In 1961 Manchester United's scout in Northern Ireland, Bob Bishop, telegrammed the clubs' legendary manager Matt Busby in a state of unusual excitement.

"I think I have found you a genius," he eagerly explained.

He had indeed. But neither Bishop, Busby nor anybody else could have imagined the impact his skin and bone, fifteen year old discove...more

Why the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers are the Best team in NFL History

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I'm 36 and have watched the NFL all season, every season for some 25-26 years. Not an eternity, but long enough to be able to give an accurate summarization of the last 30, of the last 40 super bowls. And the game has changed so much, the first 10 games are in an era where the rules were quite different, and even the season shorter. Believe me, if the Dolphins perfect season had the 2 additional games we have today comprising the 16 game season, it could have changed football history.

My summary of the games and teams I've watched is simply this. Many teams come and go but when it's playoff time, when it's big play time, when excitement is a must, the Pittsburgh Steelers have consistently delivered on more occasions than any other team in the leagues history. They have made at least one Super bowl appearance in each of the last 4 decades, 3 in the 70's, the 80', 95' and now the new millennium. This makes em great but it doesn't really set them apart from the Cowboys or 49'ers, both of which also own 5 titles. What happened in the weeks leading up to Super bowl XL is what separates the 2005 Steelers from every other team, every other franchise, every other group of men who have came together to compete in the game of football. While the media was busy stroking Payton Manning's ego and proclaiming that tom brady and the Pat's were back on track and ready take it to the house one more time, the Steelers were quietly planning their work, and it wouldn't be long until they worked that ...more

A Ball, Some Friends, and a Soccer Goal

... below head height and more or less between the makeshift goal posts constitutes a goal, though you will find each goal will be heavily debated.

Competitive leagues almost always require shin guards, and you can usually pick up a decent pair for pretty cheap. Even in a friendly park setting, players can get pretty passionate, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to wear them during the game.

The rules are simple and easy to learn. The basics you need to know are that you should try to avoid kicking people, you can't tackle people like in American football, and you can't use your hands. In that sense, except for the hands restriction, soccer is a lot like life. Other rules apply more in competition, but it wouldn't hurt to read up on them at www.fifa.com.

As with any sport, the most important thing is to look good, so go out and buy yourself some silky soccer shorts and jerseys. Long hair and an Italian accent certainly won't hurt your chances of going pro - but if neither of those is an option for you, just remember to have fun and play fair.more

FA Cup Fourth Round Betting Review

...ters who waded in at 1/4.

Better finishing could have earned Coventry City a shock 5/2 win over Middlesbrough but the tie ended all square at 1-1, extending Coventrys unbeaten run at the Ricoh Arena to eight matches.

On Sunday, Manchester United were shorter still at 4/9 but did not disappoint against Wolves, brushing aside the Championship team 3-0 at Molineux. Two goals from Kieron Richardson and another from a resurgent Louis Saha inflicted Glenn Hoddles heaviest defeat as Wolves manager.

Liverpool were also short at 8/15 to win away at Portsmouth and they didnt disappoint with two first half goals from Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise. Sean Davis pulled a goal back for Portsmouth nine minutes into the second half but the Reds held firm.more