Hunter Davies

Hunter Davies reflects humorously on the recently concluded World Cup and assigns informal awards for the best goal, team, anthem, hairstyles, managers and visual moments. Spain is praised as the tournament’s outstanding side, Jude Bellingham receives the best-goal award, Cape Verde is the biggest surprise and Scotland is applauded for its fans. Davies criticises the commentary, half-time entertainment and England’s defensive collapse against France, then looks ahead to the 2030 tournament in Portugal, Spain and Morocco, while joking about attending at age 94.

Hunter Davies recalls Kevin Keegan's early success at Hamburg, emphasizing how determination and adaptability helped him overcome player resentment, a suspension and language barriers before winning the German league and European Footballer of the Year award. The piece argues that Keegan's England management role could successfully be performed part-time alongside his work at Fulham, contrasting this with the perceived failures and anxieties of some full-time national managers. It also suggests that international football has declined in influence relative to major clubs, making flexible national-team management more viable, while warning that the Football Association may struggle to attract a permanent successor.

The column celebrates England's energetic World Cup performance against Mexico and the festive, inclusive atmosphere surrounding the 2026 tournament. It contrasts fair-weather fans attending a rare global occasion with the more devoted supporters who follow clubs every week, while arguing that football violence has declined as matches have become more expensive and commercialised. Stories of expatriate and immigrant families in the United States highlight how national heritage and football continue to connect communities, culminating in the view that football can bring people from different backgrounds together.

A humorous, highly opinionated assessment of the 2026 World Cup praises elderly musicians, female referees, home-made banners, improved penalty-box conduct and the performances of global stars. It criticises hydration breaks, defensive tactics, stadium advertising, bland commentary, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and England’s cautious football, while expressing sadness over Scotland’s elimination.

A humorous personal column reflects on aging footballers during the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, is contrasted with his peak performance in 2018 and with the continued form of Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić and Harry Kane. The writer supports Scotland but worries after Morocco scores early and dominates much of their match, while predicting that Morocco and Spain could advance far and expressing doubts about England’s defensive quality.

A 90-year-old Scottish supporter describes staying up late to watch Scotland defeat Haiti 1–0 at the 2026 World Cup. Recalling his Scottish upbringing, childhood football heroes and anxiety over his age and health, he celebrates John McGinn's goal and praises Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Andy Robertson and Ben Gannon-Doak. Scotland's win puts them top of their group, leaving him both delighted and apprehensive about the prospect of reaching the knockout stages.

A humorous first-person column about an older fan preparing to watch the expanded 2026 World Cup after downsizing at home. The writer plans to follow as many of the record 104 matches as possible, despite late kickoffs and the practical challenges of ageing. England's uninspiring warm-up performance prompts familiar frustration, while Curaçao's qualification brings pride to a neighbour and highlights how the 48-team tournament has opened the competition to smaller nations. The writer also notes the notable absences of Italy, China, India and several Caribbean sides, and hopes Curaçao can make an impact.

Hunter Davies recalls attending England’s 1966 World Cup semi-final and final at Wembley, where England beat West Germany 4–2 and inspired his lifelong expectation that the team would win again. Sixty years later, he is pessimistic about England’s uninspiring tactics, defensive play and limited domestic player pool, while criticizing the modern Premier League’s fixation on set pieces and statistics. He nevertheless embraces the optimism surrounding the expanded 2026 tournament, predicting an England–Scotland final on 19 July with Harry Kane scoring three goals to match Geoff Hurst’s achievement.

Hunter Davies concludes his nearly 30-year Fan column at the New Statesman, which began during the 1996 European Championship despite his lack of experience as a football reporter. He reflects on his football books and ghostwriting work, including autobiographies associated with Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney, and explains that the column focused on humorous observations and fan perspectives rather than match reporting. Davies praises the growth of football journalism and the Premier League’s global reach, criticizes VAR and the declining proportion of English-born players, and identifies the rise of women’s football as the sport’s most important advance. He is stepping down as he approaches 90 and takes on two new book commissions.

Women’s football has moved from marginalization to mainstream visibility, with the Women’s Super League receiving major sponsorship and near-comprehensive prime-time coverage from Sky and the BBC. England’s women are winning major tournaments, leading players such as Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo are earning substantial incomes, and one-fifth of men over 50 surveyed now regularly watch the women’s game. The article contrasts this progress with the Football Association’s historic 1921 ban, highlights the independent London City Lionesses and Everton Women’s return to Goodison Park, and argues humorously that women’s football now offers greater success and better matchday culture than the men’s game.

A humorous review of the Premier League season praises Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur for their European successes while mocking Tottenham’s 17th-place league finish and Manchester United’s poor campaign. The column expresses sympathy for Alejandro Garnacho and Kevin De Bruyne, praises Bruno Fernandes as United’s key leader, celebrates Garnacho’s hairstyle, and bids farewell to Gary Lineker while criticizing Alan Shearer’s commentary. It also looks ahead to the Club World Cup and Women’s Euros, questioning whether FIFA and UEFA are overloading players and damaging the sport.

A humorous, highly personal meditation on watching football as a trigger for memories, fantasies and observations far beyond the match itself. The writer reflects on ageing managers, players' names and appearances, football chants, club shirts, family memories and Cole Palmer's Saint Kitts heritage, showing how the sport connects present-day viewing with nostalgia, language and personal history.