Author: Richard David Pike

30 years-old sports fanatic from near Wigan, United Kingdom. Season ticket holder at Wigan Athletic in the second tier English Championship. Alongside Heart of Football, writes for Its Round and Its White. Passionate about all football, English Premier League, English Football League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and other European and World football leagues, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and International Football. Favourite Moment: Being at Wembley Stadium in May 2013 to watch Wigan defeat Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup Final.

by Richard David Pike 29th Jul 2020 0

Au Revoir Coupe de la Ligue

French football’s main domestic cup competition is the Coupe de France, a competition famous for its upsets and extraordinary tales.Continue Reading

by Richard David Pike 29th May 2020 0

CM/FM Legends featured

FM20 Challenges: (5) Supporter Ownership, Phoenix Clubs and Academies

If the global covid-19 pandemic has shown anything about the sport we love, it is how important the role ofContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 28th May 2020 0

CM/FM Legends featured

FM20 Challenges: (4) Financial & stadium issues

Project Restart is now in full swing as the Premier League is set to return on 17 June, while theContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 27th May 2020 0

CM/FM Legends featured

FM20 Challenges: (3) Fallen Giants

As leagues across Europe tentatively edge back towards action, fans are likely to be a notable absence from games forContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 26th May 2020 0

CM/FM Legends featured

FM20 Challenges: (2) Extraordinary geographical and script-busting tasks

Bit by bit football edges back to normality. The Bundesliga has exploded with goals, while the Italian and Spanish associationsContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 25th May 2020 0

CM/FM Legends featured

FM2020 Challenges: (1) Capital city, dominance-breaking and through-the-leagues

After more than two months without football due to global covid-19 pandemic, we at Heart of Football share the frustrationsContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 11th Mar 2020 0

Denis Irwin: Manchester United & Sir Alex Ferguson’s Mr Reliable

This May sees the 30th anniversary of Manchester United’s 1989/90 FA Cup victory, a campaign which began in the 3rdContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 24th Feb 2020 1

Debate featured

Debate: Financial Fair Play

What is your opinion on Financial Fair Play (FFP)? Richard Pike: As a Wigan Athletic supporter, I have a mixedContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 20th Feb 2020 0

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Francesco Toldo: The underrated, dependable deputy to Buffon’s brilliance

With four FIFA World Cup victories, Italy has produced some of the finest players to grace the game. Giuseppe Meazza,Continue Reading

by Richard David Pike 18th Feb 2020 0

Debate featured

Debate: Return of European Club Competitions

Will English clubs win both the Champions League and Europa League? Which teams and ties are you most looking forwardContinue Reading