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 10th Jul 2021 1

Euros Stories

When Greeks became Gods: Euro 2004’s epic final

Euro 2020 will go down as one of the more unusual tournaments; spread over 11 host cities from Baku toContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 18th Jun 2021 1

England vs Sweden Euro 92 – Lineker Substituted

Euro 92 was one of the more extraordinary championships, not least for the eventual winners Denmark only joining a matterContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 3rd Apr 2021 0

longform On This Day Stories

The first-ever all-Basque Copa del Rey Final

Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao: Despite the enforced delay, an historic cup final with a rivalry running deep to theContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 7th Jan 2021 0

featured FM Challenges

FM Challenges – (5) Great geographical and through-the-leagues challenges

We are already well into 2021, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change.Continue Reading

by Richard David Pike 1st Jan 2021 0

featured FM Challenges

FM21 Challenges – (4) Historic feats, massive overachievement, and usurping large neighbours

A new chapter has begun, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. AtContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 30th Dec 2020 0

featured FM Challenges

FM Challenges – (3) Back in the Big Time: Making an Impression, Top Flight Debutants & Underdogs

Thankfully 2020 is drawing to a close, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things neverContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 29th Dec 2020 1

featured FM Challenges

FM21 Challenges – (2) Return to European Glory or First Domestic Title

Christmas has gone, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this pointContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 28th Dec 2020 0

featured FM Challenges

FM21 Challenges: (1) Restore Fallen Domestic Giants

Christmas has gone, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this pointContinue Reading

by Richard David Pike 7th Nov 2020 0

featured longform Stories

Four Minutes in May: Remembering Schalke 04’s Champion of Hearts 20 years on

Football stadiums are many a person’s place to be on a weekend. Since March 2020 onwards with the ongoing Covid-19Continue Reading

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