Samuel Gardiner - Sports Journalism

  Opinion: Why Daniel Levy is unfit to run Tottenham Hotspur   Daniel Levy’s ENIC Group took over Tottenham Hotspur in 2001.   From an outsider looking in, it could seem on paper that Tottenham have been a somewhat sensibly-run club since 2001. Rarely breaking the bank for players, making managerial appointments for both the long and short-term, opening a world-class training centre and one of the best stadiums in the country are just some of what local businessman Daniel Levy has been known for since taking the reigns in North London 24 years ago. However, events off the pitch, including some in the last five years, have seen Tottenham fans at breaking point. Levy, the longest-serving chairman in English football’s top flight, has developed a reputation for constantly looking for the ‘cheaper option’ of a player who fits the manager’s needs. Famously in January 2012, Harry Redknapp requested that the board sign Luis Suarez and Gary Cahill, two world-class opt...

Bloods prevail in six-goal thriller Saffron Walden Town consolidated their playoff position with an impressive 4-2 win away to Frenford on a bitterly cold January afternoon in East London, in John Hughes’ first game in permanent charge of the Bloods. A spectacular opener from Walden’s Solomon Ofori was cancelled out by a deflected effort from Josh Darby, who then gave the hosts the lead with a simple tap-in. Sam Deering headed the visitors level just before the break, and with five minutes to go Ofori looked to have won it with a header from a corner. The victory was sealed by Olly Sotoyinbo from the penalty spot in stoppage time. The game at The Drive was one of only two matches in the Essex Senior League scheduled to be played on Saturday which had survived the weather, being on an artificial surface, and 54 people braved the freezing conditions, including around ten away supporters. The pre-match build-up was dominated by the fact that Saffron Walden announced the departure ...