Andrew Watson: The World's First Black Footballer Until recently, it was believed that the world’s first black football player was Arthur Wharton, who played for Preston North End in the late nineteenth century. However evidence has recently come to light showing that a man by the name of Andrew W

Recent evidence has come to light that
reveals a man by the name of Andrew
Watson was the world’s first black football
player. Starting his career in 1874, he was
successful at all levels of the game and set
the path for those that would follow him.
Watson was born in British Guiana in 1857
and later came to Britain, attending public
school in Halifax. He was educated at King's
College School, where he excelled at sports
including football. He went on to study
natural philosophy, mathematics and
engineering at University of Glasgow,
before leaving, it is thought, to begin work
as an engineer. In 1875 he enrolled in
Glasgow University, were he studied Maths,
Natural Philosophy, Civil Engineering and
Mechanics.
Watson, who played on either side of
defence or in midfield, began his playing
career with Maxwell in Glasgow, followed
by a stint at Parkgrove in 1874. Later, he
played for Queens Park, the top team in
Scotland at the time, spending seven years
there from 1880-1887. According to the
‘Scottish Football Association Annual’ of
1880-81, he was;
"One of the very best backs we have; since
joining Queen's Park has made rapid strides
to the front as a player; has great speed and
tackles splendidly; a powerful and sure kick;
well worthy of a place in any representative
team."

Messi closes in on Maradona

Messi closes in on Maradona
19 December 2011
Juan Roman Riquelme said Lionel Messi is
slowly replacing Diego Maradona as
Argentine football's main character.
The 33-year-old Boca Juniors midfielder
said Maradona is rated the best player
ever by Argentines of older generations,
but Messi has taken his place with the
younger football fans.
"I was lucky enough to grow up during
the era of Diego Maradona, who all
Argentinians consider the greatest player
ever," Riquelme told the FIFA website.
"After watching him play I used to run
out onto the street with my mates, get
the ball and pretend that I was him. I'd be
commentating on myself and saying
'Maradona has the ball', stuff like that."
"Now that's what my son's like with
Lionel Messi. He starts kicking the ball and
saying 'Messi's on the ball'."
"For people my age, Maradona is the main
man. But for younger generations, like
my boy, Messi's their hero."
Riquelme has won more than 50 caps for
Argentina and lifted the Apertura title
with Boca Juniors earlier this month

Sevilla president jailed for fraud

Sevilla president jailed for
fraud
19 December 2011
Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has
been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years
in prison.
Del Nido was found guilty of fraud,
corruption and embezzlement in the
'Minutas' case by the court of Malaga.
The offences took place between 1999
and 2003 when he worked as lawyer for
the municipality of Marbella.
The prosecutor had demanded 30 years
in prison for Del Nido, but the court
decided to settle for the lesser sentence.
Del Nido took charge at Sevilla in 2002
and has since won two UEFA Cups, the
UEFA Supercup, two Copa del Rey and the
Spanish Supercopa.
The court of Malaga has also sentenced
former Marbella mayor Julian Munoz to
seven-and-a-half years in prison for the
same offences, while former adviser Juan
Antonio Roca was sentenced to four
years behind bars.

Ramos suffers pulled hamstring

Ramos suffers pulled
hamstring
19 December 2011
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos
suffered a hamstring injury in their 6-2
win over Sevilla, it has been revealed.
The 25-year-old featured for the full 90
minutes in the Santiago Bernabeu side's
impressive away victory, but complained
about hamstring soreness in the wash-
up.
Ramos underwent a number of tests on
Sunday to determine the extent of the
injury and a scan has revealed that the
Spain international has suffered a pulled
hamstring.
It is not yet exactly known how long the
versatile defender will be sidelined for,
but he is certain to miss Tuesday's Copa
del Rey match at home against
Ponferradina.
Real Madrid are hopeful that Ramos will
be match fit in time for their first La Liga
game following the winter break against
Granada on January 8.

Premier League preview: Liverpool v QPR

Premier League preview:
Liverpool v QPR
8 December 2011
Liverpool welcome QPR on Saturday
looking to arrest a worrying run of
results against the newly promoted
teams.
The Reds have dropped points to both
Swansea and Norwich at Anfield in the
Premier League and in QPR they look set
to face the sternest test of the three.
Liverpool have had no such troubles
against the top sides in the league with a
win against Chelsea, and draws to
Manchester United and Manchester City,
as well as a 2-0 win again over Chelsea in
the Carling Cup last week.
Liverpool's 1-0 loss to Fulham at Craven
Cottage in midweek was their first
competitive defeat for 12 matches and
the Reds will have to make do without
Jay Spearing after he was controversially
red carded for a lunging foul on Moussa
Dembele.
Lucas Leiva's season-ending knee injury
paved the way for Jonjo Shelvey to
return to the club on short notice from
his successful loan spell at Blackpool.
The 19-year-old scored six goals in 10
appearances for Ian Holloway's side and
despite his admiration for the young
midfielder and readiness to keep him,
Shelvey has returned to Anfield to
provide cover for Kenny Dalglish.
He is the most likely candidate to replace
Lucas, along with Spearing when he
returns from suspension.
Meanwhile, QPR boss Neil Warnock is
relishing the prospect of playing one of
the biggest sides in England.
"Trips to Anfield are the reason we're
delighted to be in the Premier League,"
Warnock has said.
And with their promoted compatriots
both returning home with points this
term, Rangers should feel a result is well
within their grasp.
Joey Barton provided much-needed grunt
in the midfield on his return to QPR's line-
up in a 1-1 draw with West Brom last
start while striker Heidar Helguson scored
his sixth goal in nine games.
Following their season-defining 1-0 win
against Chelsea, QPR have just one win in
their past five which has seen them slip
to 12th on the table, a run they will want
to end before the visit of Manchester
United to Loftus Road.

Galliani still confident of luring Tevez

Galliani still confident of luring
Tevez
9 December 2011
AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani
insists Manchester City striker Carlos
Tevez is still holding out for a move to
San Siro.
A transfer appeared imminent after
Galliani confirmed on Tuesday that he
had agreed terms with the Argentine
star's agent Kia Joorabchian to push
through a transfer.
However, a deal hinges on Manchester
City's approval, and news of interest from
Paris Saint-Germain has now thrown the
agreement into doubt.
"I can confirm the inclusion of Paris Saint-
Germain (in the race to sign Tevez), and
we are aware (of that)," Galliani told Sky
Sports Italia.
"I haven't heard from (PSG sporting
director) Leonardo as he works for
another club and can do what he wants."
"I expect to learn more in the coming
days, but there is time to close the deal
until the end of the transfer window,
even if I would prefer to take him to Italy
before."
However, despite the revelation, Galliani
remains undeterred in his efforts to bring
in the striker to Milan, although he admits
the onus is now on forcing City to part
with the player on his terms.
"We all know that Manchester City wants
to sell the player and we want to loan
him," he said.
"We have to convince them to accept our
conditions, but it will not be easy. Tevez?
He wants to join Milan."
AC Milan travel to Bologna on Sunday in
Serie A action, as they try to keep the heat
on league-leaders Juventus.

Barcelona march on in Euroleague

Barcelona march on in
Euroleague
9 December 2011
FC Barcelona Regal took their season
record to 8-0 after their 63-50 win over
Unics in the Euroleague on Thursday.
The Spanish outfit have already booked
their spot in the Top 16, but they kept up
their winning form with the 13-point
victory.
Unics have also qualified for the next
stage of the tournament and as a result
both sides were keen on building
momentum.
Despite Barcelona jumping to a 21-15
lead at the first break, the two sides were
only separated by four points at the final
break.
Barca kept the Russian side to just seven
points in the last quarter as Juan Carlos
Navarro (13 points), Erazem Lorbek (11
points, four rebounds) and Pete Mickael
(10 points) kept their winning streak
alive.
The other match in Pool D saw
Montepaschi Siena edge past GS Medical
Park 67-63 in a close one, while in Pool C
Real Madrid were 88-64 winners over
Maccabi Electra and Belgacom Spirou
toppled Partizan mt:s 84-79.
Brose Baskets were also on the winners
list, triumphing 90-79 against Unicaja
while Olympiacos won a thriller against
Caja Laboral 84-82.