I'm writing to you with reference to a fans autobiography called "Ever the Optimist - An Evertonian finds solace in the club's motto" - a heart warming tale of Joe Jennings love affair with his football club, which shows no sign of wilting despite that heartaches…

Manchester United PodJockey Stephen Darwin looks at tonight's international match between England and Spain and wonders what there is to gain from a friendly being played at the crucial business end of the Premier League season.   England versus Spain. Just the mention of these two international footballing giants would normally lift the hairs on the back of one's neck and…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin reacts to Rafa Benitez' comments regarding a lack of transfer activity at Anfield and considers whether the Liverpool boss will be making a mistake by not opening his cheque book. So January is here and it's a time for football fans to salivate at the prospect of their club landing the big-money signing that…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at Ryan Giggs' contract predicament and ponders whether this season may be his last. As one of the most successful players in the history of British football, it will most definitely be a sad day when Ryan Giggs announces his retirement from the game. The Manchester United winger has openly admitted…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at recent speculation linking Stewart Downing with a move to Tottenham and can't understand why there is so much hype surrounding the Middlesbrough winger. I have never been a fan of Stewart Downing's abilities on a football pitch. It's nothing personal; I just can't see how his performances for both club and country have justified the…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin examines the merits of the World Club Championships and ponders whether Sir Alex Ferguson should field a full-strength team for the tournament in Japan. Champions of England, Champions of Europe but just how seriously should Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United be taking the prospect of being Champions of the World? The Old…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the new £16 million contract that appears to be on the table for Rafael Benitez and believes that Liverpool's American owners are finally starting to see sense. It may look a substantial amount of money on paper but to ensure that a manager of the calibre of Rafael Benitez remains at…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the pressure that has been exerted on Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in recent times and argues that this has been somewhat unwarranted. If Felipe Scolari had initially been shocked by the media intrusion in English football then he must be flabbergasted by the firsthand experience that he is getting now. The Brazilian…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the race for the Premier League title and wonders if this season will pose Sir Alex Ferguson's toughest challenge to date. There have been a few British managers over the last century who can realistically claim to know the exact ingredients that are needed to bring domestic glory to their respective football club's.…

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the potential suitors for Emile Heskey in January and ponders who may benefit most from securing the signature of the Wigan front man. A few years ago who would have believed that Emile Heskey would be the talk of the media in the run up to a January transfer window? The Wigan striker…