Nigel Clough's hopes of following in his father's footsteps and managing Derby are closer to realisation after Rams chairman Adam Pearson admitted on Monday he was one of the names on a "very small radar" being monitored by the club.

Last month Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, Liverpool, was jailed for life and was told he would serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.

He oversaw Derby's slender 4-3 victory at non-league Forest Green in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and will remain in charge for tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United at Pride Park.

Tranmere officials were unhappy about the late postponement of the League One game at Colchester United last Saturday because of a frost affected pitch. The new Colchester Community Stadium has no frost covers the similar to those in use at Prenton P....

Tranmeres hopes of signing Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton for a second loan spell at Prenton Park are also on hold while the 19-year-old and his representatives seek a resolution over a pay issue with the Premiership club.

Conor Henderson... midfielder joined Arsenal when he was eight years old

The world of football was very different back in 1998. Leeds United were fast establishing themselves as a top team in England and on the European scene, which was something most of my family were very delighted with.

Defoe began his professional career at West Ham, having emerged through Charlton Athletic's youth system in July 1999. He made his West Ham debut as a 17-year-old from the bench in a 1-0 win at Walsall in the Worthington Cup in September 2000 –....

And of selling a CD by The Three Tenors to Kenny Dalglish, then the manager of Liverpool FC, days after the Reds had thrashed Newcastle three-nil (I mumbled "Great win on Saturday". He stared back and took his change).

Despite the rumours of death threats from disaffected Portsmouth fans, Jermain Defoe has almost always been a winner in the popularity stakes. Indeed, the affection in which he is held at Tottenham has played a major part in his decision to move back....

Despite the rumours of death threats from disaffected Portsmouth fans, Jermain Defoe has almost always been a winner in the popularity stakes. Indeed, the affection in which he is held at Tottenham has played a major part in his decision to move back....

I think it's fantastic being a Red. I might only be 19 years old, but in the 11 years since I made the transition from passing football fan to fully fledged Liverpool supporter, I've experienced many highs, lows and everything in between.

The football-size field store was then said to be one of the company's most profitable, serving the well-off wives of stockbrokers, doctors, lawyers and Liverpool footballers who lived in the Lancashire seaside town.

Even as a wide-eyed eight year old, I could tell there was something special about the club, the fans and the stadium. All my friends were proclaiming themselves Manchester United fans along with most of Australia at the time, but they couldn't tell ....

After calling my boss to regale him with a tale of a world-ending migraine (he is an Arsenal fan - I doubt he believed me, but am sure he understood), I quickly got to thinking about all the possibilities. How would we get on without our captain fant....

Wenger is attempting to strengthen his squad and give Arsenal an injection of vitality as they bid to break into the Barclays Premier League top four. They are currently fifth, three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester United.

So take a bow the players and staff of Nottingham Forest, Hartlepool, Southend, Torquay et al for proving  if only fleetingly, and possibly for one week only  that passion and commitment can overcome commercial and technical superiority....

Over at Upton Park, meanwhile, conspiracy theorists were having a field day analysing the team Gianfranco Zola put out against Barnsley.

Last season he played nine times for QPR before helping to save Sheffield Wednesday from relegation into League One, with three goals in 12 appearances.

The Geordie striker celebrates his 20th birthday today and, after getting his first start of the season in a United shirt during the FA Cup clash at Hull City on Saturday, he is keen to extend his run in the first team under Joe Kinnear.