Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 5h

In this week's 'How It All Played Out' by me and Mark Pougatch, how Barry McGuigan united Ireland in a time of murderous conflict.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

The world champion boxer who united Ireland

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 08/10/2025 · 38m

podcasts.apple.com

4

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 1d

Sorry to hear that about your mum, Ash. Yes, Lou Gehrig's name ended up being attached to a disease that was sketchily defined before he died from it.

1 1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 1d

In the replies to this there's a long list of people struck down. Thanks to all those who contributed.
Should say - this isn't just about people in sport.
Every expert says the challenge is one of underfunding for research/a cure.

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 2d

Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Lewis Moody, in the UK alone.
Only the science can say whether there's a direct causal link between rugby and MND (a 2022 University of Glasgow study found increased risk.)
All people with MND need more funding to find a cure.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Lewis Moody: Former England captain reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in an exclusive BBC interview.

www.bbc.co.uk

2 8

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 1d

A pet theory of mine...

The golden age of creativity in sport (roughly, 1965-75) - in 'How It All Played Out,' by me and @markpougatch.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

1965-1975: The Gilded Age Of Creativity

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 01/10/2025 · 36m

podcasts.apple.com

1 9

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 2d

Naples is proving quite restorative for players discarded in Manchester...
McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.

1 1 10

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 2d

Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Lewis Moody, in the UK alone.
Only the science can say whether there's a direct causal link between rugby and MND (a 2022 University of Glasgow study found increased risk.)
All people with MND need more funding to find a cure.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Lewis Moody: Former England captain reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in an exclusive BBC interview.

www.bbc.co.uk

1 5 27

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

Very kind of you. And I'm struck by your experience of the tournament. All the best.

1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you.

2 1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

27 July - Lionesses win the Euro, again.
27 Sept - Red Roses win the World Cup.
My piece from Twickenham on a stellar 60 days for English women's sport.

1 2 8

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

Let's face it. The Ryder Cup attracts some seriously obnoxious spectators.

35 14 220

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

How Pep Guardiola has led the retreat from his own idea...
My column for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the end of possession for possession's sake.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Pep Guardiola isn’t losing his religion, but it’s time to...

Pep-ball helped consign the worst bits of the ‘English way’ to history, but tactics have shifted again

observer.co.uk

4

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

The tight circle of victory and the slouch of defeat as England's women reflect on their World Cup final win over Canada.
A wonderful day to end a fine tournament.

1 3 16

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 10d

An astonishingly good atmosphere here at the Women's Rugby World Cup final between England and Canada.
82,500 at Twickenham. A triumph for women's sport.

5 32

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 13d

As Europe face Trump's America in New York, 'How It All Played Out' returns to the 'War on the Shore' and the 'Battle of Brookline' to explain Ryder Cup golf's journey to the dark side.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

How Ryder Cup rivalry was born: ball tampering, 'underdog' Seve & The War on The Shore

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 24/09/2025 · 31m

podcasts.apple.com

3

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 14d

Trump found his epitaph when he called climate change "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
A distillation of who and what he is.

19

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 15d

This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the making and breaking of Ricky Hatton after a night of delirium in Manchester.
Contains reflections on sportsmen and women losing their way when the cheering stops.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global

podfollow.com/1811806941/e...

How It All Played Out: Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu: The night The Hitman shocked the world

After the tragic passing of Ricky Hatton, this week's bonus episode of How It All Played Out takes you back to the defining fight of his career. On June 4 2005 a raucous crowd in Manchester watched...

podfollow.com

5

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 17d

Today's Observer front page...

2 19 67

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

You certainly did Oli. Yes, I was just talking around that specific quote. One trophy in eight years is a big comedown for him. Maybe being anti-ideas is the big idea he's "died" with.

2 1

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

Can see Mourinho's point here. How can a manager justify having only one idea?
But he's "died" a few times with his ideas too. His negativity ultimately cost him a few jobs.

Oliver Kay @oliverkay.bsky.social · 20d

Jose Mourinho: “We see coaches trying to do things that just don’t work and they die. They say, ‘I died, but I died with my idea.’
“My friend, if you die by your ideas, you are stupid.”

On Ruben Amorim, Russell Martin — and modern coaches willing to “die for an idea”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Mourinho, Amorim and the wisdom of coaches willing to 'die' for an idea

www.nytimes.com

3 15

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

The rivalry that divided a nation into Coe and Ovett camps.
The odd couple, and their great duels, in this week's 'How It All Played Out,' by me and Mark Pougatch for Global.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

Coe vs Ovett: Moscow 1980 & The rivalry that divided a nation

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 16/09/2025 · 35m

podcasts.apple.com

3 1 10

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

Great read...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

‘Push back – or they’ll eat you alive’: James Cromwell on life as Hollywood’s biggest troublemaker

He marched against the Vietnam war, supported the Black Panthers, has protested over animal rights, ended up in prison after a climate sit-in – and starred in Babe, LA Confidential and Succession. He ...

www.theguardian.com

3 9

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

Your public services are in ruins, and your kids will pay 50% of their income in rent, but observe the flypast over Windsor Castle for Donald Trump, as the UK conspires in all his deeds.
Even he can probably see what actors we are.

2 3 34

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 20d

If they say "unprecedented second state visit" one more time.....

1 18

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 21d

This week's 'How It All Played Out' revisits British sport's greatest rivalry - Coe v Ovett. A tale of opposites, in character and talent, who turned the 1980 Moscow Olympics into their private duelling ground.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

Coe vs Ovett: Moscow 1980 & The rivalry that divided a nation

Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 16/09/2025 · 35m

podcasts.apple.com

1 10

Reposted by Paul Hayward

Paul Hayward @paulhayward.bsky.social · 21d

- "Have you got it in you?"

- "Fucking right I've got it in me."

How Ricky Hatton became Manchester's municipal gladiator - a spokesman for a culture and a spirit.

My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Ricky Hatton, the Mancunian everyman who became world cha...

observer.co.uk

1 3 4