Daniel's thoughts on sport

06/08/2025

This September I will be taking on the 10 mile walk to remember with my good friend Erin to remember my Nan and raise money for St Mary's Hospice.

This will be incredibly difficult for me physically but I know that with support I will complete it! Any sponsorship would mean the absolute world, and please share do that we can raise as much money as possible.

Dan x

Help Daniel Hopkins raise money to support St Mary's Hospice

21/05/2025

Upon adventure into Europe strange things occur...

Manchester United's season has been awful. That's the long and short of it, for the biggest team in the country to sit comfortably in the bottom half of the Premiership table and deserveably so, it is obvious that the season has gone terribly wrong. But to now have the chance to rectify all that and go into next term back in the big time with a trophy under Ruben Amorim's belt just shows why European football is so special.

Let's go back 12 months, and to a Manchester United team who beat their arch rivals Manchester City in the FA cup final, finishing the season on a high with a victory that secured European football this season, albeit in the second tier. That victory was still very close to being the end for Eric ten Hag but after deliberation and looking at other managers, the United hierarchy decided to stick with him, a decision they regretted not too long after, sacking the Dutchman in late October, a poor start to the season by anyone's standard. United sat 14th in the table having only won 2 of their first 8 matches, and though that hasn't improved, United's European season was just getting started.

Ruben Amorim came in with United having played 4 European games, 3 of which had been drawn under Eric ten Hag whilst their first win in the competition was managed by Rudd Van Nistelrooy, a 2-0 victory over PAOK to start the charge. Amorim had the challenge to carry on with this momentum, and did so away to Viktoria Plzen a late Højlund goal lifting United into the top 8, where they stayed after 2 victories in January, including an encounter with Rangers at old Trafford securing automatic qualification to the last-16.

Knock-out football is always exciting, all or nothing and everything riding on one performance. Real Sociadad were the first team in United's way now the competition had reached it's concluding stage and this tie was another example of United making things complicated! A 1 all draw away in Spain followed by Sociadad going 1-0 up after 10 minutes at Old Trafford in the second leg... but it was Manchester United's player of the season Bruno Fernades' hat trick that sealed the deal and secured passage.
If you thought that was close and an example of making things complicated then you clearly had no idea what was in store next.

With 8 teams left and the quater final stage having arrived, United faced Lyon in a tie that on paper looked fairly simple... never has a piece of paper been more wrong. Again away in the first leg, United needed to bring an advantage back to Old Trafford in order to be in control of the tie, and that looked like happening where Joshua Zirkzee scored in the 88th minute to put the Red's 2-1 up, but a 95th minute equaliser from Lyon's Rayan Cherki meant nerves for a week leading up to the Old Trafford encounter.
Those nerves were settled (for a period anyway) with United 2-0 up at half time and cruising to the semi final until the 71st minute when Lyon scored 2 goals within 6 minutes to bring the tie back to level and the nerves that had been evident at kick off well and truly back in everyone at Old Trafford. The tie, set for extra time then had another twist when the scorer of the first goal Corentin Tolisso was shown a second yellow card with minutes left meaning Lyon would have to play the extra 30 minutes with 10 men.
This however didn't stop them, with Cherki the hero of the first leg scoring in the 104th minute to put Lyon ahead for the first time in the tie followed 5 minutes later when Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty all hope looked to be lost and United's season looked to be over. How could a club with such history and rich pride sink so low... yet all was about to be redeemed. Fernades penalty, 3-4, Mainoo's stunning finish 4 a piece and a Harry Maguire header, 5-4 what better way to spark delirium right across the magical theatre of dreams.

Luckily Athletic Bilbao were far easier to navigate in the semi final, greatly helped by a sending off in the first leg leading to United having a 3 goal advantage at half time, and one they brought back to Old Trafford and even with this cushion a few still had nerves, especially when Bilbao scored to make the tie 3-1. But ultimately, United secured a place in another European final, scoring 4 goals in the last 20 minutes and a comfortable 7-1 aggregate win.

United haven't been great this season and it hasn't been pretty, but upon adventure into Europe we have shone, not always doing things the easy or conventional way but ensuring we always had something. 15,000 Manchester fan's are now having one final adventure into Europe in the hope of securing a trophy and bigger and better adventures next year.

Tottenham await, they too need a win to salvage something from their dismal season. It's been called Elsh*ttyco by many, but who knows tonight may be the start of a bright future.

Come on you Red's.

24/09/2024

There is often a sadness at this time of year.... the nights are drawing in, the temperature starts to drop and the sweet sound of leather on willow begins to echo into the distant past, so it is a good job that the football season begins to kick into gear and gives people like me a passion to enjoy over the winter.

Old Trafford was basked in September sun last week whilst I was watching Lancashire beat Somerset in the county championship, a perfect end to my cricket season, however, the red rose still have some work to do, they must win in Worcester this week and hope other results go their way to avoid the drop.

But this week is my turning point, where cricket fades away and it's football from here on in. And what a week it is...

In just a few hours time, I, along with hundreds of others will be leaving Barrow AFC on Holker Street and set off for the Capital, to watch one of the biggest games in the clubs history. A trip to do battle at the Bridge with Chelsea. The result tonight may not go our way, but today will be a day that's remembered for a long time. History for the club and the town, and a day to be enjoyed and embraced by all.

But tomorrow is a new day, and after the coach has returned to Ulverston in the early (or not so early) hours and I've been home to get some sleep, we go again. This time to Old Trafford where Manchester United will open their Europa league account for the season. Twente are the visitors in a match that will be the first time the teams have ever met. The ideal scenario being that we are 3 up with 10 mins to go in order for me to leg it and get home early... sleep will be required given the events of the night before!

And then after a few days rest... well 2 to be precise the weekend roles around.

Saturday is always the day of the week for football and with United not playing until Sunday and Barrow being away I thought it was a perfect opportunity to tick off another football league ground, booking another bluebirds trust bus down to Kent to watch Barrow play Gillingham wasn't what I had in mind, but when the bus had been discounted to £25 I realised this was my opportunity to tick off the 3rd furthest ground in the country and see first play second in league 2. The lack of sleep will continue with a 5:30 set off time, but another enjoyable day will be had around those who are just as keen on football as me.

Sunday is known as the day of rest, but what fun would that be! With United being at home to Tottenham in the league it'd be rude not to make it 4 games in a week with another trip to Old Trafford. Where I will probably be drowning my sorrows of Lancashire being relegated in the cricket! After a bad start, it'll be another crucial game for Eric Ten Hag with points needed to climb up the table.

4 games in 6 days.... each one as important as the one before. Some may think I'm mad, but I just think I'm lucky to have the opportunity to do what I love. And what about next week? A trip to Doncaster and Aston Villa anyone?

05/09/2024

2024 a truly sporting summer.

Summer is a word that not many have been able to use this year, the idea or hope of having any decent weather for a spell of 3 days or more quite frankly ridiculous, but the world class summer of sport we have just witnessed is something we will be lucky to ever see again.

It all started back on 25th May, at Wembley in the FA cup final. Seeing Manchester United beat their arch rivals to lift the trophy in an act that saw Eric Ten Hag keep his job was the perfect end to the football season, and a fitting start to a summer of joy, heartbreak and celebration. But there was no break in the football this year, as is normally the case now. And just 10 days after the FA cup final, England played their first warm up friendly before Euro 2024.

The 2024 Euros will always remain close to my heart, being the first major tournament I attended. Germany provided a fantastic atmosphere that welcomed all and embraced the continents best footballers. From struggling through the group to last minute winners in the knockouts, England did what England do in major tournaments, never doing anything the easy way. The country were on the edge of their seats, but unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be on 14th July, losing 2-1 to Spain in the final. A step too far for Gareth Southgate who ultimately resigned in the following week.
But it wasn’t just Southgate who we said goodbye to in July. 2 other greats bowed out of their sports, both in very emotional circumstances.

Let's start at SW19. Every year Wimbledon welcomes the best Tennis players from around the world to the most prestigious event on the calendar, and it was at the great All England Club that Andy Murray recorded his 3 most historic achievements of his Career. Gold in 2012, just a few weeks after losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final, followed by Wimbledon titles in 2013 and 2016. Unfortunately Andy wasn't fit enough to play in the singles competition this year, but he had quite the send off on centre court after play in the doubles alongside brother Jamie. Not a dry eye in the house when Sue Barker emerged to give one final interview. Andy went on into the Olympics, playing doubles with Dan Evans, and again provided some comebacks for the ages, but ultimately was beaten in the QF, with 1st August being the end of a stellar 20 year career.

Whilst play was continuing at SW19, just 10 miles away another sport was saying goodbye to another legend. Lords cricket ground has been home to many great sights over the years, but England's leading wicket taker James Anderson retired from international duty at the home of cricket in July. He took 4 wickets in his final match, taking his total in test matches to 704. This came a few weeks after taking 7 wickets in an innings for Lancashire whilst playing at Southport. England saluted and thanked a great in his last match, he will surely be missed.

Once the Euros and Wimbledon had finished the sporting world's eyes turned to Paris. A city that hosted one of the best Olympics the world has ever seen. An event that captured the hearts of many. All of those who represented Team GB are heroes and those that secured one of our 65 medals even more so. Dreams coming true for so many, not least Keely Hodgkinson who was GB's face of the games, winning gold in the 800M on a historic night at the Stade-de-France that also included a pole vault world record. Other memorable moments from the games included Léon Marchand winning 4 golds in the pool for the hosts France, including 2 in the same session and Simone Biles returning to where she belongs, after struggling with mental health issues in Tokyo, she took 3 golds and a Silver in Paris, good to see despite her being from the wrong side of the Atlantic.

However, we did not say goodbye to Paris at the end of the Olympics, simply just see you soon, and just 16 days after the Olympics closed, the Paralympics were here, and are still being enjoyed. We are a week in and have endured so much success already, with 33 golds and 74 medals so far. The paralympics do have an inspiring nature and to see so many athletes overcome their personal barriers to compete is just incredible. So far stand out performances from Maisie Summers-Newton, Dame Sarah Storey and Hannah Cockroft all of whom have claimed gold. There will be more to come in the closing 4 days, Tennis, Table Tennis, Athletics, Canoeing and swimming all still hold British medal hopes.

But on Sunday, we will bid a final goodbye to Paris and this vast summer of sport. In amongst all the above we've still had the annual events that have been somewhat hidden this year, I myself have enjoyed trips to Trent Bridge, Sedbergh school and Tynemouth for county cricket, and can't wait for a trip to Chelsea with Barrow in a few weeks, their reward for beating Derby in the cup.

This summer sport has provided something for everyone, it's written stories that no one could dream of and fulfilled the dreams of thousands. And all this just goes to show that for me and many others, life without sport would be like life without life.

26/08/2024

As a disabled person who loves sport, it is not surprising how much the paralympics mean to me. 10 days of seeing the world embracing people who, like myself, suffer from something that tries to limit them, but overcome that to go and do what they love.

Being an athlete is hard, the amount of training and effort given over a 4 year cycle to even have a chance to go and represent your country on a global stage, is surely more than anyone other than those who do it realise. Getting up at all hours to train, playing in competitions at places you would never normally go, facing months without seeing loved ones just some of the many sacrifices made, but paralympians have conquer mountains that to many, would seem impossible to scale.

It doesn't come much tougher than being an athlete, but having a disability is also extremely difficult at times. Living in a world that sometimes doesn't feel like it was made for you and not being able to do things that people normally take for granted. Simple tasks like getting a train or bus, or into restaurants and bars sometimes impossible. And even when we can do these things having to think about every last detail. All that comes before mentioning the hours upon hours taken up by appointments, tests and scans that without, some of us wouldn't live.

So it is not surprising that those who are athletes whilst having a disability are referred to as superhuman. They can mange 2 different things that many people would look at and struggle to manage 1. But the reason why they can do this is because of the love of sport, and the power that it has. The paralympics are here, and yet again team GB have a chance to do the country proud.

Paralympians are not superhuman, they are humans that simply love doing what they do and love showing the world what they have overcome to get to where they are. They do have it tougher than those without a disability, but use this disability as an ability to inspire and unite the world.

11/08/2024

Paris 2024.

In the first Olympics held in Europe since 2012, this was always going to be special games for us. Tokyo 2020 was very different with the pandemic and everything that came with it, but the show went on (eventually). Rio 2016 was indeed a carnival, but with stadiums left to rot and the games taking place in a time zone that made it hard for UK viewers to watch this Olympics felt like an Games to savour.

The opening ceremony was questionable! A sports journalist on the BBC live text never thought he'd be writing about a masked individual hopping around the roofs of buildings in Paris with the Olympic flame, nor riding a metal hourse down the Sien but the French have always been their own people and it was good that they had a chance to showcase their culture in their way.

But ultimately, an Olympic Games is about the sport, and sport has a unique way of telling its own stories that no one could ever write. It doesn't always go to plan at an Olympics and some of those who carried all of their dreams and had them resting on these 2 weeks had them shattered in a second, sometimes by misfortune, sometimes by underperforming, and sometimes by being simply outplayed. But they are all inspirational. They each have their own story and should count themselves lucky to have represented their country on the biggest stage of all. Many will return in 4 years' time and look to build on the foundations they started in Paris.

Some athletes were just happy to be there. To make it to an Olympic Games that they never thought they would. Tom Dayley being persuaded out of retirement by his 3 year old son, who wanted to see him complete at an Olympics and ultimately claim another bronze, Adam Peaty coming back from a mental health break and beating his inner deemonds to claim silver just 2 of many stories that make the Olympics so special.

But for a select few, these Olympics will be remembered of the best of days.
Winning is a very broad term, but those who did achieve gold in these Olympics have now done something they will have dreamed about for years. But even victory come in different forms,
Some have had that winning feeling before, and it was that feeling that drove them to success again, Tom Pidcock looked down and out after his puncture in the mountain bike racing, but pulled off the most remarkable of maneuvers to go on and retain his gold from Tokyo. Some had come so close before and finally etched their name into history, Bryony Page completing the set of medals by winning Gold to add to her silver and bronze won in Rio and Tokyo. Keely Hodgkinson winning gold after her silver in Tokyo. But perhaps victory is even sweeter when it takes you by surprise, Toby Roberts could not believe he had won climbing gold when Japan's Sorato Anraku slipped off the wall... the realisation that at the age of just 19 you've achieved your life's dream just too much to process.

There were many, many more stories from these games that have inspired us, made us emotional, killed all hope and then brought us back to life again and again but that's what sport does.

Paris 2024 has been a success, the biggest and best Olympics since 2012. Tonight the flag will be handed over and the next Olympiad will start, the build up to LA 2028. The best 2 weeks and greatest show on earth will soon be come to an end, but surely the legacy of sport and the Olympics themselves will live on forever.

20/07/2024

Paris 2024 preview

Out of every 208 weeks, 2 of them stand out for me. Once every 4 years the world's greatest take over a city, and do what they do best. They unleash a carnival of sport and celebration that for 14 days or so makes the world stop.

In a BBC article I read just over 4 years ago, a few days after Tokyo 2020 had been postponed, Tom Fordyce said this 'There is a moment at an Olympic Games, some point after the opening ceremony and around the time where everything around you is drama and smashed records and new heroes, when you look around and think: there is no other square mile or so of the planet that has as many people staring at it as this.'
To me, and many others, during this moment, you get the best feeling ever, a feeling that no-one can explain. It brings together a mix of excitement and nerves, pride and joy, shock and expectation, but most of all, a complete love for sport. An event that is unmatched by any other, giving over 10,000 athletes a chance to show billions what they can do.

And so, it is quite fitting that this Olympics and celebration of the love of sport is held in Paris, the city of love. A city that will have the whole world staring at it and for 2 weeks, will feel like it is at the centre of the world. Paris symbolises what the Olympics is all about, a diverse city to host a diverse games, showing everyone that no-matter where you come from or what you're past is, you can still achieve anything.

For the next 2 weeks, we are about to witness history. The continuation of the legacy of an event that started in ancient times and was revived in Athens 128 years ago. The next page of the story is about to be written. Paris 2024 is here.

11/07/2024

Daring to dream...

Well, here we go. After goodness knows how many qualifiers followed by a month of football and 50 matches, it all comes down to this. Euro 2024 hasn't been the best in terms of quality, but will always be close in my heart, given it was the first major tournament I attended in person, and now our three lions have a chance to make history.

The comedy of Scotland getting battered by hosts Germany in the opening game feels like a lifetime ago, but still, it's been a month of entertainment and excitement.. the Tartan Armys time in Germany was brief, but they still captured the hearts of many with their kilts and bagpipes. They were there for a good time not a long time, and returned home after the group stage with their heads held high.

There have been other high profile stories throughout the tournament. Austria beating the Netherlands early on to win their group, but ultimately going out in the last sixteen, to a Turkish team who themselves had a good run to the quarter finals, narrowly losing to the Dutch. Then there was group E, where all 4 teams finished on 4 points. Ukraine cruelly being denied passage to the knockouts, with Belgium and Romania going through but losing in the next round. And who could forget Ronaldo's penalty drama! A miss before a hit against Slovenia followed by a tight affair with the French where Portugal finally met their match, Christiano scoring in the shootout, but ultimately Joa Felix's miss sending them home.

At major tournaments, there is always an expectation on the host nation, and that was no different this time around. Germany have always been a major footballing force, and after a shock exit in the group stages of the last world cup, the hopes of a nation were even higher. Germany waltzed through the group stage, though didn't look at their best against Switzerland in the final match. They quite literally weathered a storm to defeat Denmark in the last sixteen but it all came to an end in the final minute of extra time against Spain, Mikel Merino scoring the goal that eliminated the hosts and shattered the dreams of a country.

That Spain performance is just one of many good ones in this tournament. They were the only team to claim 3 wins in the group stage, impressing with a 3-0 win when playing Croatia, edging past Italy thanks to a fortunate own goal and getting the business done against Albania, their reward, getting a place in the difficult half of the draw... the beauty of tournament football eh. Despite going 1 nil down in the last 16, they counter punched to put 4 past Georgia and earn themselves a place in the quarter finals, where as previously mentioned, they edged past the hosts Germany in the final minute of extra time. France were then the only thing standing in the way of the Spanish and their first tournament final since they won the Euros in 2012. It was a semi final that had a little bit of everything. France taking an early lead was followed by a Larmine Yamal wonder strike that made him the youngest ever European championship goalscorer. Spain scored again just 4 minutes later and held on to claim a place in Sundays final.

Then we come to England....
To say that this has been a difficult tournament for England would be an understament. They started off with a win against Serbia which was followed by 2 dismal draws against Slovenia and Denmark, all 3 performances heavily criticised by the media and fans alike. Playing football for this country is never easy and perhaps we should be more understanding, we did win the group and surely that's what counts??? However, another poor display followed, and England were just 60 seconds away from getting knocked out of the tournament by Slovakia before Jude Bellingham's overhead kick saved us from what would have been a national embarrassment. Penalty kicks were required against Switzerland after a nervy 1 all draw, in which England again fell behind and were saved by yet another piece of individual brilliance, this time Saka with a fabulous strike in normal time, followed by incredible composure from 5 players in the shootout to send England through to face the Dutch.
This clash was yet another example of England never doing things the easy way, again going down to a stunning goal from Holland's Simons, before being awarded a suspicious penalty that captain Kane converted in the 18th minute. 73 minutes then passed in what was a very entertaining game, where England played much better than previous appearances and after FINALLY making a substitution in the 81st minute Gareth Southgate made a decision that was correct! Kane off and Ollie Watkins on... the rest is history. The Aston Villa man with a quite outstanding finish in the 91st minute to fire England into their second successive final and ensure there would be no orange army in Berlin.

Our three lions could make history on Sunday. For one day, we all need to get behind them. The heartbreak at Wembley 3 years ago has made us stronger and should we achieve greatness, will make the winning feeling on Sunday even sweeter.

Football's coming home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

30/06/2024

Well it's not quite Germany but it'll do I guess. Come on England!

30/06/2024

A proper adventure today. First time I've ever been to watch a rugby match. Only come so I can stay to watch the football in the fan zone. Not a clue what's going on.