Personal blog

Joe Dixon Journalism • 16th April 2022

Cheltenham Town striker Kion Etete on his time at the Robins, a MOTM performance against Gillingham and his Tottenham Hotspur future

“I would have liked to have played more games if I’m being honest” – Cheltenham Town loanee Kion Etete regrets his lack of playing time at the League One club this season.

The 20-year-old joined Michael Duff’s side on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window. But stiff competition up front along with unfortunate injury troubles have limited his playing time for the Gloucestershire club.

However, the striker is still grateful for his time at the Robins. He said: “Everyone’s be

Joe Dixon Journalism • 30th March 2022

Gloucester City Queens’ coach Jay Marriott on next seasons targets, the importance of Marlee Ball and his role at Utah Jazz

Jay Marriott is confident that the Gloucester City Queens can pick up some silverware next season.

He said: “I would like to have a great pre-season and try and hit the ground running to get some trophies in the cabinet.”

The Queens have struggled in their maiden season in the WBBL and have won just three matches since October. A heavy injury list including star forward and captain Maura Fitzpatrick has halted their chances of finishing in the play-off places.

“If we stay healthy, I think we

Joe Dixon Journalism • 5th March 2022

Aston Villa 4-0 Southampton – match report

Philippe Coutinho starred as Aston Villa thrashed Southampton 4-0 to earn their first home win of 2022 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Ollie Watkins put the home side in front after nine minutes, and Douglas Luiz added a second before the break.

Two quick-fire goals from Coutinho and Danny Ings early in the second half sealed the visitors fate.

The result moves Villa up one place to 11th after back-to-back wins. Southampton remain in ninth, as their seven game unbeaten run comes to an end

Joe Dixon Journalism • 14th February 2022

Deanne Rose: ‘I want to be a big name in women’s football’

Reading striker Deanne Rose might only be seven months into her senior club career, but her aspirations to be one of Europe’s elite and inspire the next generation of young girls to pursue their footballing dreams is evident.

“My biggest goal is to be performing consistently and scoring and creating goals consistently. I feel like I’m taking steps forward to doing that,” she tells me.

At just 22, the Canadian is already an Olympic gold medal winner and has made 61 caps for her country at senio

Joe Dixon Journalism • 28th January 2022

Ladbrokes Masters preview – Can Luke Humphries surprise Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price?

The first PDC tournament of the year will get underway in Milton Keynes on Friday, January 28 as the Ladbrokes Masters returns for its tenth edition.

Reigning champion Jonny Clayton will be confident of retaining his crown, after picking up four TV titles last year and coming into the tournament having been awarded PDPA Players’ Player of the Year on Thursday.

Clayton suffered a fourth-round defeat in his last match four weeks ago in the World Championships to eventual runner up Michael Smith

Joe Dixon Journalism • 5th December 2021

Cheltenham Town striker Zac Guinan on his professional contract, a unique Christmas schedule and his biggest influences

Zac Guinan is confident of securing a professional contract with Cheltenham Town when his two-year scholarship ends.

He said: “I did quite well before my injury. If I just maintain my form that I had and just keep doing what I’m doing and keep playing well, that keeps me in the managers mind.”

Guinan is currently out injured, but luckily the setback isn’t as serious as first feared. The 18-year-old said: “It was a massive scare because I almost was out for six months and needed surgery, so I h

Joe Dixon Journalism • 18th November 2021

Why Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best English right-back

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best English right-back. One thing England are not short of is top class right-backs, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But the scouser is the best of all.

Despite full-back traditionally being seen as one of the least important positions on the pitch, in recent years the role of the full-back has transformed – largely due to many teams scrapping the 4-4-2 formation.

No longer can full-backs get away with staying tight in a back fou

Joe Dixon Journalism • 12th November 2021

Cheltenham Paddy Power Day selections

Saturday, November 13 will see the renewal of this year’s Paddy Power Day at Cheltenham, with seven races on the card. Most notably the Paddy Power Gold Cup, which was won last year by Coole Cody for the Evan Williams yard.

The first race of the afternoon includes Magistrato for Paul Nicholls as well as Knight Salute, who has won his last two races since switching to hurdles. My pick for the opener is Aadosh for Stuart Edmunds. Despite unseating his rider last time out, Aadosh travelled very st

Joe Dixon Journalism • 26th October 2021

Ex-Swindon Town striker Andy Williams on Cheltenham Town’s top half ambitions and importance of captain Will Boyle

“We could certainly push for the top half of the table” – Cheltenham Town striker Andy Williams is confident that the newly promoted League One side can achieve big things this season.

The Robins have made their best ever start to a League One campaign, on their season so far Williams said: “everyone’s expectation at the start of the season was to just stay up. I think in the group we feel we can achieve a bit more than that.

“We probably haven’t done the one thing we were great at last season

Joe Dixon Journalism • 21st October 2021

A look at Fridays horses as Jump racing returns to Cheltenham

Jump racing returns to Cheltenham Racecourse later on today for The Showcase meeting. For many spectators this is the warmup to the bigger races in November’s meeting and beyond, but there are still some heavy hitters booked in for this meeting at the home of jump racing.

Kicking off with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, a Class 2 race over two miles and four furlongs. The Philip Hobbs trained Camprond is the one to beat in this small field opening race, having won at Chepstow two weeks ago. Mars

Joe Dixon Journalism • 10th October 2021

Jonny Clayton beats Gerwyn Price to win the World Grand Prix

Jonny Clayton hammered world number one and defending champion Gerwyn Price 5-1 to win the World Grand Prix of darts in Leicester.

An incredible performance saw Clayton take out five ton-plus checkouts including a 170 and a 164 in consecutive legs, to win the all Welsh-affair.

The 47-year-old winner said “I’m gonna smile for a good couple of weeks.”

Price said, “he was too strong today” and labelled Clayton’s performance as “phenomenal.”

The victory was Clayton’s third TV title of the year,

Joe Dixon Journalism • 8th October 2021

Ex-Huddersfield Town defender Will Boyle on aspirations of playing higher and the importance of Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff

Cheltenham captain Will Boyle firmly believes he can play at a higher level.

The 26-year-old attracted interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End in the summer but has since been made the Robins’ captain, following Ben Tozers departure.

When asked about his mindset of playing at a higher level, whether that’s with Cheltenham or elsewhere, Boyle said “yeah, I’d be lying if I said not. I’ve got aspirations to play as high as I can really.”

The defender went on to say “I’ve just tur