LONDON -- Football is a hugely popular sport here in England.

The first nine pages of the sports section of Thursday's London Times are filled with stories about football.

Except it's not what Americans think of as football.

Instead, it's what we call soccer.

The big story of the day was Manchester United equalling Ajax's record of winning 14 successive away matches in Champions League play Wednesday night by beating CSKA Moscow, 1-nil.

Manchester's manager is Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman began coaching "Man U" in 1986 and has been so successful that he was made a Knight of the Realm by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Do you suppose Bill Belichick would be cheerier if were knighted and became "Sir Bill?"

Somewhat deeper into the Times' sports section (14 pages in, to be exact; right after the rugby news, but before cricket) was a story about Patriots QB Tom Brady, headlined: "New England idol to show his skills on the hallowed turf of Wembley."

Brady is described as "a superlative game manager (with) an uncannily accurate arm."

Clearly, the Brits know their football.

American football, that is -- as well as "real" football.
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