10 Things in Football Longer Than Kim Kardashian's Marriage

I know what you're thinking. I'm shamefully chasing reads with this one—trying to ride the wave of sadness that is Kim Kardashian's marriage break-up. But you're as wrong as Kim's decision to wed Kris Humphries.

As world football editor I feel it's my duty to do what the rest of the Kardashian family has been doing for years—ride Kim's overblown fame for some residual profile. But unlike Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall and Kaka (ok, maybe there's not a Kaka) I'm donating the glow in the name of sport.

Give it up Kim Kardashian, it's time football benefited from your fantastical talent for attracting attention. I'm not sure what exactly it is you do, but football needs you. Mario Balotelli needs you.

Here are 10 football things longer than Kim's marriage.

England's Trophy Drought: 55 Years

It says everything about England's national team that the last player to lift a trophy is now a statue.

The late, great Bobby Moore held the World Cup aloft at Wembley Stadium in 1966. Since then, it's been nothing but heartache for the nation who gave football to the world.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Reign at Manchester United: 25 Years

Managing a football club is a bit like entering a marriage—you need loyalty on both sides to stand the test of time.

Sir Alex Ferguson has certainly kept up his half of the bargain. A quarter of a century after taking the United job he's still going strong at Old Trafford.

The Unbeaten Run of Arsenal's Invincibles: 17 Months

Between May 2003 and October 2004, Arsenal didn't lose a single Premier League match.

The 2003-04 title winners earned the "Invincibles" tag and they've been disappointing Gunners fans ever since.

Diego Forlan's Goal Drought: 9 Months

Diego Forlan joined Manchester United in January 2002. It took 26 games and nine months, for the Uruguayan to finally get off the mark against Maccabi Haifa.

Having left United in 2004, he then proceeded to score goals in La Liga for fun. And then came the 2010 World Cup.

Frank Lampard's Appearance Record: 4 Years, 2 Months

Between October 2001 and December 2005, Frank Lampard played a remarkable 164 consecutive Premier League games for Chelsea.

A virus ended the run, when Lampard was forced to pull out of the Blues game at Manchester City.

Paolo Maldini's AC Milan Career: 25 Years

Paolo Maldini first stepped out for AC Milan in 1984, at the age of 16.

A quarter of a century later, he played his last game for the club and retired a legend at the grand old age of 40.

Diego Maradona's Drugs Ban: 15 Months

In 1991, it turned out Diego Maradona's "hand of God" had been doing some things it shouldn't have during his time at Napoli.

The Argentine genius was banned for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine.

Jose Mourinho's Unbeaten Home League Record: Nine Years

When Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Sporting Gijon at the Bernabeu in April, the result signified Mourinho's first home league defeat in nine years.

The record stretched through his time at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid—and will take some beating.

Arsenal's Barren Run: 6 Years

Having mentioned Arsenal's "Invincibles," it's only right to point out their current run—five years without a major trophy.

Not since the 2005 FA Cup has Arsene Wenger got his hands on some silverware.

The History of Notts County: 149 Years

Notts County were founded in 1862, in the midst of American Civil War and with the British empire helping itself to whatever it fancied.

The oldest professional football club of them all, Notts were recently asked by Juventus to open their new stadium.