Another one you can add to that is something connecting them with their family. For example, a few months ago there was some story about a woman who owned a burger van. In one line it had Gran Bernadette (or whatever her name was), despite the fact it had nothing to do with the story.
I'd forgotten about that one, been a while since they used it. When Coughlin was in charge, we were in such a mess on and off the park that every time the Sundays had a rumour, you could guarantee by Tuesday the PDE would have a denial with that phrase in it.
A lot of the cliches are terrible (some aren't too bad) and at uni we are discouraged from using them. it may be that the sub editors are inserting them rather than the journalists, or it may be that the journalist doesn't know they are using them. I probably use some in my previews and reports I don't know of.
Perhaps they should start using phrases from The Broons? Instead of a manager being embarrassed with a performance, he could be black afrontit