My football adventures all over the world
Forlì, once before featured in FW magazine, part of a region wide overview after my two matches here in April 2017. Emilia Romagna is home territory for Forlì, and one of the most prosperous areas of Italy, especially those cities from Bologna headed north. Here, it is a hotbed of famous Italian exports, from cars … Continue reading Chicken Run
Who would you say is the most famous person you have ever had a wee chat with or shared a selfie? I am sure we have all had at least one such encounter. I guess, post an utterly depressing 1-0 loss for Scotland at Italia ‘90 to Costa Rica (it is why Haiti remains fearful … Continue reading I, Spartacus
Sergio Rachmaninoff, pianist and great composer might seem a curious way of starting a tale about Serie D football, but his famous piece “Theme from Paganini” has been whirring in my mind as I start to write this article, a romantic ditty at its core. The correlation of Paganini and the team from Pagani, Paganese … Continue reading Theme for Paganese
How far back does your love of Calcio go? It seeped into my psyche in Como, July 1982, when Italy dismantled West Germany. That Marco Tardelli celebration still gives me goosebumps. Lago di Como, along with pretty much every corner of Italy, took to the streets in wild celebration. It all left an indelible mark, … Continue reading ….And Green Means Go!
Those clever architects of yesteryear knew what they were doing. Build a Bell Tower with more than a lean, and the world shall forever know the city of Pisa. Allegedly it was unintentional, but inadvertently it has become one of the great icons of Italy. The tower with a tilt isn’t unique to this Tuscan … Continue reading Toscana Inclination
My opening tale from Italy in this 2025/26 season was from a match between Sambenedettese and Carpi. It was the first time I had seen the visiting team from Emilia-Romagna, and seeing a game at their stadium suddenly appeared in lights as the last of the “big” grounds missing off my viewing roster from that … Continue reading Carpi Diem
When UEFA brought in the Conference League, it was meant to be a competition where the wee club could compete. Alas, those who reach the final and win it, still come from one of the “big 5” nations, but certainly in the group stage, the likes of Malta, Gibraltar and Armenia are in the mix … Continue reading Italia, Away, Away, Away
Bisceglie is maybe not the first port of call if you are travelling in the Puglian coastal area between Bari and Foggia. As you edge south from the latter, there are four cities all in close proximity. Each one has more than just football to offer: Barletta-Trani-Bisceglie-Molfetta is the quartet, all fishing ports, some bigger … Continue reading The Old Star of the South
From Tynecastle to AZ Picerno's compact Stadio Donato Curio, it's my journey from my first cancha to number four hundred. I was doubtlessly lifted over the turnstiles as a wee lad, certainly for that first match in October 1982 for a match-up between Hearts and Arbroath. I have no idea when getting 'lifted over' stopped … Continue reading IL QUATTROCENTO
The manufacturers of the game Monopoly have missed a trick. They don’t have a Monopoli version! Given the uptick in tourism in Puglia and the increasing number of visitors to this fabulous town, it would make for a source of revenue, as well as a point of humour when buying the game or playing it … Continue reading 1,2,3 No.5- Monopoli
Football Adventures with James Rendall 
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