My football adventures all over the world
July into August is a busy time for clubs involved in European qualification. Those who go straight into the groups that start in September have no idea of the required travel planning at short notice, the visa applications (which can stop fans visiting the UK as the process takes more than a week), let alone … Continue reading Astrid Too Far
The fifth tier is always a competitive level in any given nation's ladder. A holding pen for some of the great sides of our youth who have fallen on hard times, either through periodic dribbling away, or the grand old snake of mis-management. These clubs clash at this level with those of an altogether new … Continue reading Talking about a Revolution
In a wide pool of European opposition, it is perhaps unusual, especially in the early rounds that a repeat fixture appears. That said, more than 30 years has elapsed since Well last went toe to toe with Havnar, meaning harbour. Harbour Football Club, when translated, sounds like something you’d expect in Australia or New Zealand. … Continue reading Havnar and Faroese Football
Perhaps, given the volume of calcio tales I have brought to the Football Weekends table over the years, it is a great honour to write the ‘26/27 preview of Italian football. In order to look forward, first we should recap on last term, a season that in many respects was Italy’s “annus horribilis”. The failure … Continue reading Recensione e anteprima
CONIFA, the association for the unaffliated lands is back. After a period in hiatus, they have re-launched, and ready to go with this mini Euros competition. New regions have signed up, adding a diverse flavour to the recipe. With more members (they currently claim 50 plus worldwide), it all bodes well for the longevity of … Continue reading CONIFA Time
Emilia-Romagna is a vast, prosperous region of Italy, famed for its farm produce, fast cars and artisanal cooking oils. Edging closer to the Eastern seaboard, but not actually on the coast, you’ll find one of its jewels, Ravenna. With a population of 156,000, Ravenna is no quiet, out of the way city. Its history includes … Continue reading Mosaic sure it’s Ravenna
The diverse and large region of Abruzzo might not be amongst the hotbed areas for calcio, but it certainly packs a lot in. From mountain ski resorts to lengthy coastal beaches, as well as terrific historical towns, it’s just about got it all. The big fish is the capital Pescara, maybe the only club those … Continue reading Hilltop Teramo
It might have taken a while, 1987 to 2026, but the Coppa Eccelenza Finale in Teramo on 9th May will be my 100th Stadio in Italia. Given I have only visited 412 anywhere in the world (mostly Scotland), nearly 25% is a remarkable stat perhaps. Blame it on Football Weekends and my craving to discover … Continue reading Centenarian
If you ask any visitor to Italy, where is on their “must do list”, the big three, Roma, Firenze and Venezia will immediately trot out. A sub-section might offer Verona, the Amalfi Coast or Pisa as well. That latter name, as quaint as it is, really has only become famous courtesy of a terrible habit … Continue reading Lively Livorno
Heading back across the Straits of Messina onto the island of Sicily by train is always entertaining. Yes, it’s time consuming as they shuffle the engine and carriages on and off the boat, but once all are inside the bowels of the vessel, you can stretch your legs and get a blast of sea air … Continue reading The Elephant in the Stadio
Football Adventures with James Rendall 
You must be logged in to post a comment.