Bouncing Back in Bisceglie

I recently had to completely redraw a trip to Italy when it became apparent Finland was following Estonia in closing its borders to Russia, thus precluding my girl from getting a land exit, and that time, the alternative of a flight via Istanbul had reached the realms of silly money. There are a lot of … Continue reading Bouncing Back in Bisceglie →

A Tale of two beautiful cities

When the UEFA competitions reached the group stage draws, there can be few quartets to rival those placed in Group A of the Conference League. Firenze (Florence), Edinburgh, Riga and Istanbul, all four historical and dripping in beauty. Personally, there has never been a situation in my football supporting days (50 years by the time … Continue reading A Tale of two beautiful cities →

Florentine Days

I have been invited to write a piece for the Hearts v Fiorentina match programme on 6th October. This is my submission. The rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside have long been inspiration for painters, writers, photographers and tourists alike, all seeking pastoral beauty. The capital of the region, Firenze (Florence) is of course the … Continue reading Florentine Days →

Left-Right, no place in football

I write about football, I read about football, and I genuinely care about football. I couldn’t care less about the monied end of the game, and I cannot abide the divisive, almost encouraged sectarianism that two teams from Glasgow cause in our Scottish society. In this day and age such entrenched attitudes are dreadful, and … Continue reading Left-Right, no place in football →

Reflections of a Southern Scorrie

I have been asked to contribute to the Wick Academy match programme versus Lochee United soon, and this is the first of two tales regarding my Wickense viewings over the years in the famous old Scottish Cup. The second might have to wait until next season, depending on how they get on, but hopefully they'll … Continue reading Reflections of a Southern Scorrie →

A Maastricht Treat, almost!

Maastricht is doubtlessly a name familiar to just about everyone, signing of a Treaty put the name on the global map, certainly more than its football team! Having been at a game on Sunday, I was quite keen to extend my stay and see a bit more of the Netherlands, and if that also resulted … Continue reading A Maastricht Treat, almost! →

FC Volendam

One of the smallest towns to host Dutch top flight football is back amongst the big boys this season, a warm welcome once more to FC Volendam. The Eredivisie isn’t something new for the team from the wonderful tourist town on the banks of the Markermeer Lake, indeed, they have had a reputation for being … Continue reading FC Volendam →

Bella Zona- Ticino Times

The name AC Bellinzona might ring a bell with the football aficionado of a certain vintage, but you’d be forgiven, especially if you don’t follow Swiss football very closely, of thinking, whatever became of them! Regular readers will know I write with enthusiasm and passion about Italian football, and by virtue you won’t be surprised … Continue reading Bella Zona- Ticino Times →

Antal-YA

I had never been to Turkey before, but circumstances regarding travel issues for my Russian girlfriend put it firmly on the radar. Visiting a new country is always exciting, especially somewhere as exotic as Turkey, where West meets East. It would be my 52nd country, it wasn’t about to let me down. My only encounters … Continue reading Antal-YA →

All Terni Tussle

I finally made it to Terni! More than two years after an aborted trip to the city, courtesy of the pandemic, I promised myself I would still head in that direction thereby honouring my original plan of where I would take in my 200th game outside the UK. In a non Covid world, the 2020 … Continue reading All Terni Tussle →