If someone had said to me when the final whistle went at the magnificent Stadio Sinigaglia, Como in late January 2020, that it would take 26 months and a few days for me to be watching another game outside the UK, I would have done what the Romanians did to Ceaucescu! That would of course … Continue reading Good Wind blowing →

The classic trio of Italian cities for tourism are of course Roma, Firenze and Venezia. Each and everyone of them is absolutely amazing, and certainly if you have never been, even to one of them, I would implore ticking that box. Curiously, football in cities of great beauty rarely converts too much in the way … Continue reading Oh Siena →

Amongst Italian clubs, two kits are almost globally unique, last month I wrote about “i grigi”, the gray shirts of Alessandria, so it seems only appropriate to bring “i grigirossi” (the gray and reds) of Cremonese to life this month.  The club comes from the delightful city of Cremona (population 72,680) tucked away near the … Continue reading Pulling the strings in Cremona →

If you have ever flown from Northern Europe to Bologna, for those familiar with the towns in its proximity, as the plane banks ready for landing, you’ll get a view of Modena. It is the first city north of Bologna headed in the direction of Parma or Milan. Modena is a mere 15 to 25 … Continue reading Modena, Nessun Dorma →

This is a 99% complete article which will be submitted to Football Weekends magazine as a celebration of the 80 year history of Cesena FC. Upon completion of the match on 2nd February versus Perugia I will update, and submit with photos from this big Serie C promotion tussle. During these pandemic days, with fans … Continue reading Cesena FC at 80 →

A new article, a perhaps long overdue piece on Brescia. It will act as my 51st Football Weekends tale for publication just ahead of Christmas. Don't forget more photographic storytelling on my IG page, Can_chas, feel free to drop in. A hundred kilometres East of Milan, and 70 West of Verona you will find the … Continue reading La Leonessa d’Italia, Brescia →

Ancona; A city guide, club history and Marche guide My 50th article for Football Weekends takes me home to Ancona. I am sure I am not alone in becoming interested in certain clubs courtesy of that bastion of yesteryear, Subbuteo and especially the team catalogue that named clubs from elsewhere with the same kit. The … Continue reading Ancona and the Marche →

      Veneto is one of the most visited regions of Italy with the lure of Venetian canal splendours and Veronese balconies being the main draw. The more adventurous travellers will doubtlessly have a look at Padova too given its proximity to Venezia with it's beautiful piazza's and slightly less manic tourism, but equidistant … Continue reading Vicenza, Citta Palladio →

The city is an absolute gem and just 25 miles from Venice. While it does attract visitors, Padova is largely only for the more adventurous visitors, but those who do venture here are rewarded with a central area full of stunning architecture, history dripping from every building and Basilicas seemingly everywhere. In Prato della Valle, … Continue reading Padova, citta →