If you have made it through the four levels of calcio to this point, and made it to La Spezia, well done, thanks for staying with me! The journey has been nudging north, significantly at first, but between Carrara and La Spezia, Parma is a bit of a diversion, although a direct train heads across … Continue reading Viva La Spezia →

I guess not many from outside Italy, maybe even Roma have seen five teams from the Italian capital, but without even trying that forms part of my Calcio legacy. Those who merely have a passing interest in Italian football are probably thinking, there are more than two teams in Roma! Every city, even one team … Continue reading Laziale Thinking →

I finally made it to Carrara! Four years ago I thought I was headed to the Stadio Dei Marmi, only to discover on the day of the game, it had been moved to Pontedera due to upgrading work at the stadium in Carrara. Thankfully Pontedera was doable too, but Carrara remained elusive.  My Eleven Sports … Continue reading The Marble Men of Carrara →

I have been to Parma a few times, and always enjoyed it immensely, but oddly this was the last major Emilia Romagna stadium for me. I can now follow the train route through the region headed north from Cesena (5 games, first 1987); Forli (2); Bologna (2); Modena; Reggio Emilia (3), and now Parma.  Parma … Continue reading Perfectly Parma →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Over the last two pandemic hit season’s, my subscription to Eleven Sports in Italy and with the fabulous catalogue of choice from the entire fixture card of Serie C (third tier) to watch, it became a vital escape from the rigours of keeping loved ones safe, as well as continuing to nurture dreams of a … Continue reading A Ding Dong in Grosseto →