Laziale Thinking

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 →

The Marble Men of Carrara

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 →

Perfectly Parma

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 →

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 →