Football Adventures with James Rendall
My football adventures all over the world
The most southerly city of mainland Italy is Reggio Calabria, tucked right around the base of the toe, looking across the Straits of Messina on Sicily. If you have ever taken the train across this stretch of water on the boat to the largest island in the Mediterranean, you were mighty close to Reggio. The … Continue reading Reggio Sud
I am sure when planning a trip with your partner, some of us have a look at the fixtures in any given land and see if you can’t wangle a match whilst away. Obviously, when I am headed to Italy, I endeavour to construct the travel around the places I would love to bring to … Continue reading Going Loko in Tashkent
Southport they say is the “well to do” town in the Merseyside area. Many footballers, either current or old have set up home in the vicinity over the years. A great pastime, certainly for the “veteran” footballers is golf, and Southport is blessed with three top-notch courses, apparently. I know nothing of this sport, aside … Continue reading Sandgrounding
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
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
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
How far back does your love of Calcio go? It seeped into my psyche in Como, July 1982, when Italy dismantled West Germany. That Marco Tardelli celebration still gives me goosebumps. Lago di Como, along with pretty much every corner of Italy, took to the streets in wild celebration. It all left an indelible mark, … Continue reading ….And Green Means Go!
Those clever architects of yesteryear knew what they were doing. Build a Bell Tower with more than a lean, and the world shall forever know the city of Pisa. Allegedly it was unintentional, but inadvertently it has become one of the great icons of Italy. The tower with a tilt isn’t unique to this Tuscan … Continue reading Toscana Inclination
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