A sign that I saw in one of the bars in which we sheltered from the winter drizzle amidst Bilbao’s mazy and narrow streets of the Casco Viejo (Old Town), said it all: “Dear Tourist please be aware that you aren’t in Spain, nor are you in France, you are in the Basque Country”. It […]
Mention the words “Tartan Army” to pretty much any football supporter, not just from the British Isles but anywhere in the world, over the age of 30 and it will instantaneously conjure up certain memories and images. Of the “well-refreshed (or “blootered” to use the appropriate colloquialism!) hordes”, that used to descend on Wembley on […]
In an unusual move for us, Mrs Football Nerd and I found ourselves looking into the potential for an autumnal sunshine Euro-break without basing it completely around relevant football tourism opportunities. We even found ourselves looking at some venues that… (don’t tell anyone will you?)… didn’t even have football teams! For all our yours truly’s […]
Even in the modern football world where satellite television coverage, the Internet and the growth of the major European competitions have diluted some of our beloved game’s exoticism and mystery; it is still possible to engage in football experiences that remind us all while we fell so hopelessly in love with the game in the […]
This season’s ‘off-season’ (if there ever truly is an off-season for football obsessives?) has provided me with an intriguing opportunity to compare and contrast the spectator cultures and experiences of two distinctly different sports in unusual contexts. First up, Mrs. Football Nerd and I headed off to New York City for our almost-perennial holiday visit […]
Just like the reported 800 to 1000 British football fans who travel to Dortmund every home game, I couldn’t tell you why or even what I expected, but ever since I witnessed in person the magical allure of the very special fans of “one of Europe’s last great romantic football clubs”, I was already hooked. […]
Back a few years ago when I was ‘celebrating’ the big ‘Four-O’ and contemplating the all-too-swift progression towards middle age, Mrs Football Nerd asked me what I wanted to do to mark the occasion. Never one that was likely to settle into a more sedate and relaxed way of life but definitely someone who could […]
Mrs Football Nerd and I consider ourselves to be seasoned football travellers having been to a significant number of the most iconic European football grounds, to the last two World Cups and a European Championships. Those trips are pre-planned in infinite detail to ensure that fixture dates and kick-off times have been confirmed, tickets secured […]
In case you missed: Part 1: https://football-nerd.org/2018/07/17/four-go-on-a-russian-world-cup-adventure-part-1-moscow-saturday-16th-of-june-to-monday-18th-of-june-2018/) Part 2: https://football-nerd.org/2018/07/18/four-go-on-a-russian-world-cup-adventure-part-2-still-moscow-tuesday-19th-of-june-wednesday-20th-june-2018/ Wednesday 20th June (continued) The hotel was only about a twenty minute walk from the station and after we had checked in, (stone cold sober we hasten to add!), we headed down to the bar to watch Portugal beat Morocco and sample […]
(In case you missed Part 1: https://football-nerd.org/2018/07/17/four-go-on-a-russian-world-cup-adventure-part-1-moscow-saturday-16th-of-june-to-monday-18th-of-june-2018/) Tuesday 19th of June – Poland 1 Senegal 2 – Spartak Stadium After another crazy and somewhat hazy night sharing our collection of Space Food with the bar staff, random guests and anyone else we could find; it is fair to say that we were all a […]
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