Author Archive

Football, Football, Football
It’s always a pleasure to hear from Clare at She Can Kick It. Here is her latest newsletter.

“Hi, how are you? Missing the football season yet? Don’t worry, it won’t be long before we have the women’s Euros qualifiers, and there’s the men’s Euros this summer too. And plenty of women’s history still to learn.Last newsletter, I whined on a bit about how much I had to do and stressing about my team’s first summer tournament with me as coach. Today you get to hear about what happened :)I was dreading the tournament but all my stressful preparation meant I could enjoy the day. We had two teams in the event and although we didn’t win any games, we kept some of the best teams in the region to really respectable score lines. Excellent fight from my teams: they really frustrated top opponents.
The Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley was fantastic, not least because my team, Man Utd, lifted the trophy for the first time in their history (history is literally being made every week in women’s football at the moment). Great experience to be there. And a friend was randomly two rows behind me at the stadium – which was fun (and statistically unlikely).I know what you’re thinking: she’s about to say she hasn’t had time to write any of the book. And you’d be right! I haven’t had time, but I’ve made time because I really want to get this out to you by the end of the year – the word count has gone up by about 4000 again, I think.


History: Coppa del Mondo, Italy 1970

Italy was the first nation to organise major international competitions for women’s football. In 1970, the Italian Women’s football federation, along with sponsors Martini & Rossi (the famous alcoholic drinks makers & James Bond favourite), organised the Coppa del Mondo (World Cup) – also known as the Martini and Rossi Cup.Women’s football was still banned in many countries and hugely inhibited virtually everywhere except Italy, at this time. The English Women’s Football Association had very recently got the ban overturned in England and were cautiously proceeding with organising a national team. Since they didn’t want to rock the boat, when asked if they wanted to send a team to the unsanctioned event in Italy, they declined.Up stepped Harry Batt and his unofficial Lionesses, who went to the event under the banner of the “British Independents”, although everyone called them “England”.England beat West Germany 5-1 in their opening game, but it was Denmark and Italy who played the final. Denmark won the title in front of 40,000 spectators. England came third. The Italians moved their next world cup to Mexico: the now famous Copa ’71 (the film is brilliant, btw).

My footballing story: The new stories

Little did I imagine when I was kicking a ball around the park as an 11-year-old that I would end up coaching a team of the same age several decades later. But that is what happened this season. It’s been a rollercoaster. Learning all the FA systems has been a challenge in itself! And all the admin of running a team. But I knew it would be a lot of extra work, I knew it would take time to plan training and arrange matches. I didn’t anticipate how much it would change me as a person though. I didn’t appreciate how rewarding it would be to see a team of players with little to no confidence in their abilities, begin to shine as individuals and build as a team. I still lose sleep worrying about how to help them improve, but over the past few weeks several parents have told me how much their child is enjoying their football, how their confidence is improving, and how it is the thing they most look forward to every week. And as I slotted through the perfect assist at training this week to demonstrate something to them, I still felt like that 11-year-old girl in the park! I stopped short of physically wheeling away in delight, but mentally I was celebrating that assist like it was the FA Cup Final 🙂

I’d love to hear what you think of this newsletter. How you can support me this week? Forward my newsletter to friends/family, post about it on social media, share the subscribe link https://bit.ly/she-can-kick-it

PS Number of book words written so far…45,065

PPS Don’t forget ….Sunday The West London Football Programme and Badge Fair. Sunday 2nd June 2024. Details above.

As you know, the purpose of this digital tour is to raise finds and awareness for the great work that Prostate Cancer UK do. So, as always, I am delighted to share their latest newsletter.

“We’re so pleased to let you know that The Prostate Cancer Memorial has arrived at Kings Cross, London.
You can now visit the memorial at Kings Cross station until 27 September 2024. The memorial can be found on the main concourse, next to Pret a Manger. 

Make sure to share your visit with us on social media and in The Prostate Cancer Remembrance Group on Facebook.

Thank you once again for supporting our work in this special way. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at inmemory@prostatecanceruk.org

Very best wishes

Will and Holly
In Memory Team
Prostate Cancer UK

PS: Join us at March for Men. Share stories, celebrate loved ones and walk towards a better future for men. There’s still time to sign up and take part in Battersea Park, London, on Sunday 2 June at 11am. 

Pre-registration closes on Friday 31 May at midday. But don’t worry, you can sign up on the day. We can’t wait to see you!”

Obviously my tuktuk digital tour pushes on and I still have Bristol and Birmingham in my sights but in the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate.

It’s all happening at Redruth United. You may remember I spotlighted the Cornish club yesterday
Later, I got a notification on Facebook about a lady, Ruth Major, who has decided on a unique type of fundraising for her club. The story deserves more eyeballs!

“Hi! My name is Rubbish Ruth& I’m 79 years old. Starting on the 29th April I plan to travel across England from Folkestone to Carlisle using my free bus pass & am appealing to the great British public to support my travels & donate generously to Redruth United Football Club. Currently there are 16 teams, including ladies, girls, youths, adults and veterans, all supported by amateur & volunteer coaches and trainers. They desperately need a new club house to accommodate their recent increase in the number of teams they support. Please donate to this very worthy cause…..Every little helps! Thank you!

Learn more of Ruth’s tour here

Sunday 2 June

Redruth United FC

Got to be honest, Redruth United FC is not one of the “92” and nor is it likely to be for a season or two. However a great story came out of the club this week that made me think a lot about the game. Regular readers will remember that I have done several articles on sponsorship and that I am not always clear that both parties benefit as much as they could …. or should!

Have a read of this, please , which I found on their Facebook Page.

“

Now that our season has finally reached its conclusion for 2023/24, we would like to take this opportunity to thank each, and every person connected with Redruth United Football Club for helping play their part in us having such an incredible and memorable campaign both on and off the park.

The performances this season are a reward for many years of doing the right things, working hard, sacrificing plenty, attracting the right people and the dedication given by all these people. Doing what everyone has done and in the way they have done has given so many amazing experiences to remember for a lifetime, and hopefully allow us to enjoy many more of these experiences in the future.

As a club it gives us an immense sense of pride to see so many people come together and be part of this special club and experience so many memorable moments with so many people. Togetherness and inclusivity have been the foundations on which our club and success has been built. From inside the dressing room, to the boardroom and on the sidelines together we have kicked every ball, celebrated every goal, and this season in particular, have picked each other up after a few tough results. That togetherness has been the difference and has been the special ingredient that has set us apart as a club, on and off the pitch.

We are so proud of the performances and commitment of all Redruth United players within the club, adults and youth section. Your efforts continue to go above and beyond and not unnoticed. We are very grateful for all that you give our club.

I also wish to give my heartfelt thanks to the business community ( Club Sponsor Omnia, supporting The Lily Foundation)

Garage Door and Automation CoGary Murphy Plumbing & Heating LimitedPlumbase RedruthABL Plastics LimitedLJ Laundry Services LtdHands on Gardening1000 Flags Healeys Cornish Cyder FarmKeltek BrewerySt Piran Garden and Home ServicesMcDonald’sEquest.CoachAbsolute Flooring (SW) Ltd Caw Cornwall Serco UKThe William IVMKM Building Supplies RedruthRedruth Charity Trust) and individuals who continue to support and partner us via sponsorship, advertising and hospitality which is invaluable in helping us deliver so much more than just football.

Finally, a massive thank you to our supporters and volunteers, we could not have had such a memorable season without your dedication behind the scenes which has not gone unnoticed. We cannot wait to start all over again in season 2024/25, where we can make new memories and dream big together.

Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you all at Clijah Park next season”


Logos of some of the sponsors.

I thought that this was a genuinely classy post by the people behind Redruth United. I too would like to offer my thanks to these worthy companies. I do not know any of you but I do know that football at this level absolutely DEPENDS on people like you supporting your local clubs. As a total outsider I give you thanks and hope you benefit from the association with the club and will continue to support them in the years to come. #RESPECT

Guys, I wish you all at Redruth United every success next season. With an attitude like yours, you deserve only the very best.

My own little club in London is equally dependent on external funds and have this week announced that Season Tickets will shortly be available and that the price has been frozen at just £25 for 2024/2025. (NOTE this is a full season ticket for approximately 20 games.) I hope you are enjoying this digital tour of the clubs and maybe you would consider taking a season ticket at this bargain price.

Please kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. I also hope you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. If everybody took a season ticket we’d be absolutely delighted. Just look through the website and you will see that you are GUARANTEED goals!

A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can help in any way. Thank you.

one of the great truths of a project like this is that it is often easier to rely on yourself than others. A couple of interviews for this week did not materialise, shall we say and to put it politely. It was fantastic then to deal with the boys at Beer Lanyard FC who came back to me within 0.000023 microseconds and say they were happy to help. Proud of them.

This looks like a great day out and for a great cause. Justin Edinburgh was a Spurs legend with over 200 league games before he moved into management and had a spell at my beloved Gillingham. The thing about Justin is that nobody, but nobody has a bad word to say about him. Everyone who has ever had dealings with him says he was consistently open and honest and behaved with credibility and integrity. Like me he had a SCA, fortunately I survived but tragically he did not. The JE3 Foundation was set up in his memory.

For three decades, Justin Edinburgh inspired the masses as a professional footballer and promotion-winning manager. Today, his impact reverberates as the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation campaigns for legislative change on the installation of Automated External Defibrillators within health and sports facilities, while raising awareness of cardiac arrest and delivering CPR training. More details here

So, a great day out at Sixfields in prospect. For more details check out the official Beer Lanyard website

Manchester City

There is only one place to be today – the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Manchester City FC. They have done it AGAIN! Yes, for the fourth season on the row, they have taken the Premier League title. Congratulations. After university I lived literally 100 yards (if that!) from Maine Rd, their old stadium and I often used to watch them in the 80s. Remember those were the days when it was shillings to get in and I could afford to go to City one week and United the next. I have seen some great players there and some fantastic matches without ever becoming a City fan. I remember my first Manchester “derby” there, Glynn Pardoe’s testimonial in probably 1978.

A lot has been said about the financial irregularities at City and whilst I suppose there is no smoke without fire, I have no knowledge whatsoever about their guilt. What I cannot accept is that Nottingham Forest and Everton can be dealt with quickly but the cases against City seem to drag on and on and nobody has any idea if/when/how we will learn their fate. One the basis that English Law says innocent until proven guilty I suppose we just have to accept that they have won the title. Presumably they could equally be stripped of it…who knows?

What we do know is that from a footballing perspective they were the best team, won the most points and when Liverpool drifted away in the last ten games, I knew there was only one winner. It would be wrong of me not to send my best wishes to Jurgen Klopp as he leaves Anfield. In nine years he has turned the club around and left it in a fantastic position for his successor. Impressive!

My tuktuk digital tour pushes on and I still have Bristol City & Rovers and Birmingham in my sights but in the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can.

Glory, Glory, Man United …as the song goes!

I saw a story this week that jut SCREAMED the Shirt Project. SCREAMED and SCREAMED again. Regular readers will know that I first got involved when I heard of Bjørn Heidenstrøm’s cycle ride from Oslo, Norway to South Africa. That “encouraged me” to cycle to the 92 clubs. Well, this week I have heard of Ochirvaani “Ochiroo” Batbold (AKA Wazza) from Mongolia (yes, the one near China) to Old Trafford.
Let’s follow his story…

In May 2023, Ochirvaani “Ochiroo” Batbold left his home country of Mongolia to embark on a 14,000km cycling journey to Manchester United‘s stadium, Old Trafford. 

He has supported the Red Devils since 2010 and his first memory is the match versus Liverpool in September 2010 – a game famous for Dimitar Berbatov‘s hat-trick in a 3-2 win.

Batbold wrote a letter to the club, explaining: “I’m currently cycling from my home in Mongolia to Old Trafford because I love Manchester United. Wayne Rooney has always been my hero. I loved his relentless work ethic, versatility and ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments. He was always an inspiration.

“When I was younger all I ever wanted to do was to be a professional footballer and to play for Manchester United, however I experienced a difficult situation. I lost a significant amount of money after being deceived by someone posing as a football agent. I felt like I was living a nightmare.”

When the club saw the letter and read his story, they decided to organise a very special surprise involving United legend Rooney.

Batbold thought he had been invited to a tour of Old Trafford, but Rooney appeared from the concourse to meet him in person.

Rooney said: “I really wanted to come and meet you and just say well done! I know you might think that we inspire you, or we inspire the fans, but what you’ve done is an incredible achievement and you should be really proud of what you’ve done.” 

See the full video here

To make Batbold’s trip even more memorable, he was invited back to the stadium to watch Man Utd against Arsenal, where he had the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere from the directors’ box and meet Sir Alex Ferguson and club captain Bruno Fernandes.

So, to put that trip from Mongolia into perspective, that is about five times what I did. I am hugely impressed and inspired. Congratulations, hero. My little (nay, tiny) tuktuk digital tour pushes on and I still have Manchester City, Bristol City & Rovers and Birmingham in my sights but in the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can.

Aston Villa

Emery at Sevilla in 2016

So, yesterday it was Bournemouth and today it is Aston Villa. I think I could make a case for them being the two clubs in the Premier League who have most over-delivered this season. (Obviously it is a HUGE surprise that Arsenal were not relegated but that’s another story for another day!) Unai Emery has done a fantastic job at Villa Park and they are now guaranteed European football next season too. Impressive. Here’s a little side story, Emery knows about The Shirt Project from waaaaaaaay back in 2009 when Bjorn and I were invited to the training ground to watch the Valencia squad train for an away cup game at Slavia Prague. By absolute coincidence it was his birthday (3 November) and we presented him a Shirt pin-badge as a little birthday present. He showed gratitude. Since then he has had great success throughout Europe at Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Paris SG and Villarreal. For reasons I cannot understand he went to Arsenal for a season. I presume he regrets that on his CV. Great manager shame about the team! So, congratulations to him again.

What of Villa? Well the big story is two new books being produced to mark their 150th anniversary ….and not just “any” books.

THE ASTON VILLA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEAR BOOK PROJECT – VOLUME ONE & VOLUME TWO

As we approach Aston Villa’s landmark anniversary, two large-format 420-page coffee table books have been produced to commemorate the occasion. Hundreds of beautiful photographs, illustrations, stories, fascinating press cuttings and precious memorabilia have been combined to make the finest quality Aston Villa books ever produced – books that will be treasured by every Villa supporter.

The first volume tells the remarkable story of Villa’s first 75 years between 1874-1949, an era when the club dominated football – the Kings of Birmingham and renowned across the globe. Unrivalled printing quality, using truly beautiful photographs and stories, this book really brings those times back to life like never before.

Colin Abbott’s long-awaited second volume moves Aston Villa’s remarkable story forward – with the ups and downs between 1950 and 2024 given the same care and attention as the first volume. Even more pin-sharp images, artefacts and stories are featured, alongside stand-out interviews with some of the players and managers that make this club so great.

FULL INFORMATION AND TO ORDER CLICK HERE

THESE STUNNING BOOKS CAN BE PURCHASED INDIVIDUALLY, OR COME BOXED WHEN BOUGHT TOGETHER, ALONG WITH A SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED LIMITED EDITION METAL BADGE – STRICTLY WHILE STOCK LASTS. PRE-ORDERS ALSO GET THEIR NAME IN THE BOOK!

GET YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK

All advanced purchasers will have their name automatically included in the fans’ roll of honour section of both books if purchased during the pre-order period before the end of September 2024. We will use the purchaser’s name from the order details. Books will be delivered early November. Names will appear in both volumes of the book. If you purchased Volume One as part of the first print run in 2020/21 and your name is included in that edition, your name will automatically also appear in the new volume/s.

FULL INFORMATION AND TO ORDER CLICK HERE

A great friend of mine, Dave Baldwin is also a huge Villa fan so it is only right I mention his art again. I have featured him on this blog several times. Here are some of his latest works. To see his entire portfolio visit his excellent website.

Villa Park

It would be equally remiss to overlook Matty’s work. He has got a great collection of Villa players too. He was first known for his work with Liverpool players but his portfolio has expanded now. See especially his Newcastle United collection. Check his website

So, the tuktuk digital tour pushes on and I have Bristol City & Rovers and Birmingham in my sights but in the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can.

A.F.C.Bournemouth

I was looking to get to Bournemouth but by chance (or perhaps Facebook algorithms our friends at Pitch Publishing sent me details of a new book outlining their Championship Winning Season.

“Anything is Possible” is the inside story of Bournemouth’s remarkable Championship-winning season and tells how the smallest club in the division defied bookmakers, pundits and the Football League to emerge triumphant from a fiercely fought promotion contest and gate-crashed the richest league in the world.

But that is just the end of the story! Only six years earlier, the club was on the brink of liquidation following a series of financial crises and points deductions. The club took a last-ditch gamble on former player Eddie Howe. A 31-year-old former player with zero management experience. It paid dividends and some, as Howe sowed the seeds for an astonishing rise up the leagues.

The club rose from League Two to the Championship in four seasons, successes made all the more remarkable as Howe spent 20 months of that period managing Burnley.

In 2014/15, Howe eclipsed his previous successes as he led a squad described as “misfits” by captain Tommy Elphick to the Championship title in the final seconds of the season. Anything Is Possible is the quite astonishing story of how a club on the brink of extinction rose through the divisions and reached to promised land of the Premier League.

The author, Michael Dunne, is not new to the south coast and was the author of “Dean Court Days: Harry Redknapp at AFC Bournemouth.” He has written about football in the Guardian, Observer, When Saturday Comes and many other publications and websites. He has supported Bournemouth for more than 40 years and for several seasons produced and presented the All Departments podcast, which charted the Cherries’ fairy tale rise from the brink of extinction to the Premier League

I will be back tomorrow but in the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can.

Kit Holden

After the trip to Arsenal it is back to somewhere a little close to home …not. Many of you will remember Kit Holden for “Scheisse”, his unique book about 1FC Union Berlin or was it his book about the unique Berlin side, 1FC Union Berlin? Well, the good news is that he has a new book almost at print. If it is anywhere near as good as the previous one it is going to be a belter!

“Played in Germany”: In summer 2024, the eyes of football fans worldwide will turn to Germany as it hosts the European Championship. For many, the country seems familiar territory: a footballing behemoth with clubs as famous as its beer and its cars. But, if you look closer, the beautiful game can offer a deeper understanding of Europe’s powerhouse.

Beyond the booze and the bratwurst: what football really tells us about Germany, the UEFA Euro 2024 hosts.

Played in Germany takes us on a journey through modern Germany’s football heartlands in search of the issues which define it. Through the stadiums, songs and simmering resentments of football, it sheds light on a nation so diverse and divided that the only thing which really unites it is the game itself.

The book is available to pre-order through our friends at Stanchion Books

If you missed “Scheisse! We’re going up,” here is an overview .

Journey through the European capital of cool with Scheisse!

Have you ever been to Berlin? And if so do you love it as much as we do?!? We are a bit Berlin-crazy here at Duckworth and one book that really reflects our love for the city is Scheisse! by Kit Holden

A club on the rise.
A city in flux.
This is Union Berlin.

No football club in the world has fans like 1. FC Union Berlin. The underdogs from East Berlin have stuck it to the Stasi, built their own stadium and even given blood to save their club. But now they face a new and terrifying prospect: success.

Scheisse! tells the human stories behind the unexpected rise of this unique football club. But it’s about more than just football. It’s about the city Union call home. As the club fight to maintain their rebel spirit among the modern football elite, their trajectory mirrors that of contemporary Berlin itself.

Tomorrow I am off to Bristol and a chance to visit two clubs in one day. Sounds like fun. In the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity could continue their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can.