Black teas and seas
A friend of someone I met on an internet message board. It sounded dodgy. This was Ergin, a very random contact in Trabzon for my game in Turkey. We messaged each other before I arrived. His English was minimal. My … Continued
Azerbaijan & Armenia – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations took in four top flight league games in Azerbaijan and Armenia, some amazing scenery and mountains of great bread. Photo highlights include gratuitous Ladas and the odd rogue shot from beautiful Georgia.
The Irelands – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations went Irish for a weekend. Photo highlights from Bray Wanderers’ nervy 2-1 win over Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds in the Republic and, north of the border, Glentoran’s scrappy 1-1 draw against Carrick Rangers at the historic … Continued
Stonking Grounds
55 Football Nations is about the full football experience. The fans, the match itself and the stadiums. Or grounds. My journey over the Irish Sea was to matches at two very traditional grounds in Bray and Belfast. The Carlisle Grounds … Continued
Lithuania & Latvia – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations completed the marathon eight nation leg to Taraz and back with Lithuania and Latvia. Photo highlights from two comfortable home wins in the Baltics – Zalgiris 5-0 Utena in Vilnius and Spartaks 2-0 Riga in sleepy Jūrmala.
Russia & Belarus – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations watched league matches in Ufa, Tula (both Russia), Vitebsk and Minsk (both Belarus). Photo highlights from the four games, host cities and major Russian hubs of Yekaterinburg and Moscow.