The Beautiful Fans

Milan derby tifo

Many comment on the decline of Serie A as an exhibition of the highest quality Football on the planet in the past two decades, but far fewer seem to correctly observe the fact that the Italian Football culture has been undoubtedly one of the most influential in the 20th century. Fanatics and Ultras from Lombardy to Sicily were the first to incorporate choreographies and tifos into the typical game day on a large scale, and this Continue reading

The Ball And The Bodega

Xerez Deportivo bar

I arrived in Jerez de la Frontera not just to sample some of and learn about the city’s legendary fortified wines, but to also meet with members of El Kolectivo Sur; the only ultra group to have represented their city in all levels of Spanish professional and semi-professional Football. What surprised me however is the way in which the city’s great drinking tradition is so readily visible in the Football culture in this fine Andalusian city.

There exists an enduring myth that the word “Sherry” derives Continue reading