Shortly after moving to Germany, my mid-breakfast-Facebook-scroll informed me that Hull City, freshly promoted, were coming to East Germany to take on SG Dynamo Dresden in a friendly a few weeks later. 15.00 on Saturday; easily accessible with a round day trip being cheap. It was on. But in the days beforehand, friends and colleagues had one thing to say;
‘Be careful’
Dynamo Dresden fans are notorious for their aggression and extremism. A Continue reading
Football is unquestionably Indonesia’s favourite sport. Java is the most populous island in the world’s 4th most populous country with around 56% of the 265,000,000 Indonesians living there. As such, Java is home to some of the biggest Football clubs and wildest Football fans in the country, and we have done our part to let you know which ones you really should know about.
This is the FBTG list of the biggest Football clubs in Java, based on average match attendance figures and general Continue reading
Background Story First, Relevance to Football Second. In this post I define identity as the multiple different groups or circles that an individual can belong to that collectively come together to shape a character. This is not an academic definition of what identity is, but it’s a good enough definition for now.
Small Towns play host to fewer migrants, both domestic or international, and as a consequence, Small Town Folk are Continue reading
Even before we discuss Football, Yogyakarta ticks all the boxes for visitors.
She sits comfortably in the centre of Java, the most Continue reading
This question first popped up when your trusted FBTG crew began to research Indonesian Football. It was phenomenally difficult as a newbie to the scene to browse through social media sites dedicated to Indonesian Football and tell the clubs apart. After having had our feet on the ground, we realised that an explanation behind this phenomenon could make an enjoyable short post.
The answer is remarkably simple.
Let’s take this moment to turn that question around 180 degrees. I remember Continue reading
J.L. Carr’s “How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won The FA Cup” published by Penguin Books is an enjoyable short story that chronicles the success of fictional amateur side Steeple Sinderby Wanderers as they nonchalantly decide to compete in the Football Association Challenge Cup and proceed to lift the trophy at Wembley the same season. The geographical location of Steeple Sinderby is ambiguous but the club’s players, employees and associates are all village folk from the English back-country.
It may be far-fetched but the narrative is witty and glorious in its representation of the unglamorous reality of 1970’s English Football as seen by players and fans alike. The book is filled with classic lines Continue reading
Malaysian Football culture and Malaysian culture in general can be difficult to define. After all, Malaysia is not really a country.
It’s best to think of Malaysia as a federation of different states each Continue reading
Breaking the habbit and writing about a different sport. Now, before you slam your tablet down in disgust, or unsubscribe while dry-heaving, or both (or neither), we’ve good reason to be doing so. It emphasises a point made long ago. And it starts with a Friday night proposition.
“Let’s go watch some Ice Hockey” Continue reading
From Boothferry To Germany 