Menton V E.S.C.R. 2 - May 12 2024

For all you FOTM addicts out there here is an unforgettable (forgettable) edition that we forgot to publish before the end of the season as London French went to see AS Monaco vs Strasbourg as they bid for Champions League places.Whilst the season is now done and dusted we will be back soon for the 2025/2026 edition. Bon vacances à tous and stay cool 🌞

It’s a squash and a squeeze as John, Alex and London French snuggle up on the terraces of Menton’s cosy stade and watch the home side play with all the fervour of the Smeds and the Smoos. Alas, Menton could have done with a Gruffalo, or a wise old man, or at least the The Ugly Five, for a lively Mandelieu were just that little bit too Everywhere Bear, finding Room on the Broom running the channels and deservedly emerging as 4-2 winners. Listen out for a goalkeeper who’s a fly-half, a decent contest and multiple eulogies to Fox’s Socks Julia Donaldson. Menton 2 Mandelieu 4 was recorded on Sunday 12 January 2025 with guest appearances by Eleri and Lyla. Stick Man declined to contribute.

Ligue 1 Done? In this episode of Footy on the Med, we head to the Stade Louis-II for one of the biggest fixtures in Ligue 1 as third place AS Monaco host unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain. Set against the unique backdrop of Monaco’s compact yet iconic stadium, join London French and Massimo for trains, pizza and the last slice of league action in France in 2024.

With Alex again marooned deep in the English countryside, and Footy on the Med’s Menton HQ under attack from all sides, a dread rumour spread around the podcast ecosphere. Would Footy on the Med live to kick a ball again? Fear not! The sea came calling and Alex took himself to the city of Bristol, scene of 727.5 voyages to the Mediterranean in April 1511 alone. QPR, whose blue and white hooped shirts never fail to induce thoughts of the Med, came a-visiting Ashton Gate, home of The Robins, aka Bristol City. Alex was there to chronicle some of the action with the Devizes Hoops, not to mention West Ham Dan and two box-based associates, Scott and Max. Cue an absolute wonder goal from Paul Smyth for The Rs. Bristol City 1 QPR 1 was recorded at Ashton Gate on 14 December 2024.

A beautiful November afternoon and we are off to Italy for the first time and to one of our old favourite stomping grounds, the Stade Communale in Sanremo for the Série D clash between Sanremese and Lavagnese in a Ligurian derby. Join London French as he travels east from Menton and is joined by fellow Menton resident Mattia for an afternoon in the Mediterranean sunshine. Sanremese 2, Lavagnese 1 was recorded at the Stadio Comunale, Sanremo, November 10th 2024. For pictures and videos, please visit Footy On The Med

Footy on the Med is back! At last! Admittedly the Mediterranean connection is slim, but if a person were to leave Sunderland by boat and travel south and then east, it is possible they would arrive in the Med. And QPR’s keeper, Paul Nardi, was once on Monaco’s books. Tenuous but no matter, the important thing is that John and Alex are back in action. Well, Alex and Chris are in action, because John wasn’t there. Without further carve-outs, caveats, excuses or ado, enjoy Footy on the Med in its guise as Footy in the Bush for QPR 0 v Sunderland 0 (recorded at Loftus Road on Saturday 2 November 2024).

Footy on the Med is back! With a bang! Two games for the price of one! Yes, we’re a bit late but we make no apologies for being late; it’s one of the things we do best (along with roving around to games on the Med and beyond, providing our unique insight into the Beautiful Game). For Monaco v St Etienne at the Stade Louis II on 17 August 2024, witnessed by Alex, his daughter Maud and their friends Jean-Philippe Thomas and family, noise was the order of the day. A lot of noise. For John and London ‘Rory Egan-Thomas’ French at Menton v Cannes La Bocca on 22 September 2024, things took a gentler turn. Enjoy both games and listen out for more in the coming years.

It's the final league game of the season for Cannes FC. It's also the Cannes Film Festival. Alex has to be at the latter for work. He'd like to be at the former for fun. How does he solve this quandary? By being at the first half and giving the reins to London French for the second. En route the pair meet Carlos, a young player with Cannes, and enjoy a decent match in balmy weather. Well, London French enjoyed all of it (and did a fine job). As is Alex's way, he enjoyed one half of it. Cannes 2 Thonon Evian 1 was recorded at the Stade Pierre Courbetin on Saturday 18 May 2024.

This week John meets up with Young Trafford in their hometown of Menton, to watch Rapid Omnisport de Menton take on Entente Sportive Cannet Rocheville 2, or ESCR 2 for short. Menton run away with the game and score six while only conceding one. Rapid Menton V ESCR was recorded at Stade Lucien Rhein on Sunday, May 12th 2024.

John ventures up the inside channel of the A8, past the back four, and visits one of his favourite towns, Valbonne, all on his lonesome. US Valbonne hosted Club des Jeunes d'Antibes Juan Les Pins, (which must be the longest name of a team featured on Footy On The Med). The game ended Valbonne 0 Antibes 1 thanks to an early goal from Bensouici Hamza. US Valbonne Vs CDJ Antibes was recorded at Stade Leon Chabert on Sunday, May 5th 2024.