Footy On The Med

There's no stopping John and Alex. Hot on the heels of moving among Europe's journalistic elite at OGC Nice, they find themselves at the St John's English Library in Menton. Yes, Alex persuaded John to read a book but no, literary sleuthing wasn't the sole purpose of their visit. The duo were being asked questions about life, Footy on the Med and Alex's A Season on the Med by podcast friend and flawless interviewer Stan Bunger. It was a fun session and sheds a light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of football's slickest podcast. Recorded at St John's English Library in Menton on Friday, 10 March 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

John and Alex hit the big time: thanks to the good folk at NIce OGC, they were in the press gantry for Nice v Auxerre. Better yet, Nice also accommodated John and Alex's good friend Cycling Man Stan, aka San Francisco Bay Area Hall of Fame Radio Broadcaster Stan Bunger (yes, that's his full name). Better still, the trio got to Nice in good time for a meal at one of their favourite restaurants, Les Copains. A taxi ride courtesy of the loquacious Oliver saw them arrive at the Allianz Riviera stadium before kick off. But lo! The stadium was nigh-on impenetrable. Successive stewards directed the FOTM team anywhere but to the right door for media access. Undeterred, John, Alex and Stan kept at it, and soon enough, although 12 minutes after kick off, they were welcomed into the bosom of international journalism. Stand by for a lolloping canter through a 1-1 draw, Alex yearningly calling for John at half-time and the appearance of California football aficionado and legend, Alameda Joe. Recorded at the Allianz Riviera Stadium on 3 March 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Who is London French? What is London French? Where are London French? Listen out for the answers as John, Alex and Young Trafford settle down at the ML Lounge for a chat about all things Med footy, only to be joined by the man now living in Alex's old house (clue: he used to play for London French and is called Rory). Inspired by Young Trafford's round-up of recent continental football happenings, and despite no mention of football on the deck under Dave Sexton, John launches into a quiz. Who of Alex, YT and Rory is the winner? Our (new) man in Menton, of course. Recorded at the ML Lounge on Weds 15 February 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's safe to say that Pierre de Courbetin couldn't have predicted his appearance in a podcast featuring John's early life as a tree surgeon and Alex's failed to attempt to score a carrot picking job in Australia. It's also fair to say that no one would have predicted that AS Cannes v Rousset Ste Victoire at the Stade de Pierre Courbetin would include a discussion of these things. Not even Young Trafford, who tried valiantly, and in vain, to impose order on John and Alex. Cue carrots, trees, John's thoughts being outside his head and some killer Cannes facts. AS Cannes 2 Rousset 1 was recorded at the Stade de Pierre Courbetin, Cannes on Saturday 4 February 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

There was a city called Sanremo/whose hats were given the heave-ho/They all fell down/There on the ground/At the feet of Roy Keano. Yes, Edward Lear, the famed English nonsense poet, might have said this about Italy's city of flowers - he lived and died there - but not Alex and John. No, armed with press passes they took Footy on the Med to a new level for Sanremese v Stresa - or, perhaps, a new low given this was the podcast's first ever 0-0 draw. Don't listen out for any goals but do enjoy the usual banter from Mediterranean football's tireless duo. Find out more on FootyOnTheMed.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Stadio Luigi Ferraris. What an arena for football. One of the best, any day of the week. But on Sunday 8 January 2023, Luigi Ferraris rocked - perhaps as never before. It was Sampdoria v Napoli. The hosts, not so good this season. Napoli, topping Serie A. A routine giant v minnow clash? No way. Not today. This was Gianluca Vialli's day. The Samp legend, taken too young a few days before the game, was honoured by those who loved him. The Sampdoria wall of noise will live on forever. Final score: Sampdoria 0, Napoli 2. Result: irrelevant. Ultimate emotion: Vialli. Football. Humanity. Life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's not unusual for John and Alex to watch a game of football. It's not unusual for them to watch a game in a bar. It happens every day. (Well, almost.) It's not unusual for John and Alex to talk to Young Trafford. And it's not unusual for everyone to fall in love. (What? Ed.) Yes, it happens all the time. But it's very unusual for Tom Jones to join Footy on the Med. Listen out for the greatest Welshman of all, and best singer of all time, when he turned up at La Vittoria in Menton for England 3, Wales 0. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

John and Alex met at the ML Lounge for England 0 v United States 0. This fantastic bar is proving significant in Footy on the Med lore. It was where Alex first tempted John with the idea of roaming around Mediterranean football clubs for a podcast, it was where the pair were interviewed by Paul and Lewis from My Football Heroes, and it was where Alex once wrote three sentences of A Season on the Med (before opting to enjoy the wine instead). Last but not least, it was the scene of Mr Woo revelations (by Alex) and the intriguing tale of 'the name's Lloyd, Derek Lloyd' (more from John anon). This meeting was no less memorable, but more for the après match drinks courtesy of the lads from Foot Five. Cue colossal hangovers (santé, Eric, Olivier and Marco), the discovery of Pele Maguire and a brave but doomed attempt to reintroduce structural harmony to the quirkiest football podcast of them all. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

And so the World Cup begins, neither with a bang nor a whimper but - on Footy on the Med, anyway - with a leprechaun. Yes, before John and Alex can settle down to enjoy England v Iran in Bar Rino in the heart of Menton they are met by an unaccountable blast of Irishness. And why not? The host nation might not be the most inclusive but Footy on the Med is. Listen out for Alex's next book, A Season in the Shed, and John's promise to give a five-star Amazon review for his current one, A Season on the Med. There are quirky facts galore and roars of approval, especially from Young Trafford, as England romp home 6-2 winners. Many thanks to Emanuela and Marco, who let the lads record in Bar Rino, and no thanks to the jellyfish, who stung Alex during his half-time swim. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message