Footy On The Med

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

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

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

Footy on the Med journeys to North America and, for one night, morphs into Footy on the Pacific as Alex checks out Los Angeles Football Club in a home clash against The Portland Timbers. The entertainment value of this game was incredible thanks to the passion of the LAFC fans, the 3252, the awesome BMO stadium, and the local knowledge of Alex's co-hosts for the night, Jeremy and Mike. Stand by for an exuberant evening and an extraordinary demonstration of just how small the world is. Los Angles Football Club 3 v Portland Timbers 2 was recorded in Los Angeles at the BMO Stadium on Saturday 27 April 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Footy on the Med had a great day out in Monaco recently, with Alex happening upon FMC Elite and the woman behind its emergence as one of the best training academies in Europe. Step forward, Helen Dunne, articulate, passionate and dedicated to bringing on young football talent. Helen spoke to Alex about the academy she set up with husband Richard – yes, he of Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Alex's beloved QPR (not to mention Ireland, for whom Monsieur Dunne bagged a tidy 80 caps). Who knew of the Dunne's passion for the south of France? Not Footy on the Med. We do now – enjoy and if you have a talented youngster, look no further than a course with FMC Elite. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Alex, once again marooned in England, found himself in dire need of a Mediterranean football fix. But where, and how? Thanks to Dave ‘The Gull', the answer was obvious: Bath City v Torquay United. Yes, a clash of The Romans v the club from the English Riviera, Torquay United. The palm trees fluttered, the sun shone, the ball left the ground and the Yellow Army kept up a racket despite the result going against them. To top it all SuperAl accurately predicted the weather. They don't make ‘em like this anymore. Bath City 1 Torquay United 0 was recorded at Twerton Park, Bath on Saturday 13 April 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

John and Alex sit on their favourite bench to give the definitive Footy On The Med Five-Minute Guide to AS Monaco. Turns out the bench has magical properties, and turns this into more of a 10-minute guide than a FOTM Five. The duo also revisit one of the first FOTM games, the thrilling Monaco Vs Marseille match from September 2021 and you are invited to listen again. For a bit of a Brucie Bonus, the Genoa Vs Fiorentina from the following week sneaks in too! Recorded at Port de Menton Garavan April 10 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Stan Bowles, arguably the greatest player ever to wear the blue and white hoops of Queens Park Rangers, died just over a month ago on 24 February 2024. It's no secret that QPR, and Bowles, have a special place in the FOTM universe – hence not just Alex's A Season on the Med but one of our special, not-really-on-the-Med editions in the form of QPR v West Brom. Alex was there for a match that as poignant as it was action-packed, but this week's episode sees him in more reflective mode. Listen for musings on the Meaning of Stan, and whether 58 is ‘old', as John puts the questions amid the tranquil 80 (or is it 400?) boats in the Port du Garavan, Menton. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Revisit the sparkling Serie D clash between Sanremese and Asti from March 2022.  Condensed down into just ten minutes, it becomes obvious that the game was all about the ref's bravery in sticking to his rather bizarre decisions. Recorded at the Stadio Communale, Sanremo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

What's Hannibal got to do with it? Who is Uzbekistan Bowles? And how did the Red Brigade end up being marooned? John and Alex took themselves to the Annibale Riva Stadium in the coastal Ligurian town of Albenga, and got more than they bargained for when they watched a Serie D clash between Albenga and Sanremese. There were rowdy ultras, flares, a dog, some choice language, a fidelity to jazz and the revelation, thanks to the tale of Alex's failure to sell sports rights in Central Asia, that John speaks Russian. Albenga 0 Sanremese 0 was recorded at the Annibale Riva Stadium on 17 March 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Join us as we jump back in time to revisit the Mastermind Quiz John sprung on Alex during half-time of the Nice v PSG match. The game was a dull affair, but Alex was as sharp as ever. Enjoy! Recorded at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday on Saturday 5 March 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

The great Stan Bowles passed away on 24 February 2024, making QPR v West Brom a must for Alex. This was the first home game for the Rs since the death of the club's talismanic, legendary number 10, and Loftus Road was duly packed to the rafters. QPR went into the game on the back of a run of good form but, relegation-threatened as they are, in need of a win, while victory would help the Baggies in their promotion challenge. It was all to play for in W12 as Alex and guests (including pod guest Ricardo, Film London Josh, C-Block Simon and Jack from The Upshot) watched a belter. QPR 2 West Brom 2 – a special edition of FOTM in tribute to Stan the Man – was recorded at Loftus Road on 7 March 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

John was a snake in the Grasse this week as he slithered along in the rain to watch RC Grasse take on Toulouse FC2, or TFC2 as John rebranded them. Would TFC2 Manager J.C. Debu see his Debu'tants upset the league topping RC Grasse? Would the RC Grasse fans "tomber dans les pommes"? Well, no and yes. This match, which ends in a 0-0 draw, surprised the locals who must have been certain that a win was on the cards. RC Grasse Vs Toulouse II was recorded at Stades de la Paoute on February 24th 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Sampdoria v Brecisa – no (couldn't get tickets). FC Frejus Etoile v FC Aubagne – no (huge traffic jam on the autoroute, had to abandon the drive). Genoa Women v Hellas Verona Women – no (ran out of time to drive to Arenzano from Menton). FC Antibes v Cagnes Le-Cros – yes! Alex was undefeated by what seemed like the impossibility of seeing any football. He made it to Antibes, nearly froze to death and, to his amazement, ran into something of the Hoops. FC Antibes 3, Cagnes Le-Cros 1 was recorded at the Stade Fort Carré on 18 February 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

HAC Attack! Yes, and there's no escaping a big fat true fact: John was tout seul for this trip to the Stade Louis II. Well, alone save for the Monaco faithful, his friend Hamid and some Haribo-devouring kids. Without Alex, the Big Fella's French came on leaps and bounds. C'est le futur? No one knows, not even FOTM. Monaco V Le Havre was recorded at Stade Louis II on Sunday 4th February 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's The Grecians v The Gas! An obvious game for Footy on the Med. Why? Because The Grecians (that's Exeter City to non-locals) play in Exeter, which is on the River Exe, which flows down into The English Channel – and from there it's a hop, skip and a watery jump to the Med. The Gas (aka, Bristol Rovers, aka, The Pirates) can claim a similar maritime proximity to the Med. So Alex took himself to the other St James Park to see Exeter City 0 Bristol Rovers 1 on Saturday 3 February 2024. With him was a special guest: Rob Cox, boxer and father of Sonny (named after Liston), playing up front for The Grecians. Enjoy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's a trip to Marseille for FOTM and a fixture to make the mouth water: OM v Monaco. It didn't disappoint. From the tumultuous noise of the Stade de Velodrome to eccentric, and dramatic, refereeing decisions, not to mention a smasher of a Marseille goal and some slick Monaco attacking, this game was action-packed from start to finish. So much so that John, Alex and Young Trafford forgot both their SCORE and FOULS acronyms. No matter because, apart from thoroughly enjoying their outing to Marseille, they came up with the title of Alex's next book: A Season on the Bed in the Shed. Marseille 2 Monaco 2 was recorded at the Stade de Velodrome on Saturday 27 January 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's a Happy New Year from him, and a Happy New year to him, as John and Alex catch up after Footy on the Med's festive hiatus. Alex is again marooned in a frozen land (England), but John is still roaming the Mediterranean or, at least, Menton. John updates Alex on key French football happenings. Alex tells John about Joey Barton's crusade to rid the world of female football pundits. And then a strange thing happens. It is a poem. About Mr Barton. And it's here, on FOTM 54. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

There are a lot of firsts in this episode of Footy on the Med. Let's focus on the main one: it's a trip to the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco, to talk to the Monaco Institute of Directors about all things… FOTM. Stand by for unusual football footwear, the most benign ultras ever, a debate on whether the present is in fact the past or future (and therefore doesn't exist), outstanding play by Liz, Vanessa and Eric, the charming, handsome Frenchman – and Alex being mistaken for an OAP. Serves him right for designating John le pitre de l'équipe. FOTM at the Fairmont was recorded at the Fairmont Hotel, Monaco, on Tuesday 12 March 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

At last! Footy on the Med made it to Italy. Not to John and Alex's home from home, the wonderful Stadio Luigi Ferraris, but to one of their other favourite grounds, the Stadio Communale in Sanremo. It may have taken half the 2023-24 season to get an Italian sortie under their belts but this was great little outing, thanks especially to a fine pre-match lunch at the nearby Tiki Taka restaurant and a combative, sometimes niggly, game of football. There was no Malaguti but Young Trafford was in situ too; John and Alex had to spare his young eyes from some of the challenges. Sanremese 0 Chieri 0 was recorded at the Stadio Communale on Sunday 10 December 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

FOTM Rewind. 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. But it's very unusual for Tom Jones to join Footy on the Med. Enjoy again the bizarre time when the greatest Welshman of all, and best singer of all time, turned up at La Vittoria in Menton for England 3, Wales 0 in late November, 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

With Stan By Me in town, the omens had to be good. Could John and Alex get to the cursed Allianz Riviera stadium and actually see OGC Nice play, without a hitch? The fearless duo went forth, the wise Stan at their side and, for good measure, the youthful vigour of Young Trafford also present. And lo! They made it! They got to Nice v Toulouse before the game, had what passed for a hot dog and finally witnessed the beautiful Mefi the Eagle. With second-placed Ligue 1 outfit Nice having only scored 13 goals all season, the odds of a goal-fest were long. But no matter. This was a decent game, with some killer facts to savour and great performances by Dante and Thuram. Nice 1 Toulouse 0 was recorded at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday 26 November 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Flashback to April 2023 to when John and Alex conspired to surprise Hammer Donna in Pisa Tuscany with tickets to that afternoon's Pisa Vs Bari match. Donna was caught completely off-guard by John's theatrics, ably aided and abetted by Donna's long-time partner-in-crime and fellow Hammers fan, Clarent & Sue. Pisa, Sunday 23 April 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's a special edition of Footy of the Med as QPR diehard Alex takes himself – and fellow sufferers – to Loftus Road for QPR's clash with Bristol City. Both teams have new managers but the home side's form is by far the worse. Can new Hoops boss Marti Cifuentes work a Loftus Road miracle, in the form of the club's first home win for what feels like a decade? Spoiler alert: no. But sometime pod contributor Ricardo speaks Catalan, forges a friendship with Cifuentes and takes John's Footwear Colour Observation slot to a new high, while Lifelong Fan Sam and Socials Esme add their thoughts on the Shepherd's Bush experience. Perhaps, though, it's best summed up by London Gent Ian. QPR 0, Bristol City 0 was recorded at whatever QPR's ground is now called on Saturday 11 November 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Rewind two-years-and-one-day ago. Alex drives to Nice airport to pick up John. He waits. And he waits. John's plane is late, and then suffers from a lack of stairs. There's nothing for it: once again, Alex must push on without his pod partner. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's Footy on the Med with a difference for this episode – and not just because John O'Hare was sunning himself in Italy and unable to be present. Sans The Entertainer, Alex ‘Alex Wade' Wade and Young Trafford decided to broaden their knowledge of Mediterranean football by witnessing Nice Femmes v Lens Femmes. This was a D2 clash in French Women's Professional Football, played not at the Allianz Riviera stadium (good job, it's cursed) but nearby among OGC Nice's conglomeration of pitches and buildings. A vociferous crowd of some 400 watched the home side lose to Lens, in a match full of slick passing, great technique and, in the final 15 minutes, a bit of aggression too. It was a fine Sunday afternoon out in warm October sun, with five goals to savour. Nice Femmes 2, Lens 3 was recorded at the Stade De La Plaine on Sunday 22 October 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

The late, great Billy Aitken was a fine footballer who could count Juventus and AS Cannes as among the teams he managed. And it was during à Cannes match that the thoughts of Billy prompted John and Alex to muse on human mortality. How long is too long? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

What has the Rugby World Cup got to do with Footy on the Med? Quite a lot, as it happens. From founder of rugby William Webb Ellis's resting place being Menton, France – the Mediterranean home of FOTM – to some of the crucial games in the current contest being placed in Marseilles' magnificent Stade de Velodrome, connections between the oval ball and the musings of Alex, The Entertainer and Young Trafford are legion. Well, not quite but England v Fiji in Menton's new Irish pub was too much for John and Young Trafford to resist. A voice from afar chipped in too, like a Wilkinson/Farrell drop goal with seconds to spare… --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

You turn up to watch a football match, and who sits next to you but none other than former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson? This was Alex's fate at the Allianz Riviera, home of Nice and (apparently, though as yet unseen by FOTM) Mefi the eagle. Our fearless part-journalist, part-lawyer dealt with the interloper well, but where was John? Have a listen to find out. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Five Go to Cagnes-sur-Mer… Well, they had to, given prohibitive pricing (Monaco v Marseille) and an unforeseen sell-out (Nice v Stade Brestois 29) for contender fixtures. But the five – Alex, John, Young Trafford and special guests Newcastle Dale and Stan By Me – were treated to a decent game when home side Cagnes-Le Cros took on Fos sur Mer in the 4th round of the Coupe de France. Given Dale and Stan's transatlantic base, an American theme wove its way into the game, with a discussion about the MLS and the appearance not just of the enigmatic Alameda Joe but also Shaggy from Scooby-Do. A slick goal by Fos sur Mer sealed the game, but not before John had found a way to impersonate an eagle. Cagnes-Le Cros v Fos sur Mer was recorded at the fragrant Pierre Sauvaigo Stadium on Sunday, 1 October 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

In a new and occasional series called FOTM Funnies, Footy on the Med's newly appointed quality control expert, Newcastle Dale ‘Brown on the Town' Ale, selects the funniest moments from the past two seasons of surreal endeavour. First up, it's the time Alex admitted to failing to get a job as a carrot picker, only, at a Cannes game, to run into the very man who'd turned him down all those years ago. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Season 3 of Footy on the Med is barely underway, and already a sense of atavistic, primeval competitiveness threatens to tear asunder the gentle bonhomie shared by John, Alex and Young Trafford. For lo, the tireless trio decided to text their knowledge of all things FOTM via a quiz at – where else? – the ML Lounge in Garavan, Menton. Did it all begin with beers? Of course. Did it all end in beers? Not for John, whose early departure was not connected to the result of the quiz. But did Alex incorporate his usual essential QPR reference? And why, come the end, was Young Trafford so happy? Listen out for the answers to this and more, with thanks to Mehdi and the crew at the ML. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's a FOTM newbie! And a FOTM extra! Roll up for On The Med, Sun! (Featuring: Marseille) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's a trip to Grenoble, but why? Grenoble is not known for being on the Med. Even someone who had a very tall ladder, and a telescope, would not be able to see the Med from the top of the tallest building in the Alpine city. But in Grenoble Foot 38, they have a football club in Ligue 2 – and that means they play two teams from the Med, Ajaccio and Bastia. The fates conspired, and Alex and Young Trafford were in situ for a cracking game between GF38 and Les Bleus. Cracking, save for the lack of any goals. Both sides played wonderful, fast, flowing and attacking football, but contrived to miss when it would have been easier to score. How they could have done with a decent carotte (as Alex has lately become known). Grenoble Foot 38 0, Bastia 0 was recorded at the Stade des Alpes on Saturday 2 September. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

What's logic got to do with it? In their quest for certainty John and Alex now know one thing: all roads begin and end at the Stade Louis II. The allure of Monaco's biggest stadium once again proved irresistible, and the same can be said of AS Monaco in their second Ligue 1 fixture of the 2023-2024 campaign. The home side romped to an easy 3-0 win against Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, thanks especially to Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino. The 28-year-old, who made 30 appearances for Liverpool, was on fire, scoring two, with captain Wissam Ben Yedder netting Monaco's third. Monaco top Ligue 1, and on this form should qualify for Europe. Perhaps the English translation on Strasbourg's website is a bit harsh, though: It was a difficult evening for the Strasbourg team, who logically lost 3-0 to Monaco on Sunday. Logic? In football? Monaco 3, Strasbourg 0 was recorded at the Stade Louis II on Sunday 20 August, 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Footy on the Med begins and ends at Monaco and the Stade Louis II. Yes, this is where John and Alex recorded their first podcast, this is where season 2 began, and this is where season 2 wended to an end. Not without some drama, as Monaco's ultras didn't take kindly to their team's defeat to Toulouse. The reverse meant Monaco failed to qualify for any kind of European competition, speaking fury from their devotees and a sterling performance from Foot Five's Yousseff, on duty at the home end as a steward and not standing for any nonsense. Chair covers were ripped off and thrown, a man invaded the pitch and got himself arrested and the ultras made more than a racket. How to cover all this? FOTM-style, of course. Monaco 1 Toulouse 2 was recorded on Saturday 3 June at the Stade Louis II. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

If there's one thing about John and Alex it's that they refuse to let the grass grow under their feet. This isn't because they think the grass is greener. It's because of their commitment to grass roots football, especially in Grasse, home of perfume and Racing Club Pays de Grasse. What a game last Saturday, when Lyon-La Duchère came to town. Both sides showed why they're pushing for promotion from the Championnat National 2. They were strong, super-fit and crisp, with the two goalscorers for Grasse - Dame Guèye and Aymen Souda - standing out. Listen out for musings on Descartes, a man who couldn't see well, a snake in the grass and a new plan for Footy on the Med T-shirts. Grasse 2, Lyon-La Duchère 1 was recorded at the Stade de la Paoute on Saturday, 13 May 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Pisa, city of the bending tower. The Arena Garibaldi, home of Pisa Sporting Club. Serie B, cauldron of startling stadia. And a pair of special guests that John and Alex will never forget. All this made for riotous trip to Tuscany to see Pisa take on promotion hopefuls Bari in what proved to be a thrilling match, complete with camouflaged yet deafening ultras, a brilliant idea by the Rifleman, musings on the meaning of inclination and one of Iain Dowie's best moments. Pisa 1 Bari 2 was recorded at the Arena Garibaldi on Sunday 23 April 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

Footy on the Med talks to Marc Bircham on the eve of Genoa's trip to Como 1907. Bircham, a legend at QPR and former Canadian international, helped steer the team he coaches to a 2-2 draw against the leviathans from the Med - despite their going 2-0 down to Serie B's strong contenders for promotion. FOTM is branching out into chats with former or current football players and managers, so if there's anyone you'd like us to interview please email team@footyonthemed.com. Meanwhile, listen out for Marc and Alex waxing lyrical over QPR, agreeing they don't like Chelsea and Alex asking for a top tip for his former Penzance team, the Dynamo Choughs. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

It's Footy on the Med's shortest, leanest, slickest, quickest podcast - a tribute to minimalism and a hymn to humility. Yes, it's England (and Ireland) v France, John and Alex style. With the help of Young Trafford and Gary 'Irish' Not-Neville, the brave lads prevailed in an historic encounter in Garavan, Menton. Could it be that events conspired to mean Footy on the Med couldn't get to a real game? Yes. Will John and Alex resume normal service soon? Yes. But - and just to be clear - did they win against France? Yes. Oh yes. Bien sur, et oui, mes copains. Recorded at the little pitch next to the big pitch in Garavan, Menton on 29 March 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/footy-on-the-med/message

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://anchor.fm/footy-on-the-med/message