Paul’s Soccer Stories
2020-21 FA Cup Third Round Sunday: Scenes and Stories
Since we love the FA Cup Third Round here at Groundhopper Guides, we decided to gather up some scenes and stories from this weekend, when Championship and Premier League clubs entered the tournament. We wrote a separate post covering Friday's and Saturday's stories, so we'll start this post with Day 3 of the 2020-21 FA…
2021 FA Cup Third Round Sunday: Scenes and Stories
Since we love the FA Cup Third Round here at Groundhopper Guides, we decided to gather up some scenes and stories from this weekend, when Championship and Premier League clubs entered the tournament. We wrote a separate post covering Friday's and Saturday's stories, so we'll start this post with Day 3 of the 2020-21 FA…
FA Cup Third Round Saturday: Scenes and Stories
As I watched the FA Cup Third Round ties on Saturday, I came across some interesting things that show why I think this weekend is one of the best in the English football calendar. Whether it's the minnows still swimming in the tournament, or the potential for famous giant-killings, the FA Cup Third Round, which…
2020-21 FA Cup Third Round Saturday: Scenes and Stories
As I watched the FA Cup Third Round ties on Saturday, I came across some interesting things that show why I think this weekend is one of the best in the English football calendar. (Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning Groundhopper Guides may receive some compensation if you make a purchase…
I Took an Englishman to a Tennessee Vols Football Game
Before I started helping (mostly) Americans see soccer games in England, I was a sportswriter and a travel writer. One of my stories from that time is when I took an Englishman to a Tennessee Vols football game. I am now a veteran of well over 100 English soccer games at more than 60 football…
Chichester City at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup: What It’s All About
I go all over England, seeing the games, meeting the people, checking out the towns, looking for ... something. Sure, I'm adding clubs to my list, researching places for my book, trying out my hospitality packages -- running the business -- and hoping to catch a good game along the way. But there's something bigger, and…
Going to a Game at Luton Town FC
There’s a funny thing that happens when one says the word “Luton” to English people. Almost as a reflexive response, and virtually without fail, they wince, and one of the words they then say is “shithole.” And that’s just about the town; ask them about the football ground, and they look like they might be sick.…
My English Soccer Pin Badge Collection
Here is my pin badge collection, as of February 2020, from the English soccer clubs I have visited since 2014--in the order I went to them. As of February 2020, I have seen 126 games at 69 different grounds around England and Wales, including 63 of the 92 league grounds and all of the clubs…
English Soccer Connections: When I Met a Sober Millwall Fan
Among the great traditions of my English soccer trips is meeting friends of friends on arrival in London. My first night in London, mostly to stay awake, but also to meet some locals and maintain my sanity a bit, I went to a 12-Step meeting in Tottenham. There, I had the usual conversation -- what…
Vanishing Tradition: Talking Footy at UK Customs
I'm starting to really miss going through customs in the UK. The new kiosks are screwing everything up -- and making life simpler and smoother. Whatever. Other than the excitement of arriving in my tied-for-favorite country, the U.K. Border Force was also my first chance to talk footy with English blokes. (Sometimes it's a lady,…
