Jealous of this guy's Omam-Biyick shirt - what a jersey that is - 1990!

Living My 1990 Football⚽Dream In Cameroon🇨🇲: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto’o In Douala!!

“They can come true yeah. They can come true” – Gabrielle (Dreams).
Forward Francois Omam-Biyick from Cameroon scores on a header as Argentinian defenders Nestor Lorenzo (L) and Juan Simon look on 08 June 1990 in Milan during the World Cup opening match between Cameroon and Argentina. Despite two expulsions, Cameroon upset the defending World champions 1-0. Copyright AFP PHOTO

Before you read this, look at the above photo and watch Omam Biyick’s legendary header below. I watched it live after school in June 1990 in Marlo in Bangor, Northern Ireland. I wanted Cameroon to win. I loved it. I love it. I still love it.

“Omam-Biyick oh and he scored” – 1990 World Cup commentator!

Life took a completely inspirational and ridiculous turn and twist for me when I finally finally got a Cameroon Visa and landed in Douala. Twenty four years later…wow! I was going to have my 44th Birthday in Cameroon, an incredible dream became a reality, and was even better than I could ever have fathomed!

Welcome to Cameroon!!
I’m actually finally really eventually in Cameroon!

My Backstory: 2024 to 1990 – Cameroon 🇨🇲 At Italia 90

Ever since Omam-Biyick’s header in 1990 for Cameroon against Argentina, I have followed Cameroon’s football results. I have a soft spot for them, despite my clear bias of Northern Ireland. Back in 1990, as I watched live on TV in my living room in Marlo, Bangor, Northern Ireland, Cameroon played Argentina in the opening match. It was to be unforgettable! One brother, Omam-Biyick scored the winner against Maradona’s Argentina, the other brother, Kana-Biyick hacked down Caniggia and got a red card. Cameroon finished the match with 9 men, with Beni Massing also getting a red for an absolutely nuts challenge also on Caniggia. Cameroon won the match 1-0, later winning the group after beating Romania 2-1 and progressing to the quarter finals after beating Colombia 2-1 in the last 16. Roger Milla and Omam-Biyick were my heroes!

Roger Milla and Cameroon in 1990
Roger Milla and Cameroon in 1990

In the quarter finals, Cameroon were 2-1 up against England with multiple chances to make it 3-1, before England fluked their way through with two Gary Lineker McCrums. I still think Cameroon were the best team in that World Cup and it’s the best ever African performance at any World Cup, yes even better than Morocco’s slide into the 2022 semi finals and Ghana’s near McCrum miss v. Uruguay in 2010.

That Legendary Cameroon 1990 World Cup squad – copyright Panini

So ever since 1990, I have wanted to go to Cameroon and in February 2024, I finally booked a flight on Air Maroc from Casablanca, Morocco into Yaounde, Cameroon. Actually it worked out cheaper to book an extra flight all the way to Douala! I landed in Douala…and got a taxi to my lovely resort here – the Foyer Du Marin Hotel! My first beer in Cameroon was even a Harp! Not the exact same as the Northern Irish beer but uncannily similar logo and label  colour!

How To Get A Cameroon Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Online
My Cameroon Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
Welcome to Cameroon!!
A Harp on arrival in Cameroon!

Backpacking in Douala, Cameroon

Thanks to my guide, Mebah Markdonald, I was able to backpack the key sights of Douala, as well as do a pub crawl and chill out by the swimming pool in my amazing resort at the Foyer Du Marin. At midnight, as my birthday hit, the owner Klaus served me up a special rare shot and I had a mini-party in the hotel with a few other backpackers!

Backpacking In Cameroon 🇨🇲: Top 10 Sights In Douala
Backpacking In Cameroon 🇨🇲: Top 10 Sights In Douala
Backpacking In Cameroon: My Cool Stay At Foyer du Marin, Douala
Backpacking In Cameroon: My Cool Stay At Foyer du Marin, Douala
Birthday drinks just after midnight on 30th March 2024 in Douala, Cameroon
A birthday drink with Klaus, my host in Douala

That was all cool of course, but my main reason for backpacking Cameroon was actually to watch some football…you know what’s coming.

Living My 1990 Football Dream In Cameroon: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto’o In Douala!!

The Venue – Stade Mbappé Léppé

My guide was Mebah Markdonald (full details of Mebah and his company at the bottom of this post) and I was joined by his friend for the day – Clement. The match we decide to watch is played at the famous Stade Mbappé Léppé. For those who don’t know – Samuel Mbappe Leppe was the 1960s Roger Milla, and Roger Milla was the 1980s Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroon flag flies proudly at the Stade Mbappé Léppé. I’m a bit surprised that this stadium is right opposite the main Cathedral, which was in my top backpacking sights of Douala.

The Venue - Stade Mbappé Léppé, Douala, Cameroon
The Venue – Stade Mbappé Léppé, Douala, Cameroon

Samuel Mbappé Léppé played for Oryx Douala in the 1950s and 1960s, winning five Cameroon championship titles (1961, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967), thrice the Cameroon Cup (1963, 1968 and 1970) and he was the first captain to lift the African Cup of Champions Clubs, doing so in the 1964–65 season! Roger Milla describes him as being the greatest ever African footballer, though me – I vote for Roger! Over the course of his career, Samuel earned several transfer deals European clubs offered him a chance to play professional football in Europe but he refused to join them. He stayed loyal to Cameroon. I got a photo by his statue outside the ground.

The Venue – Stade Mbappé Léppé, Douala, Cameroon
The Venue – Stade Mbappé Léppé, Douala, Cameroon

Stade Samuel Mbappé Léppé is formally known as Stade Akwa and is a multi-use stadium in Douala, Cameroon. It is currently used mostly for football matches obviously. It serves as a home ground of Kadji Sports Academy. The stadium holds just over 4,000 people. Once admiring it from the outside, it was time to get a ticket and go in. Samuel Mbappé Léppé wasn’t to be the only Samuel on this inspirational day.

Living My 1990 Football Dream In Cameroon🇨🇲: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto'o In Douala!!
Living My 1990 Football Dream In Cameroon🇨🇲: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto’o In Douala!!

Getting My Match Ticket

We walk up to the gate and it’s pay cash onthe gate for the match ticket. It’s just Clement and I going. We are attending the top flight play-off match between Stade Renard (from this city – Douala) playing against Canon Yaounde (from Yaounde – the capital city). My ticket number is 6939. There’s a lively crowd developing here in the Cameroonian heat. The ticket was 1,000 CAF – Central African Francs which works out around £1.30 in Northern Irish pounds or $2.00 US Dollars.

Living My 1990 Football Dream In Cameroon🇨🇲: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto'o In Douala!!
Living My 1990 Football Dream In Cameroon🇨🇲: Watching The Top Division Play-Offs And Meeting Samuel Eto’o In Douala!!
Getting the match ticket

They rip the ticket in half as you  go in which is a shame but I still get to keep the half ticket part.

Clement and I with our match tickets
Match ticket for the play-off – Stade Renard v. Canon Yaounde

The Bar at Stade Mbappé Léppé

Once inside, I was pretty surprised, beer and other alcohol is available all the time. No strictness like in England or Northern Ireland. You can buy a beer and just drink it watching the match, so we do!

The Bar at Stade Mbappé Léppé – choosing the beers

For the first half, Clement and I have a beer each – they don’t have the Cameroonian Harp here so instead we both have a can of the 33 Export – which is not an export – it’s a pure Cameroonian beer, and it’s good! For the second half, I spy this “Whisky Cola” at 7% alcohol in a can and it’s only about a dollar more than the beer so I get two and this is a great second half tipple!

The Bar at Stade Mbappé Léppé – choosing the beers
The Bar at Stade Mbappé Léppé – choosing A Whiskey Cola
The Bar at Stade Mbappé Léppé – watching the match with a Whiskey Cola

The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde

Of course the main point is the match itself, but that almost took second stage for me today as I’m so in awe of the stadium, the atmosphere, the locals, the bar and the fact that I’m the only foreigner, the only Caucasian, the only white person here!

Jealous of this guy's Omam-Biyick shirt - what a jersey that is - 1990!
Jealous of this guy’s Omam-Biyick shirt – what a jersey that is – 1990!

The people in Cameroon are just so open, friendly and welcoming, especially if you love football! They’re all talking away to me! We sit next to a cool guy whose name is Honest – what a great name!

Honest, Jonny, Clement at Stade Renard 1-1 Canon Yaounde
With Honest at Cameroon away

I chat to so many people and am posing for photos on my phone, on their phone whilst also watching the match! After 31 minutes, the home team take the lead to go 1-0 up in the play-off. Stade Renard are ahead.

The Match - Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match - Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
My Northern Ireland flag at The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match - Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde
The Match – Stade Renard v Canon Yaounde

Meeting Samuel Eto’o By Fluke!!!

Half-way through the first half, we gaze to the right where a group of fans are walking in front of us. It’s Samuel Eto’o!! I cannot believe it!! Clement confirms this and thinks it is nuts – the fact that I came to this very match and by chance there is Samuel Eto’o!! This is nuts. He’s right there with his mates. Below in the white t-shirt, black baseball cap and blue jeans. Like the most regular guy ever!

Meeting Samuel Eto’o By Fluke!!!

Who is Samuel Eto’o?

To put things in context – Samuel Eto’o (born 10 March 1981, so less than a year after me) is a Cameroonian football administrator and former player who is the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (as of 2025). He won the African Player of the Year a record four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010. A precocious talent, Eto’o moved to Real Madrid as a 16 year old.

Meeting Samuel Eto’o By Fluke!!!

Eto’o was put out on loan by Real Madrid and ended up signing full-time for Real Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, a club record. His impressive form saw him join Barcelona in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the record holder for the most appearances by an African player in La Liga. Just watch this for proof…

Winning La Liga three times, Samuel Eto’o was a key member of the Barcelona attack where he played alongside Ronaldinho. He was in the same team as Andres Iniesta for years. Barcelona won the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto’o scoring in the final, and he was part of an incredible front three of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry that again won the 2009 Champions League Final, with Eto’o again scoring in the final! He managed to score in two Champions League finals and won the tournament thrice, doing so in 2010 again this time with Inter Milan.

While at Barcelona, Eto’o also came in third for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2005 and was twice named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, in 2005 and 2006. He also played in 3 World Cups, won 2 African Nations Cups and played in a further 6 tournaments, finishing as top scorer in 2006 and 2008.

In 1998, he was the youngest participant in the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he appeared in a 3–0 group stage loss to Italy on 17 June 1998, at the age of 17 years and three months, not too far away from beating Norman Whiteside’s record – Norman from Belfast in Northern Ireland, is also one of my heroes. Samuel Eto’o won a GOLD for Cameroon at the 2000 Olympics and played in 4 World Cups. These records make him probably the most decorated African footballer EVER.

My childhood hero: Stormin Norman Whiteside was 17 at the 1982 World Cup

Samuel Eto’o’s Wild Career

Real Mallorca

  • Copa del Rey: 2002–03

FC Barcelona

  • La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
  • Copa del Rey: 2008–09
  • Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
  • UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09

Inter Milan

  • Serie A: 2009–10
  • Coppa Italia: 2009–10, 2010–11
  • Supercoppa Italiana: 2010
  • UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2010

Cameroon

  • Olympic Gold Medal: 2000
  • African Cup of Nations: 2000, 2002
  • World Cup Group Stage: 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014
  • 2000 Cameroon U23 6 (1)
    1997–2014 Cameroon 118 (56)

Individual

  • Young African Player of the Year: 2000
  • African Player of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010
  • ESM Team of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
  • FIFA World Player of the Year Bronze Award: 2005
  • FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2005, 2006
  • UEFA Team of the Year: 2005, 2006
  • CAF Team of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Pichichi Trophy: 2005–06
  • UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2005–06
  • African Cup of Nations top goalscorer: 2006, 2008
  • UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2006
  • FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2010
  • Coppa Italia top goalscorer: 2010–11
  • Russian Premier League MVP Award: 2012–13
  • Golden Foot: 2015
  • Globe Soccer Player Career Award: 2016
  • IFFHS All-time Africa Men’s Dream Team: 2021
  • Inter Milan Hall of Fame: 2021

Records

  • African Cup of Nations all-time top goalscorer
  • RCD Mallorca all-time top goalscorer
  • Cameroon all-time top goalscorer

So that is Samuel Eto’o…

And there he is, just sitting calmly behind me at one point – watching the match! And this was a wild fluke, a crazy coincidence. Of all the times I could have visited Cameroon, of all the matches I could have attended and yet I chose this time and this one. Neither Mebah Markdonald nor any of his tour company nor anyone in my hotel nor Clement my tour guide for the day had ever even seen Samuel Eto’o never mind shake his hand, talk to him, get a photo with him and get his autograph! It was my destiny to meet Samuel Eto’o. Samuel Eto’o is without doubt the coolest, calmest celebrity I have ever met!! Here he is just behind me!!

Meeting Samuel Eto’o By Fluke!!! He’s watching the match behind me!!!
Meeting Samuel Eto’o By Fluke!!! He is in the seat next to Clement in the background!

I went up to Samuel Eto’o, totally confidently, not shy at all and showed him my Northern Ireland shirt and badge. I just said “Samuel I’m a big fan. Great to see you here at a match!”. He says “Hi! You good?” back and then I hand him my match ticket and a pen and ask for his autograph on the back. “No problem. Enjoy the game”. He signs it and hands the ticket back, proper gentleman here. “Thanks Samuel”, I mutter, not even shocked I used his first name – I mean I’d seen him on TV enough times! It was a mind-blowing incredible moment. This was Samuel Eto’o! He’s globally more famous than Roger Milla and Francois Omam-Biyick of course, but those were my original Cameroonian heroes yet here I was with the man who eclipsed both their careers!

Samuel Eto’o’s Autograph on the back of my match ticket!!Incredible

After that, the euphoria of how calm and cool Samuel Eto’o was, everything else seemed irrelevant. We had another Whisky Cola and watched the rest of the second half. The away side slid in an equaliser to make it 1-1 and that was that.

Final Score – Stade Renard 1-1 Canon Yaounde

Canon grab a second half equaliser on 62 minutes and we continue drinking in the sun. Music plays, fans sing, Eto’o enjoys the match and I’m in awe and in love with Cameroon just like I was in 1990. They can come true. Yeah they can come true. Dreams can come true. We are completely and utterly blessed in life. Something must be written in the stars.

Final Score – Stade Renard 1-1 Canon Yaounde
Final Score – Stade Renard 1-1 Canon Yaounde

I also noted that the teams played each other again in December 2024 and it was also a 1-1 draw. Plus, they will  also play each other again on my 45th Birthday, 30th March 2025!

Stade Renard 1-1 Canon Yaounde in December 2024 and they play each other again on 30th March 2025!

Organising Watching Football In Cameroon

To get your Cameroon visa, you need to have a host or a letter of invitation. I contacted local businessman and tour manager Mebah Markdonald. Mebah is excellent. He is everything he says he is. A top man. He sent me privately all the details I would need for using him and his company as my host and letter of invitation. These are Mebah’s details if you want to contact him.

Discover Cameroon Tours:

Mebah Markdonald

Page · Travel company
+237 6 74 10 53 27
Here are some videos from my incredible day out watching football in Cameroon:

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match ⚽🏆🥅

“This Is Where It All Begins” – The Back Four.
“Can’t stop this thing we started” – Bryan Adams.
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match

Football Question: Where was the world’s FIRST EVER competitive international football match played? ⚽🏆🥅

The correct answer is of course: BELFAST, Northern Ireland(then known as Ireland, but still the Irish Football Association/IFA).💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match

What’s the craic with it being in Northern Ireland?

(Many thought it was Scotland, England or Wales).

You’d be wrong if you thought the world’s first competitive international football match was held in Scotland, England or Wales! It was actually held in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the 26th January 1884. On that day, the Ulster Cricket Ground in Ballynafeigh, Belfast hosted Scotland at home in what was the world’s FIRST ever competitive match! The competition held in Ballynafeigh was the British Home Championships in its inaugural year, 1883 – 1884. All international football matches before that were friendlies and not part of any competition!
The British Championship Trophy which Northern Ireland won in 1984 and have been champions ever since
Davey and I with the British Championship Trophy which Northern Ireland won in 1984 and have been champions ever since

The Previous International Matches Were NOT Competitive

Before the WORLD’s FIRST competitive international football match took place in Belfast, only four teams had ever played international football, and they were all classed as friendlies or challenge matches! They were not competitive matches, nor were they in listed competitions, some of them were not even recognised by FIFA!

Non-Competitive International Football 1870 – 1884

Before the world’s first ever competitive international football match in Belfast in 1884, there were four international football teams playing friendly matches. The first international football fixture in recorded history between two different countries (not club sides) was in 1870, when England hosted Scotland at the Oval in London, England. That match ended 1-1.

The first ever international match was in 1870

The first international fixture recognised by FIFA in recorded history between two different countries (not club sides) was in 1872, when Scotland hosted England at Hamilton Cresent in Partick, Scotland. That match ended 0-0. 

The 1972 England v Scotland friendly

From 1870 to 1884, many other matches were played internationally between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (Northern Ireland, IFA – the Belfast one). None of those were in a competition until finally…the idea came and Belfast had the honour of hosting the world’s first ever international football match! This is where it all began!

The British Home Championships (1884 – 1984)

The British Home Championships is also sometimes known as The British Championships or The Home Nations Championships (historically also known as the British International Championship or simply the International Championship). It is the world’s FIRST and OLDEST competitive international football tournament. Before that tournament, all international football matches between two countries were friendlies, not for any competition! England played Scotland in the world’s first international football match back in 1870 but it was a friendly. For the next 14 years, only four countries played friendly international football matches – England, Ireland (now Northern Ireland), Scotland and Wales. Then in 1884, finally a competition happened and Belfast was the chosen host!
The Northern Ireland (IFA/Ireland) team which won the British Championships in 1914

The British Home Championships ran from 1884 to 1984, so exactly 100 years. It was postponed or cancelled a few times due to war. In 1984, in its final year it was fitting that Northern Ireland won the trophy, becoming holders for only the 9th time, despite finishing fourth in the overall rankings! 

Northern Ireland British Champions 1984 (final year)

Northern Ireland’s wins were – 1902 – 1903, 1913 – 1914, 1955 – 56, 1957 – 58, 1958 – 59, 1979 – 1980, 1980 – 1981 (holders), 1983 – 1984. As winners in 1984, in the tournament’s 100th year, Northern Ireland got to keep the trophy outright! Therefore every year since 1984, Northern Ireland have been British Champions. This puts Northern Ireland second on 49 wins, after England on 54.

Total wins (1884 – 2024*)

Team Wins
total
Wins
outright
Shared
wins
 England 54 34 20
/ Northern Ireland 49 44 5
 Scotland 41 24 17
/Wales 12 7 5

* when the competition ended in 1984, / Northern Ireland were on 9 wins, 4 outright and 5 shared. If the competition is not revived by 2030, Northern Ireland will overtake England on 55 total wins.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

It is fitting then, that Northern Ireland won the last ever British Championships in 1984, exactly 100 years since they hosted the first ever competitive match! Northern Ireland also invented the penalty kick – William McCrum from Milford hence the nickname “McCrums”

The sign at the entrance to Milford - home of the penalty kick.
The sign at the entrance to Milford – home of the penalty kick.
Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland and William McCrums Legacy
Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland and William McCrums Legacy

Northern Ireland are still…

– the smallest country to draw with the holders at a World Cup. Drew 2-2 with holders West Germany in 1958.
– the smallest country to reach more than one World Cup tournament. (1958, 1982, 1986)
– the smallest country to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup tournament. (1958, 1982)
– the smallest country to reach the quarter finals of a World Cup tournament. (1958)
– the smallest country to reach the last 12 of a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to reach the second group stage of a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to win our group at a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to score six goals at a World Cup tournament. (1958)
– the smallest country to score five goals at a World Cup tournament. (1982)

– the last UK country to score against Spain at a World Cup & we did that in 2 consecutive World Cups (1982,1986).
– the only UK country to score against Algeria at a World Cup. (1986).

My book Champian Stewartnova is available here –

How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova – Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova - Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova – Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

The First Ever Competitive International Football Match in Belfast

So now that we know the first ever competitive international football match was in Belfast, what happened in it? Is it on YouTube? Any photos? Was there a match programme? Sadly, because it happened in 1884, we have hardly any reliable data on it, other than the venue, the teams, the score, the scorers and the rough attendance. The final score was 5-0 to Scotland! Although it is rumoured that Northern Ireland had 6 goals ruled out for offside.
26th January 1884 (time unkown)
IFA v SFA
Ireland (now Northern Ireland of course) 0-5 Scotland
Goalscorers – Harrower 12, 86. Gossland 39, 70. Goudie 60.
Venue – Ulster Cricket Ground, Ballynafeigh Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland (now known as Ulidia Playing Fields).
Attendance – 2,000.
Referee – Thomas Hindle (England).
The first ever British Championships!
Also of note – Wrexham in Wales hosted the second ever competitive international football match, then Belfast again for the third competitive international football match. Scotland then hosted the fourth competitive international football match. England didn’t host any in the inaugural tournament, which seems bizarre, and Scotland ran out winners! In fact, of the first SIX competitive international football matches, none of were hosted in England! Manchester finally hosted England’s first competitive international football match in 1885. England were fourth to join the party while Ulster was basking in the glory…
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

** Venue of The World’s FIRST EVER Competitive International Football Match**

The Ulster Cricket Ground in Ballynafeigh Park was the location for the world’s first ever competitive international football match. It is currently STILL a sports venue in Ballynafeigh, Belfast. It opened in 1879, and it was the home ground of both Ulster Cricket Club and Ulster F.C. During the 1880s. It also hosted several Irish Cup finals and of course Ireland international games in football and cricket. It has also hosted rugby union internationals. The ground is now Ulidia Playing Fields, owned by Belfast City Council and used by Rosario Youth Club F.C. and Ballynafeigh Breda Star F.C. And so…with my Dad I went along in July 2024 to savour this truly epic piece of World football history!

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

My previous Football Pilgrimages

Down the years, I have visited 229 recognised countries and had a football experience in all of them. I have attended over 700 football matches worldwide and backpacked to over 200 football stadiums. I have attended 6 major tournaments, watching Northern Ireland at two of those. I have attended the World Cup final (2014) and the national cup final in Poland and Northern Ireland. I have been to around 150 AFC Bournemouth matches, over 130 Northern Ireland matches, over 130 Glentoran matches and over 130 Legia Warszawa matches. Here are some of my previous wacaday football stories…

Flying the Northern Ireland flag inside Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.

As well as backpacking football all over the world, I also go groundhopping and footballwhacking while currently based in Poland.

At the Deyna Arena - I became a Klub Pilkarski Starogard fan in Poland
At the Deyna Arena – I became a Klub Pilkarski Starogard fan in Poland

My Journey to the HOME of competitive international football

🥅💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️
Today I embarked on an adventure to a truly incredible place of WORLD football history. I visited the place where the world’s FIRST ever competitive international football match was played. Ireland (the Belfast Irish FA’s original “Ireland” – now called Northern Ireland) played Scotland here in January 1884. This is a small grassy area off Saint Jude’s Parade at Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland and was known as Ulster Cricket Ground. 2,000 spectators watched the first ever competitive international football match here, where Scotland won 5-0 away. Here now the current football club, Rosario YFC play. I went with my Dad, Joe Blair, who played here on many ocassions down the years! Whilst reminiscing and dandering through these epic gates, Dad shared his stories of playing on this pitch, his old primary school nearby (Park Parade), the way the corner flag location has moved, how the fence was outgrown by trees and some graceful anecdotes from life in Belfast City in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

The British Championships, Home Nations Championships started here on 26th January 1884! The next three countries to host a competitive international football match in order were Wales (second), Scotland (third) and England (fourth). There’s quite an irony in that order given that for international matches England hosted the first one (5 March 1870 at the Oval, London) and Scotland hosted the first FIFA recognised one (30 November 1872 at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow). Dad and I were suitably inspired as we dandered around this magnificent and special place.

Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

After entering the front gate, we see that these days this is the home of local club Rosario YFC. There are two full size pitches here and as a result, it actually becomes unclear exactly which location the first ever competitive international football match was played at. So naturally we tour both.

The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields

The first pitch, is 4G or 3G and is in fine condition. As well as hosting the local club, this pitch is also used for kids football, ladies football and indeed a global community tournament once a year. There is plenty of room for spectators.

The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!

The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields

After checking out the first pitch, we head to the second pitch at the back of the venue. This is a grass playing surface and is flat. The flatness of both pitches make Dad and I realise why this venue was chosen and why it is still a great place for football. As we near the rear part, something twigs in me that it was probably this back pitch that was used. Again, Dad and I stare and dander in awe as we grace the grass. It’s a damp, wet morning which seems fitting. Once upon a time, Scotland came here in 1884 for the world’s first ever competitive international football match. This is nothing short of epic.

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
Me in between the First Pitch (front) and Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
Pointing to The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!

After being inspired, overwhelmed and overaud, and airballing a few George Best goals, we make the final pilgrimage back towards the clubhouse, the changing rooms and the entrance gate…

The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast

As we are here on a weekday and in close season, the clubhouse is closed as are the changing rooms. This took nothing away from the magic as it was just Dad and I. Just two of us here. We are the only two tourists, even though Dad is a Belfast Boy who grew up nearby on Glentoran Street (now Shamrock Place).

The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields

How To Get To Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast

The best way is by car, if you have one of course. I was here with my Dad and so we drove to Saint Jude’s Parade, from the Ravenhill Road side. You can park on Saint Jude’s Parade. It is easy to find on Google Maps…and Street View (it’s on the right below).

Saint Jude’s Parade, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Saint Jude’s Parade, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The exact location can be seen on Google Maps at the greenery below. The entrance is on the Ormeau Road.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

As for public transport, ANY bus that goes down the whole Ormeau Road or Ravenhill Road will stop just past Saint Jude’s Parade. The latest Ulsterbus Translink timetable is here. There are no train stations that close, but if you fancy a dander, get out at Belfast Central / Lanyon Place train station and it’s a 30 to 35 minute walk.

How to get to Rosario From Lanyon Train Station

Even the bus stop had a football reference, with a McDonald’s hat-trick written on it, on my visit in July 2024.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

It’s NOT Always Open!! RAY of Light!

Please be aware that this place is not always open! The gates can be locked. Dad and I got lucky, maybe God shone on us, we don’t know. But that morning, there was a worker from Balloo called Ray and he was inside the grounds working on a job. This meant he had to ask for the gates to be opened. The weirdest thing is Ray was from Southampton in England, rival team of my beloved AFC Bournemouth! We had a great chat as we all loved football and we were here during Euro 2024.

Ray of Light! Ray and I at the place where competitive football all began!

In The Nearby Area

Nearby, there are some shops, cafes and restaurants. Right opposite, there is a bar (The Pavilion Bar) and an Orange Lodge. Plus Forestside Shopping centre is up the road, as is the Ormeau Park…Also bizarrely it is beside the old BT Telephone Exchange where my Dad also used to work!!

The Pavilion Bar
The Ormeau Road
The Orange Lodge
The Telephone Exchange

After Northern Ireland, who were the next countries to first host a competitive international football match?

While little Northern Ireland are the world pioneers for hosting competitive international football, other countries soon copied, including Wales who did it a month later! After competitive international football ⚽🏆🥅all started HERE in Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️ in 1884, FIFA now has over 210 members doing it!! The FIRST 15 countries to HOST a competitive international football match in order are…
1.Ireland (Irish FA, now of course Northern Ireland). 1884. BC.
2.Wales. 1884. BC.
3.Scotland. 1884. BC.
4.England. 1885. BC.
5.Greece. 1896 (or 1906). OG.

6.Belgium. 1904. ECT.
7.Argentina. 1905. CL.
8.Uruguay. 1906. CL.
9.Sweden. 1912. OG.
10.Philippines. 1913. FECG.
11.China. 1915. FECG.
12.Japan. 1917. FECG.
13.Brazil. 1919. CA.
14.Guatemala. 1921. ICG.
15.Yugoslavia (Yugoslavian FA, now Serbia). KAC.
Key –
BC = British Championships/Home Internationals.
ECT = Évence Coppée Trophy.
CL = Copa Lipton.
OG = Olympic Games.
FECG = Far Eastern Championship Games.
CA = Copa America.
ICG = Independence Centenary Games of Central America.
KAC = King Alexander’s Cup.

This is where competitive international football ALL began!

Touring Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast in Northern Ireland is also a superb place for backpacking in. There is the excellent Titanic Centre, as well as The Oval Tour, Narnia Away and The World’s Most Bombed Hotel. In Belfast, you can get lots of souvenirs including fridge magnets, postcards and customised cards. Get 20% off any Card. use code: NEWCUST20 at Funky Pigeon. Check out all my articles on backpacking Northern Ireland or touring Northern Ireland.

Touring Belfast City – the Odyssey Centre
Ready to explore the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland
best capital cities
Belfast City Hall, Northern Ireland.

I truly recommend visiting Ballynafeigh in Belfast, Northern Ireland – the world home of competitive international football!

Here are some relevant links to Visiting The Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match at Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland:

https://belfastmictours.com/ballynafeigh/

http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamStadia/Ireland/NIrUlster.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Cricket_Ground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Cricket_Club

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-leisure-activities/sports-pitches-and-facilities/ulidia-playing-fields

https://www.thenafl.co.uk/grounds/id/48#

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=166419830079954&paipv=0&eav=AfYYkl-Ij0dQsxwnv60mdfESGFcZVRwpycZqlifzYP1jsQLUYD2fap1CXzONjaifSYk&_rdr

Here are some of my videos from Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields – The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match:

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

My Visit To The Home🏠Of Football⚽: Sheffield FC🔴⚫, England (Formed 1857)

“It’s coming home. It’s coming. Football’s coming home” – The Lightning Seeds.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

Sheffield FC are widely regarded as the oldest club in world football that have been continuously playing. They were formed in 1857 and as much as I hate FIFA, they are the governing body of world football and they recognise Sheffield FC as the world’s first football club. That’s staggering that they have been around since 1857. The people’s game, the game we love is almost 170 years old, clubwise. At least here in a leafy, tranquil Sheffield suburb known as Dronfield.

Dronfield Train Station – closest one to the Home of Football Stadium
Dronfield, Sheffield, Yorkshire come Derbyshire, England

This is more than a trip down memory lane for the football enthusiast, this is where it all began. I reminisced on some of my previous wacaday football trips in my life, here’s a memory jog blog –

Somehow, this one, and this time I was about to eclipse all of those. Surely not? Surely yes. This is the HOME of football.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

Also, this was my second trip to Sheffield and my third football stadium in Sheffield, completing a remarkable and unplanned 20 season journey. I first visited Sheffield in March 2004, when, on Saint Patrick’s Night the plucky Cherries smashed a textbook away win against Sheffield Wednesday, at Hillsborough. That was in the Third Division and AFC Bournemouth won 2-0, with goals from Carl Fletcher and Steve Fletcher.

Then, in a staggering lifestyle, I’d start this travel blog (in 2007) and backpack the world before returning back to Sheffield on a really sentimental trip, twenty seasons on and two hundred and twenty countries backpacked later…wild times.

Wednesday Night Fever...Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 AFC Bournemouth (17.03.2004)
Wednesday Night Fever…Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 AFC Bournemouth (17.03.2004)
Saturday Afternoon At Bramall Lane – Sheffield United 1-3 AFC Bournemouth (25.11.2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It really really really could happen” – Damon Albarn.

On my return, we also won away in Sheffield by two clear goals, this time a 3-1 win! I even had the same flag and posed for the same photo in the away end behind the nets. Ironically in both matches, the first two Cherries goals were both scored in the first half at the opposite end from where we were (the away fans)!

The Sheffield Brace Twenty Seasons Apart
The Sheffield Brace Twenty Seasons Apart

And after securing that wacaday brace, it was time for the treat – we were heading to the home of football.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857) – Getting There

I was with my best friend Rafał on this trip and we decided to go by train as it is the quickest way. Basically the train leaves from Sheffield Central Station and the next stop is Dronfield. From Dronfield train station to The Home of Football is about a 15 minute walk. There’s also a bus if need be. Sorted.

Sheffield train station
Sheffield train station – next train to Dronfield

We were on the 12:06 from Sheffield to Nottingham which would stop first at Dronfield. We would be there by twenty past 12 and then a 15 to 20 minute walk to the Home Of Football Stadium. Then…at 12:28 the train was still not here and the sign went up for INDUSTRIAL ACTION and train strikes.

Sheffield train station – next train to Dronfield – oops INDUSTRIAL ACTION – cancelled

This was a bummer as we planned a return on the train too. Still, a train arrived just after half past twelve and was apparently a replacement train to Dronfield. We got on.

Our train from Sheffield to Dronfield wasn’t to be…

Then it was also cancelled, so we got off. There was a bus option but it had too many stops on the way and we couldn’t miss this trip on our last day in England on this adventure, so we bit the Uber bullet and within 5 minutes, our driver Mohammed (from Pakistan where I had just backpacked!) arrived and drove us straight there for £12.

Uber Bullet Bite due to train issue.

Thanks to Mohammed and we are here – at the Home of Football Stadium!

The Car Park at Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

Actually there are two car parks at Sheffield FC, we arrived at the one by the pub, the Coach And Horses. It was a drizzly wet Monday and nobody else was about. We hadn’t even emailed or called the club Sheffield FC to check if it would be open. We got lucky anyway.

The Coach And Horses Pub, Sheffield

The pub was on the right and glancing down at us there it is – the Home of Football Stadium. 1857. This is Sheffield FC. It’s one of those wow moments in life.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

We walk round past the car park into the staff car park and find the entrance. It’s open.

“Can we go inside for a look please?” I shyly ask.

“Of course you can!” the response!

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

Now I have been very busy travelling, writing, blogging, teaching and editing recently so this is not as long a blog post as mine normally are. It’s more about photos and trying to inspire you to visit and see it all for yourself. We pop into the stands through the players entrance.

The Stands at Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

Here are some photos from the stands and stadium, we went on the pitch, it gets quite wet this one and the club are planning to move soon, so now is a good time to go!

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

The Club Shop at Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

The groundsman kindly opened up the club shop which is as small and typical as you’d expect. I picked up two cards as mementos here but wasn’t quite ready to buy a full kit, but you can buy them! Even the retro one and the goalkeeper top.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

The Office/Boardroom at Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

We chatted to Stuart and Dylan who were working the day we visited. The boardroom is fascinating, and reveals some interesting secrets, I’ll leave you to discover them for yourself. The club played Inter Milan before, as well as Polish club Hutnik Krakow and Northern Irish club Cliftonville. It wasn’t clear whether these were all full level matches, friendlies or where they were held but get ready for a treat with all the signed shirts and pennants in the club office.

My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)
My Visit To The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857)

The Changing Rooms At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

Our last port of call was to check out the changing rooms and player’s entrance which had some facts and plaques around too. All highly curious and well maintained. A proper football club and I’m delighted to have been there and I wish success to all at Sheffield FC. Thanks for a great tour!

The Changing Rooms At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)
The Changing Rooms At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)
The Changing Rooms At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)
The Changing Rooms At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

Pint, Pie and Chips at Sheffield FC? (Home of Football, 1857)

Unfortunately we weren’t here on matchday and even The Coach and Horses Pub wasn’t open on our visit, but you can get a pint in the club bar in the stadium, there’s a Pie Club and The Coach and Horses, the bar next door is open on every matchday for good ales and banter. One for another day…this is a highly recommended trip!!

Pie Shop At Sheffield FC (Home of Football, 1857)

Here are the details about The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857):

https://sheffieldfc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldfc

https://twitter.com/sheffieldfc 

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFirstClub

https://www.instagram.com/_sheffieldfc/

[email protected]

Tuffnells Home Of Football Stadium
Sheffield Road
Dronfield
S18 2GD
ENGLAND

Here are some videos of my trip to The Home Of Football: Sheffield FC, England (Formed 1857):

Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee

Backpacking In Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿: Visiting Side By Side Football⚽Stadiums🏟️in Dundee

For years I have known that the two closest top division football stadiums in the UK are those of Dundee FC and Dundee United FC, both on the same street in the city of Dundee, Scotland. However, until 2022 I had never even been to Dundee. So if I finally made it to Dundee, my main focus was to simply go to both stadiums and see just how close they really are. Let’s look at the maps and Google Earth images first.

Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee
Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee

It shows online that the stadiums are 0.1 miles apart and are on either side of the same street, Tannadice Street. The clubs are rival clubs in the same city but of course, here the rivalry hasn’t risen to the level that Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic have. As of 2023, Dundee United have won the local derby 81 times, Dundee FC have won it 49 times, and there have been 44 draws between the street rivals. Both teams are part of the Scottish Premiership which is being covered by the best sportsbooks such as 1xbet. On Google Street view, when you put the orange icon on the road, you can see both stadiums in one shot.

Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee
Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee

What’s even more cool is that there is a third stadium in the photo – on the bottom right. This is remarkably the The GA Arena, which is home to Dundee United Women’s team, so here in essence it could be the three closest stadiums in the UK however that would be cheating as two of them are actually…the same club. Dundee United FC running two of them, so I’m sticking with the fact that these are the two closest UK stadiums to have hosted a top division match in their country. These other contenders just miss the cut…and just for good measure, I visited them all too – watching a match in 5 out of the below 6!

1.Bangor Amateurs FC and Bangor FC, Northern Ireland

These clubs are separated by a FENCE and are the closest two separate clubs and stadiums in the UK but they have never played each other in top division of Northern Ireland. You can read about it here – UK’s closest two football stadiums.

Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK's Two Closest Separate Football Clubs - Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC
Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football Clubs – Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC

2.Nottingham Forest FC and Notts County FC, England

These two clubs can probably lay claim to the closest two football stadiums in the top division of England to have played each other, and they did that as recently as 1992, ending in a 1-1 draw at The City Ground.

At Nottingham Forest FC

3.Everton FC and Liverpool FC

These iconic stadiums are separated by a park. Stanley Park and admittedly, having watched AFC Bournemouth play live away at both, they are not really that close. But they are the two clubs with the most proximity in comparison to trophies won in the UK football world. A decent claim to fame but move over, and we’re back to Dundee…

Goodison Park, Liverpool home of Everton FC
Anfield Road, Liverpool

For years the Dundee geek fact has been known but it wasn’t until September 2022 that I finally made it here and when I did, it was a very odd and random trip. I was in Newcastle with some friends watching AFC Bournemouth play and the plan was to also visit Hadrian’s Wall, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness and Dundee. The only reason for Dundee was to see these two stadiums and the day we were here was the day of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II! We visited both stadiums, then an asshole wanker due in prison gave my rented car a fake parking ticket and we watched the Queen’s Funeral. The stadiums were easy to drive to. I parked at Dundee United FC first…in fact I had an orange car that day…

My ORANGE / TANGERINE car at Dundee United FC - Tannadice Park, Scotland
My ORANGE / TANGERINE car at Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland

Dundee United FC

Before I visited Dundee United FC in 2022, I already had two links to the clubs. Firstly, my Northern Irish top flight team of choice, Glentoran FC played Dundee United in the European Cup Winners Cup in 1988. Secondly, I recounted a random night out on the rip in Tasmania while staying at the Brunswick Hotel, the day I fainted on getting a medical for my New Zealand Working Holiday Visa way back in 2010. I had been drinking with Richard Codd that night, a staunch Dundee United FC fan who I’d later meet up with in Brisbane as we both backpacked Australia at the same time!

Dundee United fan Richard Codd and I on the rip in Hobart, Tasmania in 2010
Dundee United fan Richard Codd and I on the rip in Hobart, Tasmania in 2010

Dundee United FC – Established 1909
Stadium – Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland
Colours – Tangerine and Black
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dundeeunitedfc
Twitter – https://twitter.com/dundeeunitedfc
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dundeeunitedfc/
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee_United_F.C.
Website – https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/
Current League – Scottish Premier League
Glory Days Loyal – UEFA Cup Runners Up 1987, European Cup semi finals 1984 (cheated out of the final due to match fixing), 100% record v. Barcelona (4 wins out of 4), Scottish League 1984, Scottish Cup 1993, 2010.
Famous Former Players – Maurice Malpas, Duncan Ferguson, Warren Feeney, Michael O’Neill, Richard Gough, Eamonn Bannon, Kevin Gallagher.

Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland
Dundee United FC – Tannadice Park, Scotland

Dundee FC – Dens Park

I had no links down the years to the other club – Dundee FC but I had remembered that Argentina legend Claudio Caniggia once played for them, here at Dens Park. It is important to note that Dundee FC are the oldest club here by some distance – dating back to 1893!

Dundee FC – Established 1893
Stadium – Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland
Colours – Dark Blue and White
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dundeefcofficial/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/dundeefc/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dundeefcofficial/
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee_F.C.
Website – https://dundeefc.co.uk/
Current League – Scottish Premier League
Glory Days Loyal – European Cup semi finals 1963, Scottish Cup 1910, Scottish League 1962.
Famous Former Players – Alan Gilzean, Niall McGinn, Claudia Caniggia.

Dundee FC - Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park looking back at Dundee United FC – Tannadic Park.
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland
Dundee FC – Dens Park, Scotland

Unfortunately as I was there the day of the Queen’s Funeral, neither of the clubs were open and there were no matches on. The dream was just to see them, bad timing I guess but that’s life. I still got to see both stadiums.

Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee
Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee
Backpacking In Scotland: Visiting Side By Side Football Stadiums in Dundee

Here are a hat-trick of videos I made at Dundee United FC and Dundee FC:

Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK's Two Closest Separate Football Clubs - Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC

Backpacking In Northern Ireland🟥🤚☘️: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football⚽Stadiums🏟️

“The day we went to Bangor” – Fiddler’s Dram.

Some people might glorify the fact that Notts County FC and Nottingham Forest FC in England are separated by a river – the Trent. Other people might glorify the fact that Dundee FC and Dundee United FC are separated by a road – Tannadice Street. And yes – those stadiums are very close and those clubs are professional football clubs all with great history and fame. Nottingham Forest won the European Cup in two different decades – 1979 and 1980. Dundee United played in two major European finals – in 1987. However, even though I have been to all four of those stadiums, they are NOT the closest two football stadiums in the UK for separate clubs and that’s because Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC share a wall – they are separated merely by a wall or a fence. This makes them the closest (or at worst joint-closest) two separate football stadiums in the UK, possibly in Europe, possibly in the world…

Bangor Amateurs FC and Bangor FC

Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK's Two Closest Separate Football Clubs - Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC
Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football Clubs – Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC
Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football Clubs – Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC

To set some important context here – my father used to play for Bangor Amateurs FC – I watched him play live many times growing up! I grew up in the city of Bangor in Northern Ireland, so this magical little fact of two clubs side by side is from my homecity and obviously I have been to both stadiums, and multiple times. However, the clubs rarely play each other and have not been in the same division before.

Bangor Amateurs FC

Bangor Amateurs FC – established 1969
Stadium – Ballyvarnet, Clandeboye Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland
Colours – Red and White
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BangorAmsFC/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BangorAmateurs
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangor_Amateurs_F.C.
Current League – Northern Amateur Football League, Northern Irish Football League Pyramid, 1B (5th tier)
Glory Days Loyal – Won the Clarence Cup in 2003
Famous Former Players – Joe Blair

Bangor Amateurs are the smaller club of the two, their stadium is also smaller and their greatest achievement so far in the Amatuer Clarence Cup of 2003.

Bangor Amateurs FC at their home stadium, Ballyvarnet in 2022
Bangor Amateurs Early 1970s (my Dad Joe Blair is third from the left in the back row)
Bangor Amateurs FC Early 1970s (my Dad Joe Blair is third from the left in the back row)
Looking into Bangor Amateurs FC from the fence at Bangor FC
Bangor Amateurs FC admission fees

Bangor FC

Bangor FC – established 1918
Stadium – Clandeboye Park, Clandeboye Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland (but they used to play at the Ballyholme Showgrounds)
Colours – Blue and Yellow
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bangorfootballclub/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/bangorfc
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangor_F.C.
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bangorfc/
Website – https://www.bangorfc.com/
Current League – NIFL Premier Intermediate League, Northern Irish Football League Pyramid (3rd tier)
Glory Days Loyal – Won the Irish Cup and League Cup in 1993 and were three points off a domestic treble that season
Famous Former Players – George Best, Gerry Armstrong, Paul Byrne

George Best guesting for Bangor FC in 1982
Me supporting Glentoran away at Bangor FC
Me supporting Glentoran away at Bangor FC
Me supporting Glentoran away at Bangor FC

Visiting The UK’s Closest Two Football Stadiums

To visit, get yourself to the city of Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland. The nearest airport is George Best Belfast City Airport. The nearest train station is Bangor Central, but there is also a Bangor West and a Carnalea, both in the city. I recommend sleeping in the Cairn Bay Lodge now that The Royal Hotel and The Marine Court Hotel are closed. You can pub crawl the city too – some great bars there as well as a load of top backpacking sights from war memorials to murals to churches to Bangor Abbey. I’ll be writing more about my homecity in times to come, and don’t forget my first printed solo book was entitled “Don’t Look Back In Bangor“, a homage to the city I grew up in…

Backpacking in Bangor, Northern Ireland
Backpacking in Bangor, Northern Ireland
Backpacking in Bangor, Northern Ireland
First Bangor Church
First Bangor Church
Bangor FC’s Clandeboye Park
Wall Murals in Bangor, Northern Ireland
Back in Bangor, my homecity.
The Fantastic Cairn Bay Lodge in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Reunion Venue: Donegans Bar, High Street, Bangor, Northern Ireland

 

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Have you ever heard of Footgolf? Now you have. It’s a mixture of football and golf. 😂⚽️⛳And I played it in Whitley Bay with famous Rafał Kowalczyk aka Big Bird. We were backpacking and overlanding here and we came across this by accident! On the same trip, we backpacked in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland in England! This included watching AFC Bournemouth draw 1-1 away at Newcastle United. It also included a visit to The Angel of The North and Hadrian’s Wall, at Birdoswald.

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

What Is Footgolf?

Exactly as its name suggests! It’s a mixture of football and golf! But instead of using golf clubs, a golf ball, a football pitch and football nets, roles are reversed. Footgolf entails kicking off with a proper size 5 football and trying to get it in the hole, which obviously is bigger than a normal golf hole!

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Where To Play Footgolf?

Many places have it but the first time I ever saw it was in the seaside resort of Whitley Bay, England. But let me tell you this is as spontaneous as life gets. I was backpacking northern England and Scotland in September. This trip encompassed Hadrian’s Wall, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Dundee and Loch Ness. I was here with two Polish friends, Rafał and Kamil.

Overlanding England and Scotland

We had not planned to play Footgolf. In fact, the only reason we went to Whitley Bay was to see the crushing waters of the English North East coast in a famous seaside town on route to a potential reunion with my former flatmate, Clare Tweedy. Due to logistics and bad organisation on my part, the reunion didn’t occur but as a bonus ball, we got to play footgolf!

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

 

We parked by the coast in Whitley Bay and we saw the lighthouse, beach and golf course. I thought it was a normal golf course but as we walked across it, we noticed the holes were bigger. We also noticed a group of 4 people with footballs in front of us. They were footballs but this group were not playing football, I asked them wildly, ” Are you guys playing Footgolf?” The answer was yes.

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Prices of Footgolf in 2022

It was a 9 hole course but realistically you could go round twice as they won’t check. We just did the 9 holes. It’s £4.50 each and card payment only. The kiosk also sells some drinks and snacks and you can also play pitch and putt or putting golf.

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

We did the 9 holes and in the end Rafal beat me by ONE shot. I was the only one to get a birdie though and it was an even game in gusty north east winds. It was really good fun, I recommend it!

Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay
Backpacking In England: Playing Footgolf⚽️⛳ In Whitley Bay

Details of the Legendary Footgolf at Whitley Bay:

Address: The Links, Whitley Bay NE26 1TQ, England.
Hours: Opens 10a.m. till dark.
Phone: +44 191 643 7470
Appointments: clubspark.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitleyBayMiniGolfandFootGolf/

Here are a brace of videos of the Footgolf in Whitley Bay, England:

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009

My book ChampIAN STEWARTnova Was Stolen

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

November 2022 was the scheduled release of a 42 year in making book, my epic ChampIAN STEWARTnova. Following the Northern Ireland football team 1980-2009.

In true irony, the only parts of that book that remain in full are the only TWO parts NOT done by me.
1.The cover art and design. I have them on email thank God, from Daniel Sidebottom, my designer. As well as uploaded to this blog.
2.The Foreword written by World Cup footballer (Mexico 86) Ian Stewart. Ian emailed it to me, so I have it.

The rest is lost forever despite me backing it up in three places.
1.My laptop desktop. Standard. Stolen
2.My backup hard drive. Also standard but I backed it up in June 2022 last, which was before a lot of the very final edits and chapter adding. RETRIEVED!!
3.A special USB I had only for my books and poetry. Stolen.

Imagine on one day, I take ALL THREE of those out of my flat with me. And on that day a criminal asshole that should be sentenced to life imprisonment cowardly and callously steals my laptop on a bus with a snatch and grab attack. It all happened so fast and I only realised the horror of that nasty theft when I returned to my flat.

It was then I realised that for once, I hadn’t emailed that book to myself or anyone. I had only those three backups of it. I hadn’t saved or written it anywhere else. That book, with 42 years of effort was gone.

It was a BRILLIANT BOOK. It had stories from watching Northern Ireland football matches from 1980-2009. Once it was finished, I started working on the follow up book, untitled but to be about “20 years following Northern Ireland without actually living there, 2003-2023”. That book was 50% finished as well. It’s gone too.

They’re gone and I don’t have the energy to do 42 more years of work. The only real way I would consider this book being released is if the thief goes to prison or i find a person willing to write/type it all up again if I read it to them. Even then, it will be a different book. I cannot replicate those stories.

For peace of mind, here is the cover art and the final chapter listing, I have a draft version but it will take me a LONG TIME to recover from this and get it ready to release.

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

ChampIAN STEWARTnova by Jonny Blair
ChampIAN STEWARTnova by Jonny Blair

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?

Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009 is currently in its final edits. This took a lot longer than I anticipated – the writing was basically completed by October 2010, but one thing after another led to delays. Many chapters had to be skipped, cut, replaced, ommited, repositioned, edited etc. This list below is the current chapter listing, which I admit is also subject to change depending on the publishing details and stipulations before the printing begins.

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

There will be a further update around the time of the book’s release, which I expect to be BEFORE Qatar 2022 starts.

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?

Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

Original Chapter Listing is below – it doesn’t apply anymore.

Chapters

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 7 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 8 – You Weren’t Going to the USA
Chapter 9 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 10 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 11 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 12 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 13 – The Princes of Wales
Chapter 14 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 15 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 16 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 17 – Flag Stays Down, Healy!
Chapter 18 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 19 – Waggim
Chapter 20 –
Chapter 21 – YAMD
Chapter 22 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 23 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 24 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 25 –
Chapter 26 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 27 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 28 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 29 – San Marino Away
Chapter 30 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 31 – The End of An Eire
Chapter 32 – End of the Road
Chapter 33 – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Chapter 34 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 35 – Where were you for Chile 89?

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009