Category: Football

Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Guided Tour of George Best’s Childhood Home in Burren Way, The Cregagh, Belfast

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Maradona good. Pele better. George Best” – A Northern Ireland flag’s message at George Best’s funeral. Local heroes are real. George Best is a superhero to me. To many of my friends. To many Northern Irish people. To many AFC Bournemouth fans. Even Manchester United fans like him. Hold on – even Leeds United fans Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Guided Tour of George Best’s Childhood Home in Burren Way, The Cregagh, Belfast[…]

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 – William McCrum’s Legacy

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Pelanty, ref!”- football players and supporters. I grew up in Northern Ireland and am a football geek. My Dad played football, I played football, my friends played football and my brothers played football. That quadruple also watch football week in, week out. A few years back I cracked the 501 not out for attendance at Read more about Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – William McCrum’s Legacy[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: Why Did I Ever Ever Travel?

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Where do you go? Buttoned in your favourite coat, stepping out to a different world. And you might be home late.”- Ocean Colour Scene. Aged 17 I flicked through the CDs in His Master’s Voice record shop in Belfast city, the Northern Irish passion-drenched capital. Imagine the thrill of it all. Life was amazing. I Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: Why Did I Ever Ever Travel?[…]

501 Not Out: Football Nomad On Tour. My Story Attending Over 500 Matches Around the World.

Posted on by Jonny Blair

I did an unintentional “Brian Lara”. 501 NOT OUT OK it’s a milestone but when you get to the facts, it’s nothing special. Here’s why – I have to be honest here and admit that even this figure of 501 NOT OUT (whether astounding or not) could and should have been much more sensational and Read more about 501 Not Out: Football Nomad On Tour. My Story Attending Over 500 Matches Around the World.[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: I Don’t Know Where I’m Going #gawa

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“I look to the future, it makes me cry. But it seems too real, to tell you why. Escape from our history. Free from the memory” – Nicky Wire. I didn’t know what to write today so my heart is just pouring out some emotion here while I jot this down, live from the Hostel Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: I Don’t Know Where I’m Going #gawa[…]

#gawa #daretodream Living Out A Childhood Dream Supporting Northern Ireland: My Plans for June 2016

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Michael O’Neill’s Green and White army” – Northern Ireland football fans. Now that June 2016 has arrived, it feels crazy that this month, I am finally living out a childhood dream. Since my early days growing up in Bangor, Northern Ireland I only had one dream in life. To watch the Northern Ireland international football Read more about #gawa #daretodream Living Out A Childhood Dream Supporting Northern Ireland: My Plans for June 2016[…]

The Day I...Lobbed the Goalkeeper From 30 Yards in Afghanistan

The Day I…Lobbed⚽The Goalkeeper🧤From 30 Yards In Afghanistan🇦🇫

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Out comes the goalkeeper [Rinat Dasaev no less]. Nat too sure this time. And it’s a goal! Terry Moore taking the credit for that” – Northern Irish commentator (1988) commenting on the night Glentoran were 1-0 up and just a goal away from taking the mighty Spartak Moscow to extra time in Belfast City. My Read more about The Day I…Lobbed⚽The Goalkeeper🧤From 30 Yards In Afghanistan🇦🇫[…]

Watching Northern Ireland☘️🔴✋Bate The Faroe Islands🇫🇴 3-1 in Torshavn and Go Top of the Group

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Teenage dreams so hard to bate” – The Undertones It wasn’t Fearghal Sharkey, Norman Whiteside or Colin Clarke that got me into supporting Northern Ireland. It was my Dad. My Dad, Joe Blair is a veteran of over 200 Northern Ireland matches down the years. He dare not count them, but in the past 50 Read more about Watching Northern Ireland☘️🔴✋Bate The Faroe Islands🇫🇴 3-1 in Torshavn and Go Top of the Group[…]