Fans of football are truly spoiled with choice. The sheer volume of fantastic information available is mind-boggling. Every day, we may feast on an unlimited supply of wonderful blogs, films, podcasts, and publications, fueling our never-ending fascination with what will always be known as (VAR-permitting) ‘the beautiful game.’ The internet has become an all-you-can-eat buffet of football, football, and more football, from breaking news on the latest shirts to comprehensive, analytical tactical analysis.
It’s fantastic. The Football Blogging Awards are a good example of how high the bar has been set these days.
However, the sheer volume of content available can be intimidating, which is why I’ve attempted to compile a list of the finest football blogs to start reading in 2020. This was by no means a simple effort, but hopefully it has inspired you to try something new and exciting this season. So, let’s get this party started.
PLEASE NOTE: I’m concentrating on football-related blogs and websites that you should start reading. So, while I’m sure you’ve heard of some of those listed below, I’m hoping to introduce you to something new. It’s pointless to tell you to follow FourFourTwo, COPA90, or SoccerBible because you’re probably already aware of their awesomeness.
1.FOOTBALL TIMES
Fans who enjoy detailed, gripping football stories will enjoy this book. I recall coming across These Football Times for the first time. On my way home from work, I was on a crowded tram and became so engrossed in a story about Mark Viduka (I’m not even a Leeds supporter) that I missed my stop and had to wait an eternity for another. Of course, this only meant that I had more time to read. TFT has become the Netflix of football writing, with amazing internet series and incredible print magazines. This is binge-worthy material that focuses on the most interesting, unique tales in football, provided to you by a skilled team of writers who clearly like telling them. It doesn’t require a subscription.
2.FOOTBALL HISTORY
Fans looking for high-quality football writing will love this book.
Football Chronicle, another blog that allows us to relive some of our favourite football memories, demonstrates this passion of storytelling. Reading their work feels like stepping inside a web-based time machine, as they transport us to World Cup finals, Champions League epics, and give us some of the game’s lesser-known stories.
The writing is excellent, and this is an excellent choice for enthusiasts who want to sink their teeth into something substantial. The articles are usually long and juicy, and they’re excellent for a rainy afternoon with a good cup of tea. Enjoy.
3. OUTSIDE WRITE
Fans who wish to learn about football outside of the field will love this book. The activity on the field is where most of us have our finest football memories. Most football enthusiasts, on the other hand, are fascinated by the game’s historical, cultural, and political dimensions. Outside Write meets our rising curiosity by focusing just on these elements, travelling the world to tell us stories we haven’t heard before. This is essentially a fantastic football world tour, as we learn about the sport’s significance to fans and civilizations all across the world. The articles here are quite fascinating, ranging from heated South American rivalries to ground-hopping across the Italian peninsula. If you’re particularly interested in the game’s cultural aspects, check out “The Culture Division” and “Football and the City,” both of which examine the impact of football in different parts of the world. It’s really good stuff.
4. FOOTBALL SHIRT COLLECTIVE
Fans with an uncontrollable passion to football shirts will love this. Football shirts are my favourite. It’s likely that you, too, are a fan of football shirts. Football Shirt Collective, on the other hand, is jam-packed with dizzying nostalgia that might make me cry, telling us all about jerseys from the past and evoking all kinds of lovely recollections. I really miss the 1990s. You could easily lose yourself looking through the photos of retro kits for hours, with From 12 Yards offering plenty of excellent artwork to top it off. There are even a few sections on new releases, concepts, and legendary players, but it’s the flashback material that truly hits home for me. I really need to acquire a Batistuta tee.
5. URBAN PITCH
Perfect for: fans who want to learn more about the game’s street side. As the name implies, Urban Pitch is a departure from traditional 11-a-side football, focusing instead on street football, fashion, and art. This, of course, distinguishes it from the vast majority of other high-quality blogs out there, and I’ve particularly liked reading their articles about freestyle football, as this is an area about which I know very little (my record is probably 3 keepy-ups). The blog is jam-packed with excellent essays on style and culture, as well as some interesting perspectives on music and, of course, football.
6. MUSEUM OF JERSEYS
Fans of football shirt history will love this. Every shirt has a story to tell, and the Museum of Jerseys has always done an excellent job of sharing those stories. Here you can discover about the stories behind some of football’s most iconic kits, as well as how designs have changed over time and where the inspiration for the latest releases came from, thanks to some excellent graphics. If you’re still yearning some shirt nostalgia, I feel obligated to direct you to Sartorial Soccer, another fantastic blog that reminds us all why we love football shirts so much.
7.TIFO FOOTBALL
Fans that enjoy a bit of tactical insight will enjoy this. You’ve definitely heard of them, but I couldn’t leave them off this list because I’m such a fan of Tifo Football. They give the kind of tactical insight that makes me want to fire up a game of Football Manager and dive deep into the brilliance of Bielsa, Benitez, and *ahem* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Without a doubt, the best football blog for anyone interested in learning more about the tactical subtleties of the game is this one. This is sophisticated, insightful content, and their pictures help to cut through the jargon and make everything completely understandable. You can immerse yourself in a plethora of blogs, videos, and podcasts.
8.THE GENTLEMAN ULTRA
Fans of Italian football will adore this shirt (which is just about all of us). The enchantment of Football Italia has never waned in 20 years. I still chuckle when I think of James Richardson sipping cappuccinos and poring over the pink Gazetta dello Sport, hoping for the days of Baggio, Batistuta, and Maldini to return. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do so, but The Gentleman Ultra is probably the closest we’ll ever get to experiencing it. Calcio’s glory days are brought back to life by a talented team of authors, who also provide insight into other eras of Italian football. I’m a sucker for a little Calcio nostalgia, and this is the most satisfying scratch I’ve discovered so far.
9.SHEKICKS
Fans of women’s football will love this. There’s no denying that women’s football has exploded in popularity over the years, and SheKicks has been there to document it. This is without a doubt the best location to become engaged and learn about the women’s game, as it brings us news, interviews, and thoughts on anything related to the women’s game. Oh, and they also have a fantastic print magazine that comes out every couple of months and contains a variety of unique stories. This is a must-have for any female football enthusiast.
10. FOOTY
Fans of football boots, shirts, and other stuff will love this. Especially for those looking to save some money. I mean, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t refer your attention to our own FOOTY.COM blog. Of course, this is unfair (and shameless) because I have firsthand knowledge of all the great things we have planned for the rest of the year. It’ll be huge, believe me. We’ll be talking to you about shirts, boots, games, and culture for the next 12 months, as well as a few huge initiatives. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to give anything away, but I think we’re off to a good start if you’re reading this.