Footy On The Med

It’s a squash and a squeeze as John, Alex and London French snuggle up on the terraces of Menton’s cosy stade and watch the home side play with all the fervour of the Smeds and the Smoos. Alas, Menton could have done with a Gruffalo, or a wise old man, or at least the The Ugly Five, for a lively Mandelieu were just that little bit too Everywhere Bear, finding Room on the Broom running the channels and deservedly emerging as 4-2 winners. Listen out for a goalkeeper who’s a fly-half, a decent contest and multiple eulogies to Fox’s Socks Julia Donaldson. Menton 2 Mandelieu 4 was recorded on Sunday 12 January 2025 with guest appearances by Eleri and Lyla. Stick Man declined to contribute.

Ligue 1 Done? In this episode of Footy on the Med, we head to the Stade Louis-II for one of the biggest fixtures in Ligue 1 as third place AS Monaco host unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain. Set against the unique backdrop of Monaco’s compact yet iconic stadium, join London French and Massimo for trains, pizza and the last slice of league action in France in 2024.

With Alex again marooned deep in the English countryside, and Footy on the Med’s Menton HQ under attack from all sides, a dread rumour spread around the podcast ecosphere. Would Footy on the Med live to kick a ball again? Fear not! The sea came calling and Alex took himself to the city of Bristol, scene of 727.5 voyages to the Mediterranean in April 1511 alone. QPR, whose blue and white hooped shirts never fail to induce thoughts of the Med, came a-visiting Ashton Gate, home of The Robins, aka Bristol City. Alex was there to chronicle some of the action with the Devizes Hoops, not to mention West Ham Dan and two box-based associates, Scott and Max. Cue an absolute wonder goal from Paul Smyth for The Rs. Bristol City 1 QPR 1 was recorded at Ashton Gate on 14 December 2024.

A beautiful November afternoon and we are off to Italy for the first time and to one of our old favourite stomping grounds, the Stade Communale in Sanremo for the Série D clash between Sanremese and Lavagnese in a Ligurian derby. Join London French as he travels east from Menton and is joined by fellow Menton resident Mattia for an afternoon in the Mediterranean sunshine. Sanremese 2, Lavagnese 1 was recorded at the Stadio Comunale, Sanremo, November 10th 2024. For pictures and videos, please visit Footy On The Med [www.footyonthemed.com/podcast/sanremese-v-lavagnese]

Footy on the Med is back! At last! Admittedly the Mediterranean connection is slim, but if a person were to leave Sunderland by boat and travel south and then east, it is possible they would arrive in the Med. And QPR’s keeper, Paul Nardi, was once on Monaco’s books. Tenuous but no matter, the important thing is that John and Alex are back in action. Well, Alex and Chris are in action, because John wasn’t there. Without further carve-outs, caveats, excuses or ado, enjoy Footy on the Med in its guise as Footy in the Bush for QPR 0 v Sunderland 0 (recorded at Loftus Road on Saturday 2 November 2024).