"Football wasn't the huge industry that it is now, but it was a religion. And George Robledo was one of its first patron saints." - Robledo biographer @spencervignes.bsky.social on talkSPORT radio talking about George (pictured here, holding ball), the first overseas star of English football

This is @trainsongscentral.bsky.social – the only resource on Planet Earth (that we know of) dedicated to train songs & the many, many ties that bind railways/railroads & music. Come on in, look around, learn a thing or two and, if you like what you see, please give us a RT to spread the word.

It's #WorldBookDay folks! Some of you may be aware that this Twitter/X account was inspired by a book, namely 'The Train Kept A-Rollin - How The Train Song Changed The Face Of Popular Music' by @spencervignes.bsky.social If you're short of reading material, there's an answer.

Happy #WorldBookDay folks!

It's 126 years to the day since legendary goalkeeper Leigh Roose won his first Wales cap in a 2-0 win against Ireland. He was playing for Aberystwyth Town at the time having just completed a science degree at Aberystwyth University. Very proud to be Leigh's biographer, so I am.

Meet Brian Powney, Dave Hollins and Eric Gill. Three former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeepers aged 81, 88 and 95 respectively. Still living in Sussex, still (relatively) fit and healthy, still friends. The goalkeepers' union of all unions.

'A sporting story for the ages' - Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live ‘An absolutely brilliant book’ – Paul Ross, talkSPORT 'A remarkable book' - The Daily Express Just some of the great reviews for Postcards From Santiago, my biography of George Robledo, out now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

You cannot be serious! 25% per cent off my forthcoming book about the Wimbledon tennis Championships when you pre-order through the Waterstones website today. Just search for 'The Wimbledon Anthology' & use the code FEB26. Offer closes at midnight tonight.

You cannot be serious! 25% per cent off my forthcoming book about the Wimbledon tennis Championships when you pre-order through the Waterstones website between now & this Friday. Just search for 'The Wimbledon Anthology' & use the code FEB26. An ace offer, if ever there was one.

"I am anxious to get started and I understand there is quite a bit of work to be done." - Brian Clough, Nov 1973, on taking over at Brighton & Hove Albion. Check out 'Bloody Southerners', my book about arguably the strangest managerial appointment ever made in English football.

It's 120 years to the day since the pioneering Welsh goalie Leigh Roose punched the guest of a Sunderland director after a Wearsiders v Stoke City match at Roker Park. Leigh, a Stoke player at the time who later joined Sunderland, received a 14 day FA ban for his actions.

"He was made up and possibly the happiest I'd seen him in a long time." - Elizabeth Robledo recalls her father, George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, after his return to Chile from a 1981 tour of Yorkshire & north east England, including this visit to St James' Park.

"Being a northerner, I didn't understand the rivalry between Brighton and Crystal Palace. To me, Crystal Palace was in London and Brighton was on the south coast. That didn't say to me 'This is a local derby'." - Brighton's Barry Butlin, taken from my book 'Bloody Southerners'

My piece in today's Daily Express on punk turning 50, complete with my choice of top five punk songs. It's subjective, of course it is, but what would your choice be?

Thanks to everyone who's been in touch saying how much they've enjoyed reading 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. It means a lot, every single message. Together, we're keeping George's remarkable story alive.

A belated happy birthday to Dave Hollins, ex-last line of defence for Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Mansfield Town, Aldershot & Wales, who turned 88 yesterday. Being his biographer & author of the book 'Eric & Dave', I really have no excuses!

Brian Horton turns 77 today. But in my head he'll always be 30 summers young. Happy birthday, 'El Capitano'.

"I knew if he came in and said 'Young man' even once then I'd be in trouble, because I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face." - Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Peter O'Sullivan recalls the team's first meeting with new manager Brian Clough, taken from my book 'Bloody Southerners'

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Football Association of Wales, all the more reason to post a picture of one of its first star players, goalkeeper Leigh Roose, declared MIA in France in 1916. Very proud, so I am, to be this wonderful man's biographer.

Brighton v Everton from another time & place, namely the Goldstone Ground, 3 May 1980. It finished 0-0, a typical end-of-season nothing to play for match. The most memorable thing about the whole afternoon? Watching Everton's Trevor Ross doing his ball trickery in the warm-up!

Another beautiful cover from Jamie Eke for tomorrow's game, based on the 70/71 issue. Inside, all the usual suspects, with @spencervignes.bsky.social looking at the dark days of Gillingham between 1997 & 1999. Once again, a superb printed programme from @officialbhafc.bsky.social #BHAFC #BHAEVE

Barrie Rees signs for Brighton from Everton in January 1965 under the watchful eye of manager Archie Macauley. Three months later the talented Welshman would die in a car crash, aged 21. "Just thinking about it all these years later still makes me sad," says ex-teammate Brian Powney.

"I just thought he came from another planet, another world" - Bobby Robson on George Robledo, the ex-Barnsley, Newcastle Utd & Chile player regarded as the first overseas star of English football. Read 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George's remarkable life, out now.

Manchester United versus Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup from another time, another place. Managers Ron Atkinson and Jimmy Melia lead their respective sides out ahead of the 1983 final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 21 May.

FA Cup 3rd round weekend & it's Everton v Sunderland, better known in my house as the Leigh Roose derby. .....and if you don't know who Leigh Roose was, then you need to treat yourself to a copy of 'Lost In France', my biography of the man who virtually invented goalkeeping.

"Mullers said ‘You’re just the fella we need. You’ve got nuisance value. Will you come and play for us?’ And, to tell you the truth, I was flattered that somebody wanted me." Martin Chivers, who has died aged 80, remembers his career swansong at Brighton in 1979. RIP big man.

Northern Ireland & Brighton winger Steve Penney skips past Paul Gascoigne and various other Newcastle players at St James' Park on 4 January 1986. Second tier Brighton beat top flight Newcastle 2-0 in this FA Cup 3rd round tie, played the same day Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy died.

One of my personal highlights of 2025 is reading Postcards From Santiago by Spencer. A must for all #NUFC fans imho. Get on it if you haven't. Social history, Newcastle United history. It needs to be kept alive. Newcastle United pre dates the Saudi takeover.

A tip of the hat to anyone who bought one of my books in 2025. For those who didn't, they're still on sale in 2026, so what are you waiting for?

The late Tommy Caton of Manchester City (left) gives chase with Brighton's Peter Ward in this beautifully evocative picture taken 46 years ago today at the Goldstone Ground. Brighton went on to win 4-1 in front of the BBC's Match of the Day cameras.

Nothing says Christmas more to a 56-year-old man than a book about crime writing by @nicktriplow.bsky.social & pairs of Deltic and Brian Clough socks from @sockcouncil.bsky.social

One of my favourite pictures of the old Goldstone Ground, Hove. Future England World Cup winner Ray Wilson, born on this day in 1934, tries and fails to keep the ball out of Huddersfield Town's net in their 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in September 1959.

Really looking forward to reading this. Out now - 'Feeding The Wolves' by Ashley Ball and Chris Brook, the story of how Mark Crook set up the world's first football academy in a small Yorkshire pit village to serve his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Forget Christmas - these books are worth buying (and reading) all year round. Still, if you are stuck for presents, here's some answers. Available from all good bookshops, Amazon or, for signed copies, myself. See bio for link to my website with contact details, or DM me.

Forget Christmas - these books are worth buying (and reading) all year round. Still, if you are stuck for presents, here's some answers. Available from all good bookshops, Amazon or, for signed copies, myself. See bio for link to my website with contact details, or DM me.

Happy birthday Leigh Roose, born on this day in 1877 in Holt, Wales. Goalkeeper, scholar, soldier, maverick, arguably football's first true superstar, declared missing in action in Oct 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. Very proud, so I am, to be this wonderful man's biographer.

In Nov 2025, 70.5% of players in the Premier League are non-UK nationals registered overseas. This is the story of the first one to become a star in his adopted homeland. 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story' by @spencervignes.bsky.social, the perfect stocking filler for Christmas.

It's 121 years to the day since Welsh international goalkeeper Leigh Roose made his Everton debut at home to Sunderland, ironically another club he would go on to play for in his long career. Leigh was reported missing in action on the Western Front, France, in October 1916.

The fate of Leigh Roose, the celebrated goalkeeper, was a mystery for many decades until @spencervignes.bsky.social uncovered the sad truth. Please watch our new film by @mikeroyden.bsky.social & @lewisroyden.bsky.social about Roose’s remarkable life. efcheritagesociety.com/this-prince-...

Books make great gifts, they really do. If you'd like a signed or dedicated copy of any of my books to give as Christmas presents (or to yourself!) then drop me a line. See my Bluesky bio for a link to my website containing all contact details, or DM me.

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The perfect present for any football fan this Christmas, no matter which team they might support. Read about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, in 'Postcards From Santiago' by Spencer Vignes, available through @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social, Amazon & all good bookshops.

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@footballandwar.bsky.social will lay a wreath today at the @dulwichhamletfc.bsky.social memorial as part of the club's Remembrance Commemoration

Born on this day in 1930, the oldest surviving Brighton & Hove Albion (and Charlton Athletic) player still walking God's Earth. Happy 95th birthday Eric Gill, one of the best goalkeepers of his generation & the subject (along with Dave Hollins) of my 2022 book 'Eric & Dave'.

On this very day 52 years ago the players of Brighton & Hove Albion met Brian Clough, their new manager, along with his second in command Peter Taylor at the White Hart Hotel in Lewes. "If you're lucky enough to be here next year, we will be going places," Clough tells them.

Another fantastic cover on the @officialbhafc.bsky.social programme . Inside, all the usual news and information from the club, plus @spencervignes.bsky.social takes us back to the run-in of the 1987/88 season, with interviews from some of the players involved. A superb issue #BHAFC #lufc #BHALEE

Is Brief Encounter the greatest romantic film ever made? I'd like to think so. And, to back it up, I've written a piece about it in today's Daily Express. Happy 80th birthday, Brief Encounter.

"He was a bit like Alan Shearer really, a good solid body, good legs, strong thighs. He got up and down and he played in that attacking half. He could turn on the ball and he was adept in the air." - Bobby Robson on George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football

To Brighton & Newcastle fans of a certain age, the name Trelford Mills cuts like a knife through butter when it comes to opinion. Read my piece in tomorrow's Brighton versus Newcastle match programme recalling the night Mills ruled out two Magpie goals in a feisty FA Cup replay v the Seagulls.