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.

🚅 Train Socks BUNDLES! sockcouncil.com/product/trai... ANY 3 pairs for £24.99! Bargain!

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.

🚅 Train Socks BUNDLES sockcouncil.com/product-tag/... ANY 3 pairs for £24.99! Bargain!

@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.

My book on the history of the Wimbledon Championships is out next year & you can pre-order a copy now via Waterstones and save 25%! Just enter the code 'OCTOBER25' at the checkout to redeem the 25% discount from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 October. See link below ⬇️

It's #bookshopday today, the annual celebration of all things to do with high street book shops. If you're planning on buying any of these in the run-up to Christmas, then your local high street book shop is the place to head to.

In October 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 Spencer Vignes, available now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

George Robledo was the first overseas star of English football. Never heard of him? Then treat yourself to the latest edition of @fourfourtwo.com magazine to read my four page article about the Chilean goal machine of the 1940s and 50s.

I am giving a talk about the history of football against fascism 🗓️ Friday, 10 October 2025 ⏰ 18.00 📍 Marx Memorial Library, London, EC1R 0DU 🚇 Farringdon More 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrit... If you're in London, come along!

This weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, and I'll be on the @BBCRadio4 Friday edition of The World Tonight from 10pm talking train songs & what it is about the railways that has fascinated generations of singers, songwriters & musicians. All aboard folks!

It's Chilean Independence Day, so what better reason to post a picture of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, born in Chile in 1926, a post-war legend with Barnsley & Newcastle Utd before returning to Chile to play for Colo-Colo. Vamos George!

'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 - The George Robledo Story' by Spencer Vignes, out now.

I make absolutely no apology for posting this marvellous image again, seeing as it's 46 years to the day since it was taken. Peter O'Sullivan takes aim for Brighton & Hove Albion versus Ipswich Town at the Goldstone Ground, Hove, on 15 September 1979.

'Vignes' zippy and well-constructed book, with chapters named for (John) Lennon songs, leaves the reader in no doubt that Robledo was one of the greatest overseas players to have enriched English football.' - When Saturday Comes magazine (issue 457)

Really looking forward to reading this when it's out. If you're into football, sport, social history & what makes Yorkshire special, not to mention Wolverhampton Wanderers, then this book is for you: dondearneschoolfootball.wordpress.com/mark-crooks-...

Another cracker of a programme from @officialbha.bsky.social for the game against #MCFC. Jamie Eke's cover is a hybrid design from 87/88 and 94/95. Inside, the usual superb mix of news, articles and stats. @spencervignes.bsky.social looks at a time of turmoil at the club. Great stuff #BHAFC

In 1974 John Lennon chose a picture he'd drawn as a child of George Robledo scoring Newcastle's winner in the 1952 FA Cup final for the cover of his album 'Walls and Bridges'. Discover more about the ties that bound Lennon & Robledo in my book 'Postcards From Santiago', out now.

Books make great gifts, for others or even yourself. If you're going to buy one of mine, then I'd rather you got it through your local indie bookshop. Alternatively there is Amazon. After all, beggars can't be choosers. Just buy a book, and keep this writer in gainful employment.

A big thank you to Backpass magazine and their book reviewer Jon Culley for making 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, their 'Star Read' in the latest issue. Flattered, so I am.

"Most of my heroes were Newcastle United players, and they do not come any bigger or better than George Robledo in my eyes.” - Bobby Robson on George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, pictured here scoring for Newcastle against Preston North End

As much as it's portrayed as the devil, Amazon reviews & ratings can make a huge difference to the fortunes of a book. If you've read 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story', and you enjoyed it, please take time to give it a positive review & rating. Thank you.

Nice double page spread in today's Daily Express on George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, and my book about him called 'Postcards From Santiago', published by @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

A big thank you to Waterstones book shop in central Newcastle for supporting my new book 'Postcards From Santiago' about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, and for staging yesterday's book signing. Any excuse to get back to the Toon!

Met the author of Postcards From Santiago, The George Robledo Story, today in Newcastle. Top man, and he signed my copy! @spencervignes.bsky.social Gifted Spencer a pair of #NUFC Socks too! 🧦 sockcouncil.com/product-tag/... 📘 share.google/CqiTDSGE7snP...

This Saturday (9 Aug) I'll be dropping by Waterstones book shop in central Newcastle at 11am to sign copies of Postcards From Santiago, my book about ex-Newcastle United forward George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. If you're local, it'd be good to see you.

Lovely piece by Jim White in the latest edition of The Oldie mag about 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. And whoever came up with that 'God on the Tyne' headline is a wizard.

In July 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 Spencer Vignes, available now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

Everything you could ever want to know about why I decided to write 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, out now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social. Click on the pic below to read: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Me in today's Daily Express - the story of how the first player to be disqualified from Wimbledon wasn't McEnroe, or Kyrgios, or Nastase, but.....Tim Henman!

Thanks to those who've 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, each & every message. Together, we're keeping George's remarkable story alive.

The last chance to listen before it disappears. Adrian Chiles discusses George Robledo - the first overseas star of English football - and my book 'Postcards From Santiago' with myself & George's daughter, Elizabeth. Starts at 2:38:00 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

George Robledo, still English football's greatest goalscoring import, and he did it after mining during the war. Chilean football legend, Newcastle United legend. #NUFC @spencervignes.bsky.social

Heartening to read so much positive coverage for my latest book 'Postcards From Santiago' about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. Sometimes you just can't beat good old fashioned printed newspapers for the thrill!

Really looking forward to being on BBC Radio Newcastle this evening talking about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, and my new book about him called 'Postcards From Santiago'. Should be on the air sometime after 6.30pm with Colin White & John Anderson.

Still searching for that ideal Father's Day present? Then this might do the trick. Read about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, in 'Postcards From Santiago' by @spencervignes.bsky.social, available through @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social, Amazon & all good bookshops.

Tomorrow (10 June) is the funeral of Gerry Fell, ex-Brighton & HA, Southend Utd & Torquay Utd winger. Gerry's wife, Di, has asked those who remember him and can't make it to raise a glass, or cup, in his memory at 1pm. I, for one, will be doing so. Please share - thank you.

Searching for an ideal Father's Day present? Then this might do the trick. Read about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, in 'Postcards From Santiago' by @spencervignes.bsky.social, available through @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social, Amazon & all good bookshops.