I've taken some time out of the gruelling process of writing up my PhD to put together a silly article about the place of Bovril in my heart and in football culture. Please feel free to enjoy: joshbland.substack.com/p/an-ode-to-...

A bit of light reading as you head to a game today! A few weeks ago I visited Hereford FC's Edgar Street for the first time. I absolutely loved it. A few words on hodge-podge homes, authenticity and the dying charm of "proper grounds"... joshbland.substack.com/p/field-note...

On the same day in the Telegraph:

Melvyn Bragg has been one of the last standard-bearers for a really important, and unfashionable, idea: that good conversation, between people who really know their stuff, on complex or difficult subjects, can be fantastic radio - and that the national broadcaster should do this. I hope it endures.

Today The Hawthorns turns 125. It's tough to summarise what my footballing home means to me, but I've tried. This is a tribute to a veritable cathedral of English football, and an examination of how grounds are defined by continuity and the memories within. joshbland.substack.com/p/a-century-...

Great piece by @joshbland13.bsky.social marking 125 years of The Hawthorns #wba open.substack.com/pub/joshblan...

Thrilled to feature in @jdnalton.bsky.social's excellent article in The Morning Star. More chat about Grimsby, Man United and my research on the vital role of football clubs in post-industrial towns. Read here: morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ther...

Another brilliant piece on Substack by @joshbland13.bsky.social and the REAL story of Grimsby's victory over Man United open.substack.com/pub/joshblan...

I've spent the last three years researching Grimsby Town FC for my PhD. So in the wake of last night, I wanted to write a piece on what makes #GTFC such a special club, and what Manchester United can learn from the supposed "little fish" of English football. joshbland.substack.com/p/the-real-b...

I've been thinking a lot about the Reform UK football kit launch and what it says about the place of football culture in UK politics. This piece in @uk.theconversation.com asks if Reform can become the party of the football supporter. Spoiler: I'm skeptical. theconversation.com/football-fan...

My mate @joshbland13.bsky.social wrote this. It's excellent theconversation.com/football-fan...

A much-anticipated debut in @theconversation.com for me today! Some writing on Nigel Farage's "Reform FC" football kit launch, and why Reform's attempted exploitation of football's cultural capital may not go to plan... Read here: theconversation.com/football-fan...

Good read this. South Brum been hijacked by Reform-supporting flag-botherers, who have made our streets look like Blackpool strip. Same people have targeted social media community pages with anti-migrant rhetoric. I find the UK's direction of travel very alarming. This, below, is part of it

A moment for ditching my relative political neutrality on my Substack. Some words on Farage's hypocritical attempts to place Reform and the hard-right as the natural political affiliation of the football fan. Read here: joshbland.substack.com/p/reform-fc?...

Some writing about why I find the modern transfer market so depressing. I appreciate why #wba have to sell star assets like Heggem. But the modern trend of seeing terrace heroes as entries on a spreadsheet undercuts so much I value about the game I love joshbland.substack.com/p/transfers-...

Thrilled that my Substack - Against the Run of Play - has passed 200 subscribers! When I set up 6 months ago, this was just a passion project. I’ve been blown away by the feedback and response I’ve had since! If you’re a football culture nerd like me, sign up! open.substack.com/pub/joshblan...

People think money has ruined football but the sight of a rapist dictator standing next to a corrupt football official in front of a big gold trophy at a competition bankrolled by Saudi Arabia reminds me the game still belongs to us.

When I started my Substack just over 6 months ago I didn't dream it would get the kind of engagement it has to date! If you're at all interested in football culture, history and heritage - please consider subscribing! Only 4 more till 200! joshbland.substack.com

I spent much of last week at a wonderful conference in Amsterdam. In my downtime, I was able to explore one of Europe's great footballing metropolises. This is a piece of writing about what I found. joshbland.substack.com/p/amsterdam-...

Another (belated) plug for my Substack here - a piece on the 1 year anniversary of Bellingham's overhead kick in Gelsenkirchen. Written from my point of view on the day, reflecting on watching an iconic footballing moment unfold first hand... joshbland.substack.com/p/bellingham...

When you've listened to our latest podcast on modern day class and football with @joshbland13.bsky.social, why not also check out this video on YouTube about football used to be in England back in the "old days". Fascinating to compare and contrast with the present! www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9eQ...

What a pleasure to join the guys on the FootPol podcast to chat football and class! It was a great conversation that talked a little about my research, and a lot about the tensions between English football’s class identity and corporate direction…

Check out the latest episode where we talked football and class, especially how fans see themselves as "authentic" and working class and distinct from the actions of their clubs with @joshbland13.bsky.social.

Our new episode is out! We spoke to @joshbland13.bsky.social about the relationship between football and working class fans. He's got fascinating insights into how fans see themselves and navigate the challenges of coprorate, consumerist football in England today. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Thanks to @culturedfootball.bsky.social for being such a consistent supporter of my work!

Latest Substack is up and it's one I'm particularly proud of. I'm (belatedly) adding to the discourse around the Champions League final with a reflection on Rio Ferdinand, cultural amnesia and sportswashing... Grateful for any debate on this! joshbland.substack.com/p/no-rio-psg...

Something I wrote earlier in the week on Substack - on football's increasing class appropriation problem. Especially interested to hear back from supporters of the biggest clubs in the UK on this. Does what I'm writing about chime with you? joshbland.substack.com/p/footballs-...

Back on the Substack grind with something topical - a piece about accepting change, nostalgia and why Goodison is so special. joshbland.substack.com/p/goodbye-go...

As someone who grew up idolizing independent record labels like Dischord and Matador I was fascinated (in a sad way) by this @nicksylvester.bsky.social piece on the diminished role of the indie in today’s music industry smartdumb.substack.com/p/what-is-th...

⚽“We are soccer. Without us, you don’t have anything to commodify!” 🇳🇱 @casmudde.bsky.social, a world-renowned political scientist, joins us to discuss the relationship between football, civil society, and politics. 🎥 Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2glz...

🎙️ New Podcast: Football and Cultural Heritage We all know the importance of the things we can see, but what about the things that we can’t? Were joined by Josh Bland to explain the relationship between football and cultural heritage. Listen here ⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/74kB...

My discussion with Rory of @footballheritage.bsky.social is now available to listen on YouTube! We chat about my research on football heritage, the football regulator and its flaws and explore the role of continuity, place and authenticity to football culture! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr03...

Delighted to go on the @footballheritage.bsky.social podcast this week to discuss my research on football and cultural heritage! A must listen for anyone who has an interest in football culture or history! ⚽️ open.spotify.com/episode/74kB...

A little bit of Mother's day sop from my Substack. A piece close to my heart on how my Mom's recent conversion to Albion fanaticism has reignited my love for the game. joshbland.substack.com/p/radicalisi...

@joshbland13.bsky.social, an expert in Football Heritage Studies from Cambridge University, is our invitee. In this episode, he discusses football as an embodied heritage practice. He also shared how being a “Geordie” has been under the new Saudi ownership. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IulQ...

Delighted to join the fantastic @footballstudies.bsky.social podcast to discuss my PhD research, identity and sportswashing!

A little (overdue) something on the Old Trafford regeneration plans. Asking some pointed questions and giving some grim portents about the future of English football from a heritage perspective. joshbland.substack.com/p/new-traffo...

Ikke så viktig akkurat nå, sånn egentlig, men likevel. Kvelden før #Tinget2025, som kommer til åpnes med hilsninger fra Uefa og Fifa, kan vi minne om hvem fotballens øverste leder er i seng med.

Do you like football? Do you consider yourself a groundhopper? Are you over 16? Please take part in our study: qualtrics.kcl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_... It takes roughly 10 mins and is anonymous. Please retweet + share! #groundhopping #groundhoppers #NonLeague #Nonleagueday @sashaclicks.bsky.social

I'm very proud of the piece I've published on my Substack this morning, a photo essay based on my trip to Rotherham's old Millmoor Ground back in 2023. It explores dissonance, the sublime and regeneration in a ruined stadium! joshbland.substack.com/p/ghosts-of-... #rufc #rotherham #millmoor

Something a bit different on my Substack! I talk to the brilliant Demi Boyd from the Scottish Football Museum on the challenges of representing women's football in museum spaces! If you're interested in sports museums and heritage management, give it a read! joshbland.substack.com/p/atrop-talk...

A few reflections on this weekend's cup action both sides of the border and how Sunday's remarkable results reaffirmed my belief in cup football as a vital aspect of this nation's footballing heritage. joshbland.substack.com/p/queens-par...

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My latest Substack is very close to the heart. Looking at the return of Tony Mowbray to my beloved West Bromwich Albion, I discuss childhood nostalgia, the romance of football and pay tribute to that remarkable 07-08 title winning team. open.substack.com/pub/joshblan...

I fear there is deep truth here.

A little something on my Substack ahead of the big lunchtime kick off. It's a story of long throws, local limbs and price gouging. How does Tamworth's FA Cup run shows the ability of modern football to thrill and appall in equal measure? joshbland.substack.com/p/the-magic-...

The richest man in the world who is about to shutdown our government tweeting support for a German neo-nazi party in the middle of the night

All I want for Christmas is 4 new subscribers! Since I set up Against the Run of Play in October, the response has been fantastic! If you're interested in football and heritage, please considering signing up for regular articles and think pieces on the subject! I promise you won't be disappointed!

I came onto Bluesky an hour ago, and the first two things I saw were posts providing useful context for understanding the imposition of martial law in South Korea—the exact kind of thing that Twitter used to be so useful for in a developing crisis.