Hey @ben-cansonthetrain.bsky.social, just found the programme of my only visit to Newport Pagnell back in 1994 in the county cup. We went confident against lower league opposition, but were whupped. And £9k for a new Cavalier 👌

So pleased to have been associated with this in a small way. Superb positive work.

New Blogpost Last weekend Fraser unknowingly chose our destination. Pie & Mash, Miniature Railways, and a rare game of professional football with a restricted view. Blog below.

East London was the destination yesterday. Traditional pie, mash and liquor was a must.

Might have to get on this.

Haven’t visited many new grounds so far this season. Unbeknownst to him Fraser has picked next weekends destination. Stay tuned to find out where we end up…

Two weeks in a row. Same player Same end Same scenario. Same minute! Into the next round of the Vase we go. #FAVase #NonLeague #Grassroots #Football

3-1 up at half-time against Aylestone Park, a team that usually score 5 + against us. 3-3 at 90 minutes, here we go again. 4-3 in the 92nd minute! Football, bloody hell!

Pub perfection almost achieved.

Revisited an old favourite for the 4th time yesterday for a Welsh cup 1st round tie. The rain had other ideas and after 55 minutes and a 4-1 away advantage for Denbigh the game will have to start at 0-0 again next weekend. Porthmadog likely breathing a sigh of relief.

One of Wales’ greatest voices in one of Wales’ greatest places. One of just 120 or so people to witness Gruff Rhys in a wonderful venue this evening. Dim Probs

This weeks blog. A trip back to Leicester to visit G.N.G Oadby that started in an unsavory way but went on to show why diversity should be celebrated not marched against. substack.com/@cansonthetr...

Sponsorship money well spent.

Ground # 119 ✅ G.N.G Oadby A perfect away day. 6 goals scored without reply, new pubs, a healthy dose of nostalgia from the two years I spent living in Leicester and a timely reminder that diversity should be championed, not marched against in the guise of a flag waving piss up.

Another fresh #FloodlightFriday this week. Moulton FC United Counties League Premier South 06.09.25

My @vftae.bsky.social has arrived! As always proceeds go to charity but this time I’m especially pleased to say that this issues proceeds go to Welcome House who help those seeking asylum. Grab your copy and support a good cause from the link below. vftae.bigcartel.com/product/viwe...

Another new era begins at Newport Pagnell Town as returning management duo returns to guide the club once again. The first game, a trip to Moulton in the League Cup. Blog below. cansonthetrain.blogspot.com/2025/09/pint...

I love a football club with their own brew.

It’s not just fanzines this month, it’s a magazine too. I wrote about our trip to Euro 2025 for this month’s Football Weekends Magazine, available in W.H Smith or T.G Jones if that’s what the kids are calling it now…. #Euro2025 #WEuro2025 #FootballWeekends #FootballWeekendsMagazine

Pleased to say I’ve got another bit of writing in this. Genuinely one of the best fanzines in the country and the money always goes to a good cause. 💚 Good people doing good things.

🚨 Here is issue 28 of our #FerribyFanzine. Many thanks to all who contributed. Lots of quality content. See below. 56pp | £3 Profits to Welcome House charity. On sale via vftae.bigcartel.com/product/view... Or outside the ground on Sat 6 Sept for the visit of Blyth Spartans.

Parks to Pitches has arrived. It’s potentially a good few weeks of releases in terms of things I’ve been writing. My mum’s purse is going to be lighter at the very least.

Real Bedford owner getting all cosy with Yaxley-Lennon. I would say it’s nice to be vindicated in knowing who’s a fucking wrongun. But it’s genuinely terrifying how close to home all this hate and bile is and how unchallenged it’s going.

Let’s be fair to the United strike force they’ve got a Giant-Man in goal.

“She’s the main man in the office in the city And she treats me like I’m just another lackey But I can put a tennis racket up against my face And pretend that I am Kendo Nagasaki”

While the country loses its head I just had a wonderful unifying interaction in my local shop. A man asked me about the badges I wear on my hat.

3 points on the road. Lutterworth Town (A)

Love a good pre-game tap house

Trackie McCleod spotted in Rugby. This over bigots hiding behind St George crosses please.

It’s that time of the season again….

A footballer hasn’t said anything remotely interesting when interviewed after a match in 20-25 years. Sky decide they now want more media trained bollocks and are interviewing players at half-time? In the bin.

First announcing match of the season. First 3 points 4 goals without answer. We’re underway!

These fellas are on the level and entertaining at the same time. Well worth a follow.

4 games 11 conceded 2 scored 3 Red cards But at least today the company was good. @nonleaguedogs.bsky.social Still the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a fresh #FloodlightFriday for you. Biggleswade United 02.08.25

Blog about a good day regardless of result. The first away day of the season for Newport Pagnell Town Football Club Biggleswade United FC (A) in the The FA Cup 100th blog I’ve written, so thank you if you’ve ever so much as even glanced at one. cansonthetrain.blogspot.com/2025/08/wadi...

Well we won’t be winning the FA Cup this season. Result aside a good day was still had and Biggleswade United were fantastic hosts. Guilleme Ballagué is a very nice fella. It’s good to be out on the road exploring again. 🏟️ 117 ✅

Oasis vibes in the area! I finally did it. My first band. But the band I somehow never saw. Tonight I saw them and sang until I lost my voice.

Not everything in England works or makes sense in 2025, but the Lionesses do. In a misshapen, sometimes unpretty, playing-with-a-broken-fucking-tibia kind of way, they represent the best of ‘proper England’. Free to read on our website now. www.goal.com/mundial/prop...

Euro 2025 - Switzerland - Blog part 2 Back to back tournament wins, the first England team to win a tournament on foreign soil and I was there to support them for my first England away. Even if it did turn into a fantastic Wales away experience at the same time. What an experience Click below 👇🏻

“I call bullshit” now that is the sort of language and attitude I can get behind.

what were you worried about

Spot the Clapton CFC shirt 😍

@claptoncfc.co.uk shirt spotted in the Spain crowd in Switzerland during the anthem. No pasarán

Euro 2025 - Switzerland Part # 1 - Zürich, Stoos, Sweden vs Germany. Had to break the blog in two this time. I’ll focus on the trip to St. Gallen for the England Wales game in Part # 2 Blog below. 👇🏻 cansonthetrain.blogspot.com/2025/07/euro...

Walked through the door from Zürich at 6:00pm last night. Beans on toast, then cycled over to Newport Pagnell for our 7:45 kick-off. Football!

Not much football on show for our final day at Euro 2025 yesterday but it was there if you looked. Switzerland, you’ve been fucking magic.

I can’t even begin to describe the wonder of yesterday. Finally England (A) and Wales (A) thrown in to boot. New people met, vibes immaculate, everyone just happy to chat and share, rivalries aside. Drank in the Wales away designated pub. And what a game filled with special moments. Football!