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.

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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).

Footy on the Med is back! With a bang! Two games for the price of one! Yes, we’re a bit late but we make no apologies for being late; it’s one of the things we do best (along with roving around to games on the Med and beyond, providing our unique insight into the Beautiful Game).

For Monaco v St Etienne at the Stade Louis II on 17 August 2024, witnessed by Alex, his daughter Maud and their friends Jean-Philippe Thomas and family, noise was the order of the day. A lot of noise.

For John and London ‘Rory Egan-Thomas’ French at Menton v Cannes La Bocca on 22 September 2024, things took a gentler turn.

Enjoy both games and listen out for more in the coming years.

It's the final league game of the season for Cannes FC. It's also the Cannes Film Festival. Alex has to be at the latter for work. He'd like to be at the former for fun. How does he solve this quandary? By being at the first half and giving the reins to London French for the second. En route the pair meet Carlos, a young player with Cannes, and enjoy a decent match in balmy weather. Well, London French enjoyed all of it (and did a fine job). As is Alex's way, he enjoyed one half of it. Cannes 2 Thonon Evian 1 was recorded at the Stade Pierre Courbetin on Saturday 18 May 2024.

This week John meets up with Young Trafford in their hometown of Menton, to watch Rapid Omnisport de Menton take on Entente Sportive Cannet Rocheville 2, or ESCR 2 for short. Menton run away with the game and score six while only conceding one. Rapid Menton V ESCR was recorded at Stade Lucien Rhein on Sunday, May 12th 2024.

John ventures up the inside channel of the A8, past the back four, and visits one of his favourite towns, Valbonne, all on his lonesome. US Valbonne hosted Club des Jeunes d'Antibes Juan Les Pins, (which must be the longest name of a team featured on Footy On The Med). The game ended Valbonne 0 Antibes 1 thanks to an early goal from Bensouici Hamza. US Valbonne Vs CDJ Antibes was recorded at Stade Leon Chabert on Sunday, May 5th 2024.

Footy on the Med journeys to North America and, for one night, morphs into Footy on the Pacific as Alex checks out Los Angeles Football Club in a home clash against The Portland Timbers. The entertainment value of this game was incredible thanks to the passion of the LAFC fans, the 3252, the awesome BMO stadium, and the local knowledge of Alex’s co-hosts for the night, Jeremy and Mike. Stand by for an exuberant evening and an extraordinary demonstration of just how small the world is. Los Angles Football Club 3 v Portland Timbers 2 was recorded in Los Angeles at the BMO Stadium on Saturday 27 April 2024.

Footy on the Med had a great day out in Monaco recently, with Alex happening upon FMC Elite and the woman behind its emergence as one of the best training academies in Europe. Step forward, Helen Dunne, articulate, passionate and dedicated to bringing on young football talent. Helen spoke to Alex about the academy she set up with husband Richard – yes, he of Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Alex’s beloved QPR (not to mention Ireland, for whom Monsieur Dunne bagged a tidy 80 caps). Who knew of the Dunne’s passion for the south of France? Not Footy on the Med. We do now – enjoy and if you have a talented youngster, look no further than a course with FMC Elite.