I've an article in the i newspaper today saluting 25 great chippies across the nation. You can do all of them in August if you like, with a few rest days to sweat out the batter.

Yoo-hoo! Big summer blowout! 25% off pre-orders of 'Fanzine' for the next few days @waterstones.bsky.social online. Link and code below ⬇️ 🔗 shorturl.at/ub3Uy

📗Here's the lovely cover of my next book. 📖It tells the story of fanzines in their prime, but is also a history of football in a fascinating era through fans' eyes. ⬇️Hardback, ebook and audiobook out 10th September with Bloomsbury, pre-orders open now in the usual places.

"Eeee there were no google maps in them days, son..." Just found my directions to the Baseball Ground and Maine Road from 96/97. Solo journeys aged 14 and 15, perfectly normal behaviour.

It's National Fish and Chips Day. Full after your chippy tea? How about a fish and chips social history/travelogue as dessert?* 📖 50% off on Amazon at the moment: shorturl.at/BYLuy *Please don't actually eat it, it'll only repeat on you.

Carry On Up the Charts.

⭐️My book Sunday Best is only 99p on Kindle at the moment. You can't even get, er, a 99 ice cream for that. 🔗 shorturl.at/nGdFm

📖 Published today: the paperback version of my book 'Sunday Best'. 👜 Fits beautifully into many a handbag or pocket. 🛒 In shops and online.

That man @peteralanross.bsky.social has done it again. Just finished reading 'Upon a White Horse' - beautifully written, frequently moving, peppered with lovely bits of humour and just endlessly interesting. Well, it does have an end, sadly, but you know what I mean. Superb.

🎵Is that a blue sky? Is that a blue sky? It's about damn time, yeah, it's about damn time🎵 Whoever this manager selects plays a type of football I can't remember seeing our lads conjure. Pass follows pass like a fast-ticking clock, but no dull sideways motion. Viva Hellberg 🇸🇪

Christmas at last on Teesside 🎄

Very chuffed to have been asked to write about George Best's time at Hibs for this gorgeous item by @glorystudio.bsky.social

Thanks, Dani. It was so lovely to see Italy at a different time to the summer (incredible as that is). A different kind of beauty.

'The goalkeeper looked forlorn, alone and baffled, a corned beef man in a small plates world...' 🇮🇹My @nutmegmagazine.bsky.social Slow Match Report from Italy is now up ⬇️ 🔗tiny.cc/kcjv001

'So I mustn't forget...'

The Dales in October, provoking involuntary humming of 'Autumn days when the grass is jewelled And the silk inside a chestnut shell...'

Just finished this beauty by @goldbergradio.bsky.social There's so much in here to make anyone who cares about football's soul angry, yet because it is so sharply written it is a thoroughly excellent, enjoyable read.

I remember when Hastings brought 1068 fans to Boro in the FA Cup. If only travel shenanigans had kept two away 🤦🏻

It was lovely to revisit Ayresome Park for the new issue of @wsc.co.uk. The perfect article for helping cats get to sleep.

This seems very noisy for a Sunday, going on what last time was like. To read about peaceful Sundays, buy my etc etc...

I was a 12 year old season ticket holder the last time we won the first four games in a row. My moods were dictated entirely by Boro results and all week I dreamed of Saturday. Nothing has changed, which is probably not good in some ways, but bloody hell: I love this club.

Work took me to Deepdale today. Had to leave just as they were unfurling matchday. I've always loved these. Ideal garden furniture. "PROGRAMMES! PROGRAMMES!"

Despite my local Ikea's hideous decision to axe free tiny pencils - my number one item of journalistic tech - I've found a supply. As such, I'm soldiering on, back in training and ready for another season of Slow Match Reports for @nutmegmagazine.bsky.social

Friendlies may just be faint outlines of real matches, but man alive it's good to be seeing those shirts and singing those songs again. We have our Saturdays back.

Looking for a summer read? What could whisper 'poolside' more than a gentle meander through some days of rest? Never mind the cocktails and lovely icy lagers, you'll be pining for gravy.

🚨Discount Bovril latest: they're flying out. Must be the barbecue hit of the summer.

Always on the benches, people you wish you'd met.

Bovril sale of the century at the Morrison's Daily near me. I can only think an enthusiastic new employee over-ordered after a particularly enjoyable half-time last season. "Trust me, it's gonna be the new Nescafé Azera."

Happy Fixtures Eve to those of us who celebrate tonight... Written nearly ten years ago, but true as ever:

Magic to get to Tolka Park at last. Words via the link below ⬇️