Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️
@outsidewrite.bsky.social
The curious fan’s football Substack and podcast. Run by Chris Lee, author of 📕Origin Stories (2021), 📘The Defiant (2022), and 📗Shades of Green (2025).
Groundhopping and football culture and history.
More 👉 https://linktr.ee/outsidewrite
Groundhopping and football culture and history.
More 👉 https://linktr.ee/outsidewrite
I am posting a Substack next week about the pre-NASL history of men's football/soccer in the US.
Do any of my US followers have any photos that they've taken of the MLS that they're happy for me to use, please?
Jump into my DMs if so. Thanks!
Also, is anyone from Fall River on this network? Thx!
Do any of my US followers have any photos that they've taken of the MLS that they're happy for me to use, please?
Jump into my DMs if so. Thanks!
Also, is anyone from Fall River on this network? Thx!
January 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
I am posting a Substack next week about the pre-NASL history of men's football/soccer in the US.
Do any of my US followers have any photos that they've taken of the MLS that they're happy for me to use, please?
Jump into my DMs if so. Thanks!
Also, is anyone from Fall River on this network? Thx!
Do any of my US followers have any photos that they've taken of the MLS that they're happy for me to use, please?
Jump into my DMs if so. Thanks!
Also, is anyone from Fall River on this network? Thx!
I will be restarting the Substacks next week for every Tuesday and Thursday, starting with another iconic football stadium…
Sub/follow for free 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrite
#groundhopping
Sub/follow for free 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrite
#groundhopping
January 2, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I will be restarting the Substacks next week for every Tuesday and Thursday, starting with another iconic football stadium…
Sub/follow for free 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrite
#groundhopping
Sub/follow for free 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrite
#groundhopping
Reposted by Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️
🚨 NEW YEAR, NEW BOOK
Uruguay: Football’s First Global Power, 1918-1930, my sequel to From Beauty to Duty. Coming June 2026 via @PitchPublishing
1924 Paris Olympics. 1928 Amsterdam. Inaugural World Cup, Montevideo 1930. And the story in between…
Preorders soon, please share & follow for updates!
Uruguay: Football’s First Global Power, 1918-1930, my sequel to From Beauty to Duty. Coming June 2026 via @PitchPublishing
1924 Paris Olympics. 1928 Amsterdam. Inaugural World Cup, Montevideo 1930. And the story in between…
Preorders soon, please share & follow for updates!
January 1, 2026 at 9:43 AM
🚨 NEW YEAR, NEW BOOK
Uruguay: Football’s First Global Power, 1918-1930, my sequel to From Beauty to Duty. Coming June 2026 via @PitchPublishing
1924 Paris Olympics. 1928 Amsterdam. Inaugural World Cup, Montevideo 1930. And the story in between…
Preorders soon, please share & follow for updates!
Uruguay: Football’s First Global Power, 1918-1930, my sequel to From Beauty to Duty. Coming June 2026 via @PitchPublishing
1924 Paris Olympics. 1928 Amsterdam. Inaugural World Cup, Montevideo 1930. And the story in between…
Preorders soon, please share & follow for updates!
Reposted by Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️
Felicitaciones and felicitações, Spain and Portugal.
For 40 years, you’ve been part of our Union.
Four decades of sharing your exceptional culture and innovative spirit with us.
Four decades of your countries growing stronger inside the EU.
Congratulations!
For 40 years, you’ve been part of our Union.
Four decades of sharing your exceptional culture and innovative spirit with us.
Four decades of your countries growing stronger inside the EU.
Congratulations!
January 1, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Felicitaciones and felicitações, Spain and Portugal.
For 40 years, you’ve been part of our Union.
Four decades of sharing your exceptional culture and innovative spirit with us.
Four decades of your countries growing stronger inside the EU.
Congratulations!
For 40 years, you’ve been part of our Union.
Four decades of sharing your exceptional culture and innovative spirit with us.
Four decades of your countries growing stronger inside the EU.
Congratulations!
Feliz cumpleto Club Atlético Independiente, founded officially #OnThisDay 1 January 1905 🇦🇷
One of Argentina's 'Big Five', 'El Rey de Copas' (King of Cups) has:
🏆 7x Copa Libertadores (a record)
🏆 16x Argentine championships
This was the incredible view when I went back in 2024.
#groundhopping
One of Argentina's 'Big Five', 'El Rey de Copas' (King of Cups) has:
🏆 7x Copa Libertadores (a record)
🏆 16x Argentine championships
This was the incredible view when I went back in 2024.
#groundhopping
January 1, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Feliz cumpleto Club Atlético Independiente, founded officially #OnThisDay 1 January 1905 🇦🇷
One of Argentina's 'Big Five', 'El Rey de Copas' (King of Cups) has:
🏆 7x Copa Libertadores (a record)
🏆 16x Argentine championships
This was the incredible view when I went back in 2024.
#groundhopping
One of Argentina's 'Big Five', 'El Rey de Copas' (King of Cups) has:
🏆 7x Copa Libertadores (a record)
🏆 16x Argentine championships
This was the incredible view when I went back in 2024.
#groundhopping
This year in numbers:
🏟️ 12 new grounds
🌍 4 countries 🏴🇫🇷🇨🇭🇩🇪
🎙️34 podcast episodes
🎧49,217 downloads
🌐 38,000 website visitors (now closed)
✍️ 12,800 Substack reads (Aug25)
✅ 286 Substack subscribers (free!)
Fave experience: Dutch fan walk
Fave football book: Oh, San Lorenzo
Fave ground: Altona 93
🏟️ 12 new grounds
🌍 4 countries 🏴🇫🇷🇨🇭🇩🇪
🎙️34 podcast episodes
🎧49,217 downloads
🌐 38,000 website visitors (now closed)
✍️ 12,800 Substack reads (Aug25)
✅ 286 Substack subscribers (free!)
Fave experience: Dutch fan walk
Fave football book: Oh, San Lorenzo
Fave ground: Altona 93
December 31, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This year in numbers:
🏟️ 12 new grounds
🌍 4 countries 🏴🇫🇷🇨🇭🇩🇪
🎙️34 podcast episodes
🎧49,217 downloads
🌐 38,000 website visitors (now closed)
✍️ 12,800 Substack reads (Aug25)
✅ 286 Substack subscribers (free!)
Fave experience: Dutch fan walk
Fave football book: Oh, San Lorenzo
Fave ground: Altona 93
🏟️ 12 new grounds
🌍 4 countries 🏴🇫🇷🇨🇭🇩🇪
🎙️34 podcast episodes
🎧49,217 downloads
🌐 38,000 website visitors (now closed)
✍️ 12,800 Substack reads (Aug25)
✅ 286 Substack subscribers (free!)
Fave experience: Dutch fan walk
Fave football book: Oh, San Lorenzo
Fave ground: Altona 93
Websites have been with us for over three decades now, yet football club websites are often exasperating.
They should have, as an absolute minimum:
- Home page
- News
- Fixtures
- Ticket office
- Online store
- Club history
- Contact
- Links to social
- Members' area
They should have, as an absolute minimum:
- Home page
- News
- Fixtures
- Ticket office
- Online store
- Club history
- Contact
- Links to social
- Members' area
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Websites have been with us for over three decades now, yet football club websites are often exasperating.
They should have, as an absolute minimum:
- Home page
- News
- Fixtures
- Ticket office
- Online store
- Club history
- Contact
- Links to social
- Members' area
They should have, as an absolute minimum:
- Home page
- News
- Fixtures
- Ticket office
- Online store
- Club history
- Contact
- Links to social
- Members' area
Quite pleased to have finished 2025 without having taken a single flight ✈️
Trains all the way in 🏴 🇫🇷 (x2)🇨🇭🇩🇪 and 🇳🇱
Partly for the environment, partly because I prefer trains (albeit more expensive) and also because I had a hairy flight back from 🇦🇷 last year 😬
A few flights to come in 2026 🇪🇸 🇵🇹
Trains all the way in 🏴 🇫🇷 (x2)🇨🇭🇩🇪 and 🇳🇱
Partly for the environment, partly because I prefer trains (albeit more expensive) and also because I had a hairy flight back from 🇦🇷 last year 😬
A few flights to come in 2026 🇪🇸 🇵🇹
December 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Quite pleased to have finished 2025 without having taken a single flight ✈️
Trains all the way in 🏴 🇫🇷 (x2)🇨🇭🇩🇪 and 🇳🇱
Partly for the environment, partly because I prefer trains (albeit more expensive) and also because I had a hairy flight back from 🇦🇷 last year 😬
A few flights to come in 2026 🇪🇸 🇵🇹
Trains all the way in 🏴 🇫🇷 (x2)🇨🇭🇩🇪 and 🇳🇱
Partly for the environment, partly because I prefer trains (albeit more expensive) and also because I had a hairy flight back from 🇦🇷 last year 😬
A few flights to come in 2026 🇪🇸 🇵🇹
Bramall Lane hosted its first football match #onthisday 29 Dec 1862
Why is it such a historic ground and pivotal to football's story?
Find out here... 👇🏼
substack.com/profile/3401...
Why is it such a historic ground and pivotal to football's story?
Find out here... 👇🏼
substack.com/profile/3401...
Outside Write (Chris Lee) (@outsidewrite)
This Bramall Lane, Sheffield, home of Sheffield Utd. The ground is actually one of the most historic in world football.
On this day, 29 December 1862, Bramall Lane, which was a county cricket ground ...
substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Bramall Lane hosted its first football match #onthisday 29 Dec 1862
Why is it such a historic ground and pivotal to football's story?
Find out here... 👇🏼
substack.com/profile/3401...
Why is it such a historic ground and pivotal to football's story?
Find out here... 👇🏼
substack.com/profile/3401...
#OnThisDay in football, 29 Dec
🏴 1862 First football match (Sheffield rules) held at Bramall Lane, a Yorkshire cricket ground
🇫🇷 1905 AJ Auxerre were founded
🇧🇷 2022 Pelé died, aged 82
🏴 1862 First football match (Sheffield rules) held at Bramall Lane, a Yorkshire cricket ground
🇫🇷 1905 AJ Auxerre were founded
🇧🇷 2022 Pelé died, aged 82
December 29, 2025 at 8:34 AM
#OnThisDay in football, 29 Dec
🏴 1862 First football match (Sheffield rules) held at Bramall Lane, a Yorkshire cricket ground
🇫🇷 1905 AJ Auxerre were founded
🇧🇷 2022 Pelé died, aged 82
🏴 1862 First football match (Sheffield rules) held at Bramall Lane, a Yorkshire cricket ground
🇫🇷 1905 AJ Auxerre were founded
🇧🇷 2022 Pelé died, aged 82
Four footballing highlights of my year:
🔥 Centenary of Altona 93 v Dulwich Hamlet Freundschaftsspiel
🏆 Dutch fans at the Women's Euros in Zurich v England. The fan walk was epic!
☠️ Player tunnel at the Millerntor
📗 Launch of my third book, Shades of Green
Bring on 2026!
🔥 Centenary of Altona 93 v Dulwich Hamlet Freundschaftsspiel
🏆 Dutch fans at the Women's Euros in Zurich v England. The fan walk was epic!
☠️ Player tunnel at the Millerntor
📗 Launch of my third book, Shades of Green
Bring on 2026!
December 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Four footballing highlights of my year:
🔥 Centenary of Altona 93 v Dulwich Hamlet Freundschaftsspiel
🏆 Dutch fans at the Women's Euros in Zurich v England. The fan walk was epic!
☠️ Player tunnel at the Millerntor
📗 Launch of my third book, Shades of Green
Bring on 2026!
🔥 Centenary of Altona 93 v Dulwich Hamlet Freundschaftsspiel
🏆 Dutch fans at the Women's Euros in Zurich v England. The fan walk was epic!
☠️ Player tunnel at the Millerntor
📗 Launch of my third book, Shades of Green
Bring on 2026!
This year, I had some phenomenal high-profile guests on the podcast, including David Goldblatt, Tim Vickery, Eli Mengem and Joey D'Urso.
The podcast will be back in the spring (possibly Feb), and I am just lining up potential guests.
Sub/catch up:
open.spotify.com/episode/2lag...
The podcast will be back in the spring (possibly Feb), and I am just lining up potential guests.
Sub/catch up:
open.spotify.com/episode/2lag...
December 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This year, I had some phenomenal high-profile guests on the podcast, including David Goldblatt, Tim Vickery, Eli Mengem and Joey D'Urso.
The podcast will be back in the spring (possibly Feb), and I am just lining up potential guests.
Sub/catch up:
open.spotify.com/episode/2lag...
The podcast will be back in the spring (possibly Feb), and I am just lining up potential guests.
Sub/catch up:
open.spotify.com/episode/2lag...
Quiet year all told, I have had other priorities, tbh.
But no 0-0s and great company throughout 🙌🏼
The #groundhopping community are just the best people
Next year, I am focussing on 🇪🇸 and 🇵🇹
But no 0-0s and great company throughout 🙌🏼
The #groundhopping community are just the best people
Next year, I am focussing on 🇪🇸 and 🇵🇹
December 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Quiet year all told, I have had other priorities, tbh.
But no 0-0s and great company throughout 🙌🏼
The #groundhopping community are just the best people
Next year, I am focussing on 🇪🇸 and 🇵🇹
But no 0-0s and great company throughout 🙌🏼
The #groundhopping community are just the best people
Next year, I am focussing on 🇪🇸 and 🇵🇹
#OnThisDay 28 Dec 1965 🇩🇪
Hansa Rostock was founded in the former DDR (East Germany)
The club finished second in the final DDR-Oberliga season, qualifying for the expanded post-reunification Bundesliga with players like Mike Werner (right)
'Hansa' in Germany refers to the Hanseatic League of yore
Hansa Rostock was founded in the former DDR (East Germany)
The club finished second in the final DDR-Oberliga season, qualifying for the expanded post-reunification Bundesliga with players like Mike Werner (right)
'Hansa' in Germany refers to the Hanseatic League of yore
December 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
#OnThisDay 28 Dec 1965 🇩🇪
Hansa Rostock was founded in the former DDR (East Germany)
The club finished second in the final DDR-Oberliga season, qualifying for the expanded post-reunification Bundesliga with players like Mike Werner (right)
'Hansa' in Germany refers to the Hanseatic League of yore
Hansa Rostock was founded in the former DDR (East Germany)
The club finished second in the final DDR-Oberliga season, qualifying for the expanded post-reunification Bundesliga with players like Mike Werner (right)
'Hansa' in Germany refers to the Hanseatic League of yore
Last game of the year
Carshalton 1-1 Hamlet 💙🩷
Means I finished 2025 without a goalless draw!
Carshalton 1-1 Hamlet 💙🩷
Means I finished 2025 without a goalless draw!
December 27, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Last game of the year
Carshalton 1-1 Hamlet 💙🩷
Means I finished 2025 without a goalless draw!
Carshalton 1-1 Hamlet 💙🩷
Means I finished 2025 without a goalless draw!
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1944 🇫🇷
Alexandre Villaplane, who captained France at the first World Cup in 1930 and was the first North African to represent Les Bleus, was executed for his role collaborating with the N*zis in occupied France.
More in my book, The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism
Alexandre Villaplane, who captained France at the first World Cup in 1930 and was the first North African to represent Les Bleus, was executed for his role collaborating with the N*zis in occupied France.
More in my book, The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism
December 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1944 🇫🇷
Alexandre Villaplane, who captained France at the first World Cup in 1930 and was the first North African to represent Les Bleus, was executed for his role collaborating with the N*zis in occupied France.
More in my book, The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism
Alexandre Villaplane, who captained France at the first World Cup in 1930 and was the first North African to represent Les Bleus, was executed for his role collaborating with the N*zis in occupied France.
More in my book, The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1948 ☘️
A feisty derby between Linfield and Belfast Celtic turned violent at the final whistle as home fans set about attacking Celts' (protestant) striker, Jimmy Jones
Jones' leg was broken, but it could have been much worse, prompting Belfast Celtic quit the Irish League forever
A feisty derby between Linfield and Belfast Celtic turned violent at the final whistle as home fans set about attacking Celts' (protestant) striker, Jimmy Jones
Jones' leg was broken, but it could have been much worse, prompting Belfast Celtic quit the Irish League forever
December 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1948 ☘️
A feisty derby between Linfield and Belfast Celtic turned violent at the final whistle as home fans set about attacking Celts' (protestant) striker, Jimmy Jones
Jones' leg was broken, but it could have been much worse, prompting Belfast Celtic quit the Irish League forever
A feisty derby between Linfield and Belfast Celtic turned violent at the final whistle as home fans set about attacking Celts' (protestant) striker, Jimmy Jones
Jones' leg was broken, but it could have been much worse, prompting Belfast Celtic quit the Irish League forever
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1920 🏴
The Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helen's Ladies drew a crowd of 53,000 at Goodison Park.
The growing popularity of women's football spooked the FA into banning affiliated grounds from hosting women.
The ban lasted 50 years.
The Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helen's Ladies drew a crowd of 53,000 at Goodison Park.
The growing popularity of women's football spooked the FA into banning affiliated grounds from hosting women.
The ban lasted 50 years.
December 27, 2025 at 7:49 AM
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1920 🏴
The Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helen's Ladies drew a crowd of 53,000 at Goodison Park.
The growing popularity of women's football spooked the FA into banning affiliated grounds from hosting women.
The ban lasted 50 years.
The Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helen's Ladies drew a crowd of 53,000 at Goodison Park.
The growing popularity of women's football spooked the FA into banning affiliated grounds from hosting women.
The ban lasted 50 years.
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1897 🇫🇷
The first football match to be played at Le Parc des Princes took place between Club Français and the 'English Ramblers', a group of Paris-based Englishmen.
The expats won 3-1. Parc des Princes was home to the French national side and is now home to PSG.
#groundhopping
The first football match to be played at Le Parc des Princes took place between Club Français and the 'English Ramblers', a group of Paris-based Englishmen.
The expats won 3-1. Parc des Princes was home to the French national side and is now home to PSG.
#groundhopping
December 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
#OnThisDay 27 Dec 1897 🇫🇷
The first football match to be played at Le Parc des Princes took place between Club Français and the 'English Ramblers', a group of Paris-based Englishmen.
The expats won 3-1. Parc des Princes was home to the French national side and is now home to PSG.
#groundhopping
The first football match to be played at Le Parc des Princes took place between Club Français and the 'English Ramblers', a group of Paris-based Englishmen.
The expats won 3-1. Parc des Princes was home to the French national side and is now home to PSG.
#groundhopping
Reposted by Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️
I've been meaning to write about the glorious/disastrous Futbology app since 2019, when I found myself at a Danish second division game for no real reason, other than the app told me there was a match close to where I was. So here it is!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
The story of Futbology – the app that allows football fans to tick off stadiums
Be warned: if this convinces you to get involved, the Futbology mindset is not just for Christmas, it’s for life
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I've been meaning to write about the glorious/disastrous Futbology app since 2019, when I found myself at a Danish second division game for no real reason, other than the app told me there was a match close to where I was. So here it is!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
#OnThisDay 26 Dec 1860 🏴
In this leafy corner of Sheffield, the world's oldest derby first took place as @hallamfc1860.bsky.social hosted @sheffieldfc.bsky.social
Both clubs were playing 'Sheffield rules', and the visitors won 2-0.
More in my book 👉🏼 www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/origin-...
In this leafy corner of Sheffield, the world's oldest derby first took place as @hallamfc1860.bsky.social hosted @sheffieldfc.bsky.social
Both clubs were playing 'Sheffield rules', and the visitors won 2-0.
More in my book 👉🏼 www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/origin-...
December 26, 2025 at 9:27 AM
#OnThisDay 26 Dec 1860 🏴
In this leafy corner of Sheffield, the world's oldest derby first took place as @hallamfc1860.bsky.social hosted @sheffieldfc.bsky.social
Both clubs were playing 'Sheffield rules', and the visitors won 2-0.
More in my book 👉🏼 www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/origin-...
In this leafy corner of Sheffield, the world's oldest derby first took place as @hallamfc1860.bsky.social hosted @sheffieldfc.bsky.social
Both clubs were playing 'Sheffield rules', and the visitors won 2-0.
More in my book 👉🏼 www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/origin-...
Reposted by Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate 🎄
#OnThisDay 25 Dec 1871 🏴
Reading Football Club was founded at a public meeting.
Christmas was more of a community affair in those days, and Christmas matches were a regular fixture until 1965
Reading Football Club was founded at a public meeting.
Christmas was more of a community affair in those days, and Christmas matches were a regular fixture until 1965
December 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
#OnThisDay 25 Dec 1871 🏴
Reading Football Club was founded at a public meeting.
Christmas was more of a community affair in those days, and Christmas matches were a regular fixture until 1965
Reading Football Club was founded at a public meeting.
Christmas was more of a community affair in those days, and Christmas matches were a regular fixture until 1965
#OnThisDay 25 Dec 1888 ☘️
Linfield and Cliftonville contested the only (English) FA Cup tie to be played on Christmas Day.
It was fairly one-sided...
[From my third book, 'Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football']
Linfield and Cliftonville contested the only (English) FA Cup tie to be played on Christmas Day.
It was fairly one-sided...
[From my third book, 'Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football']
December 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#OnThisDay 25 Dec 1888 ☘️
Linfield and Cliftonville contested the only (English) FA Cup tie to be played on Christmas Day.
It was fairly one-sided...
[From my third book, 'Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football']
Linfield and Cliftonville contested the only (English) FA Cup tie to be played on Christmas Day.
It was fairly one-sided...
[From my third book, 'Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football']
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate 🎄