Paul Brown
@paulbrownuk.bsky.social
Writes about stuff: history, football, true crime, rocketbelts.
Find me here: https://stuffbypaulbrown.com/
Find me here: https://stuffbypaulbrown.com/
Nice review of the Ruhleben book, glad Matthew liked it.
Matthew Philpotts with a superb review of a book by Paul Brown which covers Newcastle United’s Germans, early history and WW1 - a fascinating read - #NUFC
tf1892.substack.com/p/the-extrao...
tf1892.substack.com/p/the-extrao...
The Extraordinary Life of Edwin Dutton and the "Ruhleben Football Association"
Matthew discovers the remarkable story of the first German international to play for United
tf1892.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Nice review of the Ruhleben book, glad Matthew liked it.
I wrote about an apparent epidemic of people getting crushed by steam rollers.
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/crushed-by...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/crushed-by...
Crushed by a Steam Roller
An epidemic of grisly flattenings; PLUS Putin's kill list and a great-grandmother's guide to murder
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:33 AM
I wrote about an apparent epidemic of people getting crushed by steam rollers.
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/crushed-by...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/crushed-by...
Reposted by Paul Brown
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
September 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
"Stop the boats and paracetamol."
"We were told thalidomide was a safe drug and it wasn't..."
Nigel Farage says he has 'no idea' if Donald Trump is right about paracetamol being linked to autism.
Nigel Farage says he has 'no idea' if Donald Trump is right about paracetamol being linked to autism.
September 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
"Stop the boats and paracetamol."
Question arising from #NUFC vs #FCB last night. Why did Barca have a coach standing with the subs who were warming up near the corner flag? He also walked behind the goal to pass instructions to the keeper. I thought the rule was "coaching staff are restricted to the confines of the technical area"?
September 19, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Question arising from #NUFC vs #FCB last night. Why did Barca have a coach standing with the subs who were warming up near the corner flag? He also walked behind the goal to pass instructions to the keeper. I thought the rule was "coaching staff are restricted to the confines of the technical area"?
In the new edition of my newsletter, out today, a young boy battles a boogle of weasels. Yes, "boogle".
It also features George Robledo, Sam Fender, and Nuremberg.
You can read "Attacked by Weasels" here:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/attacked-b...
It also features George Robledo, Sam Fender, and Nuremberg.
You can read "Attacked by Weasels" here:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/attacked-b...
Attacked by Weasels
A young boy battles Britain's most savage killer; PLUS George Robledo book, Nuremberg movie, Sam Fender podcast
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In the new edition of my newsletter, out today, a young boy battles a boogle of weasels. Yes, "boogle".
It also features George Robledo, Sam Fender, and Nuremberg.
You can read "Attacked by Weasels" here:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/attacked-b...
It also features George Robledo, Sam Fender, and Nuremberg.
You can read "Attacked by Weasels" here:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/attacked-b...
I reviewed the book Postcards from Santiago: The George Robledo Story by Spencer Vignes for the latest edition of @wsc.co.uk magazine, WSC 457, in shops now or get it here: www.wsc.co.uk/shop/wsc-457/
WSC 457 – order with free UK delivery
October 2025 - Players refusing to play, Euro 2025 review, Sheffield Wednesday, Argentina, Ayresome Park
www.wsc.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I reviewed the book Postcards from Santiago: The George Robledo Story by Spencer Vignes for the latest edition of @wsc.co.uk magazine, WSC 457, in shops now or get it here: www.wsc.co.uk/shop/wsc-457/
I'm selling a prized possession, a complete hardcover edition of the 1906 Book of Football, possibly the most sought after football book ever published: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28680790...
September 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I'm selling a prized possession, a complete hardcover edition of the 1906 Book of Football, possibly the most sought after football book ever published: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28680790...
So misunderstood.
September 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
So misunderstood.
For a suitably scorching Singular Discoveries summer special, I wrote about an astronomer who blamed heatwaves on Jupiter: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/blaming-he...
Blaming Heatwaves on Jupiter
A super scorching Singular Discoveries summer special; PLUS The Martians, Pavement, and AI rewriting history
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 7:34 AM
For a suitably scorching Singular Discoveries summer special, I wrote about an astronomer who blamed heatwaves on Jupiter: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/blaming-he...
Ahead of this weekend's Durham Miners' Gala, I wrote about the birthplace of the working class for @tribunemagazine.bsky.social
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/07/dmg-...
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/07/dmg-...
DMG 2025: Birthplace of the Working Class
In the first of a series of pieces leading up to Saturday’s Durham Miners’ Gala, we examine a forgotten corner of County Durham with a strong claim to be the one of the global birthplaces of the indus...
tribunemag.co.uk
July 10, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Ahead of this weekend's Durham Miners' Gala, I wrote about the birthplace of the working class for @tribunemagazine.bsky.social
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/07/dmg-...
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/07/dmg-...
Football fans: Ever been inside an empty stadium—on a tour, after a match—and felt something strange? A lingering echo of noise, emotion, presence, like it's still alive, even when no one is there? Have you ever experienced the uncanny atmosphere of an absent crowd? Let me know, for a thing... ⚽👻
June 26, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Football fans: Ever been inside an empty stadium—on a tour, after a match—and felt something strange? A lingering echo of noise, emotion, presence, like it's still alive, even when no one is there? Have you ever experienced the uncanny atmosphere of an absent crowd? Let me know, for a thing... ⚽👻
Reposted by Paul Brown
"Lying face down."
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to
writer @paulbrownuk.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to
writer @paulbrownuk.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
The Red Cross Murders
Were the murders of John Batey, Dr Robert Stirling, and Ellen Atkinson linked? PLUS: Art fraud, The Rehearsal, AI rapture
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
"Lying face down."
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to
writer @paulbrownuk.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to
writer @paulbrownuk.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
New Singular Discoveries newsletter out today: I wrote about three murders linked to a strange red cross. Also Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal, Orlando Whitfield’s All That Glitters, the forthcoming AI apocalypse, and the late, very great Brian Wilson: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
The Red Cross Murders
Were the murders of John Batey, Dr Robert Stirling, and Ellen Atkinson linked? PLUS: Art fraud, The Rehearsal, AI rapture
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
New Singular Discoveries newsletter out today: I wrote about three murders linked to a strange red cross. Also Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal, Orlando Whitfield’s All That Glitters, the forthcoming AI apocalypse, and the late, very great Brian Wilson: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-red-cr...
This month's Substack post is just your everyday true story of a man who killed the king to become ruler of England, and his association with a stake-through-the-heart vampire…
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/oliver-cro...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/oliver-cro...
Oliver Cromwell and the Vampire's Grave
The Lord Protector and a strange burial; PLUS True crime book, New Beatles find, Chernobyl FC, Ruhleben article
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
May 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This month's Substack post is just your everyday true story of a man who killed the king to become ruler of England, and his association with a stake-through-the-heart vampire…
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/oliver-cro...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/oliver-cro...
Reposted by Paul Brown
Die kleine Freiheit in der Gefangenschaft: Vor 110 Jahren #OTD gründeten britische Kriegsgefangene in Spandau die „Ruhleben Football Association“. Auch Nationalspieler waren auf der Trabrennbahn interniert. @paulbrownuk.bsky.social hat ihre Geschichte erzählt. www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/bezir...
Liga und Pokal im Gefangenen-Lager: „Ohne Fußball hätten wir nicht überlebt“
Vor 110 Jahren gründeten britische Kriegsgefangene in Spandau bei Berlin die „Ruhleben Football Association“. Auch Nationalspieler waren auf der Trabrennbahn interniert. Der Buchautor Paul Brown hat i...
www.tagesspiegel.de
March 26, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Die kleine Freiheit in der Gefangenschaft: Vor 110 Jahren #OTD gründeten britische Kriegsgefangene in Spandau die „Ruhleben Football Association“. Auch Nationalspieler waren auf der Trabrennbahn interniert. @paulbrownuk.bsky.social hat ihre Geschichte erzählt. www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/bezir...
NEW: In 1859, villages in the North East of England were plagued by sightings of a terrifying individual known as "the Winlaton Wild Man". A posse was formed to hunt for the Wild Man led by local hero and "Blaydon Races" legend Coffee Johnny...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/coffee-joh...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/coffee-joh...
Coffee Johnny and the Winlaton Wild Man
A local hero hunts for a local legend; PLUS Calvine UFO and Meta madness
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
March 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
NEW: In 1859, villages in the North East of England were plagued by sightings of a terrifying individual known as "the Winlaton Wild Man". A posse was formed to hunt for the Wild Man led by local hero and "Blaydon Races" legend Coffee Johnny...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/coffee-joh...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/coffee-joh...
Happy Kevin Keegan's Birthday. youtu.be/yJdW7-MnXtc
Kevin Keegan - Head Over Heels In Love (1979)
YouTube video by Musikladen
youtu.be
February 14, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Happy Kevin Keegan's Birthday. youtu.be/yJdW7-MnXtc
Today's NEW edition of my free newsletter Singular Discoveries contains self-help advice from a murder suspect with a backwards name; PLUS Extrasensory, Rocketbelt doc, and big tech takeover: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/how-to-be-...
How to be Wise, Happy, Useful, and Rich
Self-help advice from a murder suspect with a backwards name; PLUS Extrasensory, Rocketbelt doc, and big tech takeover
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Today's NEW edition of my free newsletter Singular Discoveries contains self-help advice from a murder suspect with a backwards name; PLUS Extrasensory, Rocketbelt doc, and big tech takeover: singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/how-to-be-...
This is a bad decision by the way. VAR's tech isn't accurate enough to overrule something this tight. Striker's elbow vs defender's shoulder? The linesman had a better view. Onside. Great goal. 3-0 (5-0 agg.) #NUFC
February 6, 2025 at 8:09 AM
This is a bad decision by the way. VAR's tech isn't accurate enough to overrule something this tight. Striker's elbow vs defender's shoulder? The linesman had a better view. Onside. Great goal. 3-0 (5-0 agg.) #NUFC
That's not a sword dance. *This* is a sword dance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GA...
Miner Dancers (1930)
YouTube video by British Pathé
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
That's not a sword dance. *This* is a sword dance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GA...
"A rare instrument known as a 'recorder'". Resembles a flute, popular in Elizabethan times, mentioned in Hamlet... and foisted upon every 1980s schoolkid when they really would have preferred to learn the guitar.
Source: Daily Chronicle, 15 May 1919, via BNA.
Source: Daily Chronicle, 15 May 1919, via BNA.
January 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"A rare instrument known as a 'recorder'". Resembles a flute, popular in Elizabethan times, mentioned in Hamlet... and foisted upon every 1980s schoolkid when they really would have preferred to learn the guitar.
Source: Daily Chronicle, 15 May 1919, via BNA.
Source: Daily Chronicle, 15 May 1919, via BNA.
Brand new Singular Discoveries out today. A royal visit reveals a subterranean mystery in a strange ancient village, plus Killing Thatcher and 20 years of The Rocketbelt Caper:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-prince...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-prince...
The Prince and the Secret Tunnel
A royal visit reveals a subterranean mystery in a strange ancient village; PLUS Killing Thatcher and 20 years of The Rocketbelt Caper
singulardiscoveries.substack.com
January 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Brand new Singular Discoveries out today. A royal visit reveals a subterranean mystery in a strange ancient village, plus Killing Thatcher and 20 years of The Rocketbelt Caper:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-prince...
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/the-prince...
2024 round-up: The Singular Discoveries podcast was shortlisted for the Independent Podcast Awards. It didn't win, but what the hey. You can listen "wherever you get your podcasts" or find episode links here: pod.link/1708869129
Thanks for reading/listening in 2024.🎄
Best wishes for 2025.🥂
Thanks for reading/listening in 2024.🎄
Best wishes for 2025.🥂
Singular Discoveries
Singular Discoveries is a narrative history podcast telling unusual true stories from forgotten corners of the past. In this series, we celebrate the unsung heroes of extraordinary events. We unmask t...
pod.link
December 23, 2024 at 2:19 PM
2024 round-up: The Singular Discoveries podcast was shortlisted for the Independent Podcast Awards. It didn't win, but what the hey. You can listen "wherever you get your podcasts" or find episode links here: pod.link/1708869129
Thanks for reading/listening in 2024.🎄
Best wishes for 2025.🥂
Thanks for reading/listening in 2024.🎄
Best wishes for 2025.🥂