Robin Ireland
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robinireland.bsky.social
Robin Ireland
@robinireland.bsky.social
Writer, academic, public health advocate, and football fan. New book, ‘Cutting the Mustard’, available to order now. www.robinireland.com
Reposted by Robin Ireland
The #FoodActive2025 conference is now underway! 165 delegates and a fantastic line up of speakers ready for an exciting morning of reflection and discussion to mark ten years of the Healthy Weight Declaration.

#FoodActive2025
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
Delighted to have @robinireland.bsky.social and Arif Rajpura set the scene for the conference this morning and reflect on the origins and impact of the declaration in Blackpool.

#FoodActive2025
November 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Thanks Martin. Glad you like it. Anyone interested can buy Cutting the Mustard here: www.robinireland.com
New book alert: Cutting the Mustard: 50 years of dreaming by @robinireland.bsky.social, a history of commercialisation in English football through a case study of Norwich City. Great research, lively style, and brilliant design based around photos of ephemera. #SportsHistory #norwichcity #otbc
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Things aren't getting any better are they #NCFC. The business model of football is failing many fans, not just those currently extremely unhappy at Norwich City. If you missed my blog yesterday on why a lot more than a fake Dafabet shirt should be binned, here it is: robinireland.com/blogs/blog/i...
November 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
So, quite a weekend in Norfolk. The football was tough to watch. Hard to see how this is going to work out well for anyone at #NCFC. I spent Sunday in The Forum discussing the wreck that is our football club. It certainly isn't a well-run business: robinireland.com/blogs/blog/i...
It’s Not Christmas Yet
I just spent a long weekend in Norfolk, driving down to the fine city from Glasgow with my partner, Rebecca. Living a long way away from Carrow Road, I usually only get to selected away games these da...
robinireland.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
Picked up my copy and had a short word with Robin. I think it will be an important read to any of us interested in what truly football represents beyond formations and XG!
November 2, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Hoping to see a few folk at The Forum today #Norwich #NCFC #NorwichCity #CuttingTheMustard
November 2, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This week I've heard talk about football as a business, the commercialisation of #NCFC, expensive ticket prices, unfriendly kick-off times, fans treated as customers. It's been going this way for a long time. Read all about it in 'Cutting the Mustard' ⬇️http://robinireland.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Fascinating to hear Mark Attanasio @bbcradionorfolk.bsky.social last night. Essentially he was talking about the business of football. If you want to understand more about how #NCFC (and many other clubs) are in the position they are in today, can I politely suggest you read ‘Cutting the Mustard’.
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
Ten years of declarations stemming the flood of unhealthy food across the country!

Looking forward to the conference plus our panel on the commercial determinants of health with Prof @markpetticrew.bsky.social, Maria @frameworks.bsky.social & Dr Oliver Mytton with @robinireland.bsky.social
Food Active 2025 is just two week away! ✨

We have published the conference agenda which is jam-packed with a fantastic line up of speakers and discussions

View the full agenda and book your ticket here 👉 foodactive.org.uk/two-weeks-to...

#FoodActive2025
October 28, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
Food Active 2025 is just two week away! ✨

We have published the conference agenda which is jam-packed with a fantastic line up of speakers and discussions

View the full agenda and book your ticket here 👉 foodactive.org.uk/two-weeks-to...

#FoodActive2025
October 28, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Quite the weekend to be in Norfolk. I will be at Carrow Rd on Sat with not a clue as to what to expect. I will also be at a Football Collectors Fair on Sun at The Forum. Lovely to see some #NCFC folk there. I will be selling and signing my book plus some programmes, badges, cards associated with it.
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
On a recent visit to Poland @robinireland.bsky.social
recorded a conversation on the impact of sport on public health, and the challenges that the commercialisation and commodification of sport present.

🎧 youtu.be/qGAYdmNW2cI?...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
The unhealthy side of sport - conversation with Dr Robin Ireland
YouTube video by Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Lovely to be talking football (and exchanging books) with a Polish colleague from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan #CuttingTheMustard
October 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
UK gambling ads with Lewis Hamilton and Chelsea logo banned over influence on children www.bbc.com/news/article.... Tip of the iceberg. Sport thrives on relationships like these. 😩
UK gambling ads with Lewis Hamilton and Chelsea logo banned over children influence
UK's ad watchdog warns the betting companies not to include any character who has a strong appeal to viewers under the age of 18.
www.bbc.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Looking forward to being at the Football Collectors Fair at The Forum next month. Look forward to seeing some #NCFC fans there. Maybe it will take our minds on what's happening on the pitch.
October 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
“Right now is a hard watch. It seems from the outside that the club has gotten a bit lost in the quest to become ´an established Premier League team´. It’s normally ended in tears when Norwich have become too focused on that, and I’m not sure if most fans even want it” www.pinkun.com/sport/interv...
Iceland, Wilshere and pro licence: City fan Brazell shares unique coaching journey
Norwich City fan Chris Brazell has packed plenty into his coaching career. He speaks to Connor Southwell about his journey in the game.
www.pinkun.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A protester outside held a sign insisting “San Siro belongs to the citizens”. Sound familiar? I went there with #NCFC all those years ago. Mind you the Milan ambition may be bigger than our own 🙄💰💰💰 www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Breathtaking San Siro faces end as Inter and Milan try to keep up with modern game
Clubs’ plan to open new ground in 2031 has been met by local opposition but is required for hosts to stay competitive
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As mucky as it gets. Every wriggle room employed to avoid any idea of ethics and responsibility: www.theguardian.com/football/202.... When revenue streams trump any idea of decency.
Premier League clubs turn to hidden gambling partners to beat sponsorship ban
Aston Villa, Chelsea, Leeds and Nottingham Forest failed to respond to questions sent by the Guardian, while Sunderland refused to comment
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Thanks @myfootballwriter.bsky.social for carrying my piece about the commercialisation of football - Not Yet Hollywood Norwich! tinyurl.com/3upavfpr #NCFC
Not yet Hollywood Norwich!
tinyurl.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba.... Nice piece on football shirts but no mention of sponsors? It can be the brand that either makes the shirt or destroys it if it is a gambling company for example.
Retro football shirts: From practicality to fashion statements
How football shirts have evolved from one kit per club per season, with simple designs, to fashion statements.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
🟢🟡 Not yet Hollywood Norwich!

🗣️ @robinireland.bsky.social

▪️Consultation and good communication are key.
▪️Under D&M's watch, the name ‘Carrow Road’ is sacrosanct.
▪️A fine balance between bringing in revenue and keeping fans happy.

LINK: norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2025/10/15/n...

#ncfc
October 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
#FoodActive2025 conference speaker announcement ✨

We are excited to welcome Dr Arif Rajpura, DPH at Blackpool Council & @robinireland.bsky.social, Director of Research at HEG, who will be discussing Blackpool's leadership on healthy weight.

Register here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-decade-o...
October 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Robin Ireland
CfP: Excited to announce our first workshop, exploring histories of Commercial Determinants of Health. Workshop to be held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on 15 April 2026. Please circulate widely/consider submitting an abstract by 13 October 2025.
July 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Back from a great trip to Poland where I spoke at an event organised with Arka Gdynia, a Polish Ekstraklasa team. A lot of discussion on that fine line between being a football fan and consumer. Fascinating to present my new book in this context. Arguably #NCFC may have just crossed this line?
October 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM