Podcast: Cold War Football in Ten Matches
I'm joined by Tony Shaw and Alan McDougall, co-authors of a new book exploring the Cold War in ten football matches, from 1945 to 1991.
Outside Write (Chris Lee)
The curious football fan’s Substack and podcast, covering groundhopping, football history and fan culture worldwide. By Chris Lee, author of ‘Origin Stories’ (2021); ‘The Defiant’ (2022); and ‘Shades of Green’ (2025).
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Latest posts
How Vasco da Gama fought for equality in early Brazilian football
Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama played a critical role in democratising football in Brazil, breaking down racial and class barriers. This is the story of Vasco’s ‘Historical Response’.
Podcast: Community Football – Clapton CFC and New York International
What does ‘community football’ mean to you? I caught up with two progressive clubs either side of the Atlantic to hear about their work.
A Century in Violet: 100 Years of Fiorentina
Florence was at the heart of the Renaissance, producing artists and scientists who changed the world. For a century now, another great Florentine product has graced the global stage: ACF Fiorentina.
The History of the Netherlands’ ‘Big Three’
The Dutch ‘Big Three’ of Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord from Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven have won 91% of all Eredivisie titles contested since its launch in 1956/57. Here’s how it all began for them.
The Game of the People: How the Working Class Took Over Football
The Association rules game started out as a gentleman’s pursuit once its rules were agreed in 1863. Within two decades, the old order was overturned. This is how football became the people’s game.
The Story of the First La Liga Season
Spain’s La Liga is one of the top leagues in the world. Yet its first season in 1929 was a modest affair with only ten clubs. Here’s the story of that first season.
Football in the Spanish Civil War
On the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, I look back at what happened to football in Spain during the three-year conflict and its legacy.
South London: Home of Football?
There is no shortage of places that claim to be ‘the home of football’. One place that doesn’t, but probably should, is South London. Here’s why.
What Might Have Been: How Football Took Root in the USA
With the US as the centre of the world’s football attention, hosting its second World Cup, let’s look back at how the game started in the US.