NorCalVol

FROM THE SPOT OF THE FOUL is a blog dedicated to the world of European football as viewed through the eyes of an American sports fan who became an accidental observer of soccer in England, Italy, Spain, and elsewhere in Europe.

This blog explores my fascination, and obsession, with the game of soccer played by the best players in the world for the best clubs in the world.

I am purely a fan, not a professional in the business of sport. I have played and still play sports, but because of where and when I was raised, soccer was not one of them. Nonetheless, I pretend that I can watch, read, listen, and think for myself.

The main objective of posts is to present current events and issues with a perspective of inquiry to why the world of European football is utterly fascinating, how it is similar to mainstream team sports in the United States, and how it is unique. The culture of football is a main focus.

This blog attempts to stay away from reporting events as purely direct news items. There are too many other sources that do this better than I ever could.

Most of the posts are in the form of letters written from and to figures in football, popular culture, history, and fiction. This allows illumination of main issues to be presented in a way that is different from most sources of news and opinion.

Other postings are presented more directly, with my viewpoint, in the following categories: Spotlight; Match Report; and Time Out.

Spotlight postings focus on issues ranging from current news to historical items.

Match Report postings are an account of my viewing of a match involving either a European club or national team.

Time Out postings are about matches or issues that do not directly involve European clubs or national teams.

My perspective is what I have to give, and I think there is an every-growing number of Americans with the same background of following sports that are turning to football in Europe. The growth will be exponential because the ability for Americans to watch the European game is growing every year.

Help it continue to grow by reading and subscribing to my blog.

Thanks for visiting!