Loaded Icons

 Loaded has had many iconic covers in its time, but many of my favourite icons have appeared on the front of the lads favourite. Here's a few...

Football Italia

Goooooalazzzzzo!

Anyone who remembers that iconic goal shout will remember channel fours biggest sporting achievement - bringing glamerous Italian Serie A football to terrestrial television sets.

It's actually only been seven years since the Football Italia programne finished in 2008 (2002 on C4), but it seems longer as it was far removed from it's mid 90s heyday.

Back then it had everything. Saturday mornings the suave James Richardson sat crossed legged enjoying a leisurely alfresco breakfast whilst dissecting the Italian sports pages for us. Interviews with world class players plying their trade in the then best league on earth. And then goal round ups from previous weekend, with seemingly all involving high skill and/or spectacular finishing.

Sunday afternoons really were Super Sundays, free televised full match of something like the Milan derby. No Stoke v Hull being billed as 'Super' and charging £40 a month.

There'd often be a few ex pats on display as English geniuses like Gascoigne, Platt, Ince and, er, Dorigo left our dull old game to put their wits against Maradona, Baggio, Vialli, Maldini, Zola et al. Pundetry would be Mr cool again, Richardson, but Italian football connoisseurs like Paul Heaton and Elvis Costello would occasionally show up to provide their expertry.

The fans were unreal too. Far left and far right and seldom in between, cauldrons of noise, flares and flags. Support taken to ultra level.

Pink strips. Never seen those before. Palmero and Juventus (away) proudly trotting out in 'salmon'. Cool. Fiorentina sponsored by Nintendo. And their away kit with the Nazi swastika hidden in it. Squad numbers in the 30s and 40s was a foreign concept too given the English football league was still using 1-11.

In short mid 90s Italian footie had glamour, class, wealth and style. And it was all epitomised by Football Italia. Bellissimo.

Harvest From The Deep

New magazine venture produced by some North Shields connoisseurs. Sport, fashion, music and the simple things in life. And it's northern. Out soon.

Watch this rather amusing space @hftdmagazine for more deets.

Pegg and Frost

By evilcorp.tv 

 

Dressed to Kill

Finally sourced a copy of Dressers. Cracking read, with some honest and unexaggerated accounts of Motherwell's finest going toe to toe with Aberdeen and Hibs etc. However really enjoyed the extensive clobber section towards the rear. Thought I'd share some of the pages for those who haven't read this cult gem.

Ince Ready For War

Found him in a charity shop for ten bob and thought I'd rejuvenate him to his blood and guts battling best.

You'd think that with a full time job, two small kids to raise, a holiday to pay for and the threat of eviction looming, I'd have better things to do. But apparently not.

Pieces and Bits

January. That bleak month after the expense of Christmas where we claim we'll tighten the belts and reduce spending. And we do so. By shopping in sales. Here's a few bits...

Universal Works parka. Lying about this being a Jan purchase, was a birthday present to myself in November. Well, you only turn 31 once. Just haven't got round to posting, been trying to think of a Blur 'The Universal" pun. And I can no longer hold on For Tomorrow. Shit. 

CP Company sweat. Nice plain weave knit by Chester Perry. Again I'm sure this was bought before Christmas so this post makes no sense. For a bargain fee on 15 notes from CC forum.

Casual Connoisseur Weir. Another forum pick up for a score. Missed out on these Football Specials when they were released, but finally, after a severe delay of British Rail proportions, I've got one on board.

Whilst we're on on the subject of #LoveHats a blue Barbour bucket. So that's one for now, one for then..

Tuk tuk Marsh shirt. Oldham meets Madras with this fine design by shirtsmiths tuktuk. Love a shirt and these have fast become my favourite label, thanks to a fine mix of quality and style... Plus extras like stickers and sticks of rock.

Rains Jacket. Finally a cheap Mac from Danish designers Rains. Via a forum yet again for pennies. Lost some weight and took a risk on a M/L. Unfortunately I need L/XL. But I could lose a few more lbs. It really really really could happen. Get in, there's The Universal pun.