It Was Always... Football

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It Was Always... Football

Welcome to It Was Always... Football — a home for the game’s most important stories.

This is football the way it used to be told. Real stories, real emotion, real connection. From the muddy pitches of the past to the modern-day masters, this space exists for anyone who sees football as more than just a result.

Whether you fell in love at your local ground, through the World Cup on a grainy TV, or while scrolling through modern tactics and transfers, this is for you.

Who are we?

We are writers, fans, thinkers, and dreamers. From Sunday league sidelines to Champions League finals, our voices come from across the football world.

Some of us work in the game. Some of us write about it. All of us live it.

It Was Always... is a phrase that speaks to memory, meaning, and moments. The ones that stay with you. The ones you talk about forever. We’re here to tell those stories, and to find new ones worth telling.

Why Substack?

Because football deserves better than clickbait and chaos.

We write with care. We focus on quality, not quantity. We do not chase trends. We follow the truth, the feeling, and the magic that makes football what it is.

What can you expect?

From grassroots to greatness. From faded shirts to legendary names. From local derbies to global tournaments. This is a place where football lives and breathes.

As a free subscriber, you will receive:

  • Featured stories about the game’s biggest names and smallest details

  • Nostalgic match memories and moments that defined generations

  • Sharp, thoughtful essays that celebrate football culture

As a paid subscriber, you will unlock:

  • Deep dives into tactics, player profiles, systems and eras

  • Exclusive interviews and insight from inside the game

  • Long-form reflections on football history, heritage and change

  • Community Q&As, audio recaps, bonus newsletters and more

We care about football’s soul, not just its spectacle.

Why should you subscribe?

Because you remember why it mattered. Because you still believe in what it can be.

Whether you are a lifelong supporter or a curious newcomer, this is a place for anyone who loves the game — in all its beauty, flaws and meaning.

So come with us. Join the journey. Because

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Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.

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Exploring football across generations — the moments, the matches, the players and the passion. From grassroots to greatness, this is football’s story as it deserves to be told. It Was Always… Football.

People

Married to Charlene, kids Katie & Jack 😍 Work at Scothosts.com Director at AnfieldIndex.com, Jaggyedge.com, Kingdomsports.com, homeofhopcroft.co.uk Support Raith Rovers and Liverpool FC
Telling stories worth remembering. From Liverpool FC to football folklore, historical deep-dives to everyday brilliance — this is where the past meets the present, with plenty more in between.
Podcaster & Writer. Host of The King & AI podcast with Sir Kenny Dalglish. Director at Anfield Index, EPL Index and Liberty Shield.