Groundhopping24

Those that know me well (or even just generally) will know that I'm an avid Football Manager fan, having played the game in pretty much every iteration (functioning laptop permitting) since the mid 2010s. It's usually the first thing I fire up after a day at work, or during a quiet weekend. There are times the game has inevitably angered me, but overall it has been a constant. In an indirect way, it led me to where I am now, having managed Sigma Olomouc on FM20 during the pandemic. I was self-isolating at home in Glasgow, and managing Sigma got me through it. We weren't even massively successful, and I actually left for Dundee United before the save petered out. But I started taking a slight interest in Czech football, which, a long way after Covid in 2022, allowed a job advert in Brno to catch my eye. I applied, got the job, and the rest is history. Now as I prepare to make the move to Viseu in Portugal, I could probably say the same about this particular job. After all, t...

Before I start this blog, I should first add the disclaimer that this has nothing to do with Alex Trebek. Although the theme of ‘it’s good but it’s not quite right’ is perhaps accurate. Okay, I know that’s Catchphrase, but do hear me out in any case. I’ve never actually watched Jeopardy. Say the word Benfica, and a lot of thoughts probably spring to mind for avid fans of the game. The Estadio da Luz, which sits on every footballing bucket list, is probably the first thing that comes to the forefront, and it has to be said that it’s a magnificent place to watch a game. During a particularly and annoyingly early Spring Break, I opted to visit myself as the Portuguese giants took on Gil Vicente, based in Barcelos in the country’s far north. Having been playing as Casa Pia on Football Manager 24, I’ve gained a growing appreciation for the Portuguese game in recent months.           The visit was actually with the intention of seeing my beloved Geese , who also ...