iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

As an act of admirable self-sacrifice, The Ugly Game has read the book that Gianni Infantino has self-commissioned about how awesome he is. 'The First Ten Years'. Like there are decades more to come...

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Peak USA - World Cup trophy to be presented by Beavis and Butthead.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

For old school analog hacks, nothing beats the thrill of seeing a piece in print - from today‘s @tagesspiegel.de

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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Revealed: The Russian Neo-Nazi Network Pushing ‘White Lives Matter’ Division in Britain – Promoted by Tommy Robinson As riots spread across Belfast, Tommy Robinson promoted a movement founded by a sanctioned Russian oligarch, which has pushed white supremacist propaganda about the death of Henry…

bylinetimes.com

Revealed: The Russian Neo-Nazi Network Pushing ‘White Lives Matter’ Division in Britain – Promoted by Tommy Robinson

As riots spread across Belfast, Tommy Robinson promoted a movement founded by a sanctioned Russian oligarch, which has pushed white supremacist propaganda about the death of Henry Nowak

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Would love to have this on my CV: “Failed to write a self-help book.”

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brideymurphy.bsky.social @brideymurphy.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This one was my favourite together with Cinder Park Refugees. But the whole book was great. I tried to read it one story per day so I could enjoy it over the whole week.

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Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

"This is what player power means: having the money to moan about every tiny thing." Read an excerpt from @plenderleithian.bsky.social's latest book of short soccer fiction, "The Last Amateur and Other Stories" paperback. @mikewoitalla.bsky.social www.socceramerica.com/managing-kid...

socceramerica.com

Managing Kids: It’s all about player power these days - Soccer America

An excerpt from the “Managing Kids,” a short story in Ian Plenderleith‘s latest book of soccer fiction: "The Last Amateur and Other Stories Paperback."

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

A novella completes my new collection ‘The Last Amateur’. A multi-billionaire decides to take the small-town club of his youth to the heights of glory, re-building the stadium where he was a free-scoring teen. Buy at @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

‘Britain’s Media Has Let Nigel Farage Reshape Political Journalism’. Another spot-on analysis in @bylinetimes.bsky.social - this time from @jamesbloodworth.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Almost a decade on and it only takes one attempt to post a small parcel to the UK from Germany to trigger me into shouting at innocent passers-by, "Fuck fucking Brexit and all the fucking fuck-wits that voted for it!" €17 worth of frustration.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

In the penultimate tale of The Last Amateur, 'health product company' VitaHerb's newest recruit is charged with telling the fourth-tier club he's followed all his life that the company will no longer be its sponsor. Buy from: @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social, @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

The ninth story in my new collection 'The Last Amateur' is about a player "in the shop window" after a decent World Cup. It's time for lunch to discuss the no doubt lucrative future with his eager, pushy agent... Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social, @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

In the title story to my new collection, Scotland's greatest ever player refuses to go pro or to play for his country, opting instead to help his village team, the Thankerton Swifts, rise up the league pyramid. Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

The seventh story in my new collection, The Last Amateur, sees some well-paid pros ask their manager for a well-earned rest. They can't be arsed going to Carlisle in the FA Cup, so give the kids a runout... Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

The sixth story in my new collection, The Last Amateur, is about a cult-name, old-school commentator who keeps 'forgetting' to mention his station's fast food sponsor while on air. Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

The fifth story in my new collection, The Last Amateur, sees an ex-player with Alzheimer’s making a daily call to an old team-mate to discuss the same dramatic FA Trophy game they both played in some 50 years ago. Buy from: @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

The fourth story in my new collection, The Last Amateur, is narrated by a Premier League fan who goes viral at half-time for his 'passionate' reaction to a throw-in call. The book is available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

In the third story of my new collection, The Last Amateur, a disused city pitch is taken over on weekday afternoons by 27 refugees and their battered ball. Elderly Frank and his dog Sadie become regular spectators. Buy now: @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

The second story in my new collection, The Last Amateur, sees a downtrodden former international taking £5k to make the draw for the Scottish Cup semi-finals live on TV. What could possibly go wrong? Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk or @stanchionbooks.bsky.social

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

The opening story in my collection The Last Amateur revolves around The Foaming Quart‘s Sunday League team and its two lone supporters - bald-headed Billy (a man of few words, but many hard stares) and his lively girlfriend Sally. Available from @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social or @wsc.co.uk

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Remember, every day, what fascism will lead to.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Another analogue snapshot. Sundown in Burgundy, August 2025.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

This summer (old fart alert) I returned to analogue photography and tried to remember why I ever dropped such a simple, rewarding hobby. Here are some French cows ignoring some French clouds.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Brilliant interview with @labourlewis.bsky.social in the September issue of @bylinetimes.bsky.social (I‘m a couple of issues behind…). Whether you’re on the vague left or the sane left, this magazine is a crucial and absorbing read, every issue.

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Halcyon Publishing @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

🚨SPECIAL OFFER 🚨 We've got 25 beautifully printed, individually numbered & signed short stories from @plenderleithian.bsky.social available as a bundle with The Last Amateur. Just click 'Flash Fiction bundle' on the listing. They're an absolute treat. halcyonpublishing.co.uk/products/the...

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Always a thrill to open up that box of 10 comp copies when your new book‘s published. This looks beautiful thanks to @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social and jacket designer Doug Cheeseman.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Book recommendation - We Were There by Lanre Bakare, which made me realise how largely clueless we were about our own country growing up in Lincolnshire during the 70s and 80s. *****

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

So tough watching Bayern v Leipzig when you desperately want both teams to lose. When will they finally change the rules to make that possible?

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

I quit refereeing in May after 17 years, and haven't regretted it for a second. Any time I do, though, I'll just go back and read my old blog posts: refereetales.blogspot.com/2024/06/yet-...

refereetales.blogspot.com

Yet another series of Mad Men

Games 52-53, 2023-24 I'm reffing a boys' U13 promotion playoff game - intensive, hectic etc. The home team is leading 2-1 with three minutes...

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Unfortunately FIFA - like the dictators it courts to host its bloated tournaments - does not give a shit what anyone thinks. Time for countries and federations to leave it or abolish it.

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Stoke Football History @stokefootball.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Football in a Library #19 For Whom the Ball Rolls By Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social Love this. Short stories, some about football. You can dip into any page and read a couple of sentences that draw you in and make you want to carry on reading.

Cover of book by Ian Plenderleith, ‘For Whom the Ball Rolls,’ with image of man with a ball on his head

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

I have no connection at all to Crystal Palace, but I think this is my favourite football shirt of all time.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Just went to the bakery. Newspaper on the counter leads with: FROM TOMORROW THE WORLD BECOMES TRUMP AGAIN. My order comes to exactly €6.66…

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Anyone lost a football near Woodberry Wetlands in north London?

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

"This rising international elite is creating something very different: a society in which superstition defeats reason and logic, transparency vanishes, and the nefarious actions of political leaders are obscured behind a cloud of nonsense and distraction." www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

theatlantic.com

The New Rasputins

Anti-science mysticism is enabling autocracy around the globe.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

I am visiting the noble nation of England, and can report there is not a tap or a toilet (and possibly a shower) that is less than 200 years old. God bless her colonial-era plumbing.

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Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

The same wealthiest clubs dominate and win. Compressive tactics are geared towards results born of speed & athleticism, with diminishing room for character, flair & individuality. @plenderleithian.bsky.social bemoans the state of global soccer and offers hope. www.socceramerica.com/can-soccer-s...

socceramerica.com

Can Soccer Sadness be countered by Hope? - Soccer America

There's always room at the grassroots for coaches, referees, administrators and activist supporters.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Christmas Day walk: Freital - Lübau - Somsdorf - Freital (Saxony). No wind, clear views, precious silence, mulled wine. Can we do this every day?

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Just one clip from an excellent analysis by @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social in the December issue of @bylinetimes.bsky.social about how the democratic left must counter far-right populism:

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Halcyon Publishing @halcyonpublish1.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Delighted these legends could contribute towards what for our money is the best pound-for-pound football coffee table book out there. Get your hardback in time for Christmas: admiralsports.com/products/50-... With less bells & whistles, the paperback is available at most good bookshops.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

One of those days when you don't turn on the news because it's always so depressing. You leave the house, referee a 90-minute football game, come home, shower, settle down for a quiet Sunday afternoon. And then discover you've missed a revolution...

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

I‘d love to meet up Friday night, but I have to stay in and wash my vinyl.

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

This Christmas, treat someone you love (or who needs their perspective on football re-modelling) to a book by the world's undisputed best and funniest football cartoonist:

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Ian Plenderleith @plenderleithian.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

This week's @socceramerica.bsky.social column - dissecting FIFA's evaluation of the Saudi Arabia bid for the 2034 World Cup, and the body's disingenuous interpretation of its own human rights guidelines: www.socceramerica.com/fifas-saudi-...

socceramerica.com

FIFA’s Saudi Arabia bid report — a long, long way from ‘good governance’ - Soccer America

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the only nation bidding to host the 2034 men's World Cup.

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