iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Now the #WorldCup is finished you'll want a football fix to read on holiday before the new season. 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' or one of the 'Booked!' trilogy will see you right. If you like football, reading & a laugh, you're in.

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Just published online, the latest Network Blog Article entitled: Movie Night at the Museum - Escape to Victory by Alex Alexandrou Read @ bit.ly/3PL0zQN @chathmuseum.bsky.social @verypopularname.bsky.social @stanchionbooks.bsky.social @spiritof47.bsky.social @blitzwalker.bsky.social

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

In exciting news, 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic', has been nominated for a Sports Book Award. Voting is here: sportsbookawards.com/vote If you could vote and retweet this to spread the word I would be forever grateful. 'Let's go back. We can win this!'

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Just 1 day to go! @footballandwar.bsky.social in collaboration with @chathmuseum.bsky.social, @blitzwalker.bsky.social & @verypopularname.bsky.social is looking forward to the Escape to Victory Movie Night on 17 March @stanchionbooks.bsky.social will have a book stall at the event See below

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The Blizzard @theblizzard.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Issue 60 of The Blizzard, edited as ever by @jonawils.bsky.social, is out now and packed with wonderful long-form football writing from @philippeauclair.bsky.social, @verypopularname.bsky.social and more More here 👇 theblizzard.co.uk/shop/issues/...

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

@footballandwar.bsky.social in collaboration with @chathmuseum.bsky.social, @blitzwalker.bsky.social & @verypopularname.bsky.social is looking forward to the Escape to Victory Movie Night on 17 March @stanchionbooks.bsky.social will have a book stall at the event Just a 4 places left! See below

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

I enjoyed doing this. Thanks for having me on Shahan.

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Shahan Petrossian @sp1873.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

The 252nd episode of my podcast, 🎙️'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’ is up. For this episode, I interview English Author Mr. John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social as we discuss his book ‘Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic’. soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/02/socc...

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

@footballandwar.bsky.social in collaboration with @chathmuseum.bsky.social & @blitzwalker.bsky.social is looking forward to the Escape to Victory Movie Night on 17 March. This will include a talk by @spiritof47.bsky.social & a Q&A with @verypopularname.bsky.social Just a few places left! See below

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

@footballandwar.bsky.social is looking forward to this event on the 17th March. Another great collaboration with @chathmuseum.bsky.social and @blitzwalker.bsky.social that will include a talk by @spiritof47.bsky.social and a Q&A with @verypopularname.bsky.social Places are limited More Info below

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

If I were Mr Rogers in 'And Then There Were None', and was paying attention to the morbid rhyme on the dining room wall, as he was - I would simply not have gone outside to chop up sticks when there had already been 3 victims. Definitely within his rights to leave it, I'd say.

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

@footballandwar.bsky.social has just finished reading this excellent book and highly recommends it. Also, as per Christmas tradition watched the film again over the festive period!

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Paul Cooper's got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape Goalkeeper & Ipswich legend Paul, was Sylvester Stallone's body double & coach for 'Escape to Victory'. He was another great chat for the book.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

I'm on here chatting about 'Escape to Victory' and my new book 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' if that sounds like something you might like. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Not by the Playbook - Expect the unexpected - BBC Sounds

The first woman to win the Paris-Dakar rally, the cult film Escape to Victory, Gail Emms

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Kevin O'Callaghan has got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape Winger Kevin plays goalkeeper Tony Lewis in 'Escape to Victory'. Fans of the film will be delighted to know that his arm's alright now.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Halllvar Thoresen's got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape Hallvar is Gunnar Nilsson in 'Escape to Victory'. He was Norway Captain & scored the winner v England in the 1981 'Lord Beaverbrook' game.

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Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

@footballandwar.bsky.social enjoyed listening to @verypopularname.bsky.social on the @slopingpitch1.bsky.social podcast talking about his new book - Escape: A Love Letter To A Cult Football Classic

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

My mission to get where water can't & tell everyone about 'Escape' means I'm on all these, if you're interested Retro Football Network @retrofootballnw Adrian Chiles on @bbc5live The Famous Sloping Pitch @slopingpitch @NickHan57242431 Kings of Anglia Ta for having me, all

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Soren Lindsted has got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape Danish Soren was an FC Twente teammate of Hallvar Thoresen & plays Erik Borge in 'Escape to Victory'. He crosses for Bobby Moore to score.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Laurie Sivell's got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape The Ipswich keeper, along with teammate Robin Turner played on the film's Germany team - Laurie as goalie Schmidt, facing Pelè's overhead kick

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Mike Summerbee has got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape The Man City legend is Sid Harmer, Colby's first pick for the team in 'Escape to Victory'. Mike's was a terrific interview for 'Escape'

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Werner Roth has got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape Captain of USA & New York Cosmos during the NASL golden days of Pelè & Beckenbauer, Werner is German skipper Baumann in 'Escape to Victory' .

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Russell Osman's got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic'. What's stopping you? Link: pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape England intl. & Ipswich legend, Russell plays Doug Clure in 'Escape to Victory'. He was my first interview for 'Escape' & I'm very grateful.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Ossie Ardiles has got his copy of 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' - what's stopping you? Link: www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/escape World Cup winner & Spurs legend Ossie plays Carlos Rey, a Venezuelan Foreign Legionnaire. Ossie kindly gave me an interview for the book.

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Amy Lawrence @amylawrence.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I am looking forward to this. What a great idea for a love letter/book. Some people (ahem) can still quote lines from this classic of its very specific football-war-Stallone-Pele-Caine-Osman genre?!

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

In case you're interested in books, 'Escape to Victory', or books about 'Escape to Victory', my new book is out now. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Victoire!

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Just in case anyone might be interested in reading it, or demanding that others read it. Either would be much appreciated. Please and thank you. @tftimemachine.bsky.social @distantpod.bsky.social @wsc.co.uk @amylawrence.bsky.social @davidsquires.bsky.social @davidhartrick.bsky.social

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Yes, yes, I can hear the 'Oh here he comes' from here. But I wondered if any of you fine people might be interested in this sort of thing. @flyinginside.bsky.social @rickburin.bsky.social @richmutantes.bsky.social @julianshea.bsky.social @gadders.bsky.social @ddebralouise.bsky.social

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

The new book is here. Available for pre-order now if it's something you fancy. All things 'Escape to Victory'. New interviews with players and cast, memories, revelations and fun. 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic'. Out October 20th.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Final Day for this 25% off promotion. The book's out in October, but take advantage of this, and you can rest easy knowing it is on the way, and you've only paid for 3/4 of it. You DEFINITELY know someone who likes 'Escape to Victory' waterstones.com/book/escape/jo… @PitchPublishing

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Special offer available on my new book if you're interested in football, films and not paying full price. Get involved

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Father's Day is coming up. Any chance he might like a funny book about football? Course he would. 'Final Third', followed 'Booked!' & 'Second Yellow' in bringing together the very best stories from over 300 football autobiographies. He just might like it. Please & thank you.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Father's Day is coming up. Any chance he might like a funny book about football? Here are two I wrote with Dan Trelfer for your consideration. Loads of funny football tales for him to enjoy. You know it makes sense. Please and thank you.

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John Smith @verypopularname.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Alright Bluesky? How we all doing? Is it still lovely here? Just thought I'd stick my head in and say hello as I realised there are loads of people I miss on the other one.

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Balderdash @balderdash.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

On this theme, surely it’s not just me who says Liverpool and England right-back, Trent Alexander-Armstrong?

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Luke Freeman @mrlukefreeman.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

A girl I was seeing saw a certain civil rights campaigner on the telly and said 'That's that Martin Luther Vandross'.

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@Julianshea.bsky.social @julianshea.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

My mother combined Al Pacino and Robert De Niro into one person called Capone Cappuccino, and Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg into Winifred Oprey. She also called Usain Bolt - without the involvement of anyone else, as who could keep up with him? - Ubi Stint.

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