55 Football Nations - a Fulham fan's UEFA odyssey

[peckhamspring]

Hi FoF,

I'm a long term Fulham fan who is giving up a season ticket of Cottage delights to try and see a top flight league game in all 55 UEFA nations in one year. Slightly crazy, very football. I'm currently in Kazakhstan - my eighth football nation - awaiting tomorrow's showdown between Taraz and Aktobe!

You can read and listen more through recent features in the Guardian and TalkSport (16 minutes in):

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/06/football-matt-walker-55-nation-uefa-adventure
http://talksport.com/hawksbee-and-jacobs-daily-wednesday-july-12-170712246475

I'm interviewing fans, clubs, managers, coaches and media people wherever I roam. It's uncertain how many Fulham links I will uncover, but had a great chat with Toni Kallio in Finland (see brief summary and pic on http://55footballnations.com/2017/07/09/toni-kallio/).

My ultimate aim is to publish a book based on my football travels. So it would be great to get as much support as possible from fellow Fulham fans. You can follow through my website or, if you're into these things, your favourite social media stream.

I'm writing an article for the Fulham programme, but a friendly heads up to FoF readers in advance.

Best wishes,

Matt

http://55footballnations.com/
www.facebook.com/55FootballNations
www.instagram.com/55FootballNations
www.twitter.com/55FtballNations

[Burt]

Thanks Matt.

Bit of an adventure! Looking forward to the updates and un-earthings of any weird and wonderful Fulham links that you may stumble across!

Any opportunity you get to reciprocate with links to / mentions of FOF would be appreciated!

All the best.

Burt

[JimmyConway]

Hi Matt heard you on the wireless earlier this week. It looks like a fascinating journey your on. I would get to Poland & Denmark a bit early in December as it gets a bit brass monkeys that time of the year.

[love4ffc]

Just started following on Instagram.  Look forward to seeing what you are up to. 

[dannyboi-ffc]

Good luck with it Matt! Looking forward to following your journey and discoveries

[Jonaldiniho 88]

Hi mate, I heard you on talksport. Sounds like an incredible journey. You going to Tajikistan? Spent a month there a few years ago. Nice people. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. Safe travels.

[flyingfish]

The story you told about the ball missing your camera by  a metre was thrilling. I can't wait to read more hilarious anecdotes when the book comes out. 

[flyingfish]

The story you told about the ball missing your camera by  a metre was thrilling. I can't wait to read more hilarious anecdotes when the book comes out.

Sorry that was a bit uncharitable of me. Nice photos on your instagram feed. Best of luck.

[peckhamspring]

Hi FoF,

Well, it has been a long time since I posted, but I completed my challenge to watch top division football in all 55 UEFA nations in one season, attracted a publishing deal for 'Europe United' and have sold out on Amazon UK (for now!) The book, featured in this season's Forest programme, contains a healthy smattering of Fulham references and is a great present for lovers of football and travel.

I can often be seen selling 'Europe United' in H4 at home matches but online ...

ebook (and some nicely positive reviews) available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/34dywfq
Hardback is still available online at WHSmith via https://bit.ly/2RO0wDR and in major Waterstones stores
Trade paperback selling well at WHSmith at UK airports

An except of the San Marino chapter was published by the Guardian in October at www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/17/san-marino-european-football-worst-top-division-team-matt-walker-book

Thanks for your support!

Matt

[Wolf]

That's a good challenge in a quite challenging timeframe. Reckon I'll get the ebook in the NY. Where did you go to matches in Moldova and Latvia?

[Logicalman]

Great job there sir.

For those outside home waters, here are the mirror links to those provided above, make great stocking fillers for the missus (you KNOW she'll let you read it!!)

ebook :
https://www.amazon.com/Europe-United-football-season-nations-ebook/dp/B07P5MS54L

Hardback:
https://www.amazon.com/Europe-United-football-season-nations/dp/178747612X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Oz: https://www.booktopia.com.au/europe-united-matt-walker/book/9781787476110.html

[peckhamspring]

That's a good challenge in a quite challenging timeframe. Reckon I'll get the ebook in the NY. Where did you go to matches in Moldova and Latvia?

Zimbru in Moldova and Spartaks Jūrmala in Latvia. Full schedule at http://55footballnations.com/schedule/

Hope you enjoy the book!