Ciao e Benvenuto!

This week we elevate our inner 90's James Richardson Football Italia vibes, it may not be all espresso and piazzas but it is edge of the seat conversation. We're joined by Italian Football Expert, Writer, Journalist and Evertonian, Tobias Jones.

We discuss Tobias' book and Winner of the Daily Telegraph Football Book of the Year, 'ULTRAS, The Underworld of Italian Football'. Tobias dives deep into the ultra culture, with tales of years immersing himself within the Curva Sud of Cosenza, a Serie B team from the boot of Italy. The anarchic tales of the eternal youth, an Italian ultra means 'Capitale del Mondo" for the Tifoso.

'Il Barone' at AC Milan to Claudio 'Il Bocia' Galimberti at Atalanta, and how the Ultra movement is adapting. From 60's punk beginnings to Catania Mayoral figures. Tobias' educates us on why the ultras of Italy are so renowned & describes in his own experiences just what it is like to be sat with them in the stands. A far left to far right shift, Lazios, Irriducibili and their storming of training grounds during their title winning season and how if you're an Ultra it's about the colours on the shirt not the name on the back of it.

Tobias also recalls becoming an Evertonian as a Somerset boy on the beaches of Wales. Rekindling names like; Sheedy, Southall, Ratcliffe and Reid. The glory years of the 80's and how he doesn't do himself any favours with being a Parma fan. The reach of the blues in Parma and the importance of communities. How Europa League Everton v Atalanta embarrassed Tobias' tip for an English team for his Italians. He gives us tales of terror, empathy and how Tobias still keeps in touch with his "amica" in Cosenza. Gangs or "tifoso"?

"Dribblagio", "Crespo", 'Parma v Inter in the 90's'. A stunning insight into Italian football from a fascinating and engaging writer. Running Order:

- Introduction (00m 20s)
- Love of Everton (01m 12s)
- Book Genesis and "Bucci Suicide" (05m 15s)
- Why Cosenza? (08m 45s)
- Tifoso, Colosseum culture & Roman radicalism (18m 54s)
- Atalanta's Claudio 'Il

James Richardson

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