Tuesday 30 June 2009

European Football Weekends - The Gallery - Part 3

Hey ho, Lo-go!

Following on from the wild success of the EFW Gallery Part 1 & 2, I'm overjoyed to unveil the 3rd part of the trilogy today. This is the part of the site whereby you and I photograph the EFW logo not only in our favourite football stadiums but also with *cough* A-list celebrities. In a phrase which is fast sweeping the nation due to it's (too many - Ed) mentions on this website 'What's not to like'!? So what are we waiting for....hey ho, let's go.

I know what you are thinking. It can't be, can it!? It is you know. What better way to launch the hatrick of EFW galleries than with a little snap of 3 (three!) times World (world!) darts champion John Lowe!? John was the first chap to do a 9 dart finish live on the telly. He was photographed by Nick Waterhouse who told me that when he asked world champ Lowe for this photo he replied "What's all this then, football's barmy army!?". One hundred and eighty FIFA stars for the pair of them.

Now then, what do you do in the Summer when there are no footballers or managers to snap with the logo!? You get yourselves down to the local cricket ground of course. Let's see who we've bagged in the last few weeks:


New Zealand legend Iain O'Brien took a break from the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup to hop on board the good ship EFW. O'Brien - who also pens a blog on the Cricinfo website - was snapped (again) by Mr Waterhouse.

Yorkshire and South African cricket legend Jacques Rudolph snapped by Mr Lomas who also did..

Ex-England captain and Surrey cricketer Mark Butcher.

Chris Adams. Ex-England International. Won umpty thrumpty trophies as skipper of Sussex. Now cricket manager at Surrey. Extra EFW points are awarded for all concerned when thumbs are aloft and smiles are worn.

Ex-England International and current Yorkshire skipper Anthony McGrath.

Angus Fraser. What the same Angus who used to bowl for England!? The very same one. Snapped here in the Lords Media Centre.

Sky Sports Tim Abraham. Tim travels the world bringing cricket scores and reports to our tv screens. Having now met him - I can happily report - he is officially the nicest/friendliest bloke on the planet.

Somerset and Australian cricket legend Justin Langer. 105 Test matches for Australia at an average of over 45. Welcome to the EFW Hall of Fame Sir!

Somerset and England star Marcus Trescothick also joined the EFW team this month. With 76 test matches, 123 One Day Internationals and a best selling book under his belt we're delighted to have him on board.

Actually, football does exist in the Summer months. So let's see where we've been shall we. I'll let Michael Stoffl take up the story for the next few photos:

J-League representative Kaname from Kobe talked me into a beer after learning that Japan had qualified earlier that day by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 away. I still can't keep my eyes away from the beauty of the EFW logo.

Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania - right in the middle of it.

Qemal Stafa Stadium on fire, Tirana, Albania - woo-hoo!

FK Makedonija Gjorce Petrov's ground, capacity 3,000, located in a western suburb of the capital Skopje. Note the conveniently located pitch-side pub on the left next to the stand (where the stewards hang out).

Gradski Stadium, Skopje, Macedonia - wearing my best shirt for this special occasion.

Newly recruited EFW members Lauranne and Desiree from Switzerland, caught on their amazing 8-month 'tribute to Riccardo & Alessio* tour' around football grounds in Europe. *Juventus youth team players (http://riccardoealessio.it/ drowned in a lake in December 2006 when trying to recover a football.

We were with Shrewsbury Town at Wembley for their play-off final with Gillingham.

Town fans having the time of their young lives.

EFW Shrewsbury/Stuttgart branch enjoying a pre-match bevington or six.

Debbie Shaw at United Park for the Drogheda Utd v St Partick's Athletic. The travelling St Pats fans are in the background.

Evertonian Graeme Holmes at the same match.

Our newest recruits from Spain. Alejandro and Carlos have vowed to launch the Spanish branch of EFW.

This is my father-in-law in rare 'not on tractor' moment. He lives in Salinas del Manzano, Spain and along with Sky Sports Tim Abraham is the nicest bloke on the planet.

Talking of Spain. Here's the lads from Forest Green Rovers out at the CF Lloret v St Cugatfunfest. Darren Sheppard is seen here holding the EFW logo whilst dressed as a horse. The club let the lads into the ground for free thinking - correctly - that they might drink a seasons worth of beers.

What happens when you drink pre-match spirits Spanish style (ie with about a litre of whiskey in each glass)!? You jump in with the Alicante CF fans during the derby with Hercules and don a silly hat of course.

Estadio José Rico Pérez home to both Alicante CF & Hercules CF - bit greedy eh!?

On the pitch again! CD Teruel, Spain

Thorsten, Philipp and Thomas - our mates from Dortmund celebrating BVB second teams promotion over a few German beers.

Full marks for this effort from our good friend Michael Stoffl who resides in Berlin. Stoffers is an 1860 Munich fan, hence the colour of his EFW logo. This was taken at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia for the Atalanta v Palermo.

Christopher Nash took us on holiday with him. Firstly to the Holstein-Stadion...

...via the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels...

...and ending up at Cologne. Cheers Chris!

Waldaustadion Stuttgart Stadium home to the famous Kickers Stuttgart in the German Liga 3 (for now) taken by Graeme Holmes.

As above but with the two teams proudly marching out.

Stade de Reims v Tours (15:05:09) in the French Ligue 2 taken by Steven Van Rompaey...

...who is in the photo (far right) along with two of Antwerps finest; Roland and Frank.

It's only chuffing Penang vs Kedah in the Malaysian Super League! Cheers to Adrian Ludbrook who is going to be joining us on our EFW Oktoberfest by the way, everyone welcome.

Also joining us will be Mr Challen who snapped these beauties. First up FC Ingolstadt v Rot Weiss Ahlen at the Tuja Stadion.

Then at Bayern Munich II v Kickers Emden at the Grunwalder Stadion.

And finally outside the Allianz Arena before 1860 Munich v Hansa Rostock.

And inside.

That's all folks. Well nearly. It would be remiss of me not to mention that we have a very limited number of EFW t-shirts left (see above). I had loads made up and they were nearly all sold without the need to advertise them on these pages. I do have a couple left though in either Black or White so if you are quick you may still be able to nab one. £12 each including postage to anywhere in Europe.

EFW Gallery - Part 1

EFW Gallery - Part 2

Want an EFW logo photographed at your club or on your travels!? Email me at dannylast@hotmail.com and we'll get it sorted.

3 comments:

1860er said...

Funny you call me "Stoffers" - that's the actual name of the 1860 chairman...

Graeme H said...

Excellent

You might have another footy one from me on Friday and depending on how I feel on Saturday, it could be another footy one or your 1st one from a gaelic game

Danny Last said...

Cheers Stoffers - the perfect name for you old chap!

Greame - great stuff as always mate. You love your EFW's!