Andy Mitchell
@andymitchellmedia.bsky.social
Scottish football historian. Edinburgh. www.scottishsporthistory.com
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
Tickets for the Family History Fair, featuring 12 exhibitors, happening on the 6th November 2026 at HES Library and Archives, Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, are now available to book on Eventbrite.
buff.ly/RzvduQ7
buff.ly/RzvduQ7
September 19, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Tickets for the Family History Fair, featuring 12 exhibitors, happening on the 6th November 2026 at HES Library and Archives, Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, are now available to book on Eventbrite.
buff.ly/RzvduQ7
buff.ly/RzvduQ7
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It’s the 1,000th edition! The headlines: Uni staff plan 5-week walkout, culture groups win 25% funding boost, Leith Walk has more bikes than cars + 135 artists open their homes
⏰ Read more in Edinburgh’s ad-free local newsletter: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
⏰ Read more in Edinburgh’s ad-free local newsletter: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
September 18, 2026 at 6:18 AM
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It’s the 1,000th edition! The headlines: Uni staff plan 5-week walkout, culture groups win 25% funding boost, Leith Walk has more bikes than cars + 135 artists open their homes
⏰ Read more in Edinburgh’s ad-free local newsletter: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
⏰ Read more in Edinburgh’s ad-free local newsletter: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
Fifty years ago tonight: the Bay City Rollers in Edinburgh. I took the precaution of sitting at the back of the rear circle. Should have brought ear plugs as well...
September 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Fifty years ago tonight: the Bay City Rollers in Edinburgh. I took the precaution of sitting at the back of the rear circle. Should have brought ear plugs as well...
New blog: A rare look at Scottish football club programmes from the 1880s, held at National Records of Scotland. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
A treasure trove of Victorian sports programmes
I recently came across a remarkable collection of Scottish sports programmes dating back to the 1880s , many with a strong football connection. They are held at National Records of Scotland, having...
www.scottishsporthistory.com
September 10, 2026 at 8:35 AM
New blog: A rare look at Scottish football club programmes from the 1880s, held at National Records of Scotland. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
I've been going through some 1880s cycling programmes and I'm loving the contraptions that were advertised for sale in Edinburgh. Tricycles, tandems, racing bikes and the 'Psycho Safety'.
September 6, 2026 at 6:15 PM
I've been going through some 1880s cycling programmes and I'm loving the contraptions that were advertised for sale in Edinburgh. Tricycles, tandems, racing bikes and the 'Psycho Safety'.
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
Yup, greatest tifo I’ve ever seen (VfL Osnabruk fans against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal) 🎢
September 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Yup, greatest tifo I’ve ever seen (VfL Osnabruk fans against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal) 🎢
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
With only a handful of games left before Dalymount Park's demolition and redevelopment I'll be leading a final set of free tours around the famous old ground, this Sunday, September 6th, at 11am and again at 2pm.
Arrive on time in Dalymount Lane in front of the Jodi stand at either 11am or 2pm.
Arrive on time in Dalymount Lane in front of the Jodi stand at either 11am or 2pm.
September 2, 2026 at 1:23 PM
With only a handful of games left before Dalymount Park's demolition and redevelopment I'll be leading a final set of free tours around the famous old ground, this Sunday, September 6th, at 11am and again at 2pm.
Arrive on time in Dalymount Lane in front of the Jodi stand at either 11am or 2pm.
Arrive on time in Dalymount Lane in front of the Jodi stand at either 11am or 2pm.
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
2 September 1913. Bill Shankly was born in Glenbuck, Scotland. After becoming LFC manager in 1959, he transformed the club from a 2nd division side when he arrived to one of the best teams in England and Europe. He won League title 3 times, FA Cup twice and EUFA Cup.
September 2, 2026 at 8:08 AM
2 September 1913. Bill Shankly was born in Glenbuck, Scotland. After becoming LFC manager in 1959, he transformed the club from a 2nd division side when he arrived to one of the best teams in England and Europe. He won League title 3 times, FA Cup twice and EUFA Cup.
If you're watching A House Through Time, there's another famous resident of Calton Hill who doesn't get a mention - but he also has a fascinating story. John Laing, an Edinburgh artist, was the world's first tennis player to be photographed, circa 1846. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
In search of Mr Laing - Hill and Adamson's famous Edinburgh 'tennis' player
This well-known image, claimed to be the world's first photo of a tennis player, was taken by the pioneering photographers Robert Adamson and David Octavius Hill in Edinburgh around 1843. It features....
www.scottishsporthistory.com
September 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM
If you're watching A House Through Time, there's another famous resident of Calton Hill who doesn't get a mention - but he also has a fascinating story. John Laing, an Edinburgh artist, was the world's first tennis player to be photographed, circa 1846. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
For any fellow researchers who want to get involved with National Records of Scotland, there's an opportunity to join their Customer Advisory Panel. I'm already a member, it's an interesting insight. www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/cus...
Customer Advisory Panel application
www.nrscotland.gov.uk
September 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
For any fellow researchers who want to get involved with National Records of Scotland, there's an opportunity to join their Customer Advisory Panel. I'm already a member, it's an interesting insight. www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/cus...
29 years today since the death of Princess Diana, sparking a national wave of emotion which led, somewhat incongruously, to a crisis in Scottish football. Here's what happened: www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
'Please call the game off' - seven days that shook Scottish football
by Andy Mitchell This is the story of an extraordinary week in 1997 when events unrelated to football conspired to make the Scottish Football Association and its boss vilified throughout the UK. ...
www.scottishsporthistory.com
August 31, 2026 at 9:26 AM
29 years today since the death of Princess Diana, sparking a national wave of emotion which led, somewhat incongruously, to a crisis in Scottish football. Here's what happened: www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
New on my website - the fascinating origins of heading the ball in football. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
Why do footballers head the ball?
This article is based on a talk I gave to the British Society of Sports History conference in Edinburgh, on 27 August 2026. Why do footballers use their head? It might seem a daft question: in...
www.scottishsporthistory.com
August 30, 2026 at 10:39 AM
New on my website - the fascinating origins of heading the ball in football. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
New on my website - the fascinating origins of heading the ball in football. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
Why do footballers head the ball?
This article is based on a talk I gave to the British Society of Sports History conference in Edinburgh, on 27 August 2026. Why do footballers use their head? It might seem a daft question: in...
www.scottishsporthistory.com
August 30, 2026 at 10:39 AM
New on my website - the fascinating origins of heading the ball in football. www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
🚨 New from me 🚨
As Infantino fights to retain control of Fifa, and avoid jail, here’s my review of Forward, the self-commissioned book about his first ten years in charge. Studs up.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
As Infantino fights to retain control of Fifa, and avoid jail, here’s my review of Forward, the self-commissioned book about his first ten years in charge. Studs up.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
The End of Fifa
Review of ‘Forward: The revolution in football: The first 10 years of Gianni Infantino at Fifa’ by Alessandro Alciato.
theuglygame.wordpress.com
August 27, 2026 at 9:39 PM
🚨 New from me 🚨
As Infantino fights to retain control of Fifa, and avoid jail, here’s my review of Forward, the self-commissioned book about his first ten years in charge. Studs up.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
As Infantino fights to retain control of Fifa, and avoid jail, here’s my review of Forward, the self-commissioned book about his first ten years in charge. Studs up.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
Andy Mitchell kicks off panel 9 with a presentation on heading
August 27, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Andy Mitchell kicks off panel 9 with a presentation on heading
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
It's been a while! 🥊
A new blog about Jem Smith and his wives, Anne Smith and Mary Ann Smith. Includes a call for experts in Victorian marriage stuff, especially involving Catholics, or generally anyone with a bit of time on their hands. Please wade in...
grapplingwithhistory.com/2026/08/25/t...
A new blog about Jem Smith and his wives, Anne Smith and Mary Ann Smith. Includes a call for experts in Victorian marriage stuff, especially involving Catholics, or generally anyone with a bit of time on their hands. Please wade in...
grapplingwithhistory.com/2026/08/25/t...
The lonely life of the champion’s wife, Anne Smith
When James Smith and Mary Ann Smith had been married almost 30 years, newspapers across the country reported that the former Heavyweight Champion’s wife was dead. Which might have been rather…
grapplingwithhistory.com
August 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM
It's been a while! 🥊
A new blog about Jem Smith and his wives, Anne Smith and Mary Ann Smith. Includes a call for experts in Victorian marriage stuff, especially involving Catholics, or generally anyone with a bit of time on their hands. Please wade in...
grapplingwithhistory.com/2026/08/25/t...
A new blog about Jem Smith and his wives, Anne Smith and Mary Ann Smith. Includes a call for experts in Victorian marriage stuff, especially involving Catholics, or generally anyone with a bit of time on their hands. Please wade in...
grapplingwithhistory.com/2026/08/25/t...
The British Society of Sports History @bssh.bsky.social annual conference takes place in Edinburgh this week, and I'm looking forward to meeting some top sports historians. I'll even be giving a talk on 'Why do footballers head the ball?' which looks at the obscure and quirky origin of heading.
August 24, 2026 at 10:50 AM
The British Society of Sports History @bssh.bsky.social annual conference takes place in Edinburgh this week, and I'm looking forward to meeting some top sports historians. I'll even be giving a talk on 'Why do footballers head the ball?' which looks at the obscure and quirky origin of heading.
I've just got my copy of this new book, a statistical record of East of Scotland senior football from 1875 right up to 2026. It is an incredible piece of research with 380 pages, A4 size, and costs just £10 from Amazon (with free postage in the UK). www.amazon.co.uk/LOTHIANS-BOR...
August 24, 2026 at 10:03 AM
I've just got my copy of this new book, a statistical record of East of Scotland senior football from 1875 right up to 2026. It is an incredible piece of research with 380 pages, A4 size, and costs just £10 from Amazon (with free postage in the UK). www.amazon.co.uk/LOTHIANS-BOR...
Saw this lovely presentation of medals at Edinburgh University AFC, to commemorate the great Dr John Smith - ten caps for Scotland 1877-84, scoring ten goals inc seven against England. Mauchline, EUAFC & Queen's Park. Also a prominent rugby player, went to Australia with the British Lions.
August 23, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Saw this lovely presentation of medals at Edinburgh University AFC, to commemorate the great Dr John Smith - ten caps for Scotland 1877-84, scoring ten goals inc seven against England. Mauchline, EUAFC & Queen's Park. Also a prominent rugby player, went to Australia with the British Lions.
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
Good luck to Hibs when they face KAA Gent tonight - and if they are looking for a good omen, the last Hibby to play a competitive match there came up with the goods! #AndyMurray
August 20, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Good luck to Hibs when they face KAA Gent tonight - and if they are looking for a good omen, the last Hibby to play a competitive match there came up with the goods! #AndyMurray
Good luck to Hibs when they face KAA Gent tonight - and if they are looking for a good omen, the last Hibby to play a competitive match there came up with the goods! #AndyMurray
August 20, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Good luck to Hibs when they face KAA Gent tonight - and if they are looking for a good omen, the last Hibby to play a competitive match there came up with the goods! #AndyMurray
If Belgian Sébastien Pocognoli is to be the new manager of Scotland, let's hope he returns the compliment - a Scot called Willie Maxwell made Belgium world champions in 1920. Here's a piece I wrote a while back: www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
The Scot who made Belgium world champions - Willie Maxwell
As I write, Belgium are set to face Scotland at Hampden Park, fresh from an excellent World Cup campaign which saw them finish in third place. Yet perhaps their greatest honour came in 1920 when they....
www.scottishsporthistory.com
August 15, 2026 at 4:28 PM
If Belgian Sébastien Pocognoli is to be the new manager of Scotland, let's hope he returns the compliment - a Scot called Willie Maxwell made Belgium world champions in 1920. Here's a piece I wrote a while back: www.scottishsporthistory.com/sports-histo...
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
Scotland 🏴
Linlithgow Rose FC has woven Show Racism the Red Card's message into matchdays, digital content and community education.
buff.ly/cMswm07
Linlithgow Rose FC has woven Show Racism the Red Card's message into matchdays, digital content and community education.
buff.ly/cMswm07
August 14, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Scotland 🏴
Linlithgow Rose FC has woven Show Racism the Red Card's message into matchdays, digital content and community education.
buff.ly/cMswm07
Linlithgow Rose FC has woven Show Racism the Red Card's message into matchdays, digital content and community education.
buff.ly/cMswm07
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
The launch of @davidolusoga.bsky.social #AHouseThroughTime tonight should give a new lease of life to my mother's excellent book, The People of Calton Hill, which covers the history of the same area in Edinburgh. Published in 1993 but there will be second hand copies out there.
August 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
The launch of @davidolusoga.bsky.social #AHouseThroughTime tonight should give a new lease of life to my mother's excellent book, The People of Calton Hill, which covers the history of the same area in Edinburgh. Published in 1993 but there will be second hand copies out there.
Reposted by Andy Mitchell
The new series of A House Through Time - on at 9pm tonight - on BBC Two.
August 13, 2026 at 7:08 PM
The new series of A House Through Time - on at 9pm tonight - on BBC Two.