Football's Physical and Virtual Spaces

We are once again proud to announce our involvement with the York Festival of Ideas, this year with guest speaker Rob Nichols.

From the archaeology of football grounds involving community engagement to giving walking tours of historic football sites, to editing and hosting Middlesbrough FCs fanzine and internet chat forum, Robert Nichols reflects on his work championing the people’s game.

Join Robert in conversation with the University of York’s Soccer-Mad Boffins Alex Gillett and Kevin Tennent, as they examine football’s places and spaces and look ahead to this year’s FIFA World Cup.

• Date and time:Saturday 6 June 2026, 3.15pm to 4.15pm
• In-person only:
  Law and Sociology Building, Campus East, University of York (Map)

As our events are usually very well attended we strongly recommend reserve a place in advance by booking your ticket here. 

York Festival of Ideas 2024: Rediscovering Lost Football Grounds and Terraces with Dr Tosh Warwick

On Sunday 9th June 2024, we presented at York Festival of Ideas, University of York, with Dr Tosh Warwick of Sheffield University on the topic 'rediscovering lost football grounds and terraces.'

A packed room heard Tosh present a short slide show about his research on the topic and announce his new book, that he is currently researching.

Alex and Kevin then began a panel conversation by asking Tosh a couple of questions, before opening to the questioning to the attendees.  All three of us then answered questions relating to football in England and Scotland, the business of football, Barcelona's new stadium development, and Darlington's infamous Reynolds Arena. 

After the event we joined Tosh for a pizza in York city centre and were joined by Rob Nichols, editor of Middlesbrough FC fanzine 'Fly Me To The Moon' who also attended the event.

Alex, Tosh and Kevin

The previous day was notable for an interview with Kevin on BBC Radio York to promote the event at which he discussed what to expect and answered questions from DJ Freya Cox, famous for appearing on the 2021 edition of Great British Bake-Off, about her home town teams of Scarborough and their stadium history.

YORNIGHT

SOCCERMADBOFFINS are proud to announce that we will be presenting a public lecture at this year's YORNIGHT event on Friday 25th September.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the event which makes it that extra bit special.

Yornight is part of European Researchers' Night -  a mega event which takes place every year simultaneously in more than 300 cities all over Europe and beyond. It aims to show that research is fun and influences daily life for all of us.  YorNight is York’s contribution to this event, hosted by the University of York in partnership with the York Museums Trust.

European Researcher's Night is a European Commission initiative funded by the European Commission's Research and Innovation Framework Programme H2020 (2014-2020) by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions. Directorate-General for Education and Culture. European Commission under Grant Agreement No. 633344.

We will be found in:

• The Researchers' Cafe
• http://yornight.com/2015/activities/kings-manor/refectory-researchers-cafe/ 

And we shall be doing a public lecture:

•  'FIFA World Cup 1966: Planning for Success' 
• King's Manor Room K/159 
• 7.40pm - 8.00pm
• http://yornight.com/2015/activities/talks/#tab-2

See you there!