The Glory of football

It has to be good to live in the United Kingdom having a major passion for football. Because, beside rainy and cold weather, there’s no doubt that the British island is the best place in the world to enjoy some football. The verb enjoy is used intentionally and with its actual meaning, because watching a game at Emirates or Anfield is very much alike sitting in La Scala’s seats to watch Madama Butterfly. A more animated version, maybe. Premier League is the best championship in the world to see some good football, not only from a technical point of view, but also in general terms. The stadiums, the atmosphere and the peculiar British culture make every game a true all-around experience.

Football, though, is way more than that, at least according to Glory’s founders. Ryan, Lee and Luis have created this magazine, invented and designed by a team of writers, photographers and designers, which want to explore football all around the world. To “put the ‘beautiful’ back in the beautiful game”. All this by traveling the world, looking for the most remote, exotic and unusual locations, where thousands, or sometimes dozens, of people gather into crumbling stadiums, with the only intent to enjoy their favorite sport. “We want to explore football beyond the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup, beyond Sky Sports and BT. We look beyond the money, the glamour and the trophies to find the real Glory of football”.

But how Glory works? To understand it, it only takes a look to their debut issue, completely focused on Faroe Island’s football exploration. “The Faroe Islands made a compelling case for being Glory’s debut issue. A desolated and amazing place, with unbelievable passion for football”. The small archipelago between Iceland and Norway was recently identified as the most supported national side in the world based on population. Every time the national team plays, more than the 10% of the whole population turns out to the stadium, both for domestic and international games. They may haven’t Premier League’s glazed beauty, but that’s the kind of football Glory wants to tell.

Even more interesting, and also radically different, is the second issue of the magazine, set in Kosovo. Ryan, Lee and Luis wanted to tell the story of a nation recently affiliated with FIFA and UEFA, therefore getting ready to face its first steps into international football. All this within a context deeply touched by wars and inner conflicts, proving that the love for football, the true and intense one, can overcome everything. Right now, we’re still waiting for the third issue, which will surely show us another unconventional place. For sure, we’re going to follow and read Glory and we suggest you to do the same. Because it won’t be the most obvious way to watch some football, but is for sure one of the most fascinating.