PDC, fascism and the Newcastle fan with brains (& Hull-supporting wife)

Jake suspects a fondness for making mischief
Jake suspects a fondness for making mischief

All week, I’ve been urged to read this article written by a Newcastle United supporter inspired by Paolo Di Canio’s part-heroic, part-pantomime appearance in the Steve Harper testimonial. Yes, that’s Seaham-born, Sunderland-supporting (later corrupted, possibly) Steve Harper, now in fine Mag company at Hull City. The piece has been loudly applauded by Sunderland supporters, so may cost Bolde Katten aka @BallstheCat*, the nearest I have to a name, any friends in on the identity secret. It’s scholarly, witty, even friendly at times – three qualities we would naturally attribute as a matter of course to a Mag. Monsieur Salut is even prepared to bet he can spell boycott. Here it is, courtesy of Bolde Katten and his site, Anywhere Like Heaven

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Mussolini, Lazio and Di Canio: getting Swindon players to run on time

SanSiro saluta i tifosi biancocelestiImage: Oscar Federico Bodini

Fascism is on the rise again in Europe as far-right parties take electoral advantage of widespread disillusion with mainstream politicans. Witness the skip-a-generation election of wicked old Jean-Marie Le Pen’s granddaughter, Marion Maréchal-Le Pen (just a rank, I know, but what an evocatively Pétainist name!) while his daughter demands a recount after failing to win a seat by just 118 votes. Where does football come into any of this? Salut! Sunderland’s John McCormick has a scholarly reply, with inevitable reference to Paolo Di Canio, who has just led Swindon Town to League One …

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