Ian Ridley

I quit drinking 37 years ago today and was given the gift of sobriety. It hasn't always been easy but it's always been worth it and I have been blessed. I share this in gratitude and to show anyone who might be struggling with addiction what is possible. #ODAAT #Recovery

I wrote about #BruceSpringsteen, turning down a ticket 50 years ago this month, and a notion, a notion deep inside... I know everyone else has written about Bruce but there's something else I felt I needed to say too.
iridley.substack.com/p/my-cancers...

I wrote about #BruceSpringsteen, turning down a ticket 50 years ago this month, and a notion, a notion deep inside... I know everyone else has written about Bruce but there's something else I felt I needed to say too.
iridley.substack.com/p/my-cancers...

A bitter sweet symphony blending (almost) seamlessly Richard Hawley, AI, sore nipples and lumpy moobs... iridley.substack.com/p/my-cancers...

After long reflection, decided to share the start of a novel that Vikki wrote and I discovered in a drawer after her death. I think it's intriguing and rather beautiful.
iridley.substack.com/p/meetings-i...

My son has just texted me lamenting #Spurs 4-0 defeat at #BayernMunich. Wonders if we should support Los Angeles FC now that Sonny's signed for them. I replied that it would certainly be cheaper to go there.

I think of my Vikki, one of the founder members of
@womeninfootball.co.uk, many times a day. Today, many more times. And I recall one of her favourite quotes, by Eleanor Roosevelt: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water." #Lionesses

Memories of #Ozzy that spring to mind...
1. Buying Paranoid as a 15-year-old.... Wasn't a metal fan. Just thought it a great tune.
2. Someone suggesting to him in The Osbournes that he have a bubble machine onstage. "Bubbles? I can't have bubbles. I'm the Prince of 'F*****g Darkness."
RIP.

Just seen #TheBalladofWallisIsland at my favourite cinema, The Odyssey, St Albans. Funny, touching, charming, uplifting. Tim Key and Tom Basden seriously talented lads. Carey Mulligan sprinkles stardust. How a 'little' film can take on big stuff. (Fondness for puns a necessity.)

There's Gonna Be a Show: Everton and Me - A Complicated Love Story *Pre-order for publication on 06/10/2025*   JIMMY MULVILLE is one of the most significant figures in British television as owner and managing director of Hat Trick Productions, creators of such hit sh...

My company, Floodlit Dreams, is publishing this revealing football fan memoir by British TV legend Jimmy Mulville in October. Includes how he helped Bill Kenwright buy Everton. Available to order on Amazon, Waterstones or signed copies on our website. www.floodlitdreams.com/product/ther...

The world feels a lot better when I write something. Well my world, anyway. Hope yours is today. And hope features in this. Maybe have a read in the shade...
iridley.substack.com/p/my-cancers...

First they came for Nigel Farage and I said “it’s that bloke over there pointing at the sea”.

I wrote a little story for my grandchildren, Amelia and Harry. I then asked my great friend @mikemcmonagle.com to illustrate it. So good were his drawings, I decided to publish it. For the toddler in your life. And there's plenty of us. #WheresGrandadsHat

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/173963963...

Good to have company! They were all hamming it up and clearly loving it. Lots of bollocks in it but a sharp, sad and funny script.

I'm such a saddo that I've just spent £2.99 and my Sunday afternoon on Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. Didn't think I'd like it after 1st 10 mins but did. It's actually about grief. Truly, Madly, Deeply meets Love, Actually. I'm a soppy saddo.

I genuinely think Common People might be the best pop song ever... You can dance, you can sing along and it has social observation. And the great line: "And so you'll dance and drink and screw, because there's nothing else to do." #Pulp #Glastonbury

Thank you Paul.

Long, hard day at the Royal Marsden with some big decisions needing to be made. But a nurse from the chemo unit cheered me up when he said he hadn't realised before that I was the guy who wrote Tony Adams' book, added his Dad had read it and got into recovery and shook my hand. #Grateful #Blessed

Ian Ridley meets Jefferson Louis, the man who has played for 37 clubs - The Non-League Football Paper Award-winning writer sits down with Non-League's great journeyman.

I see the greatest of all footballing journeymen Jefferson Louis has retired at the age of 46 (though I reckon he might yet be persuaded back by someone during next season). Here's an interview I did with him for the #NonLeaguePaper a few years ago.
thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/242...

Terrible start to the week. #Wordle just decided to end my streak even though I know I completed it yesterday. Ah well, can only get better.

Come on #Blades, do it for our Vikki (again). ⚔️ #Championship #PlayOffFinal #SUFC #SheffieldUnited #SHUSUN #YouFillUpMySenses

First Sir Chris Hoy, now Joe Biden... I'm keeping fine company these day. Something wot I rote... iridley.substack.com/p/my-cancers...

Ever poured fruit juice on your cereal? Ah, #Mondaymornings. On a brighter note, much smitten by The Cure's latest album.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster. For the 25th, I visited Valley Parade and wrote this for the Mail on Sunday. Includes an interview with one of the most remarkable men I ever met, the burns surgeon Prof David Sharpe. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

Just catching up with Monday's
@itvcorrie.bsky.social. Beautiful opening with the dying Julie recording some observations about life and love, and the camera cutting away to characters going about their daily business. What a wonderful writer is Chris Fewtrell. #CoronationStreet

Much of the modern #PremierLeague illustrated in one cameo in this #ManCity v #Wolves game:
Doku, wide on the left, stops his run and passes backwards. Pep applauds.
Meanwhile, the effects mic picks up a fan shouting: "What are you doing?"
#MCIWOL

A joy and a privilege to meet Khalida Popal at the British Sports Book Awards last night as she won the Vikki Orvice award for Women's Sport Writing then went on to win the overall prize for her remarkable My Beautiful Sisters. Vikki would have been hugely proud. #CTSBA25

Treatment day at the Royal Marsden then, all being well, on to @sportsbookawards.bsky.social at The Oval to support @shekharbhatia whose lovely book #NamasteGeezer is up for Football Book of the Year. Big day. Whatever happens, it will be a good one.

Not written anything for months bar the odd Substack. Was planning to take the year off for other things while I can. Writing had other ideas, however. Today the first chapter of a book came to me and I wrote 1,500 words. Funny game, this. Hope I get to finish it. #AmWriting

I’ll take encouraging. Thank you.