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Oh, San Lorenzo: A Journey through Argentine Football Culture
A unique chronicle of the fabled football terraces of South America – and beyond, exploring the behaviour and psyche of the game’s most fanatical supporters.
Falling in love with San Lorenzo de Almagro takes the English author on a unique groundhopping journey, from the barrios of Buenos Aires to the souks of Marrakech. Inside you will
First-hand accounts from the most intense and passionate football culture in the world – from lower-league games in Buenos Aires, to the Copa Libertadores and a Club World Cup final against Real MadridThe thrilling experiences of an Englishman adapting to a new country, learning the local language and becoming part of a notorious Argentine fanbaseAn account of the fortunes of San Lorenzo de Almagro – one of the ‘Big Five’ in Argentina – home and away, including matches across the Argentine capital, the province of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba, Chile and even MoroccoA compelling study of the San Lorenzo fanatics (recognised by Diego Maradona as Argentina’s most creative), who write the terrace songs that spread across the worldAn exploration of the club’s history of rebellion and conflict with the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 80s, including a clash with the military junta that leaves the club displaced to this dayInterviews with a range of insiders, experts and fans, including the former head of San Lorenzo’s barra brava firm, the leader of the club’s campaign to return to Boedo, an ex-professional player and manager turned San Lorenzo pundit, members of the ‘School of the Terraces’ fan group, plus residents of the famously dangerous slum next to the current stadiumWhen you dig into the richest football culture in the world, the game itself is just one part of the story. Oh, San Lorenzo is a must-read for anyone interested in South American football or unique footballing cultures.
Falling in love with San Lorenzo de Almagro takes the English author on a unique groundhopping journey, from the barrios of Buenos Aires to the souks of Marrakech. Inside you will
First-hand accounts from the most intense and passionate football culture in the world – from lower-league games in Buenos Aires, to the Copa Libertadores and a Club World Cup final against Real MadridThe thrilling experiences of an Englishman adapting to a new country, learning the local language and becoming part of a notorious Argentine fanbaseAn account of the fortunes of San Lorenzo de Almagro – one of the ‘Big Five’ in Argentina – home and away, including matches across the Argentine capital, the province of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba, Chile and even MoroccoA compelling study of the San Lorenzo fanatics (recognised by Diego Maradona as Argentina’s most creative), who write the terrace songs that spread across the worldAn exploration of the club’s history of rebellion and conflict with the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 80s, including a clash with the military junta that leaves the club displaced to this dayInterviews with a range of insiders, experts and fans, including the former head of San Lorenzo’s barra brava firm, the leader of the club’s campaign to return to Boedo, an ex-professional player and manager turned San Lorenzo pundit, members of the ‘School of the Terraces’ fan group, plus residents of the famously dangerous slum next to the current stadiumWhen you dig into the richest football culture in the world, the game itself is just one part of the story. Oh, San Lorenzo is a must-read for anyone interested in South American football or unique footballing cultures.
272 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2026
Superb!
(Almost) makes you want to take a sabbatical from all responsibilities and move to Buenos Aires!
(Almost) makes you want to take a sabbatical from all responsibilities and move to Buenos Aires!
September 30, 2026
Wrote for When Saturday Comes magazine: WSC. Oh, San Lorenzo: A journey through Argentine football culture
Will Dalton Pitch publishing £16.99
Most fans admit to having a second club whose results they keep an eye on, whose kit they admire, or whose ground they visit when their first love is playing away. But few take that affection as far as Will Dalton has. Although Dalton’s sporting passport would list Charlton Athletic under ‘boyhood club’, it is San Lorenzo de Almagro that captured his imagination, then his heart, and eventually led him to leave south London for a life in South America. The author’s first flirtation came in 2013, when he set out to improve his Spanish via a course in Buenos Aires. Among the city’s cinco grandes - Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente, Racing, and San Lorenzo - the latter is the least celebrated. But their story immediately chimed with the Charlton fan. San Lorenzo had been forced out of their historic home, the Gasómetro in the Boedo district, in 1979 by Argentina’s military junta. (A punishment for the club’s anti-regime stance, fans claim, with the site eventually sold to a supermarket chain for an 800% mark-up). Dalton weaves this political intrigue and social history into a portrait of a club with a conscience. His subsequent trips to South America, including a year living in Buenos Aires, provide readers with a lively look into the wider culture of Argentine football. Due to a long-standing ban on away supporters at Primera Division games, Dalton’s experiences have been almost entirely limited to ‘home’ fixtures at the rented Nuevo Gasómetro in the rougher reaches of the Bajo Flores district. “Stoked by the drug trade, robberies, murders and shoot-outs there is a reason the club generally requests not to play home matches after dark,” he informs us. But Dalton’s passion for his second club does take him and 12,000 other Cuervos or black crows (the fans’ nickname, a nod to the attire worn by the priest who founded the club) to Marrakech for a Club World Cup final against Real Madrid. Dalton captures the colour, electricity, and intimidation of an Argentine matchday well, but he never glosses over its darker shadow. When recounting a derby victory over Huracán he notes how the next day’s newspapers devote countless pages to the match, but just a few lines to the death of a fan who fell from the terrace and to the paralysis of the supporter he landed upon. Eventually Dalton returns to London, but the relationship continues, sustained by late-night live streams and online fan forums. Meanwhile, the club’s struggle to reclaim its identity goes on. Los Cuervos boycotted the supermarket that was built on the original Gasómetro site and bought the land when it went bust. But, to date, the land remains bare and Dalton is among many San Lorenzo fans who fear the club may struggle to raise the funds for a new stadium. Another twist in a love story still unfolding. These days there are easier and cheaper ways to learn Spanish, but none as compelling or immersive as the journey Dalton shares.
Will Dalton Pitch publishing £16.99
Most fans admit to having a second club whose results they keep an eye on, whose kit they admire, or whose ground they visit when their first love is playing away. But few take that affection as far as Will Dalton has. Although Dalton’s sporting passport would list Charlton Athletic under ‘boyhood club’, it is San Lorenzo de Almagro that captured his imagination, then his heart, and eventually led him to leave south London for a life in South America. The author’s first flirtation came in 2013, when he set out to improve his Spanish via a course in Buenos Aires. Among the city’s cinco grandes - Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente, Racing, and San Lorenzo - the latter is the least celebrated. But their story immediately chimed with the Charlton fan. San Lorenzo had been forced out of their historic home, the Gasómetro in the Boedo district, in 1979 by Argentina’s military junta. (A punishment for the club’s anti-regime stance, fans claim, with the site eventually sold to a supermarket chain for an 800% mark-up). Dalton weaves this political intrigue and social history into a portrait of a club with a conscience. His subsequent trips to South America, including a year living in Buenos Aires, provide readers with a lively look into the wider culture of Argentine football. Due to a long-standing ban on away supporters at Primera Division games, Dalton’s experiences have been almost entirely limited to ‘home’ fixtures at the rented Nuevo Gasómetro in the rougher reaches of the Bajo Flores district. “Stoked by the drug trade, robberies, murders and shoot-outs there is a reason the club generally requests not to play home matches after dark,” he informs us. But Dalton’s passion for his second club does take him and 12,000 other Cuervos or black crows (the fans’ nickname, a nod to the attire worn by the priest who founded the club) to Marrakech for a Club World Cup final against Real Madrid. Dalton captures the colour, electricity, and intimidation of an Argentine matchday well, but he never glosses over its darker shadow. When recounting a derby victory over Huracán he notes how the next day’s newspapers devote countless pages to the match, but just a few lines to the death of a fan who fell from the terrace and to the paralysis of the supporter he landed upon. Eventually Dalton returns to London, but the relationship continues, sustained by late-night live streams and online fan forums. Meanwhile, the club’s struggle to reclaim its identity goes on. Los Cuervos boycotted the supermarket that was built on the original Gasómetro site and bought the land when it went bust. But, to date, the land remains bare and Dalton is among many San Lorenzo fans who fear the club may struggle to raise the funds for a new stadium. Another twist in a love story still unfolding. These days there are easier and cheaper ways to learn Spanish, but none as compelling or immersive as the journey Dalton shares.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2026
I got this book after a recommendation on my amazon account. In my experience sports books usually end up having a somewhat similar voice to them. That is not the case with this book. Dalton manages to capture and convey his passion for San Lorenzo and Argentinian football in a way that makes this book gripping, fun and also very enjoyable.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
February 14, 2026
A wonderfully written account of Will’s fandom of his Argentinian team with the insight of someone who knows the country and its footballing landscape inside-out. The stories of attending matches along with background context and social commentary made for a superb blend; I hope there’s a sequel!
April 15, 2026
Comfortable reading, felt like I was away in Argentina
July 27, 2026
Would really recommend to anyone wanting to understand Argentinian football culture. Added a club to my bucket list and might have taken one off it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews