Around the World in 80 Clubs: A Journey Through the Weird, Wacky and Wonderful World of Football

by Paul Watson

'Well researched, emotive and hugely entertaining' Guillem Balague
'Wonderful. Perfect for anyone who loves football but has forgotten why' Joey D'Urso
'This book is a joy to read' Max Rushden
'A treasure trove of new and untouched stories' Suzy Wrack

Have you ever heard of the football club founded by ex-KGB officers, the 21-time champions of Moldova?

How about the Vatican Cup, contested by eight clubs made up of clerics, priests and Vatican members, where countless players have ended up in the sin bin?

Or maybe you're more familiar with the Spanish team that actually resides in North Africa?

Whether you're a football hipster or five-a-side novice, join renowned football writer and podcaster Paul Watson for an intrepid guide through the weird, wacky and wonderful world of football. Around the World in 80 Clubs takes the reader on a global tour of the beautiful game, from the squirrel-costume wearing fans of Andorra's UE Santa Coloma to the Buddhist monk ultras of Bhutan's Thimphu City, via Greenland's one-week season, through to priestly punch-ups in the Vatican City. This compendium is packed with footballing stories you have never heard of but will never forget.

A book for the football lover, there will be no Manchester United, no Juventus, no Boca Juniors here. Instead, Around the World in 80 Clubs is filled with unique stories that have never been told before, shedding a humorous and thrilling light on cultures and communities formed - and sustained - through football.

Genres: Sports

Audible Audio

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors publishing under this name are:

Paul Watson
Paul Watson, Nature Preservationist
Paul Watson
Paul Watson
Paul Watson
Paul Watson
Paul Watson, Guitar Courses
Paul Watson, Erotic Pictures
Paul Watson, Software
Paul Watson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

Reviews

[Michael Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Watson’s Around the World in 80 Clubs is an absolute gem — a book that reminds you why football matters far beyond the pitch. It’s funny, warm, self‑aware, and full of the kind of humanity that sneaks up on you. Watson has a gift for finding the soul of a place through its football club, whether it’s a powerhouse, a pub‑team‑in‑spirit, or something gloriously chaotic in between.

What makes this book shine is the way Watson blends travel writing, football culture, and underdog storytelling into something genuinely uplifting. Every chapter feels like dropping into a new world with a guide who’s curious, compassionate, and just the right amount of daft. You meet unforgettable characters, see football through wildly different lenses, and come away feeling like the sport is a global language spoken with infinite dialects.

It’s also quietly profound. Beneath the humour and misadventures is a real celebration of community — the kind built in terraces, dusty pitches, makeshift stands, and clubhouses held together by hope and cable ties.

If you love football, travel, or stories about people who care deeply about something that doesn’t always make sense, this book is a must‑read. Five stars, easily.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In less skilled hands this book could simply have been a long and turgid list of the weird, wonderful and bonkers world of football. Instead Paul Watson has brought all his stories to life through his gift for words, light touch and thorough research.

There are so many tales featured of clubs large and small, players, owners and fans alike and their idiosyncrasies and nearly all of them were totally new to me and I lapped them up

We read here of the drug lord playing openly for his local club, the hard fought matches played in The Vatican City between teams whose players are all employees of the papal see and sometimes manners are forgotten in the heat of battle.

I’d have liked to have read of the former Doncaster Rovers owner, John Ryan who managed to inveigle a last minute’s substitute appearance in a National League match but this book is wonderfully entertaining and should be dipped into at will

[Giuliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, and exactly zero surprises there. As a fan of Paul Watson's work - especially his adventures in Micronesia and Mongolia as well as his superb reporting on the quirkier football stories on "The Sweeper" podcast, I had high expectations. And I was not disappointed. The book covers a wide number of clubs, every continent (including Antarctica!) and features remarkable yet lesser known stories about football around the world. From Vatican City ups to vegan football clubs, from the Tibetan Women's National Team to the Vanuatu "B" side which knocked out the countries first team, there is a story for everyone in this book.
Highly recommended!

[Toby Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, really interesting stories from clubs you may never have heard of , really got a feel for the clubs . Really well written with bits of humour sprinkled in in places , some touching stories from clubs/nations that have had struggles also. Would highly recommend if you’re a football fan or indeed just a good fun read . Side note, go buy up pohnpei as well , also written by Paul Watson .

[Charlie Pomroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without doubt one of the most unique and funny books I've read in a long time and is a must have for any football fan with a thirst for the unknown.

This collection of weird and whacky tales with have you both laughing and wanting more.

Paul is a truly amazing writer and has a real passion for all things uncharted and the stories of under dogs and that comes through in the writing.

You'll be buying a ticket to a remote football destination before you've finished.

Amazing

[Matt Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read! A whistle stop tour around the whole globe, stopping off at world football's less conventional football clubs. Paul's writing is full of passion and humour, and in a football world that can certainly take itself too serious at times, this is a perfect foil.

[David Blankenship · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book of random and odd facts about world football teams and players. Might have been better with longer stories and perhaps a few others left on the editor's desk, but still a fun read.

[Kate McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is that I wish some of it had been longer and more in depth. It felt like the stories were there but there wasn’t time to go further into them. A lovely little listen and a great reminder of why football is “the world’s game” in the run up to the World Cup.

[Eli Cizewski-Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through the wild and wonderful world of football. I always enjoy hearing stories from outside the top European leagues and this book is full of them.

[Joel Atkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and funny stories in this, showing the variety of the beautiful game

[Tom Tiepermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very snackable and fun little book, blazed through it in a few hours.