A Season on the Med: Football Where the Sun Always Shines

by Alex Wade

A Season on the Med: Riviera Football in Italy and France (With a Trip to Athens for Stan) is a story of football where the sun always shines - with a difference. In the wake of Brexit, writer Alex Wade decamped to Menton, the last town on the Cote d'Azur. During a swim between France and Italy, he realised two things. An array of great football clubs - from Nice, Marseille and Monaco to Genoa, Sampdoria and Spezia - were on his doorstep on the French and Italian Rivieras. Plus his hero, Queens Park Rangers' talisman Stan Bowles, once played on the Med. Wade embarked on a journey of discovery to experience Riviera football over the 2021/22 season, with two questions in mind. Is football on the Med more laid-back, languid and amiable than elsewhere? And could he make it to Athens in a tribute to Bowles? Eloquently written with a blend of reportage, travelogue and memoir, A Season on the Med ends in Brumano, Italy, as Wade captures the spirit of Riviera football and confronts the meaning of heroism.

Genres: Sports, Football

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Alex Wade was born in Chiswick, London in 1966. Despite an upbringing in Devon he remains a dedicated QPR fan, often travelling from his home near Sennen Cove to games in Shepherd's Bush.

Alex's principal interests as a writer are law, sport (especially football, surfing and boxing), poker (Alex played, while a columnist for Flush magazine, in poker tournaments around the world) and travel, as well as general features, football match reports (for The Game, the acclaimed supplement of The Times) and book reviews (for The Times Books and Times Literary Supplement section).

Many years ago, when he was a media lawyer, Alex worked for leading libel firm Carter-Ruck before becoming now-Express Group proprietor Richard Desmond's first Head of Legal Affairs. Subsequently Alex's unreconstructed tendencies got the better of him. His life went off the rails but boxing played a large part in his rehabilitation. This story is chronicled in Wrecking Machine, a Sunday Times sports book of the week ("superb", "irresistible") but also one that saw Metro's book reviewer characterise it as "drivel" written by "a sexist womaniser who likes a drink or six". Best to buy it and make your own mind up.

Since 2002, Alex has worked mainly as a writer. He has also enjoyed stints as a licensed bookmaker and a sports rights consultant, selling the rights to key properties such as the FA Premier League in territories as diverse as Albania, Georgia and Azerbaijan. He has made a number of media appearances including Sky News, Talksport, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, BBC Radio London, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Five Live.

Alex has travelled extensively. He has written about New York, Albania and Kazakhstan; Barbados, Ireland and Andalucia; Captain Cook country, Mexico and Francis Ford Coppola's retreats in Belize and Guatemala. His two sons, Harry and Elliot, are keen surfers, and Alex continues to surf, box and play football despite surgery on his neck in 2009 and any number of sports injuries from repeated shoulder dislocations to broken bones and torn ligaments.

For many years Alex worked as a night lawyer for national newspapers including The Times, Independent and Sun. In 2006 Alex was the lawyer behind the scenes for Frank Skinner and David Baddiel's FIFA World Cup podcasts for The Times, and he continues to provide pre-publication legal advice either directly for clients or via Frugal Speech Ltd, an editorial services company which he runs with his partner Caroline Davidson.

Alex was proud to serve on the committee of Walcot Amateur Boxing Club in Swindon and is pleased to note that Wrecking Machine is, apparently, the most popular book in at least one of Her Majesty's institutions.

Alex Wade's literary agents are Jonathan Harris and David Luxton.

Reviews

[Charlotte Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book, I simply couldn’t put it down. Incredibly well written, humorous, melancholic and vicarious. I felt like I was witnessing these towns, cities, places and football games first hand. Whilst not intending to be somber, it made me reflect on my life, my love for football and to make the most of it. Experiencing and attending games in this beautiful part of the world seems like a dream and one I hope to achieve. Through each chapter, Wade seeks to detail his match day experiences, expertly narrating the prematch journey, pubs or people he met, the game itself and other humorous or interesting stories which followed. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this

[Donna Boultwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an avid listener of Alex & John’s Footy on The Med podcast I couldn’t wait to read Alex’s book. I enjoyed the Med football, remembering the games from the podcasts, and the ever present Mr Bowles. Alex writes from the heart what it is to be football fan of a not so successful team!

However, what was wonderful, and absolutely made it a 5 star for me, was the interweaving of Alex and his family’s new life living in southern France and all the adventures that brings. The ending was beautiful. Looking forward to more. HammerDonna (supporter of another not so successful team!)

[Tracy McKean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a football fan but loved Wade’s witty accounts of football, fans and life on the Med. Well written! Entertaining!

[Steven Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. Made me want to book a one-way plane ticket.

[Jonathen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely tremendous read. If you love football, the. This is a must read.