Es sind sie allerbesten Mannschaften

I love this picture that the BVB Dortmund have created. The Iron will be watching the game live at one of The Donnelly Group's fine establishments, The Lamplighter on Water Street. Come join us and have an expensively imported European lager from 11.30am.

#fairytale

Simon Staines: Football Legends

Simon Staines' 60s pop-art football cards are a joy to behold.

This is a wonderful poster that recognises some of the greatest players to ever play the game, in a 1960's football trading card style. I'm a big fan of the artwork and some of the iconic imagery used (my favourite being a disconsolate, expressionless Michael Owen) in the collection, it really pops. Football artwork is rarely a success, but this is something a little bit different, earning the GFC seal of approval.

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Gastown FC are Outstanding

Following in the footsteps of such legends as Michael Laudrup, Gary Lineker, and Hristo Stoichkov, Gastown FC, have made a splash in Japan. While the mighty Iron aren't quite setting the J-League alight in big money moves as the aforementioned European superstars, they are getting some shine in the Japanese press. Their latest capsule collection of clothes made in conjunction with Reigning Champ are featured in the latest edition of Outstanding magazine, an influential publication which is firmly entrenched within the Japanese street fashion and culture landscape.

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Umbro Whiteout Collection

Gastown FC have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Umbro for two years this summer, benefitting from the fruits of Umbro's reinvention as a stylish, heritage footballing brand. The classic burgundy GFC kit was a revelation, while this year's black and white and whiteout iterations saw The Iron promoted to the First Division. GFC's all white kit was a taster of things to come from the brand that has recently been taken over by Iconix, as their new Whiteout Collection brings another extremely stylish assortment from Umbro.

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Die Freibeuter der Welt

The ruggedly simple and unofficially official black and white skull and crossbones logo of FC St. Pauli seems at home emblazoned on a black sweatshirt worn by a masked Ultra standing defiantly with outstretched arms above the anarchic sea of oversized flags and smoke bomb-induced haze in the South Stand at Millerntor-Stadion while AC/DC’s Hells Bells blares from the PA system. The image is a pure and perfect symbol of rebellion against racism, sexism, fascism, homophobia, capitalism, big football, big government, and everything in between. The very best creative director, stylist or photographer in the world would be hard pressed to create a lookbook image as powerful or authentic. It does perhaps then seem a bit ironic that may not be long before that same sweatshirt may find itself next to English-made brogues on a rack at a high end boutique among offerings from Norse Projects or Stussy Deluxe. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with the menswear industry or with those brands in particular, but like if Black Flag signed with a major label and politicked for radio play, the widely held perception of St. Pauli as a hardcore haven for leftist causes makes it an odd fit in a industry dependent on consumerism and often fleeting tastes and trends. Yet nonetheless, the new St. Pauli Streetcore line seems to be a very conscious effort by the club’s merchandising wing to enter into that world. While some may see the line as an attempt by the club to cash in on its international image, the commercialization of counterculture has become big business after all, to dismiss the effort as “selling out” would oversimplify the depth and history of the club.

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Newswire Gastown FC took to the field for the first time since their season ended in a friendly against Saudi Arabian foes MYB Panthers. The mighty Iron looked a bit rusty having not kicked a ball in over a month and they went behind early after the diminutive Panthers forward won a penalty at the third time of asking flopping under the challenge of hardman Lew. They added a 2nd a few minutes later when some quick passing opened up a tired looking defence. The introduction of Whelan into the defence steadied the ship afterwards and GFC were better in the 2nd half. Seeing a bit more of the ball, Meredith and Parrott both had good chances but couldn't convert them and the damage had been done and the score finished 2-0.

Hexed on the High Plains

By Joseph Swide

At 8:45AM on a typically grey Thursday deep in the Pacific Northwest, a tan 1997 Toyota 4Runner arrives to pick up a passenger. Less than 36 hours later, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team will meet Costa Rica at Dick’s Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, Colorado in Matchday 2 of the hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying – or The Hex. The loss in Matchday 1 to Honduras put the United States last in the table and the week prior saw anonymous quotes from US players criticizing the management of Jurgen Klinsmann. Even with eight games to play still, a home loss to Costa Rica would be catastrophic. We had to go to Denver and we had to drive – for the USMNT, for Jurgen, and for America. After a drive-thru McDonald’s breakfast – A number one with Hi-C – we set out on the United States Interstate System, embarking on a journey that stretched from a high mountain pass over the North Cascades, through the vast golden grassland of the Palouse, nicking the northeast corner of Oregon, across southern Idaho, swinging south into Salt Lake City, then scaling the Rockies, before heading out over the high plains of Wyoming until finally cutting south once again into Colorado and our ultimate destination. According to Google Maps, it would take 19 hours and 33 minutes. We could have flown but, as Herculez Gomez said, this is how you grow as a footballing nation.

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Gastown F.C. Season Party at Clough Club

The season has ended, and Irish centre-forward Mick O'Sullivan has already ballooned to his non-fighting weight of 17½ stone. In keeping with the ferocious pace set by The Iron's heroic striker, Gastown FC will be throwing an end of season shindig.

Nelson Seagull will host the players' dinner where awards will be presented. The festivities for mortals will begin at Clough Club (Abbott and Water St.) at 7.30pm. Tickets are $10 for non-players, which includes a free beverage. Come and celebrate Gastown FC's promotion in the first year after their merger with YFC. Party with celebrities and footballers alike at the Donnelly Group club that we have commandeered for the night.

If you would like to attend, send us an email or fb message and we will be happy to accomodate. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
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