FC Football Cases - The easy way to carry nostaglia around at all times

If there is one thing I'm good at, its breaking phones. The modern day smart phone just isn't up to being chucked about and despite numerous people telling me to get a case for my iPhone I've always resisted, convincing myself that this time it'll be different, this time I'm a changed man.

Now I have a reason to change! Whilst lazily flicking though social media I stumbled across something magical. FC Football cases, where Iconic football kits are re-imagined into mobile phone cases! Some of these are unbelievable and the depth they go to is fantastic. They have over fifty English clubs ranging From the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool down to Kettering and Scarborough. They also have Scottish clubs, rest of the world and international teams with a nice little Escape to victory design thrown in (if you have not seen Escape To Victory go and watch it now, Pele is scores a beautiful bicycle kick).

Liverpool 1990

The design is almost flawless and it really brings to life a boring old phone case. They also take requests which is amazing as I asked for a York City home shirt from 1974 and they knocked together the design very quickly.

York City 1974

The team at FC Football Cases are super approachable and they are always open to requests to help them design one iconic case every day for a year and as there are so many from the UK and around the world I feel like they will have no problem succeeding at this.

Its a great idea and they look super smart so checkout their website (link below) and if they don't have one of your favorite shirts send them a request and they will strive to put it together for you. It'll make a decent present for a mate or will be nice to jazz up the old smart phone whilst protecting it from modern life.

Have a look at their website https://fcfootballcases.com/

Two Band Tuesday

Its Tuesday so here are two bands that will provide your ears with a lovely little treat.

Peaness
The three piece indie pop band from Chester have got some absolutely blinding tunes. There's nothing overly complicated about the music but that's what makes it great in my opinion and its got a little bit of edge which is always welcome. Same Place and Seafoam Islands, two of their newer songs, both contain some beautiful harmonies and the riffs that are just effortlessly cool and keep alive my faith in the indie scene. Peaness are playing up and down the country over the next month and are well worth checking out.

Have a listen here : https://soundcloud.com/peaness-band


We're No Heroes
You best be ready to get dancing if you're going to put on We're No Heroes. Disco and funk infused indie sounds like a potentially terrible mix but the Cardiff based trio have absolutely nailed it. They are something different from the 'dance' anthems that get churned out in the charts and make me hark back to the days of the quality indie nights of the mid to late 00's. Their tunes are a new breed of indie dance floor fillers and need to be heard to be appreciated.

Check them out here : https://werenoheroes.bandcamp.com/

Fred Perry Caban Mac

'You need a winter coat' is what my girlfriend kept telling me. All I had was a Ben Sherman Harrington, which is super cool don't get me wrong, but doesn't do much of a job of keeping the cold out. I'd looked at wool peacoats which was a route I'd gone down previously but the Yorkshireness in me kept saying 'There's no need to spend, summers nearly here'. But then on the morning of my birthday I opened one of the presents from my girlfriend and there it was, a Fred Perry Caban Mac.

Now a quick backstory, I would almost wear anything Fred Perry. When the Mrs asks me what I want for birthday/Christmas i always answer the same 'You don't have to get me anything but I wouldn't complain if I had some more Fred Perry stuff.'

The Caban Mac is something special because I can literally wear it anywhere. Its smart enough to wear with my suit at work and it does not look out of place on the football terraces.Its thick enough to keep the cold off but not so thick that I start sweating out and need to take it off. Its got the option of fastening the collar down or popping it which is the way I prefer to wear it.

I'm also a big fan of the brown buttons as it just provides it with an extra bit of detail and when i glance down and see the Laurel Wreath it makes me feel absolutely boss.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a mod and having a top quality coat that makes me stand out is pretty important, and this is the coat for that. Its just something that is that little bit different from everything else out there and add the fact that its Fred Perry I'd honestly say its my favorite coat ever.

The Premier Leagues Worst Haircuts

Former Sunderland man Asamoah Gyan has been cautioned whilst playing in the UAE because apparently he has an unethical haircut! So I've decided to have a look at some of the more hair raising (sorry) styles to have graced the Premier League.

1.Taribo West
A lovely pigtail number from the former Nigerian international during his spell at Derby County. Wherever he played he always had the green colors of the Super Eagles, and apparently was actually twelve years older then his stated age.

2.Jason Lee
Affectionate know as pineapple head for obvious reasons. Was a constant source of jokes for Baddiel and Skinner on their Fantasy Football League program.

3.Marouane Chamakh
I mean what can you say about this style? Is it even a style or just an unfortunate hairline? It's a tough call but its one of the worst to appear in the Premier League.

4.Javier Margas
Little known West Ham player Javier Margas was so proud about being Chilean that he dyed his hair the colors of the flag. Whilst at West Ham he disappeared for weeks and eventually was found back in Chile.

5.David James
There are so many choices with David 'Calamity' James but I decided to go for his odd decision to style his hair like cinema popcorn.

Can Yakubu Be A Tiny Ray Of Light For Coventry?

Its been a long time since Coventry City fans have had much to cheer about. After thirty four consecutive seasons in the top flight including being an inaugural member of the Premier League they were relegated in two thousand and one and its got worse and worse ever since.

Currently the Sky Blues sit bottom of League One, ten points off safety with sixteen games to go and things are not looking good. They have taken just two points from the last ten games and fan based anger towards the Sisu ownership keeps boiling over into pitch invasions and protests before games.

Yesterday Russell Slade confirmed the singing of former Premier League and Nigerian international Yakubu on a free transfer in a bid to save the club from relegation to League Two. Slade was quoted saying "We're pleased to have secured the signing of Yakubu, who brings vast experience and a terrific goal record,"

With Coventry being his fifteenth club, Yakubu will be hoping to draw on all his experience of playing around the world to make himself a fan favorite during his short term deal at the Ricoh.

At thirty four its going to be interesting to see how much he has left in the tank for what is going to be an intense relegation battle. His last permanent club was Kayserispor in Turkey where he failed to score a single league goal and was last seen training with Boreham Wood who play in the National league.

Yakubu has got a pretty good goal scoring record in England and hopefully he can find his form to guide Coventry to safety as a club with such history as the sky blues should not be floundering at the bottom of League One.

Three Hammer Tunes To Get You Through Monday

CRF has previously been a Football focused blog, that changes right now! Music, Fashion and Film and some other odd little things will now be brought in to really keep my brain working.

My aim on the music side is to hopefully introduce some bands that you may have never heard of but there will always be room for the more established bands as well.

Today's list is Three belting tunes to help you through the hysteria that is Monday.

1.Hinds - San Diego
San Diego by Spanish indie garage heroes Hinds is so good I'd easily say its in my top ten songs of all time. Its upbeat and punchy and the rhythm just makes you want to get up and throw shapes. Add to that the chorus that you cant help but sing along to you have an all round quality song. Its superb anyway but once you see it live there's no escaping the charms of the band.

Have a listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P2l0zAr3t8

 2.WISEASS - Melon Boost
Its hard to put WISEASS into a category but this tune is pretty special. Its an instrumental masterpiece with elements of garage and math rock all chucked into the mix just to keep you on your toes. Its something different to whats been banded around these days and despite containing elements of a bygone era its still fresh and exciting. Its got just the right amount of edge to push you though Monday.

Check out the tune Melon Boost from their E.P Old Lungface here https://wiseass.bandcamp.com/

 3. Little Triggers - When the lights are going out
The Liverpudlian four piece have nailed it for me. Its fast, its upbeat and it reminds me of trying not to spill my pint as I jumped up and down at Indie Discos the mid 00's. Has elements of New Wave from the eighties and the Indie band revolution of the 00's its one that can be played over and over again and it gets better with each listen.

Check it out here - https://soundcloud.com/littletriggers/when-the-lights-are-going-out-radio-edit

G'Day Mate! Seven Australians That Lit Up The Premier League

Happy Australia day! The country that has given us Shane Warne, Shaddap Your Face and Neighbours has also provided us with some pretty decent Premier League players over the years. We've picked out seven very good ones in no particular order.

Mark Bosnich - Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea

The first of the goalkeeping Marks on the list. Bosnich became known for his superb penalty saving ability and for his $5,000 a week cocaine habit. Dubbed a terrible professional by Alex Ferguson he went on to play over one hundred games for Villa but was never spectacular. Won seventeen caps for Australia.

Tim Cahill - Everton

Now here is a player that is worthy of a mention. Spent eight seasons on Merseyside and will forever be remembered by the Everton faithful for always putting in one hundred percent effort and never giving up. Also remembered for his boxing celebration which i'm sure many premier league corner flags will be glad those days are over. Before going on to win ninety four caps for Australia Cahill played for Samoa under 20's at the age of just fourteen. He's also still playing, currently turning out for one of Man City's sister teams Melbourne City.

Brett Emerton - Blackburn

Emerton spent eight seasons at Blackburn Rovers, even bagging a goal on his debut against Wolves. Unfortunately picked up a cruciate injury in 2009 leaving him sidelined for months. Played over two hundred times for Rovers and 94 times for Australia.

Harry Kewell - Leeds United, Liverpool

Kewell was part of a very promising era for Leeds, making his debut aged 17. Went on to win the PFA young player of the year in the 99-00 season.Also married somebody from Yorkshire soap Emmerdale. He became the first Australian born player to win the Champions League after limping off during the legendary 2005 champions league final for Liverpool. He is currently the under 21 coach at Watford.

Lucas Neill - Blackburn, West Ham, Everton

Neill made over 250 appearances during his time in England and for a while was considered a Blackburn hero for his never say die attitude in games. This soon changed after he rejected a new contract as he fancied a change of scene. The Rovers fans were convinced he had left the club for financial reasons and let his know their true feelings on his return to Ewood Park by booing him every time he touched the ball.

Mark Schwarzer - Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, Leicester City

Genuine Premier league legend, Schwarzer is currently the only player form outside the United Kingdom to make over five hundred appearances in the Premier League. But despite his lengthy sty in England he has only won one domestic trophy which was the league cup with Middlesbrough in 2004. He has been part of two title winning teams (Chelsea and Leicester) but both times he hadn't made enough league appearances to claim a league winners medal.  Currently holds the record for the most capped player for Australia (106) and the oldest player to play in the Premier League for both Chelsea and Leicester.

Mark Viduka - Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United

Mark Viduka or 'Big Dukes' as he is affectionately known back home was a powerful striker, best known for his time at Leeds United where he went on to form a strong strike partnership with Alan Smith. Played in the Premier League for nine seasons. Won forty three caps and scored eleven goals for Australia. Currently holds the record for the most goals from an Australian player in the champions league with four.