If the thought of James Richardson sifting through newspapers brings a warm nostalgic feeling then there’s a new opening in Leeds you’re going to love.
For people of a certain generation, Football Italia was appointment to watch TV back in the 1990s. For those now switching off who have no idea what Football Italia was and have never heard of James Richardson let’s explain.
For those who couldn’t afford to watch the Premier League on Sky our weekend football viewing consisted of Channel 4’s coverage of the Italian Serie A.
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While, there tended to be a weekend live match there was also a round up programme where we’d find Jimbo regurgitating the week’s big Italian football issues from the newspapers (it was a simpler time, Twitter didn’t exist) while sat outside a picturesque coffee shop devouring a pastry.
The frontman helped a generation of Brits fall in love with the truly beautiful game in Italy and clued us all up on Gabriel Batistuta, Roberto Baggio, Roberto Mancini and those lovely yellow and blue striped Parma kits.
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Football Italia, which ran from 1992 all the way through to 2008, had cult status to many and there’s no further proof of that than the opening of Golaccio in Leeds city centre. Those disciples of James Richardson eating a croissant now have a new haven - they may never want to leave.
This winter, the venue opened in Great George Street, and stepping foot into this old-school boozer you’re immediately immersed in the world of Serie A and Italian football.
The walls are adorned with shirts from legends of the Juventus, Milan clubs and Roma greats.
There’s a mural to Paul Gascoigne celebrating his spell in Italian club football and, of course, the bittersweet memories from Italia 90 when he was the star of the show for England’s heroic failure at the semi final stage.
There’s no denying it's very hipster, unapologetically so, but if you want to be dripping in 90s nostalgia then this is the place to be.
Aside from all the Football Italia nods, there’s classic video games (if you love GoldenEye, they’ve got it), darts and board games - the Gazza board game really did catch the eye during a Leeds Live visit. As did the New Order, World in Motion 12 inch vinyl.
Of course, there’s screens showing classic matches and all that contemporary stuff also. And, what better place to take on a monthly football quiz?
At the start of February, a Leeds Live team enjoyed campioni status taking first place in the thoroughly-enjoyable quiz.
It was hosted by a knock-off Chris Moyles which is in no way a criticism. The evening’s host kept the packed Golaccio ground entertained, intentionally and unintentionally, as he sauntered around in his ever-changing array of vintage Juventus shirts.
Although, the less said about the Bundesliga debacle the better (you probably had to be there for that!).
Regardless, if you know someone in Leeds who loves their football, tell them to get to Golaccio as they won’t be disappointed.
Leeds Live will be back for the next football quiz on Thursday, March 3 hoping to make it two wins from two.
You can find out more by following Golaccio on Twitter.
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