20 football blogs to follow in 2012

Football writing was taken to a whole new level in 2011. It’s no longer dominated by the journalists, the fans themselves have created a community that delivers everything you need when it comes to football knowledge. There are countless football blogs on the internet, all delivering top quality writing on the beautiful game. Here’s a very small selection of those that you should be bookmarking and regularly checking in on over the coming months. Sadly there are probably many more blogs worth mentioning, but such is the vastness of the football blogosphere as we enter 2012 it would literally take forever.

A Football Report: The recently revamped blog boasts an impressive team of writers, with consistent quality writing. It’s a beautifully designed website with some interesting and unique features – case in point, its latest article the A-Z of football’s headline makers.

The Stiles Council: In a European Championship year, we’ll soon be turning our attentions to international football. The Stiles Council should be your go-to-blog when it comes to all matters England in the run up to Euro 2012.

The Score’s Footy Blog: The Score is a sports website based in Canada, but it’s not all ice hockey and basketball. Tucked in the corner is an excellent football section, displaying the talents of some great football writers from each side of the pond. They’re currently featuring the Top 100 players in the world. Get on it.

Bagsy Not In: A phrase uttered across schoolyards and parks every day of the year, this blog delivers great writing daily. Keep in check.

The False 9: We all like a dose of tactics from time to time, and The False 9 does this pretty well. Keep an eye for even more expert football knowledge throughout 2012.

Twisted Blood: Not particularly unknown, having been nominated for awards in 2011, but a must-follow blog nonetheless by one of the finest wordsmiths in the football blogosphere.

Football Pantheon: A blog you wish came in paper format, just so you could read it everywhere you go. Football Pantheon is a compilation of what makes football so special, from the best players in history to its current greatest moments list. Prolific, well executed excellence from Miguel Delaney.

In For The Hat Trick: Just as it says on the tin; intelligent football commentary. Excellent writing that is well worth following.

The Elastico: Intelligent football writing, with a bit of bias when it comes to South American soccer. What more do you need? Also comes with a feature on the up-and-coming football wonderkids.

Lovely Left Foot: A blog about great left footers, and who doesn’t love a good left footed strike?! Features non-left footers as well, if that’s your thing.

On Goals Scored: Excellently created football infographics that are well worth browsing through, something fresh and something very intriguing.

The 90s Football Party: 90s football is often bypassed when you’re looking back on the history of football, but there’s been a whole decade between the period so let’s get our nostalgia hats on with this excellent blog.

The Oval Log: An underrated corner of the football blogosphere. Each post comes with the same high standard of writing as the last. A must.

The Footy Pie: Great quality writing on topics across the board, from the Premier League and beyond. Have a slice of that.

Valderramarama: Interesting football writing, not focussing on topics that are well covered already in Britain. Also features some entertaining football venn diagrams.

Can They Score?: A Man Utd blog with a bit of other things thrown in, including its brilliant ‘favourite players’ series featuring some of the world’s greatest.

French Football Weekly: Few non-English countries have a comprehensive a blog dedicated to it as French Football Weekly. Literally everything you need when it comes to French football, your port of call if Ligue Un interests you in the slightest.

One Team In Ireland: A blog dedicated to the Irish national team, something which we’ll be glued to this summer when we get our green, white and gold inflatable hammers out. C’mon Ireland!

Eircom SportsHub: A tremendous collection of writing on Premier League affairs and beyond, from some of the best writers on these shores.

Good Feet For A Big Man: A very well written blog currently flicking its way through some of the legends of world football. Well worth following for your footballing pleasure.

Regista: Fresh football writing with bags of quality, whether it’s a bit of European football, interviews with a personal touch or just genuine football writing.

There’s probably hundreds of blogs out there worth mentioning, but if you’ve uncovered your own little gem or feel your blog is worth casting an eye over in 2012, then feel free to pop a link in the comments.