· By Fine Margins
Founders Stories | FUTBOLISTA Magazine
When and where did you launch FUTBOLISTA?
I launched FUTBOLISTA in August 2019 at age 17. As any 21st century teenager would, I had the brilliant idea of simply launching it on social media from my own bedroom, in Glasgow, Scotland! And naturally, work soon began on the very first issue of FUTBOLISTA from the school library.
Who are the founders of FUTBOLISTA Magazine and what are their day to day roles now?
It's just me, Archie, and honestly my role hasn't changed much since starting out. I'm the editor, but day to day I'm running the FUTBOLISTA social channels, adding new content to the website when I can and working with freelance writers to plan upcoming issues.
What was your motivation for starting FUTBOLISTA?
My love for football publications probably goes back to childhood, by forensically completing World Cup sticker books. They offered an insight into football in countries I had never before heard of, and learning the names and club sides of players from Trinidad & Tobago or Ghana quickly became my favourite pastime. That interest in global football has stuck with me. When I discovered magazines like Mundial as a teenager, I also wanted to contribute to a growing contingent of football publications which aim to cover unique, less mainstream stories about the beautiful game. Offering readers an opportunity to learn something new about football around the world and how that intersects with other areas of life is what I've always wanted FUTBOLISTA to be.
Do you have a favourite piece of content from your issues published to date? Why is it your favourite?
I've enjoyed producing, and reading, every issue of FUTBOLISTA so far and love the different perspectives and stories provided by the team of contributors I work with. But I would have to pick out the Hong Kong-inspired cover illustration, by Lorenzo Duina, for ISSUE 07 as one of my favourites. It's such an eye-catching cover and the story that went with it, on the history of football in Hong Kong, was also one I was very proud of. It was praised by The i Newspaper, and as an aspiring journalist, it was fantastic to see FUTBOLISTA mentioned in a national newspaper.
What would be your bucket list story/interview/profile/event to cover?
South American football. I have been learning Spanish for several years and have always wanted to travel to South America, so combining that with covering what is such a vibrant football scene for FUTBOLISTA would be a dream come true.
What do your 2024 plans look like? Are there any projects you are especially excited about?
Keep an eye out for ISSUE 12, releasing this summer. Since September 2023, I have been living in Valencia and aim to produce an issue dedicated entirely to Spanish football with photography and long-reads on some intriguing stories in Spain.
Finally, what other sports media do you consume for inspiration and enjoyment?
Some of the football magazines which will be stocked by Fine Margins, like Glory, The Blizzard and Nutmeg, are brilliant titles which I've been reading for years - the very best in football writing. My go-to podcast for a weekly round-up of European football would be ESPN's Gab & Juls Show.
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Follow FUTBOLISTA Magazine on Instagram @futbolistamag.
Issues 8-11 of FUTBOLISTA Magazine are available here.