Stone Island, the Italian clothing label, is 30 years old this year. Set up in 1982 by the late Massimo Osti as a diffusion line to his main CP Company label, the brand with the compass patch on the upper arm is perhaps (for better or worse) more synonymous with football culture than any other.

For many, that is to it’s eternal detriment, and no book/film/spoof about ‘casuals’ made today will be complete without at least one bonehead sporting a SI jacket. But you shouldn’t let that put you off, because Stone Island have and still produce top quality, innovative clothing. As the tired old cliche goes, it ain’t what you wear it’s how you wear it – and that is especially true with this brand. The beauty of SI is that the little compass – that symbol the British Police laughably tried to link to fascism – can easily be unbuttoned and put away somewhere safe. You still have your nice jacket on, but won’t receive unwanted attention from the police or the aforementioned bonehead fraternity. That’s my personal take on it anyway.

For the anniversary, Stone Island are releasing a few bits and pieces to commemorate 30 years in the business. In the vid above, head honcho Carlo Rivetti, who seems an affable chap even if I can only follow him in subtitles, explains what’s coming up. If I’m honest the three garments in the video do nothing for me, there may be other stuff coming too, but he mentions publishing a book that will document the whole Stone Island range, now that I will be looking out for, definitely.

(The Hovian )

Cardiff City fans’ Carling Cup tribute to Mike Dye at Wembley

Michael Dye was killed by single punch before a Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley Stadium

Cardiff City supporters heading to Wembley for the Carling Cup Final are to pay tribute to a fan killed at the London stadium last year.

Michael Dye, 44, died of head injuries after he was punched shortly before the kick-off of to the Wales v England Euro 2012 qualifier in September.

The City fan, from Ely, Cardiff, will be remembered on Sunday when his team take on Liverpool.

An area will be set aside for people to leave flowers, scarves and flags.

Gwyn Davies, from the Cardiff and Valley Rams supporters club, said: “They are giving us an area near the turnstiles and that will be a tribute area.

“People are going to take flowers, scarves and flags just to commemorate him.

“Some people have said they wanted a minute’s silence but I think the match should be the match and we should all congregate at the area outside for five minutes of peace for Mike to remember him.

“Then we should go and watch the game for him and win the match for him.”

He said the return to Wembley would be difficult for many of Mr Dye’s friends.

“It will be a bit bittersweet [going to Wembley],” said Mr Davies.

“How can we walk where Mike took his last steps without thinking that?

“But I want it to be a happy day. Things have moved on and Mikey would want us to have a good day out.”

Father-of-three Mr Dye, who worked as a stonemason for Cardiff council, was a long-time Cardiff fan who wrote about the club on the Cardiff City Forum website.

He was found injured outside Wembley’s Gate C on 6 September before the Euro 2012 qualifier match.

He suffered a fractured skull after being punched and died later in hospital.

X, 41, from Redditch, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to Mr Dye’s manslaughter at the Old Bailey in November.

He was jailed for three years. 

(BBC Football )

Liverpool Fans Face Travel Chaos For Carling Cup Final After Train Derailment 

Football fans heading to the Carling Cup final at Wembley faced transport chaos today after a train derailed overnight leaving the main line between Liverpool and London blocked.

Thousands of Liverpool supporters are expected to make the journey to the capital to watch their team take on Cardiff City in the cup clash this afternoon.

But those planning to travel on the rail network have been advised to alter their plans. Virgin Trains are attempting to get coaches organised.

Services from the city are expected to be cancelled for much of the morning, and it’s not clear whether Liverpool fans will be able to get to Wembley in time for the final.

Virgin Trains said an engineering train derailed at Winsford, in Cheshire, overnight, leaving the line between Liverpool and Crewe and Warrington and Crewe blocked.

Issuing an apology, the operator recommended those travelling to London consider driving to Crewe, Stafford or Stoke stations and taking the train from there.

National Rail said there would be no trains from Liverpool Lime Street to Crewe until further notice, London Midland trains are also affected by the derailment.

Steven Knight from Virgin Trains said: “Today is an extremely busy day for us out of Liverpool and we have an army of people out this morning doing everything they possibly can.

“We are at the moment attempting to get coaches to Liverpool and Runcorn so they can provide a shuttle service to Crewe and connect with our train services to London.

“My advice to anyone intending to drive into Liverpool or Runcorn to get the train, if they are able to drive to Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent of Stafford stations then they can use the train services from there.”

The Preston to Crewe route is also affected.

Fans looking forward to the big day have begun spreading the news of the delays on social networking sites.

Citta Nirmala wrote on Twitter: “Oh God: ( All trains from Liverpool to London cancelled due to train crash, nightmare day for reds travelling from Liverpool”.)

While AlastairGW tweeted: “All trains between Liverpool and London are cancelled? What have he Cardiff fans been up to?”

Passengers travelling between Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe towards London Euston have been advised to travel via Chester or Manchester Piccadilly, while those heading to the capital from Runcorn have been told to take a replacement bus service to Crewe.

Commuters travelling from Wigan North Western or Warrington Bank Quay have also been advised to travel to London via Manchester Piccadilly.

Further details of the problems and the impact on today’s services can be found at the National Rail website. 

(Huffingtonpost )