The Boardroom

This is a wee bit about the guys working behind the scenes to keep Sandals For Goalposts ticking away (there are 10 of us but not everyone has filled this out yet):

Salim

Nationality: Tanzanian

Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, but lured by the lucrative pastures of England at a young age, Salim initially became infatuated with the beautiful game through the otherwordly, irresistably chic experience of World Cup 1998. He likes to spend a considerable amount of time playing the beautiful game, pondering about it, then penning something. A Geography graduate, his favourite players include Paul Scholes, Javier Zanetti, Juan Pablo Sorin, Hernan Crespo and Christian Vieri. Favourite African player? Tresor Mputu.

Amro

Nationality: Iraqi/Scottish

Our resident Asian football writer/editor revels in watching, playing, analysing and generally being ubiquitously enveloped by football. So where did his passion for the game begin? On the big bad streets of Baghdad, of course. Those streets taught him many things, most importantly though, he is now very grateful when he is able to play on a grassy pitch, of which many exist in Scotland. His current dream is that  Iraq will make it to Brazil in 2014 (Scotland have unfortunately failed-again!) so he can join the samba party.

James

Nationality: Black British

Hailing from East London, James has been exposed to street football over the years and was an active participator. Now a student at University, James has toned down the amount of football he plays, but has started to appreciate the “hidden gems” in football. He is also the kind of guy to wear socks with sandals, only because he is one crazy guy.

Sagar

Nationality: Indian

Born in East London to Indian – legal – immigrants, Sagar is a Man Utd supporter with great admiration for the ‘unsung heroes’/fringe players of football; some of his favourite players include Park Ji-Sung, Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez as well as David May, Henning Berg and Quinton Fortune. He lists the final minutes of the 1999 Champions League final as his favourite moment ever. Now moved to Bristol, he currently spends his time in Birmingham studying for a Masters degree. Besides Football, Sagar has a passion for cricket, most genres of music and primetime US shows. Smooth like milk chocolate, this lad.

Kevin

Nationality: Ghanaian

Born and raised in South London, Kevin learnt the game of football on the cold hard concrete of his school playground. He honed his skills via  playing ‘ one touch ‘ and ’66′. Such a menacing presence on the pitch he was often the cause of urine stained shorts on the opposition’s players. Since then he grown to appreciate the game of football more and more. If he’s not playing football or watching football then you might catch him playing Fifa on his Xbox.  Did I also mention that whatever comes out of this man’s lips is a 100% genuine real talk. He won’t say something that he does not believe in. He is currently studying at university in London.
Fun fact :  Kevin’s favourite movie growing up was Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Patrick

Nationality: Brazilian/Irish

Born and raised in the favelas of Brazil, Patrick Brusnahan has been surrounded by the subject of football since the ripe old age of four weeks. Since then, he has come to appreciate football/futebal from several strongholds, such as Brazil, Britain, Germany, Australia and Spain. He now writes a blog to fully transmit his basic (if not, entertaining) knowledge to the greater masses so they too, may one day, score a volley whilst barefoot on the beach.He has also worn sandals in the past.

Maher

Nationality: Algerian/American/Canadian

American by birth, Canadian by naturalization, Algerian by heritage. Maher’s diverse background reflects his blanket approach to the beautiful game. Most of his spare time is consumed perusing forsaken pockets of the internet, scouting talents with glimpses of promise. Maher chose the Arsenal after an intense period of infatuation with Emmanuel Petit’s ponytail. Algeria chose Maher when his grandfather, a FIFA-licensed referee, inculcated in him a love for the national team. Maher is double-majoring in English/Philosophy, and he also has a minor in Political Science. He has an irrational and profound disgust for sandals. He will, therefore, never be caught wearing them, much less using them as goalposts.

James B

Nationality: Welsh

Born and raised in post-industrial South Wales, James is, surprisingly enough, a Torquay United fan, as his father is from South Devon. He grew up watching the Gulls on the terraces from the age of 6, watching the likes of Rodney Jack and Jason Roberts develop, as well as Neville Southall’s Indian summer. Today, he doesn’t get to see them much as he’s living in Coventry, studying the social and cultural history of football at Warwick University. He first caught onto African football as a result of the famous match between Angola and Mali at the 2010 Cup of Nations (the unreliable stream not putting him off), but he hasn’t made the step to wearing sandals yet.