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Spencer Vignes

@spencervignes.bsky.social

170 followers 43 following 110 posts

Award-winning author & freelance in the words trade. Music, tennis, biographer of soccer pioneers Leigh Roose & George Robledo, writer of @trainsongscentral.bsky.social book. Visit http://www.spencervignes.co.uk/ to find out more.

www.spencervignes.co.uk

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Nov 16

Books make great gifts, they really do. If you'd like a signed or dedicated copy of any of my books to give as presents (or to yourself!) then get in touch. Message me through Bluesky or see my website - www.spencervignes.co.uk - for all contact details.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 6h

It's #bookshopday today, the annual celebration of all things to do with high street book shops. If you're planning on buying any of these in the run-up to Christmas, then your local high street book shop is the place to head to.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 1d

In October 2025, 70.5% of players in the Premier League are non-UK nationals registered overseas.

This is the story of the first one to become a star in his adopted homeland.

'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story' by Spencer Vignes, available now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 8d

George Robledo was the first overseas star of English football. Never heard of him? Then treat yourself to the latest edition of @fourfourtwo.com magazine to read my four page article about the Chilean goal machine of the 1940s and 50s.

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Reposted by Spencer Vignes

Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️ @outsidewrite.bsky.social · 11d

I am giving a talk about the history of football against fascism

🗓️ Friday, 10 October 2025
⏰ 18.00
📍 Marx Memorial Library, London, EC1R 0DU
🚇 Farringdon

More 👉🏼 substack.com/@outsidewrit...

If you're in London, come along!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 14d

This weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, and I'll be on the @BBCRadio4 Friday edition of The World Tonight from 10pm talking train songs & what it is about the railways that has fascinated generations of singers, songwriters & musicians. All aboard folks!

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 23d

It's Chilean Independence Day, so what better reason to post a picture of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, born in Chile in 1926, a post-war legend with Barnsley & Newcastle Utd before returning to Chile to play for Colo-Colo. Vamos George!

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 23d

'A sporting story for the ages' - Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live

‘An absolutely brilliant book’ – Paul Ross, talkSPORT

'A remarkable book' - The Daily Express

Just some of the great reviews for 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story' by Spencer Vignes, out now.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 26d

I make absolutely no apology for posting this marvellous image again, seeing as it's 46 years to the day since it was taken. Peter O'Sullivan takes aim for Brighton & Hove Albion versus Ipswich Town at the Goldstone Ground, Hove, on 15 September 1979.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 29d

'Vignes' zippy and well-constructed book, with chapters named for (John) Lennon songs, leaves the reader in no doubt that Robledo was one of the greatest overseas players to have enriched English football.' - When Saturday Comes magazine (issue 457)

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 31

Really looking forward to reading this when it's out. If you're into football, sport, social history & what makes Yorkshire special, not to mention Wolverhampton Wanderers, then this book is for you:
dondearneschoolfootball.wordpress.com/mark-crooks-...

Mark Crook’s Wath Wanderers

We are now ready to take pre-orders for this 160-page book on Mark Crook’s Wath Wanderers.The retail price will be £22 – however the early bird discount of £10 off, reduces the cost to …

dondearneschoolfootball.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Spencer Vignes

Seagulls Programmes @seagullsprogrammes.bsky.social · Aug 31

Another cracker of a programme from @officialbha.bsky.social
for the game against #MCFC. Jamie Eke's cover is a hybrid design from 87/88 and 94/95. Inside, the usual superb mix of news, articles and stats.
@spencervignes.bsky.social
looks at a time of turmoil at the club. Great stuff #BHAFC

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 31

In 1974 John Lennon chose a picture he'd drawn as a child of George Robledo scoring Newcastle's winner in the 1952 FA Cup final for the cover of his album 'Walls and Bridges'.

Discover more about the ties that bound Lennon & Robledo in my book 'Postcards From Santiago', out now.

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Books make great gifts, for others or even yourself. If you're going to buy one of mine, then I'd rather you got it through your local indie bookshop. Alternatively there is Amazon. After all, beggars can't be choosers. Just buy a book, and keep this writer in gainful employment.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 25

A big thank you to Backpass magazine and their book reviewer Jon Culley for making 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, their 'Star Read' in the latest issue. Flattered, so I am.

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 21

"Most of my heroes were Newcastle United players, and they do not come any bigger or better than George Robledo in my eyes.” - Bobby Robson on George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, pictured here scoring for Newcastle against Preston North End

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 18

As much as it's portrayed as the devil, Amazon reviews & ratings can make a huge difference to the fortunes of a book. If you've read 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story', and you enjoyed it, please take time to give it a positive review & rating. Thank you.

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 12

Nice double page spread in today's Daily Express on George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, and my book about him called 'Postcards From Santiago', published by @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 10

A big thank you to Waterstones book shop in central Newcastle for supporting my new book 'Postcards From Santiago' about George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, and for staging yesterday's book signing. Any excuse to get back to the Toon!

Reposted by Spencer Vignes

Sock Council @sockcouncil.bsky.social · Aug 9

Met the author of Postcards From Santiago, The George Robledo Story, today in Newcastle.

Top man, and he signed my copy! @spencervignes.bsky.social

Gifted Spencer a pair of #NUFC Socks too!

🧦 sockcouncil.com/product-tag/...

📘 share.google/CqiTDSGE7snP...

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 8

Thank you!

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 7

This Saturday (9 Aug) I'll be dropping by Waterstones book shop in central Newcastle at 11am to sign copies of Postcards From Santiago, my book about ex-Newcastle United forward George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. If you're local, it'd be good to see you.

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Aug 2

Lovely piece by Jim White in the latest edition of The Oldie mag about 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. And whoever came up with that 'God on the Tyne' headline is a wizard.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Jul 20

In July 2025, 70.5% of players in the Premier League are non-UK nationals registered overseas.

This is the story of the first one to become a star in his adopted homeland.

'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story' by
Spencer Vignes, available now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Jul 18

Everything you could ever want to know about why I decided to write 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, out now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social. Click on the pic below to read:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...

George Robledo: Newcastle great with a record beyond Salah and Henry

Born in Chile, shaped by poverty and hard graft, the prolific inside-forward holds a scoring record unbroken to this day

www.theguardian.com

Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · Jun 28

Me in today's Daily Express - the story of how the first player to be disqualified from Wimbledon wasn't McEnroe, or Kyrgios, or Nastase, but.....Tim Henman!