The hottest album in Manchester this summer cannot be bought in Piccadilly Records and doesn’t involve music at all. It’s a Panini World Cup 2014 sticker album, and nostalgic fans are spending all their pocket money, and indeed large swathes of their disposable income, on this retro adhesive treats. With obscure football knowledge at an all time high, and the World Cup on the horizon, lovers of the beautiful game might well find themselves mumbling to their pets were it not for The Proper Football Quiz World Cup Special (or Copa Do Mundo Especial, as they refer to it) taking place at Joshua Brooks the day before the tournament kicks off. Now over a year old, TPFQ, a bastion for those who consume their football culture with a leftfield twist, has consistently attracted big crowds, thirsty for the anti-banter soccer chat and cheap real ale deals. If you’re into vintage Adidas shirts and you know all the words to John Barnes’ rap, this is the place for you.

Wed 11 June, Joshua Brooks, Princess Street, M1 6NG, Tel: 0161 273 7336, 8pm, £1 per player (max 5 per team), www.facebook.com

Wed 11 Jun
Words:
Carl Catfield
Published on:
Tue 3 Jun 2014