For many years I was under the mistaken impression that Stendhal's novel Le Rouge et le Noir was about Communists and Anarchists, such was my ignorance. Now, despite still not having read the book, I understand that he was of an earlier generation, concerned with the politics of French bourgeois liberalism and its pillars the Army and the Church. Stendhal is a central figure in the formulation of the nineteenth-century world view and was the first to describe what came to be known as Stendhal Syndrome, a nervous condition afflicting those who encounter the beauties of the city Florence for the first time.
Back in February I suggested that Stirling Albion (the Beanos) will never amount to anything until they have adopted the red and black outfit of Dennis the Menace as their own uniform. Specifically: red and black hooped jersey; black shorts; red socks. Such a kit would necessarily strike terror into the heart of any opponent, and I'm a bit surprised that no club in the higher tiers of Scottish soccer has adopted it. Surely those who tremble with Stendhal Syndrome before the beauty of a well-executed tackle must acknowledge that every league has a place for a team kitted out in the colour of blood and bruises.
So this is my telos, to find a football club somewhere that wears a red and black hooped jersey, black shorts and red socks, and to support it, if only from afar. Bonus points if it is nicknamed The Red and the Black. Here are a few possibilities:
AFC Bournemouth The Cherries. They cycle through colour schemes of red and black, red and white, and red, white and black. Stripes, though, not hoops. They are active in England's Football League One.
AC Milan The current Italian champions wear red, black and white. This fabled club is known as i Rossoneri (The Red and Blacks). Yes! Also il Diavolo (The Devil) and Casciavit (Screwdrivers). Yes! Yes! This is exactly what I'm talking about! Again unfortunately stripes not hoops.
Bohemian FC Not Czech but Irish, Bohemians are one of the Republic's older and more successful clubs. Their kit leans toward the black, with flashes of red. The shirt is striped black and red. Sharp, yet not exactly what I was looking for. Still, the Republic of Ireland league plays through the summer so Bohemians might be the club to follow while the Ton are fallow.
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo Hoops! Absolutely! But white shorts. Nicknamed Rubro-Negro (The Scarlet-Black), this illustrious club from Rio de Janeiro are six-time Brazilian champions.
Altrincham FC The Robins aren't bobbins, but they did lose 24 games in 2010-11. Red socks, black shorts, red and white striped jersey. But their vintage centenary jersey has red and black stripes, and that's the one Frank Sidebottom liked to wear.
Unseen Academicals Red shirt with black trim, black shorts, red socks, red hat.
(Not actually a real team.)
I can see I've only just begun these researches. I'll post Part Two when I've found another half dozen or so candidates. D
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