📉 The crazy story of an Italian fallen giant 

Where should I go next?

I love Alex's passion for showing you his town and the football club's history. His pride for the place was awesome.

Thank you for sheding light on my team! It is such a pity that passion for Pro Vercelli now is almost totally held by elders, I am 25 and it's quite difficult to involve young people from my own town in supporting this outstanding club

Out of all the countries for football, Italy is definitely my favourite for historical rises and falls. I do hope Vercelli reach Serie A again.

I went to watch Pro Vercelli last year as part of a weekend in Turin (we watched Juve too). I accidentally brought tickets in the away end at Vercelli, against a team called Arzignano Valchiampo. There were 7 away fans and we were 4 of them, tourists from the uk 😂 these 3 Italian blokes who’d travelled with the away team were really friendly and gave us scarves, brought us beer etc. Awful game of football but cracking day out!

In the Netherlands we got the club HVV who won the national title 10 times and still got their star! But almost no-one knows about them, since their last title was in 1914. It was the number 1 club of The Hague, but it's now an amateur club for so many years.

I have heard of Pro Vercelli before. Some of the provincial clubs have left an indelible mark upon the history of Italian football, and Pro Vercelli is no exception. It was a fantastic video showing not only the club but the town and the province. Well done!

Allesandro was brilliant to listen to. This makes me want to go back to Italy!

fascinating video! I love Italian football, thanks to football italia in the 90's. I never knew the histoy of Pro Vercelli...What a town and club!

Love it! A video about Pro Vercelli finally! Hope they come back. Forza Pro!

Love stories about clubs like this. Football wouldn’t be what it is today without clubs like Vercelli and all fans especially of like “big 6” and equivalent in other countries should know their story and respect how big this clubs and others like it are and football wasn’t invented back in 1992. Forza Vercelli

Well done and thank you for creating a great video about an historic Italian club.

Next time you stay in lecco....Come to Rigamonti ceppi...our small beautiful stadium 💙🦅 great video

Such a wholesome video, more so than usual on this channel mainly because of Alex’ clear love and passion for his club, town and country

You could have lingered on the scran a bit longer. Italy is a great country.

Sorry for being late to the party, but I want to say a massive thank you for this video! I'm always happy when people not only come to visit Italy, but also take time to get themselves invested in local culture... 😊 I'd just like to add a few notes: - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="287">4:47</a> Yes, Pro Vercelli's logo indeed rocks Saint George's Cross, which is a key part of the city's flag and coat of arms. The same flag, with little to no variations, is also used by other prominent Italian cities, including Milan, Genoa, Bologna, Padova and Alessandria. I think you confused it with Lombardy's regional flag, which actually shows a white Camunian rose on a green background. - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="709">11:49</a> I think Piola is actually Italy's third best goalscorer, behind only Gigi Riva (R.I.P.) and Giuseppe Meazza. On top of that, he won his last cap for Italy in 1952, at the age of 38, against England! After his retirement, he briefly served as an assistant coach for the national team, under Lajos Czeizler, and then as a scout and instructor for the Federation. Interestingly, Pro Vercelli's rival teams mentioned by Mattia, Novara and Alessandria (the city I'm currently studying in), can also be considered "fallen giants" of Italian football, and I'd argue they've had even harder falls... Maybe this can be an idea for the future! - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1110">18:30</a> Ayo, I'm so glad that story came up! So, both the Italian federation and our national team were formed in 1910: around that time, Pro Vercelli were still in their "golden years", and so their players naturally became the core of the "Azzurri". Like Alex said, nine Pro Vercelli players were involved in that 1-0 win over Belgium, and it's probably the fondest memory the club could ever have, maybe even more than their seven league titles. Unfortunately, World War I and the rise of the fascist regime kind of marked the beginning of the end for the club... - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1523">25:23</a> That coach is none other than Andrea Dossena! 🙏 His spells in England might not be too memorable, but he still had a pretty solid career, including 10 senior caps for Italy, so definitely nothing to be ashamed of. Anyway, you've made some excellent research, and all of the people involved were incredibly kind with you. This might be my favorite video of yours... and not just because I'm Italian! 😉

Of course,I know about Pro Vercelli ever since I was a child and they did dominate the Italian football during the 1900's till 1920's and have read their history,good friends!!!Sadly,they are an ultimate fallen giant to be playing in the Italian Serie C but I hope to see them slowly rising to the second tier first with their smart businesses,good friends!!!LONG LIVE PRO VERCELLI!!!🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️

Another fantastic watch Sam and so informative from yourself and the guests you had on camera. Makes me want to start a pro vercelli football manager save and get them back to the big time.

What a great video! The best thing about it is that you show the history of a club that probably not many football fans knew about (myself included). Brilliant work, keep it going!

I like to share, as a S.S.Lazio fan, that Silvio Piola was 21 years old (1934) when he joined Lazio. He played for 9 seasons wearing the “maglietta biancoceleste”, scoring 159 goals in 243 matches. The glorious Pro Vercelli was is first team, Novara is last. He was a professional player from 1930 to 1954, 24 years. In the national team Italia he scored 30 goals in 34 matches… winning the Jules Rimet Cup (World Cup) in France 1938, scoring two goals in the final match won 4-2 against Hungary. Silvio Piola is a true Legend !

Just a correction for what said at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="290">4:50</a>, Vercelli (Turin as well) is in Piedmont and not Lombardy. Piedmont is actually the region with the majority of the Scudetti won by its teams

One of your best mate. What a story and amazing location

Pro vecelli ive heard of this team! A cool team indeed!

Brilliant. Been interested in pro vercelli story for a while, the people there seem incredible.

Brilliant video Sam. Great story, I knew nothing about Pro Vercelli or their history, really interesting to learn about them ... and what a top man Alex was too ! The area looks absolutely lovely, you jammy sod !! ;-)

Another example of shining a spotlight on a level and team that casual fans may never have become aware of were it not for your videos. Great to see coverage of the lower levels of the Italian game. As to where to go next, maybe Eastern Germany or the Dutch/Belgian lower divisions.

Damn. Alex give good impressions of the Italian dialects

I love Italian football. So many Iconic clubs and stadiums. Everything about it. I watch more Seria A games than Premier League games.

In search of an FM save, I found out about this team a couple of years ago. Had a blast bringing them back to Serie A and taking part in European competitions. Been following them ever since.

Great video…lovely ground, proud club with loads of history but wow that church! All at the club seemed so friendly and happy for the attention.

Love the fact you go to these sort of clubs. Really enjoyed this video 👍🏻🇮🇹👏

Brilliant content, fascinating to learn of the history of that club and the impact it made with football in Italy!

Great video Sam. Interesting and informative. Fun way to spend half an hour whilst drinking my morning coffee. Keep up the good work!

Fantastic video about a glorious team with an awesome history. Well done!

Bro!! This is the best video ever! Do more videos from abroad!

Best Footie Channel, 100%

As a chelsea fan ,when we played Milan, had a day at Lake como ,league 2 I think,great little ground ,proper football

Pro Vercelli's former glory is well-known in Italy, as is that of fellow fallen giant Genoa (the oldest club in the country), with its nine scudetto's, just one shy of the ten needed for the star on the jersey.

I suggest other two important stories: the story of Casale Calcio, the tragic death in a plane crush of the Great Torino.

Really great vlog, Italy looks incredible!

What always gets me is how poorly supported our clubs are here in Italy. Even in Seria A always plenty of seats empty

This team reminds me of my local team in Norway. Their name are Mjøndalen. They are currently playing in tier 2 (OBOS ligaen) They had 3 season in tier 1 from 2019 to 2021. They got a stadium with a capacity of 4200 (Consto Arena) I would love to see you here sometime or in Norway at all.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="322">05:22</a> Massimo Vive means "Massimo lives on" The parchment next to it, reports the lyric of a pretty popular stadium chant adapted by various supports around Italy. In this case the writings can be translated as follow. "I remember when I was a kid, I dreamt about a jersey and a football, And now that i have grown up, the Pro (short form for Pro Vercelli) is my only love. I remember in the Curva Ovest (*), the Ultras were always singing, white is our colour, Vercelli is our city." (*) The concept of curva (translated as curve or bend) is linked to the typical structures of most of the Italian stadiums in the past. Differently from the English reality, Italy had (and still has) a large number of stadiums that include the athletic track. As a consequence, the layout of the stadium is characterised by two semi-circle portions (i.e. Curve) behind the goals, that follow the bent part of the track and field track. These are where you will find the Ultras groups. Typically you will see two names: Curva Sud (south curve) and Curva Nord (north curve). This is becase stadiums are built along the north-south axis to avoid sun shining (in its east-west trajectory) directly at the goals through the day. The stadium in Vercelli (Stadio Silvio Piola) was built so that the length of the pitch is closer to a west-east axist, than a north-south one. For this reason, in this case you read "Curva West". Fantastic video. Well done!

One of your best yet Sam, was aware of the club and definitely on my list to tick

i really enjoyed this video as my girlfriend is from Vercelli, and is always humiliating me (in a fun way of course) because they have somehow won more scudetti than my Roma. was very cool to see you in the city that very little people outside of Italy know of 👍 the next time you come to Italy i recommend that you go to Sicily to watch Palermo which has a very good atmosphere, and the city is nice too. also as a bonus you could even get the reasonably quick ferry to Malta from there to go see some Maltese football too

I was born in the UK to parents from foggia who also play in serie C so this video is one I'm going to throughly enjoy. Also serie C is shown for free on the fifa+ app

Just for good order's sake football (or soccer) in Italy was born in Genova (one of the most important and busy seaports in the Mediterranean sea of those days) in 1893 and the first team ever was created by a bunch of British businessmen ...that's way the team is carrying the name "Genoa" (Genova definition in English) 🙂

If Kane's luck don't start to kick in he will be the new Silvio Piola with hundreds of goals and no league titles.

Just half way through. But already one of the best vids you,ve made !. Pure football. Keep them coming 😄

Well done, Sam. One of your best.

I am from Rome, but my dad is from Casale Monferrato, a city nearby Vercelli. Casale FBC alto won a title, in the 1913/14 season. Here in Casale we are very proud, even in is only one. Anyways we don't have a really great rivalry with Vercelli, we have it with Alessandria. We call them "Mandrogni" in Piemontese/Casalese, a rivalry nickname.

Wow Sam that is a great video. I had never heard off this team but now I will be looking into them more

Fantastic video mate! Italian football is fantastic.

The Italian, Dumbarton, Vale of Leven? Maybe Bury? One of those teams that you know if you're a history buff. Great to see you covering them Sam

Inter fan from the US. I know of the Pro Vercelli story and am happy to see them play Serie A sides in the pre season. Great video keep them coming.

Vercelli looks a really nice place

Cracking video Sam, love seeing and hearing about the history of these kind of clubs. Bravo!

Hello, thanks for the excellent video report. You should make one about SPAL from Ferrara. Greetings!

Good video as always Sam.

Agreed with you Sam, driving on the right side of the road would terrify me

Good video. Been fascinated by history of football clubs and associated culture.

I think one of the major things that you missed to mention was all the racism and xenophobia of the northern teams which almost made it impossible for the southern teams like Roma and Napoli to win any major trophy for decades, its the only reason they have so many trophies in the Turin triangle area!

It's unfortunate that the lower league clubs in Italy aren't as well supported like in England, Germany, the Netherlands etc. Fans need to realise the pride that comes with watching football with friends and neighbours, not big clubs.

Hiya Sam, what team were Vercelli playing did the score finish 3-0? I enjoyed this vlog, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

Speaking of Giana Erminio, which happens to be the team that I support 😅, you should really look into their story, coz it’s actually very unique. In fact, they’re the only professional team in Italy whose name is actually the name of a real individual: Erminio Giana, a Gorgonzola (a little town near Milan, that hosts the home games of the club) soldier who died on the Alps during WWI, and whose mother decided to donate the field where the stadium was originally built to the local football team. btw, I’ve loved the video, and I’m probably the only person who celebrated for the match result after watching it! 😂

Love this video so interesting. Im from South east England. Looking forward to the next trip abroad

I wouldn't call Pro Vercelli a 'fallen giant' although I will say Vercelli is absolutely gorgeous, one of my favorite places in northern Italy.

Scored a belter there Sam. Brilliant video.

It is the St George's Cross , He is the patron saint of Barcelona (Catalonia) and various Italian cities Milan , Bologna , Genoa , Reggio ,, if a club has the st George on the badge then its because of St George

Brilliant video more of the same please 😁

Love these outside of the uk videos, they are always great

PAOK Salonika maybe? Not fallen giants but Greek clubs perhaps in general would be interesting or East German teams.

Fantastic video Sam. Thoroughly enjoyed it

I really want to visit there now and take in the sights and a game. Looks amazing.

La Pro Vercelli è leggenda pura!!!! Vinse il suo primo scudetto da neopromossa in serie A.... Ha decine di records da esibire.. Ne cito due che riguardano l'immenso Silvio Piola... Record assoluto di goals 290,record come il più giovane calciatore a fare il primo goal in serie A, record di goals in una sola partita 6!!! In Pro Vercelli vs Fiorentina 7 a 1 Manca nel raccontoi lo scudetto rubato dall'Inter nel 1910...Giocarono lo spareggio per il titolo Pro Vercelli e Inter, arrivate a fine campionato a pari merito, fu il primo titolo dell'Inter... Giocarono, per la Pro i bambini di 10/13 anni ( futuri campioni negli anni successivi) per protesta... L'Inter vinse 10 a 3... I campionati vinti potevano essere 8 e se non ci fosse stata la prima guerra mondiale i titoli vinti dalla Pro sarebbero stati molti di più... Da ricordare l'Unione affettiva del Palmeiras ( ex Palestra Italia) nato dopo una tournée della Pro in Brasile da tifosi italo brasiliani... Ancora adesso i sostenitori del Palmeiras dicono che la Pro Vercelli è la loro mamma... Nelle partite casalinghe del Palmeiras sventolano alcune bandiere della Pro Vercelli... Come sarebbe bello che qualche ricco possa comprare la società... Un Brand unico Forza PRO

I went to Lecco to go see a match myself. Their stadium while small even for Serie B standards has probably the best scenery I've seen.

The football club wasn’t born in 1892 though. The oldest football club in Italy is Genoa (1893); Pro Vercelli were a gymnastics club founded in 1887 and affiliated to the Italian Gymnastics Federation in 1892, and then in 1903 the football section was created.

Some others I can think of.. Clyde (once Scottish prem side), Oldham, AS Cannes (France).. probably a good few more!

The food looked insane. Way better than lots of top level stadiums.

Great video, and loving the Greek music vibes!

Brilliant video, big up pro vercelli, ive even done a eafc24 series on this team

Pro Vercelli was indeed the best club in Italy up until the 1920s. Ironically another in had a “similar” fortune in Italy:Genoa (to a lesser degree). Nevertheless these 2 were the oldest football clubs in Italy and were the giants of early Italian football. I am surprised as an italian that you took the time to investigate on pro Vercelli and travelled all the way in that region to visit them . Kudos to you 👋👋👋

Venezia FC, the only ground you have to travel on a boat to get there!

This is my next football manager challenge

Nice promotion for Fiago 😅 Well done sam 😮 Don’t want to get carried away with your schedule are you going Peterhead on the 24th? 😊 Italian teams the way they go bankrupt is funny and interesting. 😂 They literally start again from Serie D. Again, well done on the long video for everyone to watch and getting a few interviews. Italian people love their hand gestures. What other cultures do this? Spanish for example?

Great vid, love Italian football

Excellent Sam, thank you. And what great little ground.

Today marks 16 years ( 5844 days) since Tottingham Hots*ursy last won a trophy.....So Happy S*ursyversary ...An amazing feat. Congratulations to the hundreds of players and many managers who contributed to this achievement #s*ursy

Great video, really enjoyed this.

Fascinating! What a great vid Sam!

Hi sam, fantastic video, football secondary to the area itself, what a place. Youbare so lucky to see these places, that zrea of italy looks unreal.

Enjoyed the video ,really interesting

He does a great impression of Italian dialects

Played Italian League of Championship Manager through the 90s with my best mate who is Half Italian (Juve fan) so we used to compete against each other ⚽️ Good Times👍

Great job my brother glad to see you back I hope you enjoyed your wee break 💙

You’re good at this stuff man keep it up. Loved this.

I’ve heard of the is team they are famous. It’s difficult for them to get a big fan base as they are between Milano and Torino and there are also a lot of clubs around. The town you are staying Lecco have a club in Serie B. They got promoted in summer but they are playing far away as their stadium doesn’t meet Serie B standards

Pure gold.

Brilliant Sam, always enjoy these kind of videos you make, very interesting and had never heard of Pro Vercelli previously. Looking forward to where you go to next 👍⚽

You were in Lecco, why not a video on their team? The fall from the Serie A era to lower leagues and managed to get back to Serie B after 50 years! The most “english style” stadium in Italy as many said.