Calling all Culers! The 1899 lands on CounterPress to deliver exceptional coverage of FC Barcelona

Calling all Culers, a new way to follow Barcelona is launching on CounterPress in time for the new La Liga season.

The 1899, named after the year Joan Gamper founded the Catalan giants, launches later this month with a mission to deliver the best English-language coverage of Barcelona.

The site is fronted by journalists Tom Sanderson, Neal Gardner and Pol Ferré Martinez.

After previously living in São Paulo and becoming The Guardian’s lead writer on Brazilian football, Tom has held the same function at Forbes on FC Barcelona since 2019 when he moved to the Catalan capital. He’s also had Spanish content editorial roles at The Daily Mail, and written for other outlets including The i Paper and The Blizzard.

Neal is a freelance football writer and content creator. An avid Barça supporter since childhood, he began sharing his thoughts on the club on Twitter during the pandemic, initially as little more than a passion project and a way to connect with fellow fans.

What started as a search for community has since grown into an audience of more than 205,000 followers. At the heart of Neal’s work remains the same passion that started it all: a love for Barça, football, and thoughtful discussion around the game.

Pol is a UAB journalism graduate that has recently completed an internship at one of the biggest radio stations in Spain, Onda Cero.

He’s heavily involved in Catalonia’s grassroots system as a league-winning coach leading teams for eight years, or since he was 16. Growing up and living in Barcelona, he’s a lifelong Culer and member with a love of FC Barcelona passed down to him by his ancestors.

The 1899’s members can look forward to analysis, features, news, opinion and historical pieces related to the Blaugrana.

Tom said: “Covering FC Barcelona while living in Catalonia has been an honour and a privilege full of dream moments. Now being backed by CounterPress, though, via what I believe to be a solid model in reaction to the changes in our industry, I feel that we’re about to reach a new level of enjoyment.

"I promise that we’ll deliver Culers authentic, local, in-depth coverage from the Camp Nou press box and the stands of the Gol Sud to the best of our ability as not just journalists but also members of the club. We’ve a formula that has made up the best Barça teams in the past, blending what I believe is a perfect mix of Catalans, foreigners, youth talent and experience."

Neal added: “My goal with this project is to produce football writing that goes beyond the surface. In an environment increasingly driven by immediacy, headlines and clickbait, I want to create work built around nuance, context and genuine depth.

"That means looking beyond the result or the dominant narrative and asking the more interesting questions behind it. Whether analysing performances, tactics, players, recruitment or the wider direction of Barça, the aim is to give readers thoughtful, detailed coverage that encourages discussion rather than simply reacting to the latest talking point."

While Pol added: “Growing up in Barcelona, Barça have always been a part of my life. Having the chance to now combine my love with journalism and build a new media project around the club is something I’m incredibly excited about. It’s a unique opportunity to bring together two things that have always been a huge part of me: Barça and storytelling.

"Our goal is to offer Culers more than just the latest news. We want to bring a local perspective to widespread coverage, and stories told with the passion we feel for Barça.

“We’re aware of the responsibility that comes with covering a club like this. But with three different voices united by the same passion, we’re ready to build something of our own and give it everything we have.”

The 1899’s early interest waiting list is now open, ahead of a full launch later this month.

Barcelona supporters keen to explore the platform can secure an exclusive discount on membership by adding their details to the mailing list today.

The site is the latest in a succession of club outlets to launch with CounterPress and becomes the second to focus on Spanish football, joining La Liga London on the network.

Other prominent club titles on the network include The Moonraker (Swindon Town), Full Throstle (West Bromwich Albion), From Bromley With Love (Bromley FC), The Leyton Orientear (Leyton Orient), The Brighton Base (Brighton & Hove Albion), Saturday White Fever (Fulham), The Phoenix (Coventry City) and The Wanderers Post (Wolves).

Co-founder Sam Morshead said: “This is a seriously exciting project for CounterPress, with a group of journalists and content creators who understand the passions and nuances of the subject matter.

“By combining the experiences and perspectives of Tom, Neal and Pol, The 1899 promises to deliver on a variety of topics for the whole spectrum of Barca fans the world over.

“I’m delighted CounterPress can play a contributory role in a title I really believe has the potential to achieve cross-border and cross-market appeal.”