Author Armando Napoletano, a leading writer for Il Secolo XIX, in conversation with the head coach of Spezia Calcio and other prominent figures from the world of football. Thursday 29 January, 6.00 pm
On Thursday 29 January at 6.00 pm, we host at CAMeC the presentation of Armando Napoletano’s book Come Picasso e Van Gogh. La storia di John Robertson (Giacché edizioni, 2025). The event is promoted by the Amici del CAMeC Association, in collaboration with Spezia Calcio, and offers a dialogue between sport, storytelling and memory, bringing together the world of football and that of narrative and vision.
The story of a talent that shaped football history
The book traces the extraordinary sporting career of John Neilson Robertson, a legend of Nottingham Forest and a key figure in the club’s two consecutive European Cup victories between the late 1970s and early 1980s. A left-footed player who left a lasting mark on European football, Robertson is remembered for iconic moments such as his decisive assist for Trevor Francis in the European Cup final in Munich against Malmö and, twelve months later, the winning goal in the final in Madrid against Hamburg.
Voices from the world of football: memory, experience and vision
Following the institutional greetings by the Mayor of La Spezia, Pierluigi Peracchini, and the President of Fondazione Carispezia, Andrea Corradino, the author will be joined in conversation by Roberto Donadoni, head coach of Spezia Calcio; Andrea Gazzoli, Chief Executive Officer of Spezia Calcio; Massimo Franchi, journalist for Tuttosport; and Federico Gennarelli, sports journalist and speaker.
The event is conceived as an open exchange, in which the story told in the book intertwines with first-hand experiences, different perspectives and reflections on football as a language capable of bringing together talent, vision and memory.
Armando Napoletano: sports journalism and storytelling
Armando Napoletano (born in Chivasso, 1961) is a journalist for Il Secolo XIX (La Spezia newsroom) and has been a contributor to Tuttosport since 1986. He has written for various newspapers and news agencies, including international ones, and is the author of numerous books. In 2024 he received the Special Prize of the Pietro Mennea Literary Award for his short story Scusate ha segnato Paolino Ponzo.
When and how to attend
Thursday 29 January
Time: 6.00 pm
Free admission, subject to availability
