ABOUT THE SCOUT
The Tournament Scout is an entirely free,
ad-free independent guide to this summer’s football.
I'm Craig, a writer and former journalist / Guardian Top 100 football blogger. While at university, I wrote 3pm Boys, a football column that appeared alongside Sir Tom Finney and Mark Lawrenson.
I'm a lifelong obsessive of football (especially international tournaments), with a spreadsheet of obscure talent to die for.
Every piece you read on the website has been completely hand-written. I'll be focusing on emerging talent you might not have heard of, and will aim to give you the low-down on teams that have slipped under the radar.
I can't wait for 104 games of utterly bonkers football!
The Tournament Scout is an entirely free,
ad-free independent guide to this summer’s football.
I'm Craig, a writer and former journalist / Guardian Top 100 football blogger. While at university, I wrote 3pm Boys, a football column that appeared alongside Sir Tom Finney and Mark Lawrenson.
I'm a lifelong obsessive of football (especially international tournaments), with a spreadsheet of obscure talent to die for.
Every piece you read on the website has been completely hand-written. I'll be focusing on emerging talent you might not have heard of, and will aim to give you the low-down on teams that have slipped under the radar.
I can't wait for 104 games of utterly bonkers football!
THE SCOUT -
CRAIG LAYCOCK
📍 Based in Stockholm, Sweden
🐑 Raised in Preston, England
📺 First watched Italia 90
🐶 Loves the underdog
"I still remember all the words of the John Barnes rap, for what it's worth"
✉️ craig@thetournamentscout.com
THE SCOUT - CRAIG LAYCOCK
📍 Based in Stockholm, Sweden
🐑 Raised in Preston, England
📺 First watched Italia 90
🐶 Loves the underdog
"I still remember all the words of the John Barnes rap, for what it's worth"
✉️ craig@thetournamentscout.com
100% human writing, from the heart
100% human writing, from the heart
I take pride in using my skills as a former journalist in hand-researching every piece on this site. I want to prove that fun, independent football analysis is still possible in 2026, even with the current global obsession and the commercial pressures of corner-cutting and AI.
The project is completely free and straight from the heart. It's a real passion project for me, so if you do feel like dropping me a tip I'd be massively appreciative :)
I take pride in using my skills as a former journalist in hand-researching every piece on this site. I want to prove that fun, independent football analysis is still possible in 2026, even with the current global obsession and the commercial pressures of corner-cutting and AI.
The project is completely free and straight from the heart. It's a real passion project for me, so if you do feel like dropping me a tip I'd be massively appreciative :)
The Tournament Scout is an entirely free,
ad-free independent guide to this summer's football.
I'm Craig, a writer and former journalist / Guardian Top 100 football blogger. While at university, I wrote 3pm Boys, a football column that appeared alongside Sir Tom Finney and Mark Lawrenson.
I'm a lifelong obsessive of football (especially international tournaments), with a spreadsheet of obscure talent to die for.
Every piece you read on the website has been completely hand-written. I'll be focusing on emerging talent you might not have heard of, and will aim to give you the low-down on teams that have slipped under the radar.
I can't wait for 104 games of utterly bonkers football!
ABOUT THE SCOUT
THE SCOUT
CRAIG LAYCOCK
📍 Based in Stockholm, Sweden
🐑 Raised in Preston, England
📺 First watched Italia 90
🐶 Loves the underdog
"You just won't find a better World Cup anthem than New Order's World in Motion."
✉️ craig@thetournamentscout.com
100% human writing, from the heart.
I take pride in using my skills as a former journalist in hand-researching every piece on this site. I want to prove that fun, independent football analysis is still possible in 2026, even with the current global obsession and the commercial pressures of corner-cutting and AI.
The project is completely free and straight from the heart. It's a real passion project for me, so if you do feel like dropping me a tip I'd be massively appreciative :)
