There is an argument that without the Ayrshire town of Darvel, currently one of the rising-stars of  the Scottish, junior game, together with neighbouring Galston and Newmilns between them, there would be no Barcelona FC. Bluntly put, no Darvel, Galston and Newmilns, no Barca. If your club is Espanyol then that might be a problem but for all others the story is probably still worth a tell.

Moreover, much the same might be said of the game in Sweden or in Gothenburg at the very least. No Darvel, no Orgryte and so arguably no IFK. So here are the links to the two tales as far as we know them just now with as their shared impetus one company and the delicacy of lace, yes lace, something that is still manufactured in the Irvine Valley to this very day.