From Maradona’s Naples to Betis in Seville: the world according to Escapismo

When James Gamlin made a one-off magazine for his dad, he never imagined it would grow into Escapismo – a publication that captures the colour, passion and poetry of football culture. Six years on, his journey has taken him from Naples’s Maradona-obsessed streets to the green-and-white heart of Real Betis in Seville.

It all began with a Father’s Day gift.

“I definitely get my love of the game from my dad,” says James Gamlin, the founder of Escapismo magazine. “With so many photos we’d taken between us over the years – and so many football stories we were both interested in – I wanted to make him something that combined all of those things together.”

The gift was more than well-received. “He absolutely loved it,” Gamlin recalls. “And I must say I’m still trying to top it every Father’s Day! The whole process of putting it together was something I really enjoyed. I had a few extra copies printed, which I handed out to friends and family, and after lots of encouragement to take it further and make it into a proper magazine, I was determined to make it happen.”

Fast forward six years, and Escapismo has just released its sixth issue: a special edition dedicated to Real Betis and the joy of Spanish football. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Gamlin says. “I’m incredibly grateful for all of the support the magazine has received over the years, and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has ever picked up a copy.”

From idea to reality

For Gamlin, seeing his project evolve into a fully fledged publication has been transformative. “It’s been a real journey, I have to say. I could never have imagined how much I’d learn, the places the magazine would take me, and the incredible artists, photographers, and writers I’d get to work with. It’s always such an amazing feeling to hold each new issue for the first time after everything that goes into it.”

Over time, the magazine has shifted from a personal project into themed travel editions. Naples and Seville were the first two cities to take centre stage. “Both cities had been on my bucket list for quite some time,” he says. “A trip to Naples was something I’d been planning for years with one of my best friends, Tom. We’d been talking about it all through lockdown, so finally arriving in the city and watching Napoli play was something we’ll never forget.

“A special edition capturing the experience of visiting the city and its incredible passion for football had been on my mind ever since starting the magazine, and I absolutely loved putting it all together. This format evolved further with the latest issue, focusing on Spanish football and the club that I feel encapsulates the soul and charm of the Spanish game: Real Betis.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for Betis. The club and its unique fanbase represent so much of what makes football so special, so I really tried to transport readers to Seville and give them a flavour of what it’s like to experience a matchday at the Benito Villamarín.”

Crafting Escapismo

The act of creating each issue is, for Gamlin, a joy as well as a challenge. “It has evolved quite a lot over the years, but I absolutely love seeing it come to life – from the initial themes and plans, to capturing all the photos, to laying it all out. I usually plan out all the chapters first, so I have a clear idea of the photos I’ll need and which will work best in each section. Choosing the cover is always one of my favourite parts of the process, but it’s probably also the aspect that takes the longest to finalise!”

Naples: Maradona, coffee and unforgettable football

When he speaks about Naples, Gamlin lights up. “There are so many highlights – it was an absolutely amazing trip! From talking about Maradona at every opportunity and having a kickabout in the street with young Napoli supporters, to enjoying incredible Neapolitan food and coffee, and the unforgettable experience of witnessing a match – I honestly think about the time I spent there with Tom most days.

“The views from Castel Sant’Elmo were breathtaking, and wandering the narrow streets of the Quartieri Spagnoli is a must for any football fan. I’d also definitely recommend visiting Gran Caffè Gambrinus – I think it might just be the world’s greatest café.”

Football culture in the city, he insists, is unparalleled. “I’m not sure the word ‘unique’ even does it justice. I don’t think there’s another city that lives and breathes the game quite like Naples. The colours of the team are inescapable, and the club represents something truly special to every Napoli fan. It’s a huge source of pride for the city and the region, and the passion of the supporters is just unbelievable.”

Seville and the soul of Betis

If Naples was intoxicating, Seville was enchanting. “It’s an absolutely beautiful city, with its wonderful orange trees, stunning architecture, narrow winding streets, and endless sunshine – it really does feel like the heart of Spain. My favourite spots were the panoramic views from Las Setas and a leisurely stroll around Plaza de España. I could have spent hours in both places, just soaking it all in.”

And then, of course, there was Real Betis. “It was one of my favourite football experiences ever,” Gamlin says. “The atmosphere, the colours, and the unconditional love the supporters have for their side made for such a memorable visit to the Benito Villamarín. If you ever get the chance to watch Betis play, I couldn’t recommend it enough.”

The rivalry with Sevilla FC is impossible to ignore. “You really do pick up on it in almost every conversation about football in Seville,” he says. “It’s a city with enormous passion for the game, and that comes across whenever you speak to supporters of either side. I’d love to return for a derby one day – it’s certainly a fixture and an occasion as intense as the scorching Seville heat.”