I most certainly did, fantastic country, culture and people. Even picked up a bit of the local lingo.

As for the footy, I lived in Blagoevgrad a town in the South western Bulgaria for the best part of 10 months. The local team FK Pirin played at the time in the Bulgarian Second Division (standard is worse then dire) in a decrepid stadium full of old clapped out Russian vehicles (one that passed for an ambulance), dubious looking mafia type locals and gypsies. Limerick FC would not look out of place there

FK Pirin now ply their trade in the First Division, up there with the likes of Litex (conquerors of the mighty Longford) Levski Sofia, CSKA, Slavia, Loko Sofia and Loko Plovdiv who are the current title holders. With the exception of CSKA and Levski the rest of the teams are just total crap. Litex were one of the worst sides I had the misfortune to set eyes on. if you want to sample the showpiece of Bulgarian football, a CSKA v Levski grudge match in the Bulgarian Army Stadium in Sektor G with the CSKA ultras and the smell of police teargas, flares, cigs and hatred for the beefs (Levski fans) wafting in the air. And you call the **** - Waterford Munster rivalry intense. This stuff is for real man.

camo CSKA.