The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Neil Lennon from season two.This conversation – recorded in front of a live audience at Greenock Town Hall – was set up by Line of Duty and Hollywood star Martin Compston to raise funds for Ardgowan Hospice.Neil did that fantastic charity proud by giving us an eloquent, revealing, witty and highly entertaining interview. Want to hear about how Martin O’Neill signed him for Leicester City by summarising his contract on the back of a pizza box? Or the sheer will to succeed Neil had to demonstrate after his fledgling playing career was massively interrupted by back surgery? You’ll also hear about how Neil adapted O’Neill’s brilliant management techniques, and ended up masterminding a famous victory over the mighty Barcelona during his first stint as Celtic boss, a win that moved Rod Stewart to tears, and Elton John to telephone to congratulate him.Brilliant stuff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would li

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Scott Minto. For the first time, here’s the full episode.Part two focuses on Scott’s time as an accomplished full-back at Chelsea, where Glenn Hoddle brought a new era of professionalism to the club – not least ending biscuits as the staple of the pre-training diet.While at Stamford Bridge, Scott operated alongside incredible talents such as Dan Petrescu and Roberto Di Matteo. However, few surpassed Hoddle’s replacement, player-coach Ruud Gullit, in terms of sheer all-round ability.Scott describes Chelsea’s 1997 FA Cup winning run, and how applying sports psychology – before it was fashionable – and listening to a house music track prepared him for the Wembley final, which proved to be his last game for the club. He also explains how being substituted too often disillusioned him with life at the Blues.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/graha

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Scott Minto. For the first time, here’s the full episode.I’m familiar with Scott’s analytical skills from working with him in television studios, but I had no idea how as a youngster he considered dumping football for becoming a real-life Sherlock Holmes.Scott laments the obscene wealth offered to young players nowadays, and also the demise of the apprenticeship system which toughened him up for top-division football. However, he has no idea what possessed him to put in a crazy tackle on ultimate tough guy Terry Hurlock during his Charlton debut.Scott also describes how close he came to signing for Arsenal, before jilting George Graham and the Gunners for city rivals Chelsea.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this

In part two, Ossie delves into that famous World Cup win in 1978. How legendary manager César Luis Menotti broke the mould in Argentinian coaching by letting his players fully express themselves – Ossie flourished under him. He tells us about how he nearly missed the final against the Netherlands and had to play through the pain barrier due to a foot injury. But it was even worse for the great Leopoldo Luque, who played not only while carrying an injury but who had lost his brother in a road accident during the tournament.Ossie talks about how his happy time at Tottenham Hotspur suddenly went dark when the Falklands – or Malvinas – War broke out. His cousin was killed early in the conflict, and Ossie felt isolated, abused and rootless in London. But after an unhappy spell in Paris he came back to White Hart Lane and helped Spurs win the UEFA Cup. He also helped mend bridges between Britain and Argentina, and he’s been mending them ever since.There’s thoughts on Diego versus Lionel, on Mario Kempes, Glenn Hodd

Ossie Ardiles’ football story is one of the most incredible ever told.There’s no getting away from it, much of it was played out under a dark political cloud. Some of his friends at university in Argentina’s second city Córdoba where he was studying law were ‘disappeared’ – murdered by their own government. His father-in-law was an officer in the repressive military regime.But there is also light – plenty of it – in this amazing journey. Ossie is one of the game’s most likeable characters, beloved by Spurs fans, and he was also a remarkable player, a skilful, artful midfield dribbler who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978.A favourite theme of Ossie’s is good luck. In part one he tells us how he was fortunate to come from a comfortable background – although his lawyer father thought football was a waste of time! But Ossie was a tough little youngster who sought out game time in the shanty towns in order to sharpen his wits and skills. There’s also chat about his love for Pele and the 1970 Brazilian World

Hola!It's that time of year again... The Big Interview Oscars. Categories are below.Thanks for all your support this year and I hope you enjoy this final show of 2019 / first show of 2020.Grahamp.s. Why not start the new year by becoming a Big Interview Socio? Early access, more content, you get to ask questions of myself and guests... all for the price of a pint in a very cheap pub. Join now. 1. Best player in a leading role – footballer of the year2. Best player in a supporting role – unsung hero, the guy behind the guy, behind the guy.3. Best newcomer – the best footballer you had never heard of on December 31, 20184. Best director (of football) – manager or a director of football who have taken their club up a level or two this year, or the club you think has had the best year in the transfer market5. Best picture – the best football photo you’ve seen in 20196. Best costume design – that’s the best football kit currently in play7. Best original screenplay – favourite piece of football writing this year8.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Mark Noble from season two.Imagine being a childhood fanatic of your local team and then, as an adult, leading them out of the tunnel to glory. West Ham United captain Mark has lived this dream.As an England under-21, Mark scored TWO penalty kicks in an epic shootout against Holland, an act of taking responsibility typical of this born guv’nor. His philosophy is to lead by example, by always giving 100%. Off the field, Mark also leads by example. An East End boy through and through, he has never forgotten where he came from, co-launching a legacy foundation centred on social housing to help his community.You’ll also hear about the incredible night when the Hammers said goodbye to their famous Upton Park home by beating Manchester United. And how Mark was eligible to play for Ireland but because his heart was with England – and also because he didn’t want to deny an Irish kid his chance – he chose the Three Lions jersey. Which really is the mark of this noble man

Steve Perryman’s autobiography A Spur Forever! is a thing of genuine beauty – as, quite frankly, is this Big Interview.In part two, Steve addresses the myth that he kept Graeme Souness from making it at Tottenham. There’s the fact that Micky Hazard was so underrated – not least by the man himself. And there’s chat about glorious European nights at White Hart Lane (Steve won two UEFA Cups, and scored twice in a semi against AC Milan) and two famous consecutive FA Cup wins.What was it like returning to Spurs to assist manager Ossie Ardiles, his best pal? Bloody awful is the answer; he couldn’t get over the toxic atmosphere that had poisoned his beloved club. But Steve and Ossie proved their doubters wrong when they headed off to glory in Japan.This leader of men is also eloquent on his theory of leadership, and tells us which players in today’s Spurs side could have cut the mustard alongside Perryman, Ardiles & Co.Thanks for the memories, Steve.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat

It's gameday - and here's an emergency podcast previewing an extraordinary Clasico - rescheduled for non-football reasons, the result of which is we get a top-of-the-table shootout between the league's two top goalscorers.Here's the background to what might happen on the streets of Barcelona today and the men who will decide what happens on the grass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Steve Perryman’s autobiography A Spur Forever! is a thing of genuine beauty – as, quite frankly, is this Big Interview.This classy, dynamic footballer starred in scintillating Tottenham Hotspur teams alongside greats such as Alan Gilzean, Martin Chivers, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Mullery and Ossie Ardiles.Steve played almost his entire career at Spurs, initially under legendary manager Bill Nicholson, a man carved from Yorkshire granite. In part one he tells us how the double-winning coach looked to a teenager starting out his pro career. Bill gave Steve his debut against the mighty Manchester United and the second part of this episode is a chat about Bobby Charlton, a hero of Steve's, who he played against and would come across again in later life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with David Preece. This is the second part of that full interview.In part two, David breaks down the unique skills of some of his favourite keepers, including Edwin van der Sar and Gianluigi Buffon.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Something a bit different today - this is a documentary that Martin and Neil (the producers of The Big Interview) made for their other podcast, Between the Lines.It's about one of the best football books of all time, The Miracle of Castel di Sangro. If you've read the book, you'll love it. If you haven't, read the book, then come back and listen to this. You'll love it.If you like it, subscribe to Between the Lines on your podcast app and let the lads know what you think on Twitter and Facebook (@BackPagePress) or Instagram (@BackPageHQ). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with David Preece. For the first time, here’s the full episode.David is one of the most accomplished ex-professionals at writing about football - he is dragging analysis of goalkeeping beyond the lazy clichés. And it helps, too, that he played for my beloved Aberdeen.In part one, David speaks about being on the end of a whirlwind thrashing by a Celtic side which featured the legendary Henrik Larsson, how he broke every finger during his career and how losing a match threw him into a pit of gloom.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola!Andrea Orlandi will be the next big thing in broadcasting punditry– you heard in here first.I adore listening to his analysis of the beautiful game, skills which were honed when he played at Barcelona observing the talents of the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco and Sergio Busquets. Andrea wants to put the viewer in the boots of the player in a given situation. He wants to you to visualise what goes on in the changing-room, behind the scenes.Andrea’s biggest regret was avoiding a meeting with Pep Guardiola when the now-legendary manager took over the Barca B side, but he never rued snubbing a big-money move to Greece for the Roberto Martínez revolution at Swansea City. Despite the initial culture shock in which he had to get changed in the training ground car park, Andrea and Swansea gained promotion to England’s top flight under Brendan Rodgers. Andrea gives an amazing insight into why Brendan WILL go on to be a Premier League-winning manager, not least because training is such a joy under the Northern Irishma

In part two of our monthly Q & A, our beloeved socios ask Graham questions on football in Spain and the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

HolaHere's the first part of our November Q&A.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Like his father before him, Clive Allen played in a great Tottenham Hotspur side, and in part two this prolific scorer shares memories of what it was like being fed by the marvellous Chris Waddle.There’s also chat about Julian Dicks and getting West Ham promoted to the top flight, starring in the early days of Soccer Saturday alongside George Best and Alan Brazil, and Clive’s affinity for Harry Kane, a player he helped to shape. Oh, and did you know that after he retired from soccer Clive played American football for the London Monarchs?Clive also reflects on the recent sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, and how he had what could almost be described as a premonition that the Special One would one day manage Spurs.EnjoyGraham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

As well as being one of the best natural finishers of his generation, Clive Allen's story spans eras. In this Big Interview we'll go from Jimmy Greaves, the legendary striker who replaced Clive's dad Les at Tottenham, to Harry Kane, who he helped develop as a coach at Spurs. Clive earned his place on that family tree of great English goalscorers, and in this part he'll tell you about a nostalgic tour of the seven London clubs he played for, the pros and cons of the Chicken Run at West Ham and how he helped save Chelsea (by being sold).Clive Allen’s autobiography Up Front is out now and I can recommend it - it's an unusually honest story of life as a No.9 for some of England's greatest clubs during the late 70s, 80s and early 90s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with John Collins from season two.What adjectives encapsulate John the footballer? Talented, graceful, classy, intelligent... and a whole lot more. He was a key component of the Scotland national team during its last proud era, and his fine club career was marked by a bold move to leave Celtic for Monaco. It was while playing in the principality that he perfected his footballing philosophy, but he already had a passion for excellence, and I believe that it would be a scandalous waste for Scottish football – in fact football in general – not to listen to what he says about how we should develop young talent.We hear about how an early knock-back galvanised him so that before long he found himself playing alongside George Best in a friendly for Hibernian. About being teammates with the young Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. And about the real meaning of that wink to the TV camera when Scotland lined up before the opener of France ’98 against Brazil.Enjoy. Hosted on Ac

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Pat Nevin. For the first time, here’s the full episode.In part two Pat explains what is stopping Eden Hazard becoming the best player in the world and how Johan Cruyff was the greatest-ever influence on the beautiful game. Pat also waxes lyrical about his beloved friend, the late great John Peel, the radio DJ who taught him, and a million others, that it’s okay to be different.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com