Author: martin

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

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. Bill Nick nurtured his players’ sheer joy for the game which he kept simple and beautiful. He was hard but fair. Steve and the players loved him, they wanted above all else to win for him.

In part one Steve also talks warmly about the brilliant coaching techniques of Nicholson’s assistant boss Eddie Baily, and about his debut against the mighty Manchester United and how he never wanted to tackle his hero Bobby Charlton.

Thanks for the chat, Steve. It was beautiful.

Graham

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with David Preece. For the first time, here’s the full episode.
If watching Neville Southall practice taught David a formidable work ethic, observing the mighty Barcelona train with Víctor Valdés in goal demonstrated what keepers can be in a total footballing side. In part two, David also praises other goalkeeping heroes: Edwin van der Sar, Gianluigi Buffon… and explains how Scotsmen Andy Goram and Jim Leighton were at one time the best if British. You’ll hear about David’s desire that the fear be taken out of football and how awful it feels for a No1 to hear the ball rustle in the net.
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

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with David Preece. For the first time, here’s the full episode.
To say I loved chatting with David would be an understatement – and not only because he kept goal for my beloved Aberdeen. David is quite simply one of the most accomplished ex-professionals at writing about the beautiful game, as he succeeds in dragging analysis of the art of goalkeeping beyond the lazy clichés. 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

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 Irishman. He’s also brilliant on what makes great punditry and why, and who will win La Liga this season.

You will love this interview with this articulate, charming man.

Graham