Author: martin

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Shaun Maloney. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

What can you say about Shaun Maloney? He is a humble, quietly intelligent man. He was a superbly gifted player who won silverware in the hoops of Celtic and the FA Cup with Wigan. He is a man whose footballing nous is so astute that he now helps his former Athletic boss Roberto Martinez at Belgium. Oh, and he’s a fellow Aberdonian. I bet you never knew that as a youth, he was one of the shining lights of Scotland’s tennis world during an era when the Murray brothers’ names were being uttered in excited whispers. However Shaun had no regrets about choosing football and talks about thriving under Martinez’s enlightened, attacking formation at Wigan. He also speaks about how in 2012 he scored to defeat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, a victory that galvanised the Latics’ players to attain Premier League survival.

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

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Walter Smith from season two.

Walter gives us a first-hand insight into the heady days when Scottish clubs competed at the highest levels of European football. As assistant to Jim McLean he helped guide Dundee United to a UEFA Cup final and was only denied a place in the European Cup final by a Roma side well versed in the game’s dark arts. He moved to Rangers to assist the charismatic Graeme Souness where born leaders like Terry Butcher flourished. Taking over the reins, Walter’s Rangers went on an incredible European run, almost reaching the Champions League final. Signing Paul Gascoigne was surprisingly easy – all Walter had to do was ask, but managing the impish genius was another challenge altogether. As for Brian Laudrup, well, he was easy to work with, and a joy to behold plying his trade.

Brilliant stuff.

Graham

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Simon Stainrod. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

In part two, Simon chats about what it was like to actually play against Cantona – a lesson in one-touch football. He criticises the modern tendency to over-teach promising kids, and suggests coaches should instead go off for a cup of tea and let them get on with expressing themselves. Simon speaks about discovering Ousmane Dembele and how he feels that clubs are nowadays less inclined to take risks on flamboyant individuals. He also explains how playing in the 1982 FA Cup final was a profoundly emotional moment for him, and how winning the league with Falkirk – where he was allegedly paid £1 per week! – was one of the happiest times in his career.

Brilliant stuff.

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 Simon Stainrod. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

The term ‘maverick’ is overused in football, but my pal Simon genuinely does it justice. As a lad, he was inspired by watching elegant heroes like George Best who managed to thrive on the battlefields of the 1960s and 70s. This striker of many clubs even got to play alongside a couple of them: Tony Currie – a man of immense courage and physical strength, and Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone, who no matter how many times he was kicked, just kept getting back up. Simon speaks about the joy, artistry and daring with which football should be played, and the joy it should provide for the fans. And if you want to hear how he tried to persuade Howard Wilkinson NOT to sign Eric Cantona… then listen in.

Brilliant stuff.

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

Are you ready to meet Robert Snodgrass, King of the Prank Calls? In part two, Snoddy talks us through his hilarious prank call routines. It’s one of the funniest Big Interviews we’ve ever recorded. There’s plenty football, too.

Enjoy!

Graham