Graham's Blog

The Big Interview Presents … Captains

29 Nov 2017

THE Big Interview is pulling on the armband for our latest clip show, as we look back at a special group of players who cropped up a lot in Season Two: the managers’ representatives on the pitch, the leaders of men, the captains.

There was really no escaping the subject when we had Mark Noble on the podcast. The West Ham skipper first took us into the Hammers dressing room to reveal the nefarious method he uses to up the intensity at training, as well as the more subtle ways he gets more out of his team-mates during matches. Mark then pays tribute to a rival Premier League captain: Wayne Rooney.

Pablo Zabaleta explains what he said in the Argentina dressing room to help inspire them to victory over arch-rivals Brazil in the Under-20 World Cup, while Benni McCarthy offers his own, unique description of “The Beast” – former Porto captain Jorge Costa.

Chris Sutton also talks about what made Tim Sherwood such an effective leader when his Blackburn Rovers side won the Premier League title, and Walter Smith explains the leadership qualities that Terry Butcher showed at Rangers.

We’ll end with Neil Lennon and the hilarious story about brawling with Steve Lomas backstage at an Oasis concert in Manchester. Spoilers, but it ends with Neil being thrown out by security and Steve getting to stay and hang out with Noel Gallagher. Why? Because Steve was the City captain, that’s why.

Remember, you can listen to this clip show ad free, as well as weekly episodes of our magazine show The Big Inside View and hours of other exclusive content, by becoming one of more than 650  Socios at www.patreon.com/grahamhunter

Enjoy!

Martin Compston: Prince, Paolo and Gary Tank Commander

13 Nov 2017

IN Part Two of The Big Interview with actor Martin Compston, he takes us on to the set of the wonderful football film The Damned United, which tells the story of Brian Clough’s ill-fated spell in charge of Leeds.

Martin, who plays striker John O’Hare in the film, is often fiercely critical of movies about football, but he explains why he thinks The Damned United gets it so right. He also talks about what it was like to work with director Ken Loach on another great film with football as its backdrop: Tickets.

From Loach to Michael Sheen to Miss Marple, Martin tells great stories about some famous names. And how about another – Prince. Yes, he features in this podcast too.

What’s more, that unbelievable encounter took place on the eve of the Soccer Aid match, but Martin reveals that he was still able to play so well that his performance at full-back earned him special praise from The Special One.

Remember, you can listen to this Big Interview ad free, as well as weekly episodes of our magazine show The Big Inside View and hours of other exclusive content, by becoming one of more than 600  Socios at www.patreon.com/grahamhunter

Enjoy!

Graham

Martin Compston: The Night We Stopped Messi’s Celebration

09 Nov 2017

DETECTIVE Sergeant Steve Arnott . . . sorry, that’s Martin Compston, is a television and film star, an actor who is perhaps best known for appearing in the hugely popular crime drama Line of Duty.

But, in Part One of this Big Interview, Martin takes us back to one of his earliest roles, when he starred as a sweeper in the youth teams of Greenock Morton and, later, Aberdeen, where he trained regularly alongside the likes of Joe Miller, Eoin Jess and Dean Windass.

I am only a little bit jealous about that.

Martin gave up on football to pursue a career in acting, but he remains a devoted supporter of another Scottish team: Celtic. He recalls marvelling at the maestro Paul McStay and being left speechless – literally – by the king, Henrik Larsson.

Listen out for cameos from former Manchester United stalwarts Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher, too.

Remember, you can listen to this Big Interview ad free, as well as weekly episodes of our magazine show The Big Inside View and hours of other exclusive content, by becoming one of more than 600  Socios at www.patreon.com/grahamhunter

Enjoy!

Kevin Phillips: Phoenix Nights and the Mighty Quinn & Other Socio Exclusives

02 Nov 2017

YESTERDAY I introduced you to Kevin Phillips during a hugely enjoyable Big Interview, in which the former Sunderland striker talks about how he came to win the European Golden Boot.

He received that glittering trophy front of a packed crowd at the Stadium of Light – and he explains how the words of the great Jimmy Greaves were key to helping Kevin outscore the top strikers in European football.

In this extract, Kevin talks about his Sunderland days and his formidable partnership with Niall Quinn; the expert man-management of Peter Reid; Nicky Summerbee’s wand of a foot; Saturday nights out and Monday afternoons in the pub.


But this is only a little piece of the full, 90-minute podcast. The full interview is available to Socios (there are over 600 them now, and you can join the party by clicking here) and is just one of the podcasts we have been producing for them.

Subscribe now and you can listen to Big Interviews with Rafael van der Vaart, Ledley King and Robbie Keane right away!

In October, our Socios received over nine hours of ad-free content, including:

  • New episodes of The Big Inside View every week
  • Messi: The Unsigned Contract
  • England Under-17s: World Cup Special

Plus

  • Messi: World Cup Qualifying Special
  • Q&A Special

I would love to see you in the Socio club. Mine’s a G&T, no ice.

Cheers,

Graham

Robbie Keane: Hunger Games & Other Socio Exclusives

02 Oct 2017

YESTERDAY I introduced you to Robbie Keane during an epic Big Interview, in which the former Spurs striker railed against the way that increasing wages have diminished the desire of young, talented footballers to make it in the game.

That drive to succeed still burns in Robbie – if you have any doubt then I urge you to listen to this podcast.

In this extract, Robbie becomes riled by his encounters with players who are not as determined to win as he is. He also identifies those who do share his passion to succeed – players like Roy Keane and former Spurs team-mate Luka Modric.

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But this is only a taster. The full interview is available to Socios (if you haven’t signed up but would like to then click here) and is just one of the exclusive podcasts we have been producing.

In September, our Socios received over seven hours of ad-free content, including:

  • The Big Interview with Ledley King
  • New episodes of The Big Inside View every week
  • Barcelona v Espanyol: Preview Special

Plus

  • Champions League Review
  • World Cup Qualifiers Special

I would love to see you in the Socio club. Mine’s a G&T, no ice.

Cheers,

Graham