The Big Interview

Tony Currie was one of the ‘Entertainers’ of the 1970s and early 1980s, the ball players of British football who graced an era when men were men and tackles were X-rated.

I caught up with Tony, a London boy adopted and beloved by Yorkshire, at his spiritual home of Bramall Lane. Most of his life has been connected to Sheffield United; in addition to eight years as a player, he has been Football in the Community Co-ordinator for more than three decades. A skilful attacking midfielder, he was named the Blades’ Greatest Ever Player.

This is a brilliant Big Interview, strewn with legendary names from a glorious time: Ball, Harvey, Greaves, Storey, Giles, Harris, Lorimer… and, of course, Aberdeen great Arthur ‘Bumper’ Graham. Ah, the good old days!

Enjoy.

Graham.

In part two, Paul Robinson tells how Leeds United’s glorious ride came to its crashing end. It was a time of layoffs and fire sales, and he movingly describes how financial implosion affects a football club. But he sympathises with then chairman Peter Ridsdale, a man who loved the Whites, a man who was only guilty of chasing his dreams.

After Leeds, Paul formed a second love – Tottenham Hotspur. He won the League Cup there and managed to switch off from his little son’s illness when he crossed the Wembley white line. Happily, Robinson junior is now thriving as a talented cricketer. At Spurs, Paul loved playing behind Ledley King – his favourite centre-half, and under Martin Jol – a tremendous man manager. There’s also great chat about coping with mavericks like Dimitar Berbatov and Mark Viduka, and how Leeds at last now face a brighter future.

Paul could be described as the goalkeepers’ goalkeeper – a man who has pondered the psychology of the role. He knows the torment that follows a blunder (it was timely that I caught up with him just hours after Adrian’s nightmare performance for Liverpool against Atlético, as described in part one). You need to have a golfer’s mentality, Paul says, to immediately put the last mistake behind you. Don’t go chasing the game, don’t try to make up for it or you’ll make things worse. He learned this the hard way – playing for England he was unfairly blamed for a crazy Croatia goal and it took him nearly two years to get over it.

Enjoy.

Graham.

Paul Robinson experienced incredible highs and crushing lows during his goalkeeping career.

The Yorkshireman was a Leeds United academy product and he was there during their glory, glory days under chairman Peter Ridsdale. What players they had – think of names like Smith, Woodgate, Kewell, Maybury, Kelly, Bowyer, Harte and Radebe.

Paul came under the wing of brilliant, tough-but-fair youth coach Paul Hart and was toughened up by John Burridge at Durham City – in my opinion the most wonderfully nutty No1 in British football history. Paul explains how ‘Budgie’ had a truly extraordinary enthusiasm for the beautiful game and a massive heart. An injury crisis handed Paul his first-team debut against Chelsea. He was only eighteen, but he loved every minute of it. Eventually, he would star against top Champions League teams, including a Barcelona side which featured the magical Rivaldo.

You will love this Big Interview with this engaging, thoughtful, articulate man.

Graham.

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