My Sporting Hero

Dusting down the My Favourite Year feature like a pair of old trousers that just about still fit, Daniel Gray is joined by BBC journalist Giancarlo Rinaldi who nominates Queen of the South’s 2012/13 season. The pair discuss Scots-Italian life, Giancarlo’s 1990s Italian football fanzine, football and family and the beauty of Palmerston Park before meandering their way through Queens’ sublime championship-winning year. A joyous portion of chitchat.

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In this special episode of the Nutmeg podcast, we go behind the scenes with our sponsor, Oriam – Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, and hear about their football scholarships, offered in conjunction with Heriot Watt University. As part of that programme, as you’ll hear, students earn their degree while pursuing footballing excellence in a set-up that replicates a modern football club. Those players feed into the squad of Heriot Watt University FC, members of the East of Scotland League. A fascinating look at a very modern approach to the game.

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Michael Devlin and his former Aberdeen team-mate – and ex-Watford man – Tommie Hoban take us inside footballers’ lives again. The pair talk about Tommie’s terrifying call in which he told the Crewe Alexandra manager that he was quitting the game aged 27 and what happened next. They discuss feeling like the elephant in the room, the problems of being an over-thinker and putting the hours of spare time footballers have to good use. 

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Michael Devlin updates Daniel Gray on his move to Fleetwood and hitting a maximum high before a crushing low in the space of a few days. Then, Michael’s former Aberdeen team-mate Tommie Hoban joins him again - Michael felt there was still more to discuss about Tommie’s decision to suddenly quit the game aged 27, and other revealing topics about the sheer fragility of being a footballer. 

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In the second part of this fascinating conversation, Clyde FC footballing brothers Peter and Raymond Grant chat with their Dad, also Peter, who played hundreds of games for Celtic and Norwich among others before a top flight coaching career. They are joined by Nutmeg’s Daniel Gray. 

This time, the three discuss the nomadic life of a football family, worrying about each other from the sidelines and the wonder of watching Premier League training sessions as children. 

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Brothers Peter and Raymond Grant both play for Clyde. Their Dad, also Peter, played hundreds of games for Celtic and Norwich among others before a stellar coaching career. Here, in the first part of a unique, fascinating chat, the three tell Nutmeg’s Daniel Gray their story.

There is conversation about best atmospheres played in and the “buzzing" sound that Old Firm noise becomes from the pitch. They talk too of coaching instructions from the sidelines, including speculation over what is really written on the notes modern managers hand to their players. And, the trio talk family life – playing as sons of a footballer father, the love and sacrifice of a footballing Mum and why being good people is more important than being good players. A compelling listen.

Part two will follow in a fortnight.

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Aged 27, former Watford defender Tommie Hoban suddenly quit football. In the second part of this latest Player Take Over episode of the podcast, Tommie chats with his former Aberdeen teammate Michael Devlin about the mental damage of long-term injuries. 

The centre-half pairing also talk about the way injury changes a player’s game, its effects on a footballer’s homelife and how not playing can lead to an identity crisis. Tommie discusses his time at Blackburn Rovers, his spell with Aberdeen and finally understanding how to put football in its rightful place and enjoy life. 

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Aged 27, former Watford defender Tommie Hoban suddenly quit football. In this latest Player Take Over episode of the podcast, his former Aberdeen teammate Michael Devlin, and Nutmeg’s Daniel Gray, ask him about a childhood spent with Arsenal, non-league struggles, establishing himself at Vicarage Road and his early attitude to injuries. 

They talk too of the pressures placed on promising teenager footballers, a debut asthma attack, squad initiation songs and signing yourself on Football Manager.

Before all of that, Dan catches up with Mikey about his progress since their last recording, including a Lancashire trial, Blackpool amusements and making toasties in trouser presses. 

And Tommie will join Mikey and Dan again next time, picking up the conversation and bringing us to that decision to retire early. 

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What does it feel like when a footballer is suddenly told he is no longer wanted? In the Player Take Over this time, Clyde’s ex-Falkirk defender Peter Grant talks Daniel Gray through that exact scenario, played out for him at the beginning of this summer when he was released by Queen’s Park. 

In a raw, honest and reflective conversation, Peter discusses the impact of that decision, the dilemma over whether to give up on full-time football and the constant uncertainty of a career in the game. He talks too about the joy of playing alongside his brother, Ray, at Clyde, and asks Dan about fan perceptions of footballer lifestyles. 

Like Michael Devlin, Peter will be back in future episodes to bring in friends (and relatives) from across the game.

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Bedtimes and boxer shorts, superstitions and the same pasta sauce… In the Player Take Over this time, Daniel Gray meets Clyde’s ex-Falkirk and Queen’s Park defender Peter Grant to talk Routines and Rituals. 

In this breezy but informative conversation, the two discuss pre-match food from a footballer and fan viewpoint, the things players and supporters eat and wear to make their teams win and Don Revie’s fear of ornamental elephants. Plus, coffee confusion, cans in Starbuck’s and biscuit bans. 

Like Michael Devlin, Peter will be back in future episodes to talk individually and bring in friends (and relatives) from across the game. 

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