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This is it, part one of the January Q and A... and once again I'm joined by the legend that is Pete Jenson.

Enjoy!

Graham

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

In part two of my conversation with Kevin Campbell, you’ll hear about coming through the ranks at his beloved Arsenal under legendary academy coach Pat Rice. You’ll hear what it was like to witness that incredible injury-time Michael Thomas goal at Anfield which clinched the 1989 title for the Gunners.

You’ll also hear about Kev’s time at Everton. He loved it there because he had service from the likes of John Collins, Scot Gemmill, Olivier Dacourt and Don Hutchison, with Franny Jeffers alongside him up front. He also once played with a fourteen-year-old genius by the name of Wayne Rooney.

Now aged fifty, you get the impression that, more than anything else, this modest man is interested in passing on his wisdom – not just about sport, but about life in general.

Kev, it was an honour.

Graham

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Oh what joy to be sitting in the same room as a Big Interview guest, particularly one as special as Kevin Campbell.

There aren’t many players who can claim they were adored at every club they played for, but Kevin is one. His love for football and his sheer commitment to winning endeared the brilliant, prolific striker wherever he went. He is also one of the beautiful game’s great storytellers.

In part one, you’ll hear about the craziness of Turkish football and what it’s like to net a hat-trick for Trabzonspor at Galatasaray. There’s also an amazing description of how Kev harnessed the indignation he felt towards the social injustice he and his Brixton community endured as a driver for success.

You will love this.

Graham

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

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

In part two we hear about how Andrea loved his time at Alavés. They couldn’t get promoted until a wonderful, crazy Ukrainian-American businessman Dmitry Piterman bought the club. There followed a Copa del Rey semi-final against Zaragotha.

Then one day Jordi Cruyff telephoned and sold Andrea the idea of playing for Roberto Martínez at Swansea. Thus began a love affair with English (and Welsh!) football. Unfortunately, the Swans were in League One at the time, and Andrea endured a tough introduction to life in Blighty – tough tackles, a lack of facilities and a bad injury – and received no special treatment from his boss. But Martínez got them into the Championship and Brendan Rodgers took over to finish the job, attaining Premier League football after a thrilling 4-2 play-off final win against Reading. Rodgers wept when he told Andrea that he would have to sit that game out in the stands.

After one minute speaking with Gus Poyet Andrea wanted to sign for Brighton. Being let go due to his injury record was a huge blow. He still adores that club.

Enjoy

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

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

In part one you’ll hear about how this elegant winger perfected his talents at Barcelona B by observing and training with the likes of Ronaldinho, Iniesta and Busquets. The young Busquets was nicknamed ‘Crouch’ because he was tall and skinny; he had to work so hard. Iniesta was quicker than people realise, with incredible acceleration; he never gave the ball away. And Ronaldinho could have been the greatest of all time; physically so strong but with superhuman instincts and skills.

At Barca B Andrea was comfortable with the rondos training drills. You had to be – it wasn’t for fun, it encompassed the way Barcelona play. To this day he can describe precisely how he kicks a football, an ability which explains why he is such an engaging analyst of the game.

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Welcome to our Big Interview Icons series where we shine a light on a legend whose name has lit up some of the conversations I’ve had with my guests over the last six years of The Big Interview. This episode focuses on Cristiano Ronaldo.

We start with Quinton Fortune talking about the rough footballing environment at Manchester United where Ronnie was regularly ribbed – but it only drove him on to work even harder.

Then there’s former Real Madrid assistant manager Paul Clement’s tale of Ronnie calming him down in the tunnel before the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico in Lisbon.

Ramón Calderón talks about signing the genius from Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had stated he’d rather sell Real a virus, but Ramon insists that if a top player wants to leave, you can’t stop him.

Lastly Ryan Fraser talks about playing against Ronnie when Madrid came to Bournemouth to dole out a friendly thrashing. When he put a free-kick in top corner even Ryan was applauding!

Enjoy.

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Andy Robertson from season three.

We caught up with Andy in early 2018, just after he had played a pivotal role for Liverpool in an incredible 4-3 victory over Manchester City. That really was the moment Andy arrived at Anfield and looking back you can see how the green shoots for Liverpool’s long-awaited title win grew visible that day. There’s great stuff about what it’s like to play for Jurgen Klopp, what it felt like to be signed by Liverpool and how Kenny Dalglish is still such a huge, positive presence at the club.

There’s also chat about why Celtic legend Henrik Larsson was Andy’s boyhood hero and about the ecstasy and relief that came with winning a play-off final with Hull.

Enjoy

Graham

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Pep Lijnders was in such demand as a coach that Porto took him from PSV Eindhoven at the tender age of 24. The move was a footballing culture shock – Porto’s winning mentality blew Pep away. Their scouting network is second to none, however, this risks impacting the academy. Therefore, Pep and his colleagues had to strive to create their own new generation of stars, and they certainly succeeded.

Pep believes that a successful academy creates a father/son relationship between the young player and his club. He will give you that bit more once he makes the first team, and inspire another hundred boys at the academy.

Thanks, Pep, that was one of the best.

Graham.

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Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders provided me with simply one of the most insightful Big Interviews ever.

You will hear how Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool coaches speak in training as if they are instilling the players’ inner voice. The emphasis placed on how to press when they don’t have possession is phenomenal, and it needs perfect positioning and the players’ total buy-in. Liverpool overcome the adversity of missing stars by defiantly sticking to their philosophy, a ‘collective idea’ that is drilled into the squad. Captain fantastic Jordan Henderson is the team’s motor, the on-field leader and the link between the players and the management team.

Mesmerising stuff.

Graham.

Subscribe to Between the Lines: The Stories Behind Great Sports Writing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

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

In part two we hear about Charlie’s legendary shooting ability as he describes a free-kick goal in a Wembley play-off final victory for Blackpool against Cardiff. He considers the goal fated because he had hit a carbon copy in training the day before.

Charlie scored against Liverpool and the Anfield club decided to sign him. He endured a battle with Blackpool to gain his release, but it was worth it in the end. Charlie’s dad wept when he signed for his personal hero Kenny Dalglish. At Liverpool, Charlie proved the doubters wrong by demonstrating that he was most certainly good enough to play at that level. He pays tribute to Liverpool legends Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard, describes what it was like to be man-marked by Phil Jones, and how the Old Firm atmosphere is second to none.

Great stuff from a great guy.

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com