The Back Page

Jimmy Bullard’s on-field and latterly on-screen personality is that of an easy-going joker, but that is only a conscious extension of his true self. He is also a brilliant soccer analyst, and as a talented midfielder he was frustrated by English football’s failure to adopt the Continental passing game. Roy Hodgson was the only manager who understood him. He’s glad to see things changing, thanks mainly to the influence of Pep.

When he joined West Ham the club was full of crazy personalities, not least Paulo Di Canio and John Moncur. Paulo had such charisma that he changed the culture of the entire club.

Oh – and there’s brilliant stuff about Soccer AM, and Jimmy gives us an incredible behind-the-scenes insight into creating magical television.

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

Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with the acclaimed screenwriter Neil Forsyth about an amazing feature he wrote for Nutmeg Magazine on Jim McLean, the legendary Dundee United manager. Neil is a very talented writer who started off in journalism and went on to write the Bob Servant books which were made into radio and TV series starring Brian Cox.

He's now predominantly a screenwriter and has had some notable successes in recent years, including the one-off BBC drama 'Eric, Ernie and Me' about Morecambe and Wise. He also wrote the brilliant four-part crime series Guilt which screened on BBC Two in 2019 to huge critical acclaim. Neil's piece on Jim McLean is a real labour of love and is one of the best pieces of sports feature writing in recent years.

Read Neil's article

Nutmeg Magazine

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 backpagepress.substack.com

Thanks to the wonders of modern telecommunications, I caught up with Jimmy Bullard and found a man who had been well prepared for lockdown. Jimmy needs meditative pursuits – fishing, golf and landscape gardening, and his sense of detail was also applied to his fledgling footballing career to pave the way for successful spells with, notably, Wigan, Fulham and Hull.

Jimmy used to peel potatoes and paint ceilings for a living. When he was signed from Gravesend & Northfleet by his boyhood heroes West Ham United, it was real Roy of the Rovers stuff.

Jimmy adored Zizou, and loved the arthouse movie Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, but when he watched the featured game, Real Madrid versus Villarreal, he was keen-eyed enough to recognise the other genius on the pitch that day, Juan Román Riquelme. He became his new hero.

Dear friends, I hope that this superb Big Interview helps relieve your isolation.

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 Shaun Maloney. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

Want to hear what it feels like to set up the winning goal in the FA Cup final? In part two, Shaun recalls Wigan’s famous David v Goliath victory at Wembley over Manchester City in 2013. There’s also a description of Shaun’s sublime goal for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland and a breakdown of his work with Belgium, the No1 ranked side in the world.

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

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 a new episode of Between the Lines. We asked you, the listeners, to submit your favourite sports docs and movies. The response was phenomenal. Listen right to the end for a great bit of movie trivia!

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 backpagepress.substack.com

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

Shaun was a superbly gifted player who won trophies with Celtic and Wigan, where he worked under Roberto Martinez, the coach who has now made Shaun part of his staff at the Belgium national team. Oh, and he’s a fellow Aberdonian.

He talkks here 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 - winning seven of their last nine games in a heroic run-in.

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

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

In part two, Tony Currie talks more about his lengthy love affair with Sheffield United. But he would sign for their Yorkshire rivals Leeds when most of the talent assembled by Don Revie was still at Elland Road. There was no love lost between Tony and Revie – as England boss the renowned manager didn’t take to him.

Tony also shares his thoughts on the current heady days for Chris Wilder’s side. And there’s brilliant chat about his best goal – for Leeds at Arsenal, how he knocked back Manchester United to stay at Bramall Lane, and how he risked life and limb on legendary BBC programme Superstars – they sure don’t make ’em like that anymore!

Thanks, Tony.

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 another episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's chat with John Greechan, chief sports writer of the Scottish Daily Mail, about a piece he wrote on his favourite sports movies and documentaries. If you are stuck for something to watch during this period of lockdown, get ready for an exhaustive list of brilliant suggestions.

Enjoy!

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 backpagepress.substack.com

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.

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

I was asked in our recent Q&A for a selection from teams outwith Spain's 'Big Three' - I chose to focus on the years I have been watching Spanish football, and it was a lot of fun thinking about these guys.

I was recording on my rooftop in Barcelona, and you also get here, at no additional cost, a highlight of our lockdown life here.

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