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Here is the second part of this month's Q & A - thanks to our socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter for all the questions.

This turned into a bit of an Atleti special, and I hope you find what I have to say about that team, their victory over Liverpool and one of their talented midfield interesting.

I hope you are all well. Let's speak again soon.

Graham

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This is part one of our March Q & A show - covering my reading preferences, the difference between football media in Spain and the UK, and how this cursed virus might impact European football and the Spain national team in particular. The questions come from our beloved socios, our members, at patreon.com/grahamhunter.

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Eight years ago, BackPage produced Football Manager Stole My Life, an epic journey through 20 years of fandom around a computer game (Football Manager, nee Championship Manager) that has become part of football culture.

Kenny Millar was our detective, tracking down the scouts and real-life players that combine to create a database that is unmatched in global football. Iain Macintosh brought the funny, including a stint on the psychologist's couch. They both looked back on the work behind a book that helped fans of Football Manager realise they were not alone.

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Like James Montague's previous books – When Friday Comes; Thirty One Nil; and The Billionaires Club - 1312: Among The Ultras is the result of this writer’s determination to track down his story wherever it leads him – in this case to just about every corner of the football world, from where he reports on the Ultra culture – that hardcore of football fandom that we often see from the outside, but very rarely from within.

This time, for Montague that meant securing dark-alley meetings with far-right capos, late night sprints to avoid Indonesian thugs and Swedish cops and a sample of the atmosphere inside some of the most colourful and passionate football crowds on the planet.

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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.

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.

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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.

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This is Martin BackPage speaking on another book podcast - yes, they do exist! - called Read All About It, where the host Paul Cuddihy asks guests to choose their five favourite and not so favourite books.

There’s some BackPage chat at the start where Martin talks about the development of the company and our Astroball book, then goes on to discuss his five choices.

Hope you enjoy and we’ll be back next week with a more regular episode of Between the Lines.

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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

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BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English tells us why Michael McCambridge's The Franchise: A History of Sports Illustrated Magazine is his all-time favourite sports book.

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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.

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

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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