The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

As well as being one of the best natural finishers of his generation, Clive Allen's story spans eras. In this Big Interview we'll go from Jimmy Greaves, the legendary striker who replaced Clive's dad Les at Tottenham, to Harry Kane, who he helped develop as a coach at Spurs. Clive earned his place on that family tree of great English goalscorers, and in this part he'll tell you about a nostalgic tour of the seven London clubs he played for, the pros and cons of the Chicken Run at West Ham and how he helped save Chelsea (by being sold).Clive Allen’s autobiography Up Front is out now and I can recommend it - it's an unusually honest story of life as a No.9 for some of England's greatest clubs during the late 70s, 80s and early 90s. 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 John Collins from season two.What adjectives encapsulate John the footballer? Talented, graceful, classy, intelligent... and a whole lot more. He was a key component of the Scotland national team during its last proud era, and his fine club career was marked by a bold move to leave Celtic for Monaco. It was while playing in the principality that he perfected his footballing philosophy, but he already had a passion for excellence, and I believe that it would be a scandalous waste for Scottish football – in fact football in general – not to listen to what he says about how we should develop young talent.We hear about how an early knock-back galvanised him so that before long he found himself playing alongside George Best in a friendly for Hibernian. About being teammates with the young Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. And about the real meaning of that wink to the TV camera when Scotland lined up before the opener of France ’98 against Brazil.Enjoy. Hosted on Ac

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Pat Nevin. For the first time, here’s the full episode.In part two Pat explains what is stopping Eden Hazard becoming the best player in the world and how Johan Cruyff was the greatest-ever influence on the beautiful game. Pat also waxes lyrical about his beloved friend, the late great John Peel, the radio DJ who taught him, and a million others, that it’s okay to be different.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

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Pat Nevin. For the first time, here’s the full episode.Pat was as intelligent a footballer, most notably at Chelsea, as he is a human being. In part one, he tells how he honed his natural talent by copying the greats of the game – such as Celtic-era King Kenny Dalglish, how meeting the charismatic John Terry taught him a lesson about never prejudging people, and how he just loves being considered one of life’s ‘weirdos’.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

Hola!Charlie Adam’s late father was his greatest influence, instilling in him a will to succeed by demanding hard work and total commitment. The graft paid off, and this majestic midfielder graced several famous jerseys including those of Rangers, Liverpool and Scotland.Charlie’s passing abilities made him hot property, and he is one of that rare breed who is able to visualise and articulate precisely how he executes his artistry. He could also hit a shot – boy can he shoot – and he describes some of his most famed strikes, including a free-kick in a Wembley play-off final victory for Blackpool which he considers fated because he had hit a carbon copy in training the day before.Charlie also pays tribute to Liverpool legends Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard, describes being man-marked by Phil Jones, and relates in detail how on earth he managed to score a goal for Stoke City at Chelsea from inside his own half.Brilliant stuff from a brilliant guy.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information

Graham answers more questions from socios of the Big Interview. 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

Graham answers questions from Big Interview socios on La Liga and the Premier League. 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

Hola!Here's something a little bit different. The flowering of youth at Chelsea reminded us of our Big Interview with Jody Morris back in 2016. Jody was a youth coach at the club then and is now Frank Lampard's assistant at Stamford Bridge.So we went back and dug out a clip where Jody talks about the brilliant youth recruits coming through at the club, and reflects on their UEFA Youth League victory over Ajax. Fast forward three years and a cluster of those kids are now spearheading Chelsea's domestic and European drive this season... including a 1-0 win on Wednesday night over... yes, you guessed it, Ajax. We've built an episode around Jody's comments. We loved recording it and we hope you enjoy listening. 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 Steve McManaman from season two.Johan Cruyff once described Steve as the partner to everyone on the pitch. He epitomised elegance, passing ability and vision, and graced the field with Real Madrid legends such as Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane, Raul and the Brazilian Ronaldo. There was also Claude Makelele, the unsung hero who Steve reckons was the cog that made Los Galacticos tick and whose departure spelled their decline.We hear about how before that, this boyhood Evertonian learned at the feet of Liverpool greats. About how his decision to depart Merseyside for Real – a club apparently in turmoil – was vindicated when he won the Champions League in his first season there. About how conflict with the Madrid hierarchy spoiled a golden era. And if you want to know what it was like in the Camp Nou away dressing room after scoring in a Los Merengues victory in the semi-final of the Champions League, then listen in.This is truly legendary stuff. Enjoy it. Hosted o

Hello Big Interview listeners - you're about to hear something a little different, from BackPage, the producers of this fine show. It's the first episode in a new season of a podcast they make called Between the Lines - The Stories Behind Great Sportswriting. In each episode, either Martin or Neil, whose voices you'll know from our Q & A episodes, speaks to a book or author about a book or a long-form story they have written. In this episode, Neil speaks to Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated, the author of Astroball - The New Way to Win It All. The book tells the story of how the Houston Astros went from the worst team in baseball to become serial winners. The strategies implemented there - in the fields of data, recruitment and player optimisation - have already begun to direct the next step in the evolution of elite football. Fans of Liverpool will be glad to hear their club namechecked by Ben in this chat. You can subscribe to Between the Lines from BackPage using the links below.Catch the new season and

Hola!The title of Per Mertesacker’s new autobiography is BFG: Big Friendly German. When we visited him in outer London, we found him indeed to be an amiable fellow. Yet this World Cup and triple FA Cup winner was nothing but imposing when he starred as a centre-half for Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, and, most famously, Arsenal and Germany.Nowadays, Per is the manager of the Gunners’ academy, and he gives us a fascinating insight into how he instils the three core values of Respect, Discipline and Humility into his young charges, reflecting the old-school upbringing which he benefited from.Per loved his time playing at Arsenal, but missed the more intimate relationship between fans and stars which exists in Germany. He explains why he trained to help the mentally ill instead of learning how to use a rifle, talks about the pressure becoming the primary earner for a family can place on talented kids, and is brilliant on that incredible 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup.EnjoyGraham Host

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Joleon Lescott. For the first time, here’s the full episode.In part two, Joleon speaks about rediscovering his other youthful passion, DJing, and how he now evokes joy on the dancefloor as he used to spark delight on the terraces. He also describes how undiagnosed dyslexia compelled him to develop mental agility and resourcefulness that he would apply to the beautiful game. There’s chat about his Manchester City defensive partner, the extraordinary Vincent Kompany, and about how it took until retirement for Joleon to fully realise just how massive an achievement winning the Premier League title was.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.

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Joleon Lescott. For the first time, here’s the full episode.As a teenager at Wolves, Joleon once pushed himself so hard that he was physically sick but then continued training. It was an attitude that didn’t go unnoticed and one that he applies in his new role developing loan players at Manchester City, the club at which he excelled.In part one, Joleon also describes the desire to win that City’s owners possess – don’t expect them to relent until they win the Champions League.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

Aaaand here's part two of this month's Q & A. Questions, as ever, from our wonderful socios at patreon. 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

It's time for the second part of our monthly Q & A episode. Thanks to all of you who sent in questions for Graham. If you'd like to submit your questions to Graham every month, it's time to become a Socio. Join us at patreon.com/grahamhunter to get an exclusive Big Interview every month and the audio versions of all Graham's ESPN columns 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 the first part of this month's Q & A - questions as ever from our socios. 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

Hola!As a kid, Alex Bruce travelled to Wembley to see his father, Manchester United legend Steve, lift the FA Cup. The experience sparked a dream, and one day he too would grace the Wembley turf, although his final with Hull City – a five-goal thriller against Arsenal – ended in defeat.I caught up with defensive stalwart Alex at his current club Kilmarnock, where he described what it’s like being treated as the boss’ son, how the Championship is the most physically demanding league in the world, and exactly why he has so much admiration for Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs.Alex is great talking about how his youth career faltered at Man U – and was then resurrected at Blackburn Rovers, and the sheer joy of achieving promotion to the Premier League with Hull; an especially sweet experience because his beloved dad was the manager.EnjoyGraham 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, vi

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger from season two.Thomas is one of football’s deep thinkers, now a considered and astute media analyst, but when he was a player he wasn’t averse to taking a gamble – not least giving up on the Bayern Munich academy for a go at the English top division. For Aston Villa and for this elegant midfielder with a wicked left foot, it was a move that paid off in spades. Thomas vividly recalls his stunning volley which helped Stuttgart win the title on the final nerve-wracking day of the 2007 Bundesliga. You’ll also hear about his time with the German national team, and how ‘Das Reboot’ finally knocked Spain off their perch.I don’t need to exhort you to enjoy this Big Interview – I just know you will. 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, Emile talks more about life at Leicester and how Martin O’Neill was the supreme man manager. He gives a fascinating insight into what it was like to make the move to Liverpool, where expectations were sky-high but where the Kop loved him. There's also England’s incredible World Cup qualifier in Germany in 2001, when the Golden Generation smashed their arch-rivals 5-1; and yes, even Heskey scored.EnjoyGrahamCheck out Emile's brilliant book, out now 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

The title of Emile Heskey’s autobiography is ‘Even Heskey Scored’, a sardonic nod to the misperception that he was anything other than a highly talented player, a prolific goal scorer and, most of all, a winner. In part one, Emile describes his ‘strange’ personality – painfully shy in the dressing room, super-confident on the field of play. He explains how he helped his beloved Leicester City escape financial meltdown and paints us a vivid behind-the-scenes picture of life at the Foxes training ground under Martin O’Neill, when being forced to wear the dreaded, smelly, yellow jersey was every player’s worst nightmare.EnjoyGraham 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