Nutmeg Magazine

Good day! Please have a think about trying our print magazine, via nutmegmagazine.co.uk In this War of the Roses special, Dundee United’s ex-Motherwell Lancastrian Liam Grimshaw joins Yorkshireman and Nutmeg magazine editor Daniel Gray for a conversational meander from his youth days at Manchester United to Tannadice times now. On the way, there is talk of Liam’s writing career, cricket, Scotland’s best chippies, a Burnley delicacy, his Cappielow admiration and what these two Englishmen love about Scottish football. Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Hello! Please have a think about trying our print magazine, via nutmegmagazine.co.uk In this honest and emotional conversation, two footballers – Andy Munro and Kerr Fraser – and one manager – Greig McDonald – discuss mental health struggles within football, and how the game deals with them. They are joined by Libby Emmerson from the Back Onside charity and Saumya Khullar from Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre. Together, they run a programme for footballers facing mental health struggles around long-term physical injuries. Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Best known for his starring role in Taggart, the actor Colin McCredie is a diehard St Johnstone supporter. Here, he discusses Saints’ astounding cup winning season with Nutmeg editor Daniel Gray. Before that, Colin tells us of life as one of the 25th Perthshire Cubs’ star players, flying coins behind the Muirton Park goal and a rammy between John Lambie and Denzil from Only Fools and Horses. Escapism as good as any drama. Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

From Joy Division to the delight of a crisp one-two, here is part two of our engrossing chat with the Rangers WFC midfielder, Tessel Middag. This time, Tessel talks us through her transfer to Manchester City and then swapping Corrie for Eastenders with a move to West Ham United. There is World Cup jubilation and ACL devastation (twice), a discussion of the need for trade unions in football and a fascinating account of Tuscan life in lockdown following Tessel’s move to Fiorentina. Plus, first steps in punditry and reasons for joining the delightful world of Scottish football with Rangers. Please give our beautiful print magazine a try. See: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Rangers WFC midfielder Tessel Middag began her career with Den Haag, then played for her childhood heroes Ajax, before moving on to Manchester City, West Ham United and Fiorentina, representing the Netherlands national team 44 times along the way. In the first half of this fascinating, entertaining chat with Daniel Gray, Tessel talks us through the street games and pavement bounces of her youth, playing in boys’ teams until the age of 18 and her pride in representing the very first Ajax women’s team. Plus, anger and amusement in the archives as Tessel talks about the historical suppression of women’s football, Likely Lads score avoidance and the joys of ‘next goal wins’. Please give our beautiful print magazine a try. See: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Please give our beautiful print magazine a try. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

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. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

What does it feel like to suffer fan abuse as a footballer? What are the effects on mental health of long term player injuries? How does it feel to be called a 'wage thief'? In this new series format, presenter Daniel Gray is joined by a number of footballers and football types to discuss what matters to them in an honest and open Nutmeg fashion. This is the Player Take Over. For the first two episodes, Scotland cap Michael Devlin is our guest, and after that we’ll be bringing in colleagues of his to go inside the game. In this second one-on-one episode, Dan and Michael dig deep into the traumas of long-term injury and its effects on mental health. They talk through footballer/fan relationships, including the effects on players of verbal abuse, and celebrate the little moments that make us love the game. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

The stadium has had a fresh link of paint, the fixtures are out and we are back. In this new series format, presenter Daniel Gray is joined by a number of footballers and football types to discuss what matters to them in an honest and open Nutmeg fashion. This is the Player Take Over. For the first two episodes, Scotland cap Michael Devlin is our guest, and after that we’ll be bringing in colleagues of his to go inside the game. In this ‘getting to know you’ introductory podcast, Dan and Michael discuss what it is like to play in a hammering, player and supporter reactions to defeat, trade unions and football, footballers’ on holiday and much more. They also run through why they wanted to make this podcast series, and the topics they’ll be covering in future episodes. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Please help us make this podcast by joining Nutmeg FC on Patreon. Your money keeps us going and gets you some goodies: https://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Daniel Gray tells the incredible tale of the Basque refugee children exiled to Britain during the Spanish Civil War who became professional footballers. Theirs is a compelling, life-affirming story of heartbreak, horror and heroism, and a journey from blitzkrieg to the Bernabeu via Ibrox, Guernica, Alf Ramsey and László Kubala. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Please help us make this podcast by joining Nutmeg FC on Patreon. Your money keeps us going and gets you some goodies: https://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Daniel Gray and Alan Pattullo are joined by Pat Nevin for a blether about his book The Accidental Footballer, and much besides, from Motherwell to Morrissey. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Please help us make this podcast by joining Nutmeg FC on Patreon. Your money keeps us going and gets you some goodies: https://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words

Host Daniel Gray is joined by acclaimed author Michael Calvin for a chat about his newest book, Whose Game Is It Anyway? Expect a fascinating insight into the meaning of football, Calvin’s journalism career from The Watford Observer to broadsheet travels, the writing process and the football manager who lived on fish and chips. Never read Nutmeg magazine? We have offers on back issues and subscriptions. See https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/shop Please help us make this podcast by joining Nutmeg FC on Patreon. Your money keeps us going and gets you some goodies: https://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc Support the showCome on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words