Former Tranmere Rovers, Everton, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Carlisle United, Northampton Town, Walsall and Scarborough centre-half Derek Mountfield is our guest this time to talk us through his 1985 Focus On interview for Shoot. We hear about his admiration for former coach Colin Harvey, the thrill of playing for his boyhood club Everton during its 1980s heyday, and duelling with some of the most fearsome centre-forwards of the era. 

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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We welcome former Clyde, Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere Rovers, Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Scotland winger Pat Nevin to the podcast to rummage around his 1985 Focus On interview for Shoot! There's plenty of good stuff from Pat, as you might imagine, including taking the mickey out of a previous guest, his 'most memorable' game he never played in, a love of high-diving and how he enjoyed taking possibly the worst penalty ever seen.

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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Looking back at two Focus On interviews from Shoot magazine this week is former Liverpool striker David Fairclough. His career at Anfield spanned the late 70s and early 80s when the Reds dominated football at home and abroad. We discuss those heady days, winning trophies, scoring vital goals and that 'Supersub' tag, as well as his sometimes difficult relationship with manager Bob Paisley. David also recalls fondly his decision to move to Switzerland, the Detroit music scene and his John Player Special Ford Capri.

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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We're back after our winter break and our first guest of 2021 is former West Ham United, Everton, Leicester City and England goal poacher Tony Cottee.  The main topic of our chat is Tony's Focus On interview from Shoot magazine in the 85/86 season when the Hammers almost pulled off the improbable job of winning the First Division title. We discuss that season and his strike partnership with Frank McAvennie, being an East End boy, his unfulfilled time with Everton, trophy success at Leicester, soul music, Cockney TV shows and being murdered in an action film with Dave Bautista and Pierce Brosnan.

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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Arsenal legend Alan Smith is in the hot seat this week to be grilled about his 1983/84 Shoot 'Focus' interview, at which time he was playing for Leicester City. We talk about his route into league football via lowly Alvechurch, partnering Gary Lineker and Ian Wright (and who he thinks was better), Anfield 89 and playing for the formidable George Graham. In more off-the-field chat, we learn of Alan's fondness for the Ford Capri, his admiration for Hilda Ogden, 'dating' Diana Ross and the alternative nickname of Smeggy. 

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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Mark Bright is in the hot seat for this episode as we cover the best bits from his 'Spotlight On' interview from Shoot in 1988/89 and his 'Private Life Of' profile from Match in 1990. The Crystal Palace legend also recalls his tough upbringing in Stoke, working in a factory, having a tough time at Leicester and then forming one of the best strike partnerships in the country with Ian Wright at Selhurst Park. Inevitably, we discuss the 1990 FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool but also touch upon musical tastes, motoring mishaps and which of the Jackson sisters he'd most like to meet.

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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Former Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Watford, Crystal Palace, QPR, Cardiff City, Northampton Town and England u-21 striker Garry Thompson is our guest for this episode as we get stuck into two of his Shoot! magazine profiles from around 1981 and 1983. There's all sorts on the agenda here including breaking through with Coventry's young guns, harsh initiation at The Hawthorns, dressing like The Specials and doing business with Jimmy Hill. Garry's on top form so you don't want to miss this. 

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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We finally pinned down former Motherwell, Celtic, Manchester United and Scotland striker Brian McClair for this extended look back at three separate Shoot and Match interviews of his from the 1980s. When 'Choccy' wasn't banging in the goals at Parkhead and Old Trafford, he kept himself (and now us) entertained by providing a steady stream of misinformation in these old player profiles. Hopefully he's given us some straight answers as we discuss - amongst other things - collecting matchboxes, supporting Liechtenstein, meeting Idi Amin and why Alex Ferguson is funnier than you think.

Host: Mark Godfrey.

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