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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/shopSupport the show

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/shopSupport the show

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/nutmegfcSupport the show

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/nutmegfcSupport the show

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/nutmegfcSupport the show

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/nutmegfcSupport the show

Former Dundee United midfielder and current Cowdenbeath assistant manager Craig Easton joins Daniel Gray for a wide-ranging chat about the imminent fixture pile-up, his career in Scotland and England, the lure of Dundonian nightspots and the joy of animals entering the pitch. Craig talks also of his writing career, playing for the McLeans of Tannadice, Britpop, the moments when pre-match nerves truly hit, favourite old grounds, referees falling over and much more. An entertaining chat as eclectic as one of Easton’s mid-90s compilation tapes…  Never read Nutmeg magazine? Issue 19 is out now and 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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

What was Elton John’s view on Stephen Glass? How does Rod Stewart keep up to date with East Fife scorelines? Those vital questions and so much more are covered in this genial conversation between Daniel Gray and Sun writer Ally Ross, BBC man Colin Paterson and ex-Smash Hits editor and Daily Record columnist John McKie. In this mazy dribble of an episode, the trio talk about their Tartan Army travels across the world, including euphoric dejection in Kazakhstan, the importance of talcum powder and a £35 pizza. The closest thing you’ll get to international travel this winter. Probably. Issue 18 of the magazine is out and we do have a couple of copies left – please see nutmegmagazine.co.uk to get yours or subscribe for a year of glorious post.Support the show

In the fourth edition of our occasional series My Favourite Year, journalist and broadcaster Paul English joins Daniel Gray for an entertaining gallivant through Celtic’s 1987/88 double-winning season. Our battered old football time machine lands them in a Clydebank car park in the summer of 1987 where they stumble upon Billy McNeill agreeing to become Celts’ boss for a second spell. Then, it’s off for a canter through a magnificent season via a Chris Morris shrine, the beauty of player numbers on shorts, the genius of Paul McStay, Mum’s DO NOT TAPE OVER videos, red cards at Thatcher and buckshee turnstile tricks.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Daniel Gray is joined by former Scotland international Don Masson, the man who infamously missed a penalty at Argentina ’78. The pair discuss Don’s early days in Banchory and the spiritualist who forecast his career, his move to Middlesbrough and his playing days at Boro, Notts County and QPR. He talks about a crucial penalty he did score – the one that helped Scotland to the World Cup – and the chaos surrounding the Argentinian campaign. And of course, Don reveals his feelings about THAT spot-kick, for which he is ‘Still Saying Sorry’, the title of his new autobiography. A fascinating glimpse into a man who should be remembered for far more than a Peru penalty.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker joins Daniel Gray to talk Scotland, Serbia and Somerset Park. In the first part of a chat that oozes love for the Scottish game, Ian talks about his commentary career thus far, from the highs (co-commentating with Bobby Moore…) to the lows (Having “You’re just a fat Harry Potter” chanted at him…), and gives unique insight into broadcasting in the time of Covid. Then, Dan joins an emotional Ian again the morning after the Belgrade night before to ask him about commentating on Scotland’s incredible victory over Serbia, and what it means to an entire nation.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Daniel Gray is joined by Alan McCredie for a conversational journey through the heartlands of Scottish football. The pair delve into the pages of their new book, Snapshot (published jointly by Nutmeg and Birlinn Publishing), recounting their Saturday roaming from Lowland to island in search of stories, scenes and scraps (from chippies).  Buy the book here: https://birlinn.co.uk/product/snapshot/  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Former Scotland, Aberdeen, Manchester United and Hibernian goalkeeper Jim Leighton chats to Daniel Gray. The two discuss Jim’s early years in Junior football, the influence of his father, Aberdeen glory days, World Cups with Scotland, hard times at Old Trafford and happy ones at Hibs. Plus, insight into the delights of goalkeeping from claiming catches to organising walls, and answers to the questions “Are keepers wired differently?” and “Is there really a goalkeepers’ union?” Jim also talks about his prostate cancer, and his determination to prevent other men from facing the same ordeal. An entertaining, honest listen with one of the gentlemen of the game. 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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Daniel Gray is joined by Scotsman football writer Alan Pattullo, Times journalist Kenny Farquharson and Nutmeg publisher Ally Palmer to talk all things magazine issue 17, and whatever else comes up. This conversational meander takes us from the things we can now hear managers and players shouting to the many faces of Tannadice, and from homophobia in men’s football to the first Brazilian players in Scotland. Plus, Kilmarnock joy and despair, the Challenge Cup, Joe Tulip, being blanked by Bing Crosby and an answer to that age-old question: what happens when you ask Jim Duffy to sign your white jeans?  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Stenhousemuir FC’s Iain McMenemy joins Daniel Gray to give a unique insight into life as a football club chairman. In a revealing interview, McMenemy details the outstanding community work Stenny have undertaken down the years and their activist role during COVID-19, and takes us behind the scenes of Scottish football’s failures throughout the pandemic. Plus, Norwegian supporters, Space Raiders, insight into life for fans in Coronavirus-era stadiums and the best board room catering revealed.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

East Fife’s former Arbroath and Forfar winger Danny Denholm chats to our own Daniel Gray. The Lower League Ramblings podcaster and BBC columnist talks about his fitness regime during lockdown, including avoidance of Coco Pops and dodging disposable barbecues on Leith Links. The two Dans discuss: the tiny delights of football, from indirect free-kicks in the box to goalkeepers going forward for corners; life under Dick Campbell at Forfar and Arbroath; the joys of Cappielow, Somerset Park, Cliftonhill and elsewhere; being perturbed by a stuffed dog in Kirkcaldy; and supporter abuse online, and in the ground. Plus, all the key questions answered: do footballers ever tire of smashing a ball into an empty net? What do players gossip about when marking each other? And do team talks ever make players snigger like schoolchildren?  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Legendary broadcaster and writer Archie MacPherson joins host Daniel Gray to discuss More Than a Game (Luath Press), his new book on ‘Living with the Old Firm’. In this moving and thoughtful conversation about a lifetime of the Celtic v Rangers rivalry, MacPherson takes us back to the Hampden Riot of 1980, The Ibrox Disaster of 1971 and the 1995 murder of Mark Scott, and to his memories of how the fixture charged the atmosphere in the Glasgow of his youth. A compelling dissection of sectarianism, identity and one of the world’s most fractious sporting fixtures.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

In this conversational canter through issue 16 of the magazine, host Daniel Gray is joined by Nutmeg Publisher Ally Palmer and the author and journalist James Morgan. They discuss the authentic beauty of Scottish football grounds, a promising coaching innovation and other issue 16 highlights. Plus, BBC man Giancarlo Rinaldi on the charisma of Palmerston Park, Ginny Clark on a Queen’s Park legend, Greg Gordon on the genius of Jocky Scott, Jon Spurling on a quiz show in which contestant Ian Ure was declared an ‘intellectual revelation’, and poetry from the marvellous Stephen Watt.  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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

We’ve reached 50 episodes, so we’re feeling all sentimental. Here are some of our favourite clips from the podcast, as selected by host Daniel Gray. All of them are taken from over a year ago, so if you have heard them before, you might have forgotten them; if you haven’t, here’s a taster for you to enjoy. Contributors include Christopher Brookmyre, Ron Ferguson, Ricky Ross, Hugh MacDonald, Pat Nevin, Jonathan Watson, Eilidh Doyle, Chris McQueer, Leeann Dempster, Cathy Jamieson, Stuart Cosgrove and Val McDermid.   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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)

Arbroath defender Jason Thomson joins Daniel Gray for a fascinating delve into his 16-year career. Thomson gives a behind-the-scenes insight into rising though the Hearts ranks, life under Vladimir Romanov, happy times at Turnbull Hutton’s Raith and Red Lichties glory with Dick Campbell. In a candid, compelling conversation, Thomson talks about the challenges of starting a first ‘real job’ aged 31, the perils of being a lower division footballer and the anxieties faced by players as they approach their career ends. 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/nutmegfcSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/nutmegfc)