PODCAST · sports
The Back Page
by BackPage
The secrets to the best sportswriting in the world - featuring interviews, masterclasses and classic books backpagepress.substack.com
Episodes
-
Manu Petit smokes Marlboro Reds: The importance of details, with Ryan Baldi
Author Ryan Baldi reveals his sportswriting and interviewing tips. This interview - and all our content - is free. We ask ONE thing.... Please Subscribe to The BackPage This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
-
When Stam says "No" and Wrighty says "Yes"
SUBSCRIBE TO 'THE BACKPAGE' NOW Ryan Baldi wrote books about two all-time great Premier League teams: Arsene Who? The Story of the Wenger Revolution (the paperback has just been released) tells the story of Arsenal's 98 Double; and They Always Score: The Unforgettable, Improbable, Iconic Story of...
-
A Big Announcement!
'Between the Lines' is now known as 'The BackPage' and is part of our wider offering. Sign up to receive all our audio and written updates *** SUBSCRIBE TO 'THE BACKPAGE' NOW *** This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...
-
A Big Announcement!
'Between the Lines' is now known as 'The BackPage' and is part of our wider offering. Sign up to receive all our audio and written updates *** SUBSCRIBE TO 'THE BACKPAGE' NOW *** This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...
-
Sports Writing Masterclass: John Greechan on getting close to the story
John Greechan's top tip - get as close to the story as possible (featuring Maradona and a trip to Buenos Aires) BackPage Mailing List 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...
-
John Greechan: Revolution - Ange Postecoglou: The Man, The Methods and The Mastery
Welcome to the second episode in the new season of Between the Lines. This is Martin's chat with John Greechan on his excellent new Ange Postecoglou biography. As always, we discuss process and explore John's research trip to Melbourne earlier this year. Enjoy Buy the Book BackPage Mailing List...
-
Andriy Shevchenko and the Making of My Life, My Football
To celebrate the publication of Andriy Shevchenko's autobiography, My Life, My Football, we break down the story behind the book: why it took three years for the English language edition to reach bookstores, the significance of the war in Ukraine, what matters most to an elite footballer like...
-
Arrigo Sacchi And The Making Of The Immortals
In this episode, Neil and Martin talk to Mark Palmer, the translator of The Immortals, Arrigo Sacchi’s memoir of Milan’s 1988-89 season, which ended with the first of two back-to-back European Cup triumphs for the great team of Baresi, Maldini, Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten. The Immortals…
more -
Daniel Gray: Snapshot
Author Daniel Gray and photographer Alan McCredie toured Scotland collecting pictures and that form a charming and true portrait of football in that country, from a European night at Ibrox to the Highland League. This is Martin's conversation with Daniel about how he and Alan found their subjects...
-
Ben Reiter: The Edge
Returning to Between the Lines is Ben Reiter, author of Astroball, to talk about how the story he reported took a shocking turn - and how he went after it in a brilliant new six-part podcast, The Edge. The incredible rise of the Houston Astros from the worst team in baseball to world champions is...
-
Henry Winter: Wild Swimming with Nigel Pearson
Henry Winter returns to Between The Lines to talk about an interview he did with Nigel Pearson, in which the two men went hiking across Dartmoor and swam in a chalk pit. It makes for great copy and is testament to Winter's skill at relationship building and what he sees as the power of The Times,...
-
Sebastian Moffett: Japanese Rules
Martin talks to Sebastian Moffett about Japanese Rules, his examination of the intersection of Japanese culture and its emergent football scene at the start of the 21st Century. It's a book Martin leant on while researching his own work on Shunsuke Nakamura and he asks Sebastian about the time he...
-
Mutiny at Hearts - The Story Behind Our Spotify Original
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is the story behind our first Spotify Original podcast, which is out today! It is called 'Mutiny at Hearts' and tells the story of arguably the most explosive press conference in British football history in October 2006 - when three Hearts…
more -
Oliver Kay: Forever Young - The Story of Adrian Doherty, Football's Lost Genius
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin’s chat with Oliver Kay about Forever Young: The Story of Adrian Doherty, Football’s Lost Genius. It’s one of Martin’s favourite sports books of the last decade and that’s why this episode is a bit longer than most… plenty to cover!…
more -
My Favourite Sports Book: Matt McGinn and Dark Trade
Matt McGinn, author of Against the Elements: The Eruption of Icelandic Football, picks Don McRae's boxing classic Dark Trade as his all-time favourite sports book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
-
Matt McGinn: Against the Elements - The Eruption of Icelandic Football
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with Matt McGinn about his excellent book Against the Elements: The Eruption of Icelandic Football. This is one of the most well researched and interesting sports books of 2020 and if you’ve ever wondered why Iceland…
more -
James Pearce: At the End of the Storm
This is Martin's chat with James Pearce, the brilliantly connected Liverpool writer for The Athletic. A lot of James' writing makes up our latest book, At the End of the Storm, which also featured in last week’s episode – and is released today. The book is a collection of pieces from The Athletic...
-
At the End of the Storm: Our new book with The Athletic
We're back, listeners! Apologies for the extended hiatus. We were publishing a book... and this is a peek behind the scenes of how it all came together in double-quick time. It's called At the End of the Storm: The Stories Behind Liverpool's Historic Title Win, and it is in partnership with The...
-
Back after the Break...
Just a quick one to say that we are taking a break till August, when we will be back with more weekly episodes. Meantime, if there's a book or piece you'd like to see us feature, drop us a line [email protected] Sign up the BackPage mailing list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
-
Matt Spiro: Sacre Bleu - From Zidane to Mbappe
Matt Spiro is an English football writer, broadcaster and commentator who has lived in France for the past 18 years. Matt has used that experience, access and perspective to write Sacre Bleu: From Zidane to MBappe, a football journey. It’s a book that tells the story of the modern history of the...
-
John Carlin: Invictus, the movie
Have you ever wondered how a book makes its journey to being a movie? Well, if you have, then this episode of Between the Lines is for you. This is Martin's chat with John Carlin whose magnificent book Playing the Enemy was made into the Clint Eastwood directed film Invictus starring Morgan…
more -
John Carlin: Playing the Enemy - Nelson Mandela and the Game that made a Nation
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with John Carlin who wrote Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that made a Nation. John’s book was later made into a Clint Eastwood film called Invictus starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as...
-
Ian Ridley: Addicted, Tony Adams
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with award-winning sportswriter Ian Ridley. If you listened to last week’s episode you will have heard Ian discuss his excellent book Floodlit Dreams. This conversation is about Addicted, Tony Adams’ groundbreaking...
-
Ian Ridley: Floodlit Dreams - How to Save a Football Club
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with award-winning sportswriter Ian Ridley about his book Floodlit Dreams, which documents his spell as chairman of his hometown club, Weymouth FC. We’ve wanted to have Ian on the podcast for a while and when a previous...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Pete Burns and FitzSimons on Rugby
Publisher and writer Pete Burns tells us why FitzSimons on Rugby, by Pete FitzSimons, is his all-time favourite sports books. 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...
-
Pete Burns: How has COVID-19 impacted sports publishing?
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. Our guest this week is Pete Burns, MD of Polaris Publishing, who have a growing list of authors including Tom English, Nick Cain, Stuart Barnes and Seth Burkett. Polaris brought out Matt Jansen's brilliant autobiography last year and we also...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: James Morgan and Open / Brilliant Orange
Journalist and author James Morgan tells us why Andre Agassi's autobiography, Open, and David Winner's Brilliant Orange are his all-time favourite sports books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
-
James Morgan: The Carfin Emeralds - How Celtic players in disguise won the Kennedy Cup
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. Our guest this week is James Morgan, who wrote the first book we ever published as a company, back in 2010. It was called In Search of Alan Gilzean and it was nominated for Football Book of the Year. Our conversation this week is on a piece he wrote...
-
Coming Soon...
Welcome to … a shorter episode of Between the Lines. We had a technical issue with the episode scheduled for this week, so we will be back next week with a full-length episode. In the meantime, here's some links to stuff mentioned in this mini-episode... James Morgan's piece for next week's show...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Matt & Tom Oldfield - The Nowhere Men / Playing for Keeps
Children's authors Matt and Tom Oldfield tell us why Mike Calvin's The Nowhere Men and Playing for Keeps, by David Halberstam, are their all-time favourite sports book. SUBSCRIBE to BackPage mailing list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you...
-
Matt & Tom Oldfield: Ultimate Football Heroes
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with Matt and Tom Oldfield, two brothers who between them have written the Ultimate Football Heroes series of books for children aged between 7 and 12. The series features stars such as Messi, Ronaldo, Virgin Van Dijk,...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Neil Forsyth and Floodlit Dreams
Screenwriter Neil Forsyth tells us why Ian Ridley's Floodlit Dreams is his all-time favourite sports book. 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...
-
Neil Forsyth: Jousting with Jim McLean
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with the acclaimed screenwriter Neil Forsyth about an amazing feature he wrote for Nutmeg Magazine on Jim McLean, the legendary Dundee United manager. Neil is a very talented writer who started off in journalism and went...
-
YOUR favourite sports docs and movies
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. We asked you, the listeners, to submit your favourite sports docs and movies. The response was phenomenal. Listen right to the end for a great bit of movie trivia! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode....
-
John Greechan: No Sport? Try a Movie Instead
Welcome to another episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's chat with John Greechan, chief sports writer of the Scottish Daily Mail, about a piece he wrote on his favourite sports movies and documentaries. If you are stuck for something to watch during this period of lockdown, get ready for...
-
Iain Macintosh and Kenny Millar - Football Manager Stole My Life
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…
more -
James Montague: 1312 - Among The Ultras
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...
-
Martin BackPage: Read All About It
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...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Tom English and The Franchise
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...
-
Tom English: The Grudge
Tom English’s book The Grudge, first published in 2010, tells the story of the Calcutta Cup match between Scotland and England in March 1990. Memorably, Scotland beat their old rivals at Murrayfield to win the Grand Slam. But this was more than a match. And more than a rare Scottish sporting...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Raphael Honigstein and King of the World
German football expert Raphael Honigstein tells us why David Remnick's King of the World is his all-time favourite sports book 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...
-
Raphael Honigstein: How Dortmund Won the Race for Haaland
As the transfer of Erling Braut Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund was announced at the end of 2019, Raphael Honigstein set about uncovering the decision-making tree that brought the hottest young striker in football to the Bundesliga. It was, as he remembers, something of a...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Tim Lee and The Damned United
In these bonus episodes, we ask our guests to talk about their favourite sports book. Tim Lee, a producer on the official film of the 2019 Champions League final, chose The Damned United, by David Peace. Watch Tim's remarkable film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrG3C-R7D5s Hosted on…
more -
Tim Lee: The official film of the 2019 Champions League final
Tim Lee was one of the producers of UEFA's official film of the 2019 Champions League final. Sometimes - often - these things can be a little sterile, but this one is an artful and uplifting look at the pinnacle of club football from every angle. Tim talks us through every one of them - the...
-
Andrea Pirlo, I Think Therefore I Play: with translator Mark Palmer & BackPage
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. It is nearly six years since we published Andrea Pirlo's autobiography, I Think Therefore I Play. It has been our bestselling book by a distance and made a huge impact on football culture. Here, Martin and Neil from BackPage tell the origins story of...
-
Tim Parks: A Season with Verona
Welcome to a new episode of Between the Lines. This is Martin's conversation with Tim Parks about his 2002 book A Season with Verona. It is a classic of football literature and one of the most referenced whenever we ask for people's all-time favourite sports books. Tim is not your average sports...
-
My Favourite Sports Book: Ad Hoc films - Fever Pitch and Mike Tyson
In these bonus episodes we ask our guests about their favourite sports book. In our last episode, we spoke to the director Mat Hodgson and producer Patrick Nathanson about their documentary film, I AM DURAN, about the boxer Roberto Duran. Patrick and Mat both cheated by selecting a short list of...
-
Mat Hodgson and Patrick Nathanson: I Am Duran
Director Mat Hodgson and producer Patrick Nathanson discuss the making of their film, I Am Duran, a brilliant documentary about Roberto Duran, who won world titles in four weight classes and was part of the legendary Four Kings of boxing during the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…
more -
My Favourite Sports Book: Si Lloyd and Angels with Dirty Faces
Welcome to a bonus episode of Between the Lines. Here. guest Si Lloyd, picks his favourite sports, Jonathan Wilson's Angels With Dirty Faces. And if you haven't heard our full episode with Si, on his amazing piece, United with Dad, then check it out. It's the one below this episode on the feed....
-
Si Lloyd: United with Dad
This is Neil's conversation with Si Lloyd about a piece he wrote for Joe in December 2019 under the headline 'United with Dad'. It was written a few weeks after the death of Si's father, with whom he had spent most of his life going to watch Manchester United. Si was overhwelmed by the response…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The secrets to the best sportswriting in the world - featuring interviews, masterclasses and classic books
backpagepress.substack.com
HOSTED BY
BackPage
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Back Page have?
The Back Page currently has 89 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Back Page about?
The secrets to the best sportswriting in the world - featuring interviews, masterclasses and classic books backpagepress.substack.com
How often does The Back Page release new episodes?
The Back Page has 89 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Back Page?
You can listen to The Back Page on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Back Page?
The Back Page is created and hosted by BackPage.
URL copied to clipboard!