Category Archives: FWA Q&A

FWA Q&A: Peter White

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I would like to dedicate this to my late wife, Trish, who passed away very recently. I have done it because my son Jamie, Trish and I, were going through the questions having a laugh about the answers only the night before she died. Pic: Trish and I, circa 1982, when Villa were in full swing.

Your first ever newspaper?
The Banbury Advertiser and first assignment was finding out the cost of sheep at Banbury Market.

Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
My darling wife and I kept a pub for nine months when we moved to the Isle of Wight, but I was still writing as well.

What was your finest achievement playing football?
Scoring five goals in a game for Fenny Compton against Grimsbury in the Banbury and District League when I was 17.

Most memorable match covered?
Apart from Aston Villa’s glorious night in Rotterdam in 1982, it has to be in the Aztec Stadium, Mexico City when Maradona’s Hand of God goal and his pure genius knocked England out of the World Cup 1986.

The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
Trish and I both agreed, we already had it. It’s when my son Jamie, aged 11, was playing in a cup final for Moor Green (now Solihull Moors) and scored a volley from the edge of the area in the last minute. They went on to win the game 3-2.

Best stadium?
Villa Park, of course.

…and the worst?
Birmingham City because of its press box. It’s like watching a match through a letterbox.

Your best ever scoop?
Gordon Strachan leaving Southampton, and an exclusive with Dwight Yorke on why he was quitting Villa for Man Utd. I gave him a lift from the training ground to The Belfry and he told me everything I needed to know.

Your personal new-tech disaster?
According to Trish it was my phone, laptop and anything electrical!

Biggest mistake?
Villa v Everton many years ago, when I called Derek Mountfield, Kevin Ratcliffe, all throughout the game in my copy. Ratcliffe wasn’t even playing.

Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
My near namesake, Peter Withe. Especially on foreign trips when the PA announcer always read out ‘number 9, Peter White.’

Most media friendly manager?
Lots. The majority more friendly than not, but Brian Little and I have always got on well with and Harry Redknapp was very good to me when he was at Portsmouth.

Best ever player?
It’s got to be Besty (George Best).

Best ever teams (club and international)?
Aston Villa 1981/82. Holland’s total football team, saw them thrash England at Wembley.

Best pre-match grub?
Man City’s Maine Road in the good old days.

Best meal had on your travels?
Best value for money-Bratislava- three course meal – £4.50.

…and the worst?
Remember big creepy crawlies in my lettuce in my Sunday lunch at Seoul Olympics 1988.

Best hotel stayed in?
Los Bricos, Acapulco, during 1986 World Cup trip.

…and the worst?
Hotel Cosmos, Moscow with Villa early 1980s. 320 bedrooms-one telephone!

Favourite football writer?
I could mention quite a few – let’s wait and see who sends me the biggest cheque.

Favourite radio/TV commentator?
Martin Tyler, but still prefer him with Andy Gray.

If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
Ensure press officers/heads of media realise that there should be much better communication with journalists rather than think we are all ogres.

One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
Saw England win the Ashes at home, but would love to see them do it Down Under.

Last book read?
How to be more efficient with new tech.

Favourite current TV programme?
Spooks or Hustle.

Your most prized football memorabilia?
Signed programme from 1982 European Cup final Villa v Bayern Munich and Andy Gray’s old gold Wolves socks from the 1980 League Cup final win.

FWA Q&A: Andy Dunn

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We talk to the Sunday Mirror’s Sports Columnist Andy Dunn about Paolo Di Canio’s push, Eric Cantona’s bank manager and, erm, Made in Chelsea…

Your first ever newspaper?
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
Once worked as a volunteer in a Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Some citizens got some very bad advice. Was hopeless. But apart from that, no.

What was your finest achievement playing football?
Scoring in my first game as University of York captain against Sheffield Uni. Didn’t score many from right-back. Hit the bar with my largely redundant left peg as well. And we won 4-2. Fellow old boys now in the business include Daily Mirror’s David Maddock and The Guardian’s David Conn.

Most memorable match covered?
Covered all major finals of the last 12 years but, even though it was a qualifier, you would have to go some to match Germany 1, England 5. Tight deadlines heighten the thrill. And I remember going to a Munich tobacconist prior to the game with The Sun’s Chief Sports Writer Steven Howard. He bought the biggest cigar I’ve ever seen and sparked it up when the fifth went in.

The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
Paolo Di Canio pushing over referee Paul Alcock. It happened right beneath my press box seat. Funniest thing I’ve seen at a match.

Best stadium?
The only game I saw in this stadium – England’s desperately scrappy win against Algeria – was a shocker but the backdrop made it memorable. Green Point Stadium, Cape Town.

…and the worst?
In the same tournament, did not like Soccer City. Pretty soulless.

Your best ever scoop?
Could probably claim a few that would be disputed by my fellow journos. Was told by Eric Cantona’s bank manager that he – Eric, not the bank manager – was quitting football. Didn’t believe him…and the King retired the next day.

Your personal new-tech disaster?
When David Beckham scored that late free-kick against Greece, I was filing on the whistle. Computer crashed and I rang tech dept for help. ‘Take the battery out and sit on it for ten minutes, I was told.’

Biggest mistake?
Not exactly a mistake but I almost caused the closure of a prominent local newspaper when I was acting editor by running a front page that libeled the entire borough council.

Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
Yes, Fabio Capello.

Most media friendly manager?
Has to be Harry Redknapp. Arsene Wenger is good but Harry picks up the phone.

Best ever player?
Lionel Messi. No question. His goals against Arsenal at the Nou Camp were simply stunning. A breathtaking player.

Best ever teams (club and international)?
Again, no question. Barcelona – especially the vintage that humiliated Manchester United at Wembley. Although England should probably have beaten them in the quarter-finals, I enjoyed covering the World Cup-winning Brazil team of 2002.

Best pre-match grub?
Breakfast at the Emirates ahead of an early kick-off.

Best meal had on your travels?
Covering David Beckham playing for Real Madrid in Beijing, went to a restaurant that served only duck … every single part of the duck. Eyeballs, the lot. It was sensational. And didn’t end up at the quacks.

…and the worst?
Monkey’s brains, South Korea. Duck brains, yes – monkey brains, no.

Best hotel stayed in?
Brenners Park, Baden-Baden. Not only for its grandeur but because we we sharing it with the WAG’s. Now, that was fun.

…and the worst?
Hard to single one out. Tend to forget about them pretty quickly. But I seem to recall the one in Tirana was pretty dire.

Favourite football writer?
Impossible to single one out. There are so many good ones right now.

Favourite radio/TV commentator?
Again, so many good ones. Like Mike Ingham’s style in particular.

If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
Actually have meetings/seminars with managers/players to discuss the press issues. Not go a through a third party.

One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
As a chief sports writer, I’ve been fortunate to cover a lot of my dream events, Sydney Olympics, world title fights in Vegas etc. Would love to cover the Melbourne Cup. After that, the Masters.

Last book read?
A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke by Ronald Reng. Good but sad read.

Favourite current TV programme?
I have a strange fascination with Made in Chelsea. I suspect I am in a tiny minority.

Your most prized football memorabilia?
One of the few journalists not to do memorabilia.

Andy Dunn, formerly the Chief Sports Writer of the News of the World, is the Sunday Mirror’s Sports Columnist and regular contributor to BBC Radio Five Live and Sky Sports.

FWA Q&A: John Cross

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John Cross Daily Mirror FWA Q&AIn this week’s FWA Q&A, we talk to The Daily Mirror’s John Cross about the dodgy hotels, Arsenal’s Champions League Final loss to Barcelona and having an unused 1966 World Cup Final ticket…

Your first ever newspaper?
Islington Gazette – a brilliant start. I owe my first editor Tony Allcock so much.

Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
Yes – but only briefly. I was an office junior while waiting for an opening in journalism and also digging drives one summer.

What was your finest achievement playing football?
Captaining Manhattan Lights, my old Sunday team, to the Barnet Junior Cup. We won on penalties. But only after Steve McFadden, Phil Mitchell in EastEnders and a right winger, had thrown a bit of a showbiz strop and stormed off after being substituted.

Most memorable match covered?
I’ve seen Arsenal win amazing games as a fan (Anfield, Old Trafford). But to cover them, probably the Champions League final against Barcelona. Bad result but wrote the most amount of words of any game covered. Nearly 5,000 in one night. So much for lazy journalism.

The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
Arsenal winning the title at Anfield in 1989.

Best stadium?
For memories. I went to Boca Juniors in Argentina. What a setting, what a city, what a holiday.

…and the worst?
Fratton Park. A Premier League ground with non-league facilities.

Your best ever scoop?
The Hartson and Berkovic video. The joys of being a young freelance at the time meant I didn’t get the full credit…

Your personal new-tech disaster?
Too many Wi-Fi disasters to mention!

Biggest mistake?
I had Matt Jansen going to the 2002 World Cup. It was on our back page. He got measured for the suit, Sven watched him – and then decided not to take him. But when it’s on the back page on the day the squad is announced it’s a hard one to justify.

Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
Adrian Chiles – on a regular basis!

Most media friendly manager?
Arsene Wenger. Never dodges a question, has always been respectful. A special mention for Sammy Lee and the late, great George Armstrong. Two gems. George Armstrong would give me a lift home after Arsenal reserve games!

Best ever player?
Thierry Henry gets my vote as player seen/covered live. We also forget how good Cesc Fabregas is.

Best ever teams (club and international)?
Arsenal – Invincibles; Spain – glorious to watch

Best pre-match grub?
Arsenal – fantastic food!

Best meal had on your travels?
El Greco – Italian restaurant in Barcelona. To shamelessly name drop, Thierry Henry recommended and booked it for a group of journalists. It was an amazing meal, fabulous occasion.

…and the worst?
On a Tottenham trip to Moldova, the local council held a reception for the travelling journalists. Despite being told not to drink the local water, a few of us couldn’t resist the ice cream. We all came home with a mild case of dysentery!

Best hotel stayed in?
Schloss Elmau resort. A spa hotel just over the German border while covering Euro 2008. Amazing.

…and the worst?
A hotel in Donetsk 11 years ago. UEFA had the best hotel. The press had the second. It was awful. Arsenal had the third best because it had better kitchens. But I’d hate to have seen their hotel if it was worse than ours. The country has come on a great deal. My most ridiculous happening on a trip was in Athens in 2004. The coach driver taking journos between Olympic venues refused to budge even though myself and Charlie Sale (Daily Mail) were trying to reach the 100m final for which we had tickets. In pure frustration, I leant down, grabbed the driver’s foot and pressed it against the pedal. It showed him how much we wanted to make it – and he kindly obliged while the very respectful Chinese journalists at the back of the coach looked on in horror without saying a word.

Favourite football writer?
Oliver Holt. Proud to be his colleague.

Favourite radio/TV commentator?
Clive Tyldesley – partly influenced by the fact that he’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. I love doing radio and TV work. It’s been such an enjoyable part of my career in the past few years. But all of the professionals have my respect. It’s such a tough part of the industry.

If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
Just more open and friendliness. It’s so much harder to criticise those you like.

One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
I have covered three Olympic Games. You just can’t beat it.

Last book read?
‘Ghosts of Manila’. I love boxing books. But it was purely coincidental that I was reading it just before Joe Frazier’s death. Kevin Mitchell’s ‘War, Baby’ is such a great read. I tried to tell him once how much I loved that book but was a bit worse for wear at an FWA dinner. It came out something like: ‘Ish really, weally, love you, Kevin…’

Favourite current TV programme?
The Wire.

Your most prized football memorabilia?
My Dad’s UNUSED 1966 World Cup Final ticket – still in the original envelope. My Dad went to every England game but got food poisoning and missed the final. I still can’t believe he didn’t go! But he gave me the ticket as a keepsake.

FWA Q&A: Ian Ridley

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In this week’s FWA Q&A we take to Daily Express football columnist Ian Ridley about England scoops, dodgy computers and that night in Munich… In this week’s FWA Q&A we take to Daily Express football columnist Ian Ridley about England scoops, dodgy computers and that night in Munich…

Your first ever newspaper?
I became Sports Editor of the Worksop Guardian, in Nottinghamshire, in 1977. I say Sports Editor, I was the only member of the staff, covering the Tigers of Worksop Town FC and filling two broadsheet pages a week with the bowls and pigeon racing results. Great grounding.
Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
Journalism is a profession? No, went straight into it from University and have never quite been able to leave, though it’s threatened to leave me a few times. Also done books and scriptwriting, which have kept me sane.
What was your finest achievement playing football?
Scored a goal for the Guardian when we beat the Times in the Fleet Street Midweek League Cup final at Selhurst Park in the 80s. Can’t remember the year but I’m sure Rothman’s Football Yearbook will help you out. Think it was on the cover that year.
Most memorable match covered? Germany 1 England 5 in Munich. I just remember the look of disbelief on the faces of all the English journalists. Was on the Observer at the time and it was a privilege to be asked to write a front page colour piece that turned inside the paper. It’s times like these you learn to love again, as the Foo Fighters sang.
The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
It came in a kick-about among the press at La Manga during an England training camp before the 1998 World Cup when I curled home a shot from 25 yards. Oh, you mean a proper football moment? Ossie Ardiles’ testimonial at White Hart Lane…Hoddle chips forward to Maradona, who cushions it on his thigh before lobbing it perfectly into the path of Mark Falco – who volleys it 20 yards over the bar. The game at its most sublime and ridiculous.
Best stadium?
Always liked Porto’s Dragao stadium. The arches at one end offer a view from on high down the river making the place a great example of how an architect should use location to enhance the stadium, rather than just plonk some anonymous bit of kit down.
…and the worst?
The one in San Marino probably. Have they used all the money they have made over the last 20 years to build a proper one yet? Someone has done well there, I’m sure.
Your best ever scoop?
One that never was. It was a Sunday at the England training camp in La Manga ’98 and I was on the way to the first tee for a round of golf with Joe Melling, the late, great Football Editor of the Mail on Sunday. As we went past the pool, where the England players were sunbathing, Paul Merson, who I was friendly with at the time, called me across. He told me that Gazza was not going to the World Cup and had just trashed Glenn Hoddle’s room in anger at the news. As I was on a Sunday paper at the time, I had no paper to put it in. Mind you, I was on the Independent on Sunday at the time and as Paddy Barclay said, telling the Sindy was the nearest thing to keeping a secret. A few hours later, it broke for the daily papers. These days, I could probably have tweeted it.
Your personal new-tech disaster?
Working for the Daily Telegraph back in the early 90s, I was sent to do a feature on new international team San Marino. In covering their home match against Switzerland, my old Tandy “computer” locked and I lost 750 words of copy five minutes before the final whistle. I had to hastily ad lib a piece by phone. It’s times like these you learn to hate again, as the Foo Fighters didn’t sing.
Biggest mistake?
Can’t think of anything major – but I may have blocked out all the stories and judgments I got wrong. Perhaps there are helpful colleagues and rivals who may have a better memory….
Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else? On a football field, Lionel Messi. Off it, once in Boston, Mass, some bloke in a bar reckoned I looked like Danny Ainge, who played for the Celtics basketball team at the time. A young girl called me Sven recently just because I have grey hair and glasses probably. Would like his money.
Most media friendly manager?
Obviously Harry Redknapp is always very helpful and quote-friendly, along with Ian Holloway at Blackpool, but for someone who keeps taking knocks and coming back with insights and good humour, it has to be Arsene Wenger. You can ask him about anything and he will answer. I am going to ask him for the meaning of life very soon.
Best ever player?
I always preferred Maradona to Pele, in the way I preferred the Stones to the Beatles, because the Argentine made ordinary sides great, whereas Pele gilded great sides. The way it is looking,though, I think Messi can top them both. As for a favourite player: Jimmy Greaves, my idol as a kid.
Best ever teams (club and international)?
Brazil 1970 and the Barcelona of now are the obvious answers, but no less true for that. I also enjoyed Holland of 1974 and Arsenal’s Invincibles.
Best pre-match grub? Am enjoying the rivalry in the press rooms of Arsenal and Manchester City as they vie for the title of best hosts. Not going to say which is better, in case they rest on their laurels. Enjoyed a sea bass teriyaki at the Emirates recently. Hard life, sometimes.
Best meal had on your travels?
Peter Robinson, the legendary secretary of Liverpool, once invited Paddy Barclay to lunch at the Grand Trianon hotel in Versailles. Generously, Paddy asked Peter if I could come along and he agreed. It was succulent. About £200 each as I recall, and it was 1994ish. Don’t think I got the bill through at the Independent on Sunday.
…and the worst?
Probably in Poland. Glenn Hoddle said he had picked a team there because it was “horses for courses.” David Lacey pointed out that in Poland, it was horses for main courses.
Best hotel stayed in?
The Dorint in Baden Baden for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. I was on the Mail on Sunday and for the first time with a paper who could afford somewhere decent. I had the most spacious and elegant room, which was just as well as we were there for around five weeks. Near enough to the Brenner’s Park to observe the England WAGS, far enough away to miss the House of Scouse also ensconced there.
Ian Ridley is an author of sports books and football columnist for the Daily Express. His latest book There’s A Golden Sky: How 20 Years of the Premier League Has Changed Football Forever has just been published by Bloomsbury and available at Amazon and Waterstone’s.

FWA Q&A: Philippe Auclair

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In this week’s FWA Q&A, we chat with Philippe Auclair of France Football about the Flintstones, Richard E Grant and having Thierry Henry’s coathanger at home…

Your first ever newspaper?
France Football, as it happens, if it’s football we’re talking about. Otherwise, Le Courrier Cauchois, a minuscule weekly from my native Normandy, for which I wrote ‘colour pieces’ about local history while still at school.

Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
Let’s see: chef (in Brussels); musician (everywhere); mushroom collector; I also invented a board-game and still do a few voiceovers (highlight: dubbing The Flintstones in French).

What was your finest achievement playing football?
Being picked to play for my university when I’d gone something like six years not scoring a goal. I was supposed to be a left-sided destroyer. Really.

Most memorable match covered?
In terms of emotion, Arsenal’s 1-0 at the Bernabeu in 2006. In terms of action, the 4-4 between Chelsea and Liverpool in the second leg of the 2009 Champions League quarter-final. I was commentating the game for French radio, adrenalin pumping in my veins for hours afterwards.

The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
Either Dennis Bergkamp’s pirouette and goal against Newcastle (you know the one)…or Alain Giresse scoring France’s third goal against West Germany in Sevilla, 1982. Could someone stop the tape at this point, please?

Best stadium?
Highbury. Cue tightening of the throat and flood of beautiful memories…

…and the worst?
The Stadio delle Alpi [Juventus] was cold, nasty, atmosphere-less, a nightmare to work in. Good
riddance.

Your best ever scoop?
The one I never used: a detailed count of the votes for the attribution of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, two weeks before the ‘decision’ was made. I couldn’t name my source, nobody believed me (including the guys at England 2018), and that was that. It still rankles.

Your personal new-tech disaster? A classic: checking my MP3 recorder was working…yes it does…doing a splendid one-to-one with Wenger…arriving home to find out I’d erased the interview instead of saving it to the hard disk. I was too embarrassed to call Arsène, so wrote the whole thing from memory, in a panicked trance-like state. I feel much better now I’ve confessed.

Biggest mistake?
A very funny one, at the 1991 Copa America. I was commentating for TV Sport – from London, of course, without proper team sheets, on a very small screen. Chile were playing Venezuela…who were playing in a different shirt from the one I was expecting. For a full five minutes, I believed one team was the other, and was waxing lyrical at how the minnows were outplaying the favourites. Then, I realised. I Froze. My co-commentator took over as I hyperventilated. From then on, I was the ‘analyst’ for that tournament. We didn’t get a single letter of complaint. Perhaps TV Sport didn’t have much of an audience then.

Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
Richard E. Grant, on a number of occasions, including at the Wimbledon dog track, where I was asked if there’d be a sequel to Withnail & I by a bookie. I dared not disappoint him.

Most media friendly manager?
Guus Hiddink. Media-friendliness is not just about being friendly, which can lead to cronyism, but more about answering questions without trying to spin them, and showing respect to the questioner. Guus never failed me – never failed us.

Best ever player?
Alfredo di Stefano, judging by what people I admire have told me of him. Among the ones I’ve seen in the flesh, Diego Maradona, who won a scudetto, a UEFA Cup and a World Cup on his own.

Best ever teams (club and international)?
Brazil 1970 will never be equalled, I’m convinced of that. As a club side, a purely personal choice: Valeri Lobanovsky’s 1980s Dinamo Kyiv team, which truly was poetry in motion.

Best pre-match grub?
Dead-heat between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Best meal had on your travels?
A stupendous barbecue organised by the Wadi Degla club in Egypt. This was during ramadan. Tough during the day (especially as we’d played six-a-side against their academy in the afternoon), but when Cairotes break their fast, oh boy…The finest lamb I’ve ever tasted.

…and the worst?
Try Auxerre’s sandwiches. They might change your views on French cuisine.

Best hotel stayed in?
The Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. A magical place in a magical city, right by the Bosphorus.

…and the worst?
The Britannia in Manchester. I don’t know where to start. A party of half-drunk sales reps had put on a blue movie on the bar video. It went downwards from then on. I actually got a refund.

Favourite football writer?
Brian Glanville is my master; prodigiously cultured, sharp, witty and brave. But I also think that David Lacey remains the greatest football reporter, which is not quite the same thing.

Favourite radio/TV commentator?
Martin Tyler. As a compere, Jeff Stelling. Who else?

If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
Simply enforce the regulations, and make sure that players do stop in the mixed zone or tunnel after the games. The current situation is disgraceful.

One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
The Cresta Run? No. Boxing Day test cricket down under, with Ian Bell approaching his triple century. By tea.

Last book read?
Ronnie Reng’s biography of Robert Enke, which is simply magnificent.

Favourite current TV programme?
I do not watch television unless there’s football, cricket or (at a pinch) rugby union on. I much prefer the company of books; and of people, naturally.

Your most prized football memorabilia?
The coathanger on which Thierry Henry placed his shirt after scoring a hat-trick against Wigan, on the day Arsenal played for the last time at Highbury. This coathanger is reserved for the tuxedo I wear at the FWA’s Gala Tribute Night. Why that is I couldn’t say.

Philippe Auclair has been France Football’s England correspondent for over a decade, and regularly contributes to Champions and The Blizzard. He can also be heard on talkSPORT and various BBC station and is a regular guest on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast.

FWA Q&A: Mick Dennis

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Our series of member Q&A sessions continues with Mick Dennis of the Daily Express…


Your first ever newspaper?

Eastern Daily Press (Great Yarmouth office of the Norwich-based paper)
Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
No, but I worked as a play-leader in parks while at school and then college.
What was your finest achievement playing football?
I once trapped the ball fairly cleanly
Most memorable match covered?
The 2006 World Cup Final, when Zidane’s last act as a pro footballer was to nutt an opponent.
The one moment in football you would put on a DVD
Norwich City’s second goal against Sunderland at Carrow Road, 26 Sept 2001
Best stadium?
 As a journalist, The Emirates. As a spectator, the Bernabeau
…and the worst?
Fratton Park, Portsmouth (as a journalist and as a spectator)
Your best ever scoop?
The electric fence at Stamford Bridge
Your personal new-tech disaster?
None. It is all much easier, and more reliable, than in the days of trying to get hold of a land-line phone to dictate a story.
Biggest mistake?
As a young sub-editor in Norwich I wrote a huge headline with three ‘E’s in Greenwood. About 25 years later, as sports ed of the London Evening Standard, I wrote a bigger headline with the ‘P’ missing in Campbell.
Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
As a young man, travelling with Norwich City, people used to assume quite often that I was one of the players — unless they’d seen me play.
Most media friendly manager?
Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger — very different, but both worth listening to and prepared to speak even after bad defeats.
Best ever player?
I saw Johan Cruyff and George best live and both were sensational. I’d opt for Besty, because played as he lived, closer to the edge.
Best ever teams (club and international)?
The Aston Villa team who won the league in 1981 were the most exciting club-side I saw a lot of. The 1970 Brazilians were peerless.
Best pre-match grub?
The Gunn Club, Norwich
Best meal had on your travels?
Why this fixation with food? Mostly on football trips I eat service station junk.
…and the worst?
See above!
Best hotel stayed in?
The Radisson Blu, Frankfurt
…and the worst?
The Adelphi, Liverpool
Favourite football writer?
David Lacey, The Guardian
Favourite radio/TV commentator?
Peter Drury, ITV
If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
I’d make football clubs employ PR professionals, rather than former journalists. They are different jobs with entirely different skills.
One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
I am lucky enough to have been to many. Football beats the lot.
Last book read?
A Golden Sky by Ian Ridley
Favourite current TV programme?
The Good Wife
Your most prized football memorabilia?
Media pass from Africa’s first World Cup (South Africa, 2010)
Mick Dennis’s column appears in the Daily Express each Wednesday during the football season and he reviews the newspapers on Sky Sports News each Thursday at 7.30 am.

FWA Q&A: Christopher Davies

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In the first of our new ongoing feature, we speak to Christopher Davies of The People about life as a football writer…

Your first ever newspaper?
South London Press
Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?
I did a stint in public relations when I was younger…among the clients were a women’s hat manufacturer…quite
What was your finest achievement playing football?
Scoring a goal from the half-way line with a back-heel…eat your heart out David Beckham…oh, it was during a six-a-side game
Most memorable match covered?
Has to be the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy for the Daily Telegraph…my first World Cup final as a football correspondent…it was far from a classic match but like players, football writers also want to be at the big ones
The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?
Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 – and I was there, my ticket cost 17 shillings and sixpence
Best stadium?
The Nou Camp even though the press box is so high you can shake hands with the man in the moon
…and the worst?
The old Plough Lane press box was, er, interesting…I remember covering the first game of the season there once and there was a sandwich left from the last game of the previous season
Your best ever scoop?
David Beckham to Real Madrid…sadly the Daily Telegraph decided not to use it…two months later the story broke…sob
Your personal new-tech disaster?
Arsenal 1, Parma 0 – 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, Copenhagen…pressed ‘send’ but instead of sending my match report it disappeared into a new tech Bermuda Triangle…after a 30-second swearfest I picked up the landline (those were the days) and adlibbed 800 words
Biggest mistake?
On talkSPORT recently I said: ‘I hope Guus Hiddink returns to English football…he has one more big job in him and I hope it’s here’
Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?
At the 2002 World Cup finals a TV crew from Cameroon wanting an interview thought I was Barry Davies…’no, I’m Chris Davies’…’oh, you’ll do’
Most media friendly manager?
At the highest level Arsene Wenger has been outstanding…it is rare that his press conferences do not produce a story
Best ever player?
When I watch Lionel Messi, which I do virtually every weekend on Sky Sports, I am continually astonished at his skill…he makes the near-impossible seem easy, the ball is almost velcro’d to his magical left foot while he does not indulge in the dark art of diving
Best ever teams (club and international)?
The current Barcelona and Spain (which some say is Barcelona without Messi) teams have raised the bar and taken football to a new level…Barca’s display in the 2011 Champions League final was as near football perfection as it gets
Best pre-match grub?
Football writers who cover Arsenal’s home games are always well fed
Best meal had on your travels?
Certainly not Albania! I remember having a baby beef in Buenos Aires in 1978…it was the biggest baby I have ever seen…I have never eaten a steak as good (or as huge) as this…BA is not the place to be a vegetarian
…and the worst?
Well, I didn’t actually eat it – it was in Iran and it was sheep’s eyeballs in yoghurt
Best hotel stayed in?
On Capri shortly before Italia 90…the ultimate freebie…my room had its own swimming pool
…and the worst?
Hotel Tirana in 1993…we were told we may have to share but I didn’t realise my room-mate would be a rat…the rat also complained
Favourite football writer?
As a young lad I always loved reading Hugh McIlvaney (Sunday Times) and still do
Favourite radio/TV commentator?
The late Peter Jones had a voice and vocabulary that is unsurpassed
If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?
For young players to be educated in media relations
One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?
Australia v England, the Ashes, in Sydney (with England winning)
Last book read?
Scouting For Moyes by Les Padfield…a little gem
Favourite current TV programme?
Romanzo Criminale on Sky Arts 1…set in Rome in the 1970s…terrific
Your most prized football memorabilia?
My 1966 World Cup final ticket signed by the two captains, Bobby Moore and Uwe Seeler
You can read Christopher Davies, a former chairman of the Football Writers’ Association, in the People and hear him every Tuesday at 7am on talkSPORT’s Breakfast Show with Alan Brazil and Ronnie Irani