The Van Basten Of Hartlepool

"When van Basten was visiting galeries, eating steamed vegetables and discussing the boundaries of freedom, Boydy was downing pints and going to grab-a-granny nights in clubs with two-for-one offers on blue Bacardi Breezers and fights in the car-park."

In Episode Twenty Five we feature Harry Pearson's tale of Hartlepool United great Adam Boyd, 'The Van Basten of Hartlepool' from Issue Fifteen. Boyd, like all cult heroes, had his share of ups and downs at the north-east club as the local child prodigy-turned-disappointment-turned-redeemed hero. His role in Hartlepool's near promotion in the 2004/05 season is fondly remembered.

For more information on our Q&A event in Dublin on 3rd March, mentioned at the beginning of the episode, featuring a panel of Jonathan Wilson, Philippe Auclair and James Horncastle, head to www.theblizzard.co.uk/events. Podcast listeners can save 10% on ticket prices by using the code 'blizzarddub' at the checkout.

Harry Pearson is the author of The Far Corner. His blog about north-east football, The First Thirty Years Are The Worst, is unaccountably popular in Switzerland. Twitter: @camsell59

If you have any feedback comments or suggestions email podcast@theblizzard.co.uk or find us on Twitter @blzzrd.

Issue Fifteen, like all issues of The Blizzard, is available on a pay-what-you-like basis from www.theblizzard.co.uk. Digital downloads cost as little as 1p each (RRP £3), while print versions are available from £6 + postage (RRP £12). You can also find us on the Kindle and Google Play stores.