ATP Extra Episode 51 - Don Hutchison
Across The Park Podcast
Friday, 30 July 2021 - 1 hour 16 minutes
In an ATP Extra that is definitely for both sets of fans from either side of the park, Terry McGivern & Ian Mills are joined by ex Liverpool & Everton player, Don Hutchison. Don starts off with his Liverpool days, telling the lads about how as a young 18 year old from Hartlepool, he initially thought he was being 'pranked' when Kenny Dalglish called him to tell him of Liverpool's interest, before revealing how the wow factor of Anfield on his first day really gripped him. From the inside, he says how it felt to see Kenny leave and be replaced by Graeme Souness, and the changes that came with it. Don explains the pressure that young Liverpool side felt, as some of the more successful old guard were moved on, and how the performances in the league, and league finishes fell short of expectations. His admitted disappointment in some of his own conduct as a Liverpool player is spoken about in brutal honesty, and he reveals he still to this day, looks back and wishes he would been able to stay at Anfield. Before we move on to Don's Everton career, he gives us an exclusive, on Gerard Houllier actually wanting him to re-join Liverpool in 2000! His Everton career starts with how his love for Howard Kendall was the pull in returning to Merseyside in blue, before becoming part of a team that went into the last game of the 97-98 season fighting for survival, and just why that day is not only the worst he's ever felt on a football pitch, but also his proudest '60 seconds' in football. His battles for the shirt with John Collins & Olivier Dacourt are discussed, his battle to stay at the club in 1998, how he became friends with Duncan Ferguson and bonded in a night club with Mitch Ward(!) and his love for Kevin Campbell are all discussed in detail, before Don reveals just how much pride he still has today, being Everton captain in the win at Anfield in 1999. Finally, Don reveals just what happened at Bellefield in February 2000, when he was stripped of the club captaincy and transfer listed, in what he describes as being 'absolutely gutting'. There are stories for both sides that are insightful, and hilarious throughout in a fantastic ATP Extra for all.
