Iain Macintosh Interview
Iain Macintosh was nominated for the Best Football Journalist award. We asked Iain to talk about the awards, how 2010 had turned out for him, future plans and of course, who he would vote for in the awards. Here’s the interview:
1) You’ve been nominated for Best Football Journalist, chosen by both fans and industry experts, how does it feel?
I feel unworthy. Some of the best names in the business are on this list and I think I’ve got some way to go yet before I earn the right to stand next to them. There is a world of difference between the cerebral brilliance of Jonathan Wilson’s tactical master-classes and the knob gags and ill-advised similes that litter my articles. Nevertheless, you’ve made my year and, as soon as I’ve finished typing this, I’ll be on the phone to my mum. She’ll be dead proud.
2) What kind of year has 2010 been for Iain Macintosh?
It’s been a busy one. I’ve had four books out, I’ve moved from London to Tyneside, I’ve found out that I’m going to be a father and I’ve watched a phenomenal amount of football. Frankly, 2011 has got an awful lot to live up to.
3) What do you think has been the key factor in your success?
No-one has found me out yet. It’ll happen sooner or later and I’ll have to hand in my laptop and get a proper job. But until then…
4) If you were casting a vote for any of your fellow nominees, who would it be?
There are some cracking names on that shortlist, but I’d like to see Andy Brassell get some recognition. He’s an excellent writer and he’s probably forgotten more about European football than I’ll ever know.
5) What’s next for Iain Macintosh?
I’ve got lots of ideas, most of them completely ridiculous, but I’d just be happy to keep working. Watching football for a living is a ridiculous job and there isn’t a single day that I’m not eternally grateful to be picking up a wage. Sure, it would be nice if a publisher came in and gave me an advance to write a novel based on The Heidenheim Chronicles but, to be honest, just avoiding the sack is my primary objective.
6) Have you seen the Castrol Football Rankings? What do you think about them, and who do you think is the best footballer in the world at the moment?
They make for fascinating reading and I certainly can’t disagree with the number one. There just isn’t another footballer out there like Lionel Messi. He’s an absolute genius.
You can vote for Iain Macintosh in the following award category:
Back to the main 2010 Soccerlens Awards nominee interviews page.
Topics: Interviews
