Just watched this excellent two-part interview with the uniquely intriguing player and character that is Stanley Aborah:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeVJG97douI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou2noAU_E4A

Several things strike me. Stanley is a very intelligent and articulate guy, especially considering English isn't his first language. He understands and can analyse football from a tactical viewpoint and can recognise (and remember) a good player and manager from a poor one very quickly. He's very honest - there's no BS here in my opinion. I think his account of the Fullarton saga is truthful because it stacks up with what we already knew, but reveals one or two telling details we maybe didn't. Stanley was painted by Fullarton as being a malcontent but it's clear from this interview how misleading that was, and perhaps shows why Fullarton lost the confidence of the team and the fanbase so quickly.

I recognise in Stanley Aborah some typical characteristics of someone who (after moving from his birthplace, Ghana) has grown up within the Flemish culture. The Dutch and Belgians tend to have very strong and well-formed opinions which they are only too willing and able to explain, and if you want them to see or do something differently, they expect you to justify and explain your ideas to them. The Dutch national team, for example, is often regarded as being "difficult to manage" because of these "strong" personalities, but if you're good enough like a Louis van Gaal you can channel this confidence and mental strength to your advantage. It isn't arrogance, although a weaker person might interpret it as such. It's simply an attitude that respect should be earned, not expected automatically, regardless of rank.

Therein may have been the problem for someone like Fullarton, as opposed to Ricardo Moniz or Mark Cooper. The latter two managers were clear and honest and obviously won Stanley Aborah's trust and respect. Fullarton obviously did not, especially after his misleading comments to the media. He was a manager evidently not ready and able to cope with man management, and tactically pretty limited too. It sounds like he came in laying down the law without the substance to back it up, and footballers soon see through that.

Stanley openly admits he had a "hate/love" relationship with Ricardo Moniz, but fundamentally he knew that Moniz was highly competent and was seeking to improve him as a player. And he believed the same of Mark Cooper, so it wasn't the case that he could only work with Ricardo.

I think this is a great interview that leaves the viewer much better informed about that period in the club's history, and the true and decent character of Stanley Aborah. Rarely do you get to see such in-depth accounts of events in your club, so huge Kudos to everyone involved in producing them. They're absolute gold for any Notts fan, especially the 'anorak' types.

The Martin Allen interview is another favourite of mine. What a genuine gem of a bloke he is - someone who emotionally bought into the club and connected with the fans more than most other managers would do. I've never been so angry or frustrated as the time he was sacked, and this interview simply confirms what I thought I knew at that time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKM4L6RMX3U