An Interview with…Graham Branch
You started your career with Tranmere Rovers and John Aldridge was the manager at Prenton Park. What was it like to play for him?
I didn’t start under Aldridge when he took over. He put me in the stands. After a while I got put in the first team as he knew that’s were I belonged.
Rovers had a few good Cup runs and reached the play-offs a couple of times. What are your memories of your time at Prenton Park?
I had some very good memories of Prenton Park and some bad ones. I’ll always be thankful to Johnny King for the chance of fulfilling my dream. The Friday nights at home beating everyone and the cup runs will always stay with me.
What happened after a couple of months after a move to Stockport County? I read that you and Gary Megson had a fall out?
You read correctly. Gary Megson is a bully, pure and simple. Many people acknowledge this. When we were playing at Bristol City away, I nearly had a fight with him as I was sick of his bullying and told him to f**k off.
Paul Cook (Wigan manager) tried to get in the middle of it to no avail and I was put on the transfer list the following Monday. That was the best thing he ever did.
Luckily Stan Ternant came in for you at Burnley. He started by playing you out of position back in defence. How frustrating was it or were you just glad to be away from Stockport?
The Gaffer came in for me yes and I was made up with his candidness.
I trusted him after the first meeting and never changed my mind. Playing in defence was interesting. I started playing there due to lack of pace at the back and started off really well. In time, as much as I wanted to play where the gaffer wanted me to play, I knew that it really wasn’t my position but I played everywhere so I just did my best wherever I played.
Understandably, the fans got on your back for playing poorly but as mentioned already, you were out of position. Did you voice this to Ternant?
It was only some of the supporters. I won ‘Player of the Season’ twice and still some of the ‘supporters’ got on my back. They’ll always be supporters getting on someone’s back though.
It affected me in the beginning but in the end it didn’t. I had Stan’s support and that’s all that mattered. I spoke to the gaffer a lot so I was happy with our conversations.
How do you cope with thousands of people booing you? I know that it’s part of the game but it must have affected you mentally?
Not many people could handle being booed for that time and still turn up every week and want to play. I looked at them and ignored them.
Things improved dramatically when you were moved upfield to your favoured position. Fans chanted your name and even referred to you as ‘Graham di Branchio’! How much of a boost did that have on you as a player?
Me playing in a more advanced position certainly helped me especially with the fans reaction to me. As I said before them chanting my name was nice but I’m a tough man.
You injured your eye in non-league and had to retire. What happened and what was it like to finally retire from the game?
I got kicked in the eye and it blew out my eye socket so enough was enough and I called it quits. I had a very good career and plenty of good times and regrets but that’s life.
Since retiring, you’ve coached for 15 years. Was this something that you’ve always wanted to do?
I love my coaching children and take great delight in improving the children to whatever standard they want to get too. Thankfully I’ve a very good name to my footy so all good.
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