Salford Lads Club hosts an evening not to be missed on 3rd February featuring former Manchester City star Paul Lake and Mike Joyce formerly of The Smiths. Mike has had an incredible career in music and has also played alongside punk heroes Buzzcocks, Julian Cope, Sinead O'Connor and many more. In recent years he's turned his hand to performing DJ sets and has had requests to work from all over the world.
The local legends will be hosting an evening where they discuss their lives and careers. City fan Mike will be keen to ask Paul about growing up in Manchester, his City career and his life outside football. The appreciation is mutual and Paul has a few questions for Mike, too. Although, the pair have appeared together as DJs, this will be the first in-conversation event in front of an audience; it promises to be an entertaining evening.
Paul is a massive music fan; each chapter of his autobiography I'm Not Really Here is named after a song by a local act. There is even a chapter named after a song by The Smiths, Sheila Take a Bow.
Obviously, Mike has had a powerful link to Salford Lads Club ever since The Smiths posed for shots outside of the club for their album The Queen is Dead. It's a connection he's proud of and he recently donated one of his own original photographs of Morrissey to be used for Salford Lads' Club T-shirts. Along with Mike, the limited edition shirts were worn and promoted by Maxine Peake, Christopher Eccleston, John Thomson and Mark Radcliffe.
I tried to keep my inner fan-boy on a low light and asked Mike a few questions...
How would you describe Paul as a player?
Honest and hardworking.
What are your favourite football memories?
One that springs to mind is when I went to the City v Gillingham game at Wembley in 1999 that determined who would be promoted to the old First Division. I'd never experienced anything like it, and I don't think I ever will again. I was at the QPR game that won City the title in 2012 and it was on a par with that day.
Did you play football as a kid, or was music always your main passion?
I tried! But I wasn't exactly the most nimble player you've ever seen.
Who were your childhood heroes in football and music?
Buzzcocks were my first love in music, Colin Bell, Franny Lee and Rodney Marsh in football.
You've played on some incredible songs and with some great musicians. What are your favourites?
Although I don't really don't have a favourite as such, I definitely think Hand in Glove has to be certainly one of the most important of my career because as far as I'm concerned, that's when it all began.
I recently listened to you act in a radio play with Maxine Peake, do you plan to do any more acting?
I don't have any immediate plans, but if I get asked to do anymore, I'll certainly take a serious look at it. Funnily enough, the play that I was in with Maxine, My Dad Keith is being aired again on Radio 4 on Wednesday 1st February.
Why do you think Paul is such a cult figure with City?
Being a Manc certainly helps. But apart from his obvious talent, it's his passion; his pride and his loyalty for the club that makes most fans feel he's one of us.
Paul's autobiography is a great read; would you consider releasing a book?
You're right, it is a great read. And that's one of the reasons why I wanted to interview Paul. My book? I wasn't so sure a few years ago, but there seems an inevitability now that I'll release something in the future.
Paul Lake's I'm Not Really Here is a brilliant and critically acclaimed book. It's a bittersweet account that tracks the highs and lows of career cut tragically short by injury. The book will be available to buy on the night, while members of the audience will also be able to visit Salford Lads Club's Wall of Names and The Smiths Room.
Football and Music Stories with Paul Lake and Mike Joyce
Friday 3rd February Doors open at 7pm, event starts at 8pm
Salford Lads Club
St Ignatius Walk, M5 3RX
Tickets £10 in advance or £12 on the door.
To book – click here
For further details also see the Facebook event page Football and Music Stories with Mike Joyce and Paul Lake - click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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