He may be a Manchester United fan but we like Mark Chapman. After proving his worth as a football pundit by finishing top of our Euro pundit predictor table this summer and managing to keep us thoroughly entertained throughout the Euro 2008 tournament, it's no wonder we've bought him back to host our 2008/09 season podcasts and defend his football predictor crown.

But before the season kicks off, let's take the time to get a little more up close and personal with the man himself. It's time to meet Chappers...

What are your personal memories of the football pools?

Between the ages of 7 and 10, trying to work out on the classified results what 1, 2, 3, X meant at the end of each football score! And then I always remember the pools news following on from all the tables.

Is punditry a lost art?

Not in the slightest. In fact, I think it is back more than ever. I think football fans nowadays have a lot more knowledge and want to show that. In a lot of ways fans know more than the so called experts who tend to be ex pros and are scared to say it like it is for fear of offending the old boys network in which they exist.

Who do you think has the biggest football brain?

Isn't it Steve Coppell? Purely because it is football law that over the past 30 years whenever he is mentioned you have to say he has a university degree!

(Check out Away Win - our free monthly football magazine's Football Swots feature article to find out exactly which footballers do actually have two plus brain cells to rub together!)

What's the best prediction you have ever made?

I bet on five horses at this year's Grand National and they were the first five past the post. Unfortunately it wasn't an accumulator though. If it was I would be on a beach somewhere and not working!

And what's the worst prediction you have ever made?

Saying Manchester United never score from corners shortly before the final three minutes of th '99 Champions League Final.

Who are you most competitive with?

Everybody but particularly Colin Murray - because he is the world's most competitive man - and my son. At the age of 5, it is important that he learns to lose graciously to his dad at football, cricket, golf, rugby, kerplunk, battleships, uno, guess who, childrens' scrabble and every other game under the sun!

(If you're as competitive with mates, family and colleagues as Mark is, why not get together and set up one of our Private Leagues? And don't forget to tune in to Chapppers and co for the new season weekly podcast.)