Claim OwnershipMarvee Woods Football Academy Podcast
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© Marvee Woods 2025
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Interviewing professionals about their experiences in football academies 🎙️⚽️
157 Episodes
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Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. About playing youth team football for Brentford, shares insights into youth development, coaching strategies, and the importance of holistic player growth at Sunderland AFC. Robin also speaks about how talent is identified, nurtured, and the role of mental and physical development in creating future football stars.
Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast.That he is not focused on whether the academy boys win or lose. His job is to develop players for the Sunderland First Team.Full Episode: Friday March 13th (6pm)
Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast.That the Under 18s on Scholarships study to be referees and more. They also do various work experiences. So if any of the players do not get offered a professional contract. They have some experiences outside of football that they can forge a career in, if they choose. Full Episode: Friday March 13th (6pm)
Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast.That academy football is not fair because all players are not treated the same in the team. Some players play in age groups above their own, others play in age groups below their own. One player might get First Team opportunities earlier than the rest of their teammates. Outcomes vary for every player.Full Episode: Friday March 13th (6pm)
Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast.That the Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus insists on making the academy a fundamental part of the club. Prioritising the academy has also had it’s benefits. The Sunderland academy, had many of it’s graduates playing a pivotal role in the Sunderland’s First Team recent success and promotion to the Premier League.Full Episode: Friday March 13th (6pm)
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That he believes the benefits of good Sleep and Nutrition are undervalued in football. Especially, in relation to helping players prepare off the pitch for training and matches.
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That many academy players dream of playing football in the Premier League. Duncan says that a player who forges a career playing outside the Premiership in the Championship, League 1 or League 2 should still be considered a success, especially since the chances of playing in the Prem are slim.
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.For an academy player to be a top performer in football, they must be able to cope with pressure and setbacks and maintain the mentality to keep going.
Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. About his journey from coach to academy manager, his experiences in various football academies, and his current role at Southampton. Duncan shares insights on the importance of player development, the structure of football academies, and the challenges and rewards of working in youth football. The conversation also touches on the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) and the significance of having a clear pathway for young players to progress through the ranks. Duncan also discusses the various components that make up a successful football program, emphasizing the importance of training variety, support services, and the focus on developing professional footballers. He explains how category status influences player development timelines and expectations, and highlights the critical roles of nutrition and sleep in athletic performance. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of managing release and retain periods, the definition of youth development, and the value of loan experiences in shaping players' careers. Duncan mentions the strategic planning involved in youth development, emphasizing the importance of individual learning plans that balance team success with personal growth. He shares insights on coaching philosophies, the significance of education, and the challenges of managing expectations from parents and players. He also highlights the benefits of international exposure through European youth leagues and outlines the daily responsibilities of an academy manager. He concludes by discussing the essential qualities needed for players, coaches, scouts, and managers in the academy system.
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That the difference between Grassroots and Academy players is their awareness of time and space when on the ball.Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That there is a birth bias in academy football. Clubs favour players born in certain calender months because they are deemed to be more physically developed and maturer than those born in later months. Being born in a certain month, can have an impact on players that clubs register, release and retain.Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)
Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That the club manufactures challenging and sometimes smooth circumstances for the players, to give them a taste of the ups and downs that will come when they turn professional.Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)
Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.That winning behaviours and desire are important in football. Being clinical, winning all your duels. Taking care of the small details matters.Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That the First Team Manager and Sporting Director at the club, both scout the u18s and their matches at the training ground for potential First Team players.Full Episode: Out Now
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That Academy Under 18s players who are paid and employed to be full time scholars daily at the club. Have to follow strict time keeping guidelines that coincides with the First Team training schedule at the Training Ground or face being fined for lateness.Full Episode: Out Now
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That his dad Alex Miller who was a former Glasgow Rangers defender and First Team Manager of Aberdeen, Hibernian and St Mirren taught him about fizzy drinks spiking blood levels which reduces performance levels.So Alex took the decision to cut out fizzy drinks from the age of 14 to enhance his football performances. This helped him to become a First Team player starting his career at the Scottish club Hibernian, before becoming an academy manager. Full Episode: Out Now
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.About his journey from being a professional footballer to a coach and academy manager. We discuss the importance of family support, discipline, and lifestyle choices in youth football, as well as the challenges and rewards of managing an academy.Greg shares insights on player development, the role of communication with parents, and the metrics for success in youth development. He emphasizes the need for passion in players and the importance of creating an enriching experience for young athletes.
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That there is always someone ready to take your spot. Never get comfortable and think that you have made it just because a club gives you a pro contract.Full Episode: Friday February 13th 2026
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That there seems to be a trend of academies getting a bad rap lately from the general public because of the statistics of a lack of players making it through the academy system and becoming First Team footballers.Greg gives me his view on this topic from his perspective working at Portsmouth. Full Episode: Friday February 13th 2026
Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast.That Portsmouth are looking for players to be brave and showcase their talents. The club like players who are not afraid to make mistakes to express themselvesFull Episode: Friday February 13th 2026
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