Football Journeys Podcast

The Officer.In celebration of former guest David Clarke being awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List we had a Clarkie back on for a quick chat to discuss the honour but also his appointment this year as Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics GB.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The Paralympian.This is the third episode we've badged the Paralympian and, like David Clarke and Jack Rutter before him, we could have given this episode with Martin Sinclair so many different titles.He talks about the "challenge" of his Cerebral Palsy, the tragic experiences that impacted his life but, more than that, the fun and adventure he has had in spite of the challenges. He and his brother Scott are the only brothers to have competed at the same Olympics and Paralympics, at London 2012, and this is just one of a number of uplifting and brilliant stories from this lovely and inspirational man.More information about Martin's new venture, the Disability Football Collective, is on the company's website here - https://www.disabilityfc.org/We are so grateful, as always, to University Campus of Football Business for their support. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. Special thanks to Liam McDonagh for this edit. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

This is a very personal breakout episode presented by Matt Himsworth about hearing loss and football. Matt speaks to former Watford Women FC player Emma Beckett about her hearing loss caused by a car accident at the age of 19 and he speaks to Claire Stancliffe and Ceara Toal, two members of the England Deaf Women's football team who are raising funds for the team to travel to Malaysia for the 2023 Deaf Women's World Cup.To help the team with fundraising you can do so here: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/england-deaf-womens-football-squad or here: https://gofund.me/403b112dYou can learn more on the team's social media pages (supported by GB Deaf Football) at the links below:Twitter - https://twitter.com/GB_DeafFootballInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbdeaffootball/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeamGBDF

The actor.We could have titled this episode so many things but it seems fitting to call Peter, or Mitch, the actor given that his accomplishment, in not even appearing in his school play, to having a regular part in Hollyoaks, sums up the character of the man.Like many Irish lads with footballing talent Mitch came to England as a young boy to follow his dream, securing a professional contract with Leeds United in the process. But in one moment, with a teammate driving erratically, his life changed forever. A car crash resulted in a broken back and the end of his football career. The road to recovery was far from smooth but what he has achieved has been remarkable. From representing Ireland in a Wheelchair Basketball European Championships to appearing in comedy series, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, the good humour and determination of Mitch stands him out but, most of all, he is a husband and daddy. An extraordinary young man.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The trailblazer.If your boss calls you a trailblazer, why argue? When that boss is Les Ferdinand, it is all the more complimentary. Manisha Tailor earns that tag and then some. As a little girl growing up in a South Asian family in the 1980s opportunities to explore her talent and passion for football were limited. A combination of extraordinary desire, hard work, family love and also those tough challenges that life sometimes puts in our way has seen Manisha do incredible things in football since quitting her job as a primary school head teacher. Ten years on and she is the Assistant Head of Coaching at QPR but she doesn't ever rest. She is feverishly trying to pave the way for others to follow and she is a true football polymath and inspiration.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The Paralympian.Yep, another one, and what a special lad.Jack Rutter, a Man United mad kid from Gloucester, was at Birmingham City's Academy, close to signing his first pro deal and preparing to play in the Semi Final of the FA Youth Cup, when he was punched at a night club. He fell and hit his head on the curb and suffered serious injuries which looked like they might kill him.With the support of doctors and the strength of his devoted mother Jack came through it but the neurological injuries he suffered ended his dream of playing professional football. He suffered in those early days but the journey he went through since has been sensational. Qualifying to play for England and Team GB's Cerebral Palsy teams he has represented his country at European and World Championships and the Paralympics and he is simply a beacon of positivity.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The double amputee.If ever a title didn't do a guest justice it's this one. Shaun Whiter, a talented non-league footballer for Newmarket Town, was hit by a drunk driver in 2016 in an incident which very nearly killed him and robbed him on both his legs.He is honest about the struggles, both mental and physical. which followed but he has not allowed what happened to him to define him. Shaun had to re-learn how to do daily tasks which we all take for granted, most notably walking, but he has proved how limitless human beings can be. Running marathons, huge cycling courses, lifting frightening weights and, most crucially, educating people on the true impact of dangerous driving.There is a danger that we can see Shaun and only be inspired. That would be to rob him of the seriousness of the battle he has faced and always faces. His Swiss Army Knife of prosthetic legs has allowed him to do amazing things but they are hard to operate, the rubs and sores, the mental anguish and grief humans go through when they experience something as life-changing as this, and the extraordinary challenge of learning how to walk around the same time as your baby son does so.We are so proud to present Shaun to our listeners and will be presenting him even more to the world as he seeks to more and more positively influence young people, and particularly young footballers and their high-powered cars, on the true impact of dangerous driving.To see Shaun's amazing resilience visit him on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/shaun_whiter/We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The player.In association with University Campus of Football Business this week we meet a man who was described by our previous guest and colleague Brian McDermott as a leader both on and off the pitch. Affectionately know at Reading, where he is well-loved, as Ledge we spoke to Mikele Leigertwood about his fabulous playing career, the influence of family, the experience of playing for and now managing his mum's home nation of Antigua and Barbuda and about the life lessons he takes from a career spent playing exclusively in the Premier League and Championship (plus a loan at Leyton Orient!).We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

Released a week early on Patreon.The storyteller.This week broadcaster, actor and Arsenal fan, who is so used to telling other people's stories, tells us his own. Those of a certain generation will naturally associate Tom with his role as Lofty Holloway on Eastenders, and he touches on those experiences as he discusses fame and pressure, but it is football storytelling that is so fascinating. From David Beckham's autobiography, travels with his great friend Tony Adams, celebrity football matches and the spine-tingling Shosholoza in South Africa. Tom's is a life of people asking him to do things and him saying "yes" and it's been a life well-lived so far.This episode has been produced in partnership with our good friends and sponsors at Sports Fusion. Sports Fusion are a tech company who have been supporting the sports industry for many years and we are proud to be associated with them. You can find out more about the company here: https://www.sportsfusion.co.uk/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The manager. We're proud to say that the guest starting us back up after our break is now a member of the B5 Consultancy team.Making his debut for Arsenal aged 17, becoming Sweden’s player of the year at a young age, managing Reading to the Premier League – many would think that Brian’s career was the thing of dreams. But his career was racked by self doubt, anxiety and turning to alcohol as an outlet was the worst decision he made.Now seven years without a drink and in the best mental health space he has ever been Brian is helping so many others through mentoring, advocacy and presenting to clubs, businesses and people across sport and beyond.This episode has been produced in partnership with our good friends and sponsors at Sports Fusion. Sports Fusion are a tech company who have been supporting the sports industry for many years and we are proud to be associated with them. You can find out more about the company here: https://www.sportsfusion.co.uk/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

This week we have an update episode. Fraser and Matt chatted, shared recollections, updates and thoughts about guests from across both Series One and Two. We also have some clips, a few short follow up interviews, and a few other little bits and bobs.If you're a keen listener of this podcast then this should be a lot of fun.We are taking a summer break after this episode and we will back after that break with more guests and more pods. If you can support us in the meanwhile then please do we are looking for sponsors, social media shares and promotion and if you can support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys that would be hugely appreciated. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The student.This week we meet Rotherham United striker Georgie Kelly. The 25 year old is no ordinary footballer as he combines his time at the New York Stadium with a Master's Degree in Renewable Energy and Finance.We talk to the Donegal lad about his love for Gaelic sports and the benefits of enjoying an array of different sporting pursuits, his educational background and how that has helped him, rather than hindered him, in his football career, and we talk about his time at Bohemians, a very different football club that shares Georgie's passion for sustainability and outward looking mindset.Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The sports psychologist.Often the role of a sports psychologist is misunderstood, many believing that it is about a win at all costs mentality but, in actual fact, as Michael says: "they just want someone to talk to".We talk to Michael about his career, from his early days as a wannabe jockey, to running the Professional Jockeys Association, and across the many sports he has worked and, particularly, his work at Brentford FC, where this episode was recorded.Michael talks in glowing terms about his former colleague Rob Rowan, who was sadly lost in 2018 to a fatal cardiomyopathy episode at the age of just 28. Given Rob's legacy it seemed only right that this episode has been produced in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) a charity that Rob's wife Suzanne has worked closely with to raise awareness and save lives. We were so grateful to Suzanne for recording the intro to this episode.You can find out more about CRY's great work, and can support the charity, at their website: https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/ or on social media.Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRY_UKInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardiacriskintheyoung/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CardiacRiskintheYoungIf you want to find out more about Michael then visit his website : https://www.justcaulfield.com/ or follow him (and Paisley) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCaulfieldWayPlease do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

We're taking a short break for Easter, so that we can catch up, spend some time with our families, and come back with some exciting pods afterwards. In the meantime, we've got a request.Can you help us? The podcast is a labour of love for us but we do need funds to help the cost of making it.  Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys, promote us on social media (@journeyspod), talk to people you think might want to sponsor us or give us a five star review on whatever podcast App you use.  We're giving away a signed copy of Dr Sophie Cook's book Not Today to our Patreon members next month and, for just £2 a month you will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The pioneer.Most famously one of West Bromwich Albion's so-called Three Degrees Brendon was part of the Windrush generation who came to the United Kingdom to work and to live but found a country that was often inhospitable and unaccepting. He had never played football when he arrived here but he quickly developed as a talent which resulted in a scholarship at Arsenal and ultimately resulted in him becoming Arsenal's first black player.It's his time at West Brom, and the battles that he, and the much missed Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham, fought that stand him out as a pioneer and a hero to us at B5 Consultancy. He speaks beautifully and modestly about his incredible life experiences and we are honoured to have had him as a guest on the pod.This episode has been produced in partnership with our good friends and sponsors at Sports Fusion. Sports Fusion are a tech company who have been supporting the sports industry for many years and we are proud to be associated with them. You can find out more about the company here: https://www.sportsfusion.co.uk/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

This is the second of our breakout episodes dealing with an issue rather than one guest and their football journey. This episode is on LGBT people and how football, particularly men's football, deals with those people.We hear from sports lawyer, and talented amateur footballer, Jamie Feldman who talks about his experiences as a young man, his time playing for Stonewall FC and his work with Rainbow Laces. We also speak to Dr Sophie Cook, a trans woman and former club photographer at AFC Bournemouth who transitioned in 2015 with huge support from the club. Sophie was born Steve and, coincidentally, was at the club at the same time as player Steve Cook, who provides his recollections of the time and his support for Sophie. Finally, we speak to Crystal Palace women's goalkeeper, solicitor and Football Ramble presenter, Chloe Morgan about the lessons learned from the women's game.Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The Sporting Director. "In 10 years time, every club in England will have a Sporting Director". That was Damien Comolli's view when he was at Tottenham Hotspur and he was not far off. A talented youngster at Monaco, he was though perhaps far off his contemporaries like Emmanuel Petit and Lilian Thuram, and he followed his passion for coaching, training, planning and everything that nowadays goes into the modern Sporting Director role.He talks to us about his remarkable career with Arsène Wenger at Monaco and later Arsenal, then to St Etienne in his native France, as Sporting Director at Spurs, Liverpool and in Turkey with Fenerbahçe and now as President with Toulouse a big club in France seeking to get back to Ligue 1.This episode has been produced in partnership with our sponsor, Kalon Financial.  Kalon is a national financial planning firm with strong connections in sport, and particularly in football. The firm offers guidance and advice to sportsmen and women at all levels and they are passionate about providing support in relation to wealth management, protection insurance and mortgages helping them in both the short and long term.For more information about Kalon visit:https://www.kalonfinancial.com/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The doctor. As a British Pakistani, growing up in Rochdale, there was only one thing drummed into young Zaf by his Dad: education. That work ethic, and education over everything else, meant that he was able to beat a path as a successful doctor but it was the combination of that career with his other passion, football, that brings him to the pod. Spells at Leyton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and now Crystal Palace means that Zaf is one of the most recognisable doctors working in Premier League football.Zaf talks about being a British-Pakistani who loves football, heart conditions and his work in the game.This episode has been produced in partnership with our sponsor, Kalon Financial.  Kalon is a national financial planning firm with strong connections in sport, and particularly in football. The firm offers guidance and advice to sportsmen and women at all levels and they are passionate about providing support in relation to wealth management, protection insurance and mortgages helping them in both the short and long term.For more information about Kalon visit:https://www.kalonfinancial.com/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The survivor. Ashleigh Goddard's is a remarkable story. A supremely talented footballer, all she ever wanted to do was kick a ball. She excelled at Arsenal's famed women's Academy and an idle summer brought her to Wayne Rooney's Street Striker and the exposure that a prime time Sky One tv programme would bring.But it is in her adult years that her story becomes truly remarkable. Having carved out a successful playing career at Reading, London Bees and with FC Nordsjælland and Apollon FC (winning the Danish and Cypriot titles in the process) she returned home to play for Crystal Palace in the Championship. Whilst at Palace she was knocked out during a game. The resulting scan she was sent for by the Palace physio concluded that she had a brain AVM and aneurysm which could burst at any time. She underwent surgery, during the pandemic, and woke to be told that she had had a stroke on the operating table. What reads like a tragic tale is one of hope and determination. She has taught herself how to walk again and is now training with a club with an eye on "the mother of all comebacks". She is truly an inspiration.This episode has been produced in partnership with our sponsor, Body Mind Performance. BMP, run by Emily Tillman, is a coaching company focused on helping young athletes with the mental and physical challenges of playing competitive football. For more information about BMP visit:https://www.bodymindperformance.org/ or find them on Instagram: bodymindperformance_Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

During the course of this series we intend on breaking away, every now and then, from telling someone's journey and, instead, focusing on an issue that impacts football. This is our first breakout episode - on trolling.The episode is produced in partnership with Slateford Law. For more information about the firm visit their website www.slateford.law.In this episode we start by telling a bit more about Leigh Nicol's story of the horrific abuse she receives as a result of being a victim of intimate image abuse. We then speak with Jess Alden, a brilliant young lawyer at Slateford, who is working with Leigh to take legal action against those who have unlawfully shared her photos and videos and/or trolled her. The importance of taking action, and seeking real-world consequences, is then emphasised by Stan Collymore who talks about the abuse he has received and the action he's taken. Finally, we talk to Isabella Sorley, a young women who, whilst gripped by alcoholism, abused a feminist activist on Twitter and was subsequently sent to jail for 6 weeks. Issy tells us about those dark times but also about her rehabilitation and her move to positivity and education.Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.