In the second part of this powerful conversation, Alan McFadden and Chris Fahey go deeper with Ryan Stevenson into the reality of life after football – and it doesn't hold back.Ryan opens up about the devastating impact of retirement, divorce, and losing his identity all at once. He speaks with raw honesty about spiralling to a place where he was googling how to end his life, running up a hill near his village and planning a date to go through with it. It's a conversation that will stop you in your tracks – and one that could genuinely save lives.But there's hope in this story too. Ryan shares how a chance Instagram message to his now wife Sarah became the turning point he desperately needed, and how a mentor in Neil Watt helped him find a new path through property management – growing a business from one property to over 7,000.Together, the three of them make a passionate case for why more needs to be done to support players transitioning out of the game, and why the skills footballers have are massively undervalued in the business world.There are lighter moments too – including some brilliant stories about Jimmy Bullard turning up to training in fishing waders and sitting through team meetings in ways only he could get away with.An essential listen for anyone connected to football – and a reminder that behind the goals and the glory, there's a human being trying to figure out what comes next.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please reach out. You can contact the Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.This episode is proudly sponsored by:AGPayroll, owned by our very own co-host Chris Fahey, offers hassle-free payroll solutions for contractors, recruitment agencies, and employers across the UK and internationally. Whether it's umbrella, CIS, or fully outsourced payroll, they combine cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to take the stress out of payroll. Recently awarded FCSA accreditation, you know you're in safe, compliant hands.🌐 www.agpayroll.co.uk📞 0333 034 1472📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @agpayroll💼 LinkedIn: AGPayroll📍 Suite 225G, The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow, G3 8AZSustainable Packaging Scotland – Scotland's fastest growing packaging distribution company. They're passionate about reducing your costs and making your packaging greener, without compromising on quality.🌐 www.sustainablepackagingscotland.co.uk📞 0141 648 7120📸 Instagram: @sustainablepackagingscotland💼 LinkedIn: Sustainable Packaging ScotlandEastwood Twelve Golf Club – A cracking 12-hole course in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, with quirky holes, stunning scenery, and a brilliant café and bar, The 13th. They've frozen their 2025 membership fees for a limited time before switching to 2026 pricing, so get yourself along for a round before they change. You won't be disappointed.🌐 www.eastwoodtwelve.co.uk📞 07729 664555📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @eastwoodtwelve📍 Eastwood Estate, Mearns Road, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, G77 6RX

In this episode, Alan McFadden and Chris Fahey sit down with Ryan Stevenson – a man who racked up over 390 senior appearances across Scotland and England, and whose football journey started with a pair of Maradona Puma Kings in his front garden in Ayrshire.Ryan opens up about being spotted by Chelsea at just 13, flying between Scotland and London on his own, and sharing digs with a young John Terry. He talks honestly about what it was really like – the bright lights of Stamford Bridge, but also the loneliness, the £60-a-week wages, and missing out on a childhood back home.There are brilliant stories along the way – John Terry's short-lived Mercury convertible, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's generosity, and the senior pros who slipped the young lads a few quid for playing well. Ryan also shares the moment his grandpa stood on the Tynecastle pitch and said the words that stuck with him forever.Beyond the stories, Ryan doesn't hold back on where he thinks Scottish football is falling short – from the lack of duty of care towards young players, to the massive gap between the Scottish and English PFAs, and why clubs should be employing ex-players to guide the next generation.A proper honest conversation about the realities behind the dream.This episode is proudly sponsored by:AGPayroll, owned by our very own co-host Chris Fahey, offers hassle-free payroll solutions for contractors, recruitment agencies, and employers across the UK and internationally. Whether it's umbrella, CIS, or fully outsourced payroll, they combine cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to take the stress out of payroll. Recently awarded FCSA accreditation, you know you're in safe, compliant hands.🌐 www.agpayroll.co.uk📞 0333 034 1472📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @agpayroll💼 LinkedIn: AGPayroll📍 Suite 225G, The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow, G3 8AZSustainable Packaging Scotland – Scotland's fastest growing packaging distribution company. They're passionate about reducing your costs and making your packaging greener, without compromising on quality.🌐 www.sustainablepackagingscotland.co.uk📞 0141 648 7120📸 Instagram: @sustainablepackagingscotland💼 LinkedIn: Sustainable Packaging ScotlandEastwood Twelve Golf Club – A cracking 12-hole course in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, with quirky holes, stunning scenery, and a brilliant café and bar, The 13th. They've frozen their 2025 membership fees for a limited time before switching to 2026 pricing, so get yourself along for a round before they change. You won't be disappointed.🌐 www.eastwoodtwelve.co.uk📞 07729 664555📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @eastwoodtwelve📍 Eastwood Estate, Mearns Road, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, G77 6RX

In this episode, Alan McFadden and Chris Fahey sit down with Ryan Stevenson – a man who racked up over 390 senior appearances across Scotland and England, and whose football journey started with a pair of Maradona Puma Kings in his front garden in Ayrshire.

Ryan opens up about being spotted by Chelsea at just 13, flying between Scotland and London on his own, and sharing digs with a young John Terry. He talks honestly about what it was really like – the bright lights of Stamford Bridge, but also the loneliness, the £60-a-week wages, and missing out on a childhood back home.

There are brilliant stories along the way – John Terry's short-lived Mercury convertible, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's generosity, and the senior pros who slipped the young lads a few quid for playing well. Ryan also shares the moment his grandpa stood on the Tynecastle pitch and said the words that stuck with him forever.

Beyond the stories, Ryan doesn't hold back on where he thinks Scottish football is falling short – from the lack of duty of care towards young players, to the massive gap between the Scottish and English PFAs, and why clubs should be employing ex-players to guide the next generation.

A proper, honest conversation about the realities behind the dream.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

AGPayroll, owned by our very own co-host Chris Fahey, offers hassle-free payroll solutions for contractors, recruitment agencies, and employers across the UK and internationally. Whether it's umbrella, CIS, or fully outsourced payroll, they combine cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to take the stress out of payroll. Recently awarded FCSA accreditation, you know you're in safe, compliant hands.

🌐 www.agpayroll.co.uk

📞 0333 034 1472

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @agpayroll

💼 LinkedIn: AGPayroll

📍 Suite 225G, The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow, G3 8AZ

Sustainable Packaging Scotland – Scotland's fastest growing packaging distribution company. They're passionate about reducing your costs and making your packaging greener, without compromising on quality.

🌐 www.sustainablepackagingscotland.co.uk

📞 0141 648 7120

📸 Instagram: @sustainablepackagingscotland

💼 LinkedIn: Sustainable Packaging Scotland

Eastwood Twelve Golf Club – A cracking 12-hole course in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, with quirky holes, stunning scenery, and a brilliant café and bar, The 13th. They've frozen their 2025 membership fees for a limited time before switching to 2026 pricing, so get yourself along for a round before they change. You won't be disappointed.

🌐 www.eastwoodtwelve.co.uk

📞 07729 664555

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @eastwoodtwelve

📍 Eastwood Estate, Mearns Road, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, G77 6RX

In part two of this powerful episode, Kyle Lafferty kicks things off with hilarious stories from his time at Kilmarnock under Derek McInnes. From setting off industrial-sized fireworks in the stadium that had the police called and an elderly neighbour reporting an "explosion," to orchestrating a naked "orchestra" in the dressing room to welcome new signings (complete with bagpipes and guitars made from teammates), Kyle reveals why that dressing room was one of the best he'd ever been in – and why manager Derek McInnes had to have a word about "please, no more fireworks."

But the conversation takes a more serious turn as Kyle opens up about the darker side of his football career – a gambling addiction that consumed his life from the age of 12 and nearly cost him everything. Kyle shares brutally honest stories about placing bets at half-time during matches, betting on his phone whilst warming up for games, and how the addiction spiralled completely out of control. He explains how the buzz from gambling became bigger than the buzz from scoring goals, and how betting companies would send him thousands in "goodwill gestures" knowing they'd get it back tenfold.

Kyle discusses getting fined by the SFA, the shame of coming out publicly whilst at Hearts (and having coins thrown at him during warm-up at Easter Road), and why he believes there's a massive double standard in punishing players for gambling whilst football is saturated with betting advertisements. He talks candidly about Gamblers Anonymous meetings, why owning up to your problem is the first step, and how his life has completely changed in 19 months of being clean. He explains why he can now have £100 in his wallet for a week when previously £1,000 would be gone in an afternoon.

Kyle finishes by discussing his passion project – his own football academy, where he's stripping kids back to basics and teaching them the skills he learned from the best. He wants to give young players the opportunity to maximise their potential, and his message to anyone struggling with addiction is clear: there is help out there, and recovery is possible.

A raw, emotional, and inspiring conversation about dressing room chaos, the realities of addiction, the importance of mental health support in football, and the power of second chances.

This podcast is sponsored by AGPayroll.

This is the first in a two-part series of the Boots to Billing podcast, where host Alan McFadden and co-host Chris Fahey sit down with Northern Ireland legend Kyle Lafferty – the country's second-highest ever goal scorer, who won everything in Scottish football and played across Europe.

Kyle opens up about his remarkable journey from a tiny village of 2,000 people in Northern Ireland, where dreams of professional football seemed impossible, to signing for Burnley at just 15 and leaving home for the first time. He shares the emotional reality of being a homesick teenager in digs with seven cats, and how sheer determination and focus kept him going.

The conversation dives deep into the transfer saga that brought him to Rangers – how he turned down Celtic out of loyalty to the club he'd supported his entire life, and what it was like to walk into Ibrox for the first time. Kyle reflects on playing under the legendary Walter Smith, a proper father figure who knew about your family before he knew about your football, and why that man-management made all the difference.

Kyle doesn't shy away from addressing his reputation, admitting to "daft stuff" done as a naive 20-year-old thrust into one of the world's biggest clubs. He discusses the immense pressure of playing for Rangers, why it's harder than people think, and how he found it easier to score against Celtic when playing for other clubs.

He also takes us inside his time playing abroad – particularly in Italy with Palermo, where he experienced Serie B football, ultras confronting players in restaurants, and the reality of Mafia influence on everyday life. Kyle explains why he believes more British players should move abroad and why he loved the lifestyle and challenge of Italian football.

This episode is sponsored by AGPayroll.

In this episode of the Boots to Billing podcast, host Alan McFadden and co-host Chris Fahey sit down with former Scottish football prodigy Jamie McCluskey, who at just 16 became the youngest player to appear in the SPL for Hibernian.

Jamie opens up about his incredible journey through Scottish football – from convincing a young Steven Fletcher to come along to his Hibs trial, to rubbing shoulders with legends like Derek Riordan, Gary Caldwell, and Stephen Glass in the Easter Road dressing room. He shares honest reflections on what it was like to be thrown into first-team training as a fearless teenager and why he believes that mentality has been lost in the modern game.

The conversation takes us through the highs and lows of his career – from European nights to injury setbacks, a surreal trial at Partizan Belgrade where his dad told him to "take the jail sentence" rather than come home, and finding his feet at Wrexham under Dean Saunders.

Jamie also reflects on winning the Scottish League title alongside his younger brother Stefan – a moment that brought his football journey full circle. Now successfully transitioned into business, Jamie discusses the parallels between the dressing room and the boardroom, and why the skills learned in football translate so well into sales and recruitment.

This episode was sponsored by Radio – Glasgow's brand new Irish-American bar on Soho Street, owned by former footballer Adam Coley. Good Guinness, live music, and amazing pizza slices.

In this episode of the Boots to Billing podcast, host Alan McFadden and co-host Chris Fahey sit down with former Scottish footballer Lee Mair to explore his remarkable journey — from playing against Bayern Munich to selling photocopiers, and ultimately finding success in the world of business.

Lee opens up about life inside the game, sharing honest reflections on the culture and mentality within football dressing rooms, and the importance of mental health awareness for players at every level. He recalls his early days at Dundee, rubbing shoulders with superstars like Fabrizio Ravanelli and Claudio Caniggia, and the lessons learned from those experiences that shaped his outlook on teamwork and professionalism.

Having gone on to lift the League Cup with St Mirren, Lee reflects on the emotional highs of cup finals, the challenges of loans and managerial changes, and how those moments built the resilience that would later serve him in business.The conversation dives into the transition from football to life after the game, with Lee sharing how he had to rebuild his identity, learn new skills, and embrace personal development. He discusses the parallels between football and business — from maintaining a winning mentality to building the right culture, team, and mindset for long-term success.

This podcast is created by ⁠Pitch to Placements⁠ in collaboration with ⁠AGPayroll⁠. This episode was sponsored by Dapperwolf Barber Club.

In this powerful episode of Boots to Billing, hosts Alan McFadden and Chris Fahey sit down with Scottish football journeyman and FIFA Licensed football agent Scott McLaughlin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about life in and after professional football.

Scott takes us through his impressive 21-year career, starting as a 16-year-old at Hamilton Academical, playing in the Scottish Premier League with Livingston, and featuring for clubs including Morton, Airdrie United, and Clyde. Along the way, he shares brilliant stories about legendary teammates like "Big Marv" Andrews, Robert Snodgrass, and the unforgettable Andy McLaren.

But the conversation takes a profound turn as Scott opens up about his mental health struggles after retiring from football. From the devastating hit-and-run accident that nearly killed him to the crippling anxiety and depression that followed, Scott reveals the reality behind the "invincible" footballer persona. His candid discussion about seeking help, finding the right support, and eventually rebuilding his life through personal training and football agency work provides hope and inspiration for anyone struggling with similar issues.

Scott and the hosts also tackle the lack of post-career support for footballers, the importance of speaking to the right people about mental health, and why charities like Back Onside are doing crucial work that clubs themselves often neglect.

This episode is essential listening for anyone connected to football, mental health advocacy, or anyone who's ever wondered what happens when the final whistle blows on a playing career.Boots to Billings - where football careers become business success stories.

This podcast is created by ⁠Pitch to Placements⁠ in collaboration with ⁠AGPayroll⁠. This episode was sponsored by Back Onside.

Check out this clip from our chat with Nicki Paterson - "The Scottish Frank Lampard"

From Vegas nightclubs with Mike Tyson to training with Thierry Henry at New York Red Bulls, then back to his mum's spare room wondering what's next.

Now he's one of the UK's top sales performers. This is how you turn football heartbreak into business success.

Watch and listen along wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Search for Boots to Billings. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a comment wherever you listen to podcasts.

This podcast was created by Pitch to Placements in collaboration with AGPayroll.

Meet Nicki Paterson - the man a football manager once called "The Scottish Frank Lampard," and you're about to discover why.

Picture this: A 16-year-old lad from Hamilton, playing part-time football and feeling like his dreams are slipping away. Fast forward eight years, and he's sharing a training pitch with Thierry Henry at New York Red Bulls, living the American dream with a beautiful stadium, proper money, and crowds of 20,000.

But football, as every player knows, can be cruel.

One tackle. One injury. One phone call from home. Suddenly, Nicko's back in Scotland, sleeping in his mum and dad's spare room, wondering what the hell happens next. The contract offers have dried up. The lifestyle's gone. And he's got a family to support.

This is where most football stories end in disappointment. But Nicki's story? This is where it gets interesting.

Ready to discover how your football story becomes your business superpower?

This is more than a podcast episode - it's a blueprint for transformation. Whether you're hanging up your boots tomorrow or planning for life after football, Nicki Paterson's journey will change how you see your future.

Hit play, and prepare to see your football experience in a completely different light.

Boots to Billings - where football careers become business success stories.

This podcast is created by Pitch to Placements in collaboration with AGPayroll.