In this episode of Inside Scoop, host Neil Crawford sits down with Jay Carney, a distinguished soccer coach from England who's been living in the U.S. for over 20 years. Jay's book, US, US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper, S-H-I-T on Grants, caught Neil’s attention, and they discuss key insights from the book, Jay's journey in soccer, and his experiences in both the U.S. and England.

Jay reflects on his childhood in Bolton, near Manchester, where soccer was a street game played with friends, often with makeshift goals and no referees.

Organized soccer wasn’t a big part of his upbringing due to family circumstances, but a neighborhood move led him to join a local team at 15. This experience kickstarted his 15-year journey in semi-professional soccer, where he learned the value of good team dynamics and character over individual talent.

Jay shares his thoughts on youth soccer in England, contrasting his experiences with modern academy systems. He talks about how, when he was growing up, the focus was on playing the game for fun and development, rather than formal academy training. He also touches on the importance of locker rooms full of good characters and the impact of team culture on performance.

The conversation dives deeper into how youth soccer in England compared to what Jay has encountered in the U.S. over the past two decades, including the differences in grassroots soccer development and how it has evolved. Jay’s insights offer valuable perspectives on the state of youth soccer in both countries and the critical role of character and team culture in shaping young players.

Grab a copy of the book! https://amzn.to/4avn8iJ