Inside The Gloves – Episode 6

Beyond The Gloves

In the final episode of the series, we go beyond the position itself and look at the wider journey through football. Martin is joined by former professional goalkeeper James McEwan to talk about development, mindset and what young players can learn from the game both on and off the pitch.

From dealing with pressure and mistakes to the importance of guidance and mentorship, this conversation explores the lessons that football teaches players at every level.

Whether you're a goalkeeper, a player, a parent or a coach involved in grassroots football, this episode looks at the bigger picture of the game and what it takes to grow within it.

⚽ Grassroots football

🧤 Goalkeeping

🎙 Inside The Gloves Podcast

Featuring: James McEwan

In Episode 5, we head to the sideline and get the game through a coach’s eyes.

This one isn’t about tactics boards or shouting instructions — it’s about what grassroots football really looks like behind the scenes. The pressures coaches feel, the decisions they make that no one sees, and the responsibility of shaping young players both on and off the pitch.

We talk development over trophies, confidence over criticism, and why sometimes the biggest wins in football never show up on the scoreboard.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes through a coach’s mind on matchday — this one’s for you.

Waterlogged pitches, cancelled fixtures and disrupted routines — it’s a familiar story across grassroots football right now. But when matches stop, what actually happens to development, confidence and momentum?

In this episode of Inside The Gloves, we look beyond the frustration of cancelled games and explore the deeper impact on young players — especially goalkeepers. From lost rhythm and fading enthusiasm to the wider questions around infrastructure, investment and mindset, this episode asks:

Does development stop when the rain starts?

A reflective but honest look at the fragility of grassroots football — and what we can control when the weather takes over.

Every goalkeeper makes mistakes.

But what really matters isn’t the slip, the bounce, or the goal — it’s what happens next.

In this episode of Inside The Gloves, we look at the 30 seconds after something goes wrong. The silence, the shout from the sideline, the thoughts racing through a young goalkeeper’s head — and why recovery defines them more than the error ever will.

Through the eyes of a grassroots goalkeeper dad, this episode explores resilience, response, and the mindset that separates strong keepers from shaken ones.

Because in goal, it’s not about being perfect.

It’s about getting back up.

New episodes every Friday.

In this episode of Inside The Gloves, I talk about something every young goalkeeper feels — The Fear, but not many people admit.

Not just the dive. Not just the landing. But the fear of getting it wrong. The fear of letting the team down. The fear of everyone seeing the mistake.

From frozen pitches to sideline shouting, this one is through the eyes of a grassroots goalkeeper dad watching it all unfold.

Because sometimes it’s not about bravery.

Sometimes it’s about trust.

New episodes every Friday.

In the first episode of Inside The Gloves, we explore why goalkeepers are different — and why grassroots football deserves a proper voice.

From the pressure of mistakes to the mental resilience it takes to stand alone between the posts, this episode looks at the reality of being a young goalkeeper at grassroots level.

This podcast is for players, parents and coaches who understand that football is about more than trophies — it’s about building character.

New episodes every Friday.