Episode 14

“Father and Son - Academy Life”

I talk with my son Bertie about his academy journey, joining in pre academy and playing for a further three seasons. 

We discuss how he felt, the weekly commitments, the differences to grassroots and his memories.

We delve into how attitudes and expectations change each year and how the u11 season is a pivotal one in the first phase of academy development.

Lastly we talk about how he was released from the team he supported and the upset it caused him this summer. 

I hope both parents and children in and out of the academy system can listen to this and maybe take something from it.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”

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Introduction to Episode 14.

Father and Son.

Academy Life 

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Episode 13 - Jordan Brown.

“From West Ham to Wakering”

Jordan talks us through his early years, coming from good footballing stock and going in to West Ham after only one year of grassroots football.

We discuss his rise through the ranks at Upton Park, his loan at Aldershot and ultimately his exit to Crewe Alexandra. 

An interesting couple of years under Edgar Davids at Barnet followed and then following relegation to the National League he left to start a new journey.

That journey was non league and Jord had a varied and interesting time with clubs near and far up and down the pyramid.

Currently injured we hope to see Jordan back in the game as soon as possible.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

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Introduction to Episode 13.

Jordan Brown -

West Ham to Wakering 

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Episode 12 - Jason Maher “Open to Work”

Part Two

In our previous episode Jase took us up to his first job in non league with Long Melford and how in his third season at the helm, he took them to the county cup final at Portman Road.

Part two documents moving on from that role, firstly to Diss Town where he incredibly commuted from London, his first stay at Walden before joining Rob Smalls hugely successful Bowers side that got to a FA Vase semi final and won the league.

We then talk about his long tenure at Saffron Walden with a break to have his first taste at step 4 with Coggeshall Town and nearly pulling off the great escape.

We hope to see Jason back in the game as soon as possible.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

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Episode 12 - Jason Maher “Open to Work”

Part One.

I talk to Jason about his life as a non league manger who currently finds himself out of work.

We discuss how since his last role he has taken up a position scouting in Norwich FCs academy as well as in the non league pyramid for various clubs and managers.

We look at how his current break from the game has allowed him to reflect and think about his approach and learnings for when he goes back in with a slightly different approach and mindset.

We talk about his love for Chelmsford City, how he left the army because of his passion for football and how a bad leg break playing the game got him involved in the management side in his twenties.

Part one takes him up to his first job in non league with Long Melford and how in his third season at the helm, he took them to the county cup final at Portman Road.

It’s clear from this conversation that Jase lives and breaths the game and when the time arises would give his all for a football club.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

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Introduction to Episode 12.

Jason Maher - Open to Work.

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Episode 11 - Tom Bailey “Southend United, Back from the brink”

I talk to Tom about his current role as the Centre of Excellence Lead at Southend United and current u18s coach.

We discuss how since the takeover the club have restarted their academy programme, the details around that and the plans for the future.

We look back at the clubs relegation from the football league, the EFL rulings and how they managed to move operations to the trust to run a youth team last year and how that differs from their old category 3 programme.

It’s clear from this conversation that the club are moving forwards with fresh optimism and have a large geographical advantage that if done correctly can see the clubs academy flourishing again and providing players for the first team.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

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Introduction to Episode 11.

Tom Bailey.

Southend United - Back from the brink.

Episode 10 - Richard Elms “BabyBallers Learn through play”

I talk to BB Founder and current CEO about how he founded the first club as a avenue for his son to have a casual kick around, how he quickly grew to five clubs locally and then its progression to the franchise model and its growth through the UK and other countries.

Some great discussions around fostering the love of the game from an early age, the additional transferable skills they acquire and how having an active lifestyle for both children and adults is a must in current times.

We even delved into the subject of bio banding and some other current football and sporting talking points. 

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

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