University of Staffordshire's Performing Under Pressure Podcast

How do you make the transition from being a professional footballer to being the CEO of an EFL club? Joe Jacobson had an extensive playing career including making over 300 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers. Since he retired in 2024, he has moved into the boardroom, becoming CEO of Reading Football Club.

In this episode, we explore how to build togetherness within a football club, and how to negotiate effectively when it comes to transfers. Joe also thinks back to his career and we discuss the psychology behind taking penalties and the importance of self-belief, with Joe reflecting on his sources of self-belief. We also discuss how players might achieve longevity in their career through "everyday everythings".

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Steve Foster is GB Masters athlete having and possess an extensive experience in basketball. Steve is also a leading strength and conditioning coach with a passion for helping high-achieving professionals unlock their peak potential. With 10 years of experience, Steve has a proven track record of delivering bespoke training programmes that enhance performance, improve longevity, and prevent injury.

In this episode, Steve explains how he gets into the right frame of mind before an international basketball fixture. We discuss how he manages and supports "everyday athletes", and how treating each client on an individual basis allows the platform for progress to be made. Steve also offers some interesting personal reflections on how his career has evolved.

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Dr Andrew Wilkinson is Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology who specialises in the biopsychosocial responses to stress. He has worked at the University of Staffordshire for several years having completed his PhD at Loughborough University in 2022.

In this episode, Dr Karla Drew and Dr Katie Sparks ask Andrew to reflect on how he became interested in this topic. There is a specific focus on the theory of challenge and threat, and Andrew also discusses his work on stress in firefighters. The trio also reflect on the role of psychology in aiding students' performance.

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Michael Kightly rose from non-league Grays Athletic to the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Signed by Mick McCarthy in the 2006/07 season, he made over 120 appearances for the club, achieving promotion to the Premier League in 2009 and being selected in the PFA Championship Team of the Season. During his time at the club, he also achieved international recognition by being capped for England at U21 level.

Michael has also played for Stoke City and Burnley in the Premier League, and has also represented Southend United, Watford and Burton

In this episode, we hear from Michael as to what constitutes effective leadership, why the Championship winning side at Wolves was the best dressing room he has been in, and why it is important to keep things simple in high-stakes situations. Michael openly reflects on the challenges he experienced with his mental health during a prolonged injury, and he offers suggestions as to how we can best support players going through difficult times.

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Chris Hussey is a former professional footballer with nearly 600 appearances in his career for clubs including Sheffield United, Coventry City, Cheltenham Town, and AFC Wimbledon. In total, he has been promoted ten times during his career. He continues to play at semi-professional level as captain for Bromsgrove Sporting FC. Chris is also a recent MSc graduate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Staffordshire. He is now completing a PhD at Leeds Beckett University.

In this episode, Chris explains how psychology helped him to become a set piece specialist. We speak about Chris's role at the PFA and how education has helped him to transition out of the professional game. Chris reflects on the benefits of the support he received from a clinical psychologist, and how this helped him to have one of his most successful seasons.

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Aaron Burns is a former professional footballer at Manchester United who is now Head of Growth at one of the UK’s fastest growing protection businesses. He is also the Lead of the Association of Former Manchester United Players, an organisation dedicated to supporting those who have represented the club.

In this episode, Aaron describes what spending his adolescence at Manchester United taught him, and how Sir Alex Ferguson has shaped the way that he leads others. Aaron also describes the importance of having a contract with yourself as a method of promoting consistent behaviours. Aaron also reveals his equation for happiness and why courage comes before confidence.

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Nathan was the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm’s Top Gun, and has more than 30 years of experience as a fighter pilot and instructor, flying more than 140 combat missions. Raised in Stoke-on-Trent, he became a test pilot for the cutting-edge F35 fighter and earned the coveted Royal Marines green beret during his military career. He is now the CEO of a world -leading aviation publisher and has written the book Hazard Spectrum: To The Limit — And Beyond With Britain’s Top Test Pilot. Nathan was also recognised for his achievements by being awarded with Honorary Doctor of the University of Staffordshire.

In this episode, Nathan explains to Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Tsvetelina Nenkova that he was told he would never be a pilot because he was from Stoke-on-Trent. Nathan shares his thoughts on the effective leadership of high performing teams and how he prepares to perform in life or death situations.

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Mike Hine is the Head of Medical Performance at Port Vale FC. He has spent his career working in football and previously worked at Stevenage and Lincoln City.

In this episode, we learn about how individuals working in the medical side of a football club contribute to the psychology of players' rehabilitation and performance. We explore the psychological challenges that medical staff face when working in professional football, and how Mike, as Head of Medical Performance, leads and supports his colleagues. Mike also debunks some of the myths surrounding life working in football.

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Dr Tim Pitt is a Performance Psychologist and a Director at Mindflick. He has experience of working with the English Institute of Sport, Manchester City, and with athletes in hockey and para table tennis. Tim completed his PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2017, and in this episode, he reflects on what he has learned about performing under pressure.

Joined by guest co-host Dr Andrew Wood, we ask Tim to explain the work that he does at Mindflick and how this can help individuals. Tim thinks back to his work at the Olympics and describes how single-sessions can be useful for athletes. We explore how big changes can emanate from quick interventions and the psychology around 'nudges'.

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Dr Phoebe Welcome is a Counselling Psychologist and completed her PhD entitled "The women's experiences of being partners of elite male footballers in England" at the University of Manchester. She is

In this episode, Phoebe explains to hosts Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Sofie Kent about the findings of her research and offers suggestions as to how clubs and organisations can better support the romantic partners of professional athletes. Phoebe outlines the basis of her job and what drew her to the profession. We also discuss stigma and Phoebe's perception of the term "WAG".

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