Episodes
This week, the Coach Raf and Sean discuss all things tactics after Manchester City's last gasp equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Published 09/27/24
In this episode, we chat about the big issues in youth soccer in the USA. Did you know that 75% of kids quit playing by age 14? We explore why that’s happening and how the focus on winning is making the game less fun and stifling creativity. We compare the American approach to soccer with what’s working in countries like Brazil and the UK, where kids have more freedom to play and grow their skills naturally. We also touch on the impact of the expensive pay-to-play system and how it keeps...
Published 09/23/24
Published 09/23/24
In this episode, Darius and I have the pleasure of speaking with John Allpress, the original creator of the FA Coaching Awards. These awards have evolved into the Youth Module courses currently used across England, shaping our football coaching culture and contributing to the development of the talented players we see in our national senior team today. Join us as we dive deep into what the FA tasked John with creating in his groundbreaking coaching courses, the goals they aimed to achieve,...
Published 08/28/24
In this episode, Marcelo and I speak to Richard Allen. Richard Allen is the former Head of Talent ID for the FA as well as Head of Recruitment for Tottenham and Academy Director for QPR. He was responsible for creating the original Talent ID courses that govern how we scout in England today. These courses range from teaching scouts at the grassroots level what they should look for and how academy directors should manage their heads of recruitment and their scouting departments. We ask the...
Published 08/13/24
Join us for an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the journey of our special guest, Matt Jarvis, as he shares his incredible story of determination, resilience, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. From his early days of being sport-crazy, juggling football, swimming, and athletics, to the heart-wrenching moment of being released at 16, and finally, to his triumphant return to football, Matt's journey is a testament to the power of nurturing sporting talent. Parents, coaches,...
Published 07/18/24
Join us as we discuss the world of academy signings and uncover the truth behind some horror stories involving player recruitment. Learn why it's crucial for parents to be informed about the process and how to navigate the tricky landscape of youth football. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just love inspiring stories of determination and success, this episode offers valuable lessons and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a football legend. Could you develop your child into...
Published 06/19/24
Join us on a journey with SE Dons as they discuss how learning dark arts develops football IQ! Get ready for an inside look at the Sunday League football team that's changing the game. Don't forget to subscribe for more exciting episodes like this! Follow their journey from humble beginnings to becoming a renowned Sunday League team with a massive global following. Get ready to learn how strategic play and clever tactics can elevate your performance on the field. Don't forget to hit...
Published 05/31/24
In this episode, we speak to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, one of the Premier League's most legendary midfielders. From early childhood training under his father's watchful eye to becoming a football icon, Lampard shares personal anecdotes and insights that shaped his career. Discover the intense and unique training methods that set him apart from an early age, the motivations and expectations placed upon him before he was even born, and how these experiences influenced his approach to...
Published 04/19/24
In this episode, we speak to youth mentor Eric Friedlander, Eric shares his personal journey from a young footballer to becoming a mentor and big brother figure for aspiring players. Gain valuable knowledge on navigating the challenges of youth football, developing essential skills beyond the pitch, and shaping a successful career in the sport.
Published 03/26/24
Join us as we explore the crucial role of extreme discipline in the success of the world's top athletes. Ruben shares his firsthand experiences working with some of the most accomplished athletes globally, shedding light on the mindset, routines, and habits that set them apart. From meticulously crafted training regimens to the finer nuances of nutrition and recovery, Ruben breaks down the components of elite athletic performance and the unwavering discipline required to achieve it. Whether...
Published 02/21/24
In this Weekly Q&A, we are joined with Chris Robinson, Danny Edwards, Sean Conlon and Matt Healy to answer your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions, and we look forward to seeing you on Instagram next Sunday.
Published 02/09/24
Welcome to an extraordinary episode featuring a captivating panel discussion with football legends Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redknapp, and Paul Merson. Delve into the world of football, parenting, and the unique dynamics that shape young athletes. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the intricacies of 1-to-1 training and its impact on a budding footballer's development. Can a child be inherently born as a footballer, or is it the result of dedicated training and mentorship? Join us as...
Published 02/06/24
In this Weekly Q&A, we are joined with Chris Robinson, Danny Edwards, Sean Conlon and Matt Healy to answer your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions, and we look forward to seeing you on Instagram next Sunday.
Published 01/30/24
In this episode, we look to discover why only there are only 1% South Asian players in English academies, whilst the UK population currently has 5% South Asian people, and grassroots football sees 6% of players from the same background. What is causing this huge difference in representation in academies? Let us know your thoughts on our discussion in the comments.
Published 01/13/24
Welcome back to Project Footballer, the voice of youth football. If your child is pursuing professional football, you probably understand that statistically most academy kids don't play in the Premier League or even the championship if they do get paid to play football. Statistically, most academy players play in the lower leagues. So as a parent pursuing professional football for your child, you really do need to know what lower league football is like. In. this episode, we speak to three...
Published 01/01/24
In this episode, Darius Charles and Dan Edwards talk to Jess Warner, the blogger known as being “the one with all the boys”—the mum behind The Only Girl in the House, where she shares tales, tips, tricks, family travels and grumbles of having 5 boys. In this Instagram live stream, they discuss how to deal with teammates who are bullies in academy football and much more.
Published 11/27/23
In this episode, we speak with Rob Moore about the importance of managing money in football, whether you make it as a footballer or don't make it. This is a super important topic that needs to be covered, and we hope you can enjoy this episode with an open mind.
Published 11/06/23
In this episode, we have a panel of guests to answer your questions! Ex-footballer and current senior house parent for Manchester City U18s and U21s Darius Charles, top technical coach Dan Edwards who has worked with the likes of Jesse Lingard, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raheem Sterling, Ex-footballer and England Futsal player Rob Ursell and Portia Freno, parent of one of the top U8s in London join us to answer the ultimate question of how to make it as a footballer.
Published 10/08/23
Is your child's speed predetermined by genetics? Jonas Dodoo, one of the world's top speed and directional movement analysts speaks to us about this topic. He's worked with some of the fastest Olympic athletes, as well as with 5 Premier League clubs at both academy and professional level. He provides an incredible insight into how you can make your child faster, and whether there's a formula to creating a child with speed.
Published 09/16/23
David is the former head of research and development at Manchester United, providing intelligence and support to the multi-disciplinary team across coaching, science, data, technology, medicine, operations, media and psychology. He also wrote an in-depth case study on the success of Gary Neville, looking into his structured deliberate practice and decision making. In this episode, we dive deep into football's biggest secrets at the elite level of the game, including how artificial...
Published 09/07/23
Carlton Cole is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a striker. He scored 52 goals in 288 Premier League appearances for four clubs. In this episode, Carlton opens up about how he made it as a footballer, including some incredible stories about how cage football made him the man he is, how his Mother buying him football boots got him a contract at Chelsea, as well as delving into later on in his career, where Carlton experienced bankruptcy and described...
Published 08/23/23
In this episode of Project Footballer, we speak with professional freestyler and internet personality, Daniel Cutting. He has amassed a huge audience of over 3 million across his socials from showcasing his incredible football technique online. As well as building his son's accounts past 250,000 in a short space of time, setting him up to become either a footballer or content creator.
Published 06/02/23