6 episodes
It Was All A Dream Unedited Stories
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- Sport
From the producers of the multi-award winning Coming In From The Cold, comes a new podcast documentary series about the journey, the dream and reality of becoming a professional football player through the academy system. Only 1% of those in England’s football academies go on to become professional full-time players at a Premier League or WSL club. 99% won’t. This is their story.
Many young players, both boys and girls will take the journey through the football academy system, so why do so few make it, and at what cost? How do those lost to the system cope with being discarded? What is the impact on their parents and other members of the family? How do those who work in the game help or hinder their progress? What about the players, their sacrifices, their challenges and ultimately where they are now?
Narrated by Troy Townsend, this series features Premier League, WSL and footballing stars Andros Townsend, Eberechi Eze, Ben White, Andy Robertson, Anita Asante and Steven Caulker. You will also hear from footballing legends such as Les Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Trevor Sinclair, Lee Trundle and Marcus Gayle, alongside the game’s most respected coaches such as Chris Ramsey, Manisha Tailor & Hannah Dingley, just to name a few.
This production was supported by The Audio Content Fund and broadcast nationally on talkSPORT.
Produced by Andrew Spence
Assistant Producer: Anne-Marie Batson
Writer: Drew Christie
Sound Design: Bernard P Achampong
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The 1 Percent
In this episode, we look at the start of the journey of many of the boys and girls in the English Football Academy system, explain how it works, in both the men's and women's game. You will hear from the players, such as Everton's Andros Townsend, Crystal Palace's Eberichi Eze and Aston Villa's Anita Asante, who speak about the sacrifices and experiences they made from a very young age to ensure they are successful in the 'Career Before The Career', on their paths to become professional footballers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
The Dark Side
Trigger warning: This episode features experiences of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Troy Townsend speaks to Premier League players; Arsenal's Ben White, Scotland captain Andy Robertson and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze about their experiences of rejection through their journey in the academy system. We hear the stories of those who have had negative experiences at football academies, like Jordan Eli, Ashley Thompson and Kieran Bywater, who after being released from their respective football academies, felt devastated, desperate and disappointed.
Their experience is typical of thousands of teenage boys and girls who are no longer considered good enough to play for that club and make it at the top tier of football. We also hear from parents and former players Jamie Carragher and Trevor Sinclair, plus coaches and partners at the football academies, debating what will ensure improved holistic care of the young players and their football academy experiences.
Writer: Drew Christie, Andrew Spence
Prod: Andrew Spence
Asst Prod: Anne-Marie Batson & Cassidy Baillie
Sound Design: Bernard P Achampong
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
A New Hope
Episode 3 looks at ways of making the Academy system better, and how the governing bodies can help revolutionize the system. Troy Townsend makes THREE calls to action that the Premier League, EFL and the WSL should make. Coaches from clubs such as QPR's Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey speak about what they think can be done to change a brutal system, to one that doesn't affect young boys and girls mentally, and leaves them with options and education whether successful or not. In this episode you will hear from the players such as Everton's Andros Townsend, Gaziantep's Steven Caulker, Arsenal's Ben White and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, who discuss despite being released at an early age from clubs, they all made it back into the game and forged a professional career.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Bonus #1: Live Show on talkSPORT
Troy joined talkSPORT's Hugh Woozencroft and former England International and Arsenal quadruple winner, Lianne Sanderson to hear first-hand from players, parents and professionals about their experiences of the UK's football academy system. Here's the first half of that conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Bonus #2: Live Show on talkSPORT
Troy joined talkSPORT's Hugh Woozencroft and former England International and Arsenal quadruple winner, Lianne Sanderson to hear first-hand from players, parents and professionals about their experiences of the UK's football academy system. Here's the second half of that conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
What is the problem with the dream? (teaser)
Did you know only 1% of those in England’s football academy system will have a professional full-time career at a Premier League club?
All this considering that boys and girls as young as 3 are being scouted and signed to football clubs, dedicating a large part of their childhood to the game they love. Those who are in the system until they are 16, 99% of them are just... left behind. This is their story.
Prod: Andrew Spence
Asst Prod: Anne-Marie Batson
Writer: Drew Christie
Sound Design: Bernard P Achampong
Cuts: DJ Shorty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.