What It Takes To Be..‪.‬ Dean Bowditch

John spent a total of 44 years in football, whether that was as a player, coach, or manager. 

Starting their career at the mighty Celtic they then went on to play over 200 games for Carlisle. That would then help them get a move to my favourite club in Tottenham Hotspurs for 3 years back in 1979. As the years went on, they spent time in America before returning to follow their pathway into becoming a top coach. 

His coaching career was spent at the likes of Swindon, Tottenham, Wycombe, Gillingham, Northampton, Southampton, Ipswich, QPR, MK Dons and England in 1996 under Glenn Hoddle. After spending most of his time as an assistant we can not wait to find out the difference in mentality when it comes to being a Manager and an assistant manager. 

I am so grateful to say I spent a couple of spells with this great man and learnt so much from him about the game of football.

Dean Lewington is a legend of the football world. Playing over 850 games over 18 years and still going. He has been a part of promotions, relegations, team of the years, all at one club. I have had the pleasure of spending 6 years as a room mate of his and I am extremely excited to pick his brains in a way I have never done before. Undoubtedly the most consistent performer I have ever played with. A natural Leader.

I think you will be surprised with some of the answers he gives on this podcast...

Alex had a professional football career spanning over 20 years. An incredibly well respected individual due to the fact that he well and truly wore his heart on his sleeves. In those 20 years he played for 13 different football clubs, the best arguably being at Rotherham between 2011-2015, scoring an iconic goal at Wembley in the 2014 playoff final helping them gain promotion to the championship. Now the Manager of Stevenage in league 2 and learning his trade on the other side of the white line. 

I am really looking forward to really understanding what makes Alex Revell tick.

Barry has represented some of the biggest stars across several different sports. Once working for the massive agency firm IMG, until deciding to part ways and go solo as an agent. He has worked in some intense, high stake situations where being calm and composed was needed in abundance. Some of those high-profile people included Teddy Sheringham, Alan Pardew, Kelly Holmes, just to name a few. I can personally say I have been fascinated by some of the stories told to me over years, being my agent for 16 years, and I am sure we will hear some more today. I want to know what it really takes to be involved these situations from his point of view.

Gavin arguably has one of the hardest job roles in professional sport. During his five-year tenure at Newport County FC he has seen his team dramatically escape regulation from the Football League on the last day of the season, go on memorable cup runs seeing off the likes of Leeds, Watford, Swansea and Middlesbrough, and holding Tottenham to a draw to earn a replay at Wembley. Now the club are very much involved in a promotion battle as his team looks to break into League 1.

Gavin has also had a very interesting life to date away from football which has helped mould him into the man he is today.

Passionate, Funny, Honest and Driven are among many words to describe Gavin Foxall.

What It Takes To Be... is delighted to have current Sunderland FC footballer Bailey Wright on our podcast.

Bailey took the plunge at the age of 16 to travel across the globe to chase his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Having played over 300 career appearances for club and country and still only 28 years old, he had huge success over a 7-year period with Preston North End between 2010-2017 being named Young Player of the season in his first proper season as a regular in the first team. They then went on to represent their homeland of Australia 24 times to now being a huge part of Sunderland FC.

We pick the brains of the mental strength that it took to move across the world in search of living his dream.