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🎙️ Project Footballer – Topsy Ojo: How My Son Went From QPR to ArsenalWhat really shapes a young footballer’s journey — natural athleticism or the knowledge gained along the way? In this episode, former professional rugby player Topsy Ojo joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boetang to share powerful insights from both sides of elite sport.Drawing on his experience as a top-level athlete, Topsy opens up about how he’s supported his child through the academy system, including a move from QPR to Arsenal, and the lessons parents can learn when navigating youth football.This episode goes beyond talent, exploring how environment, education, mindset, and parental support can influence a child’s development just as much as physical ability.💡 In this episode:What professional sport teaches you about long-term developmentSupporting a child emotionally and practically in the academy systemThe move from QPR to Arsenal — what really changes?Is success down to genetics or learned knowledge?The role parents play without overstepping🎧 Perfect for:Parents, coaches, and young players who want a realistic, honest insight into academy life — and how experience, not just talent, can shape a footballer’s future.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify👉 Follow @ProjectFootballer for weekly conversations with ex-pros, coaches, scouts, and experts helping families navigate the journey to professional football ⚽️#FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers

🎄 Project Footballer: Christmas Special — Your Questions, Our Answers 🎙️⚽In this festive Christmas Special of Project Footballer, Sean, Matt, and Jenny sit down to reflect on the year and dive into the comments and private messages you’ve been sending in.From honest questions to spicy takes, we unpack the hot topics shaping youth football right now — sharing practical advice, real experiences, and thoughtful debate along the way.In this episode, we cover:🎅 The most common questions from parents, players, and coaches🔥 Big talking points in youth football (development, pathways, pressure & more)💬 Responding to your DMs and comments — the good, the challenging, and the controversial⚽ What really matters for young players at different stages🎁 Key takeaways for families heading into the new yearWhether you’re a parent, coach, or young player, this Christmas catch-up is packed with insight, reflection, and plenty of honest conversation.👉 Subscribe for more episodes featuring parents of elite players, coaches, and experts👉 Comment below with your thoughts — or tell us what topic you want covered in the new yearWishing you a Merry Christmas and a football-filled New Year from all of us at Project Footballer 🎄⚽

🎥 Project Footballer: The Making of Fulham’s Josh King (England U21)In this new format of Project Footballer, we sit down with the parents behind some of the most exciting young talents in the game — starting with Fulham and England U21 star Josh King. At just 19, Josh has already made 13 senior appearances for Fulham, including 10 Premier League games this season, marking him as one of the brightest prospects in English football.In this episode, we dive deep into: ⚽ The role his parents played in his journey 🧬 How much of Josh’s talent comes down to genetics vs nurture 🏡 What they did at home to support his development 💥 The habits, environment, and decisions that shaped his path 🎯 Practical lessons parents can apply with their own football-loving children If you’re a parent, coach, or young player, this conversation is full of insights you won’t want to miss. 👉 Subscribe for more interviews with parents of elite players, coaches, and industry experts. 👉 Comment below — which player’s family should we speak to next?

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our community dedicated to youth football development!🎙️ Project Footballer – Tom Farrow: The Science of Speed, Strength & Youth DevelopmentWhat separates the next-generation footballers from the rest? In this episode, elite strength and conditioning coach Tom Farrow (formerly Wolves, Brentford) joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boetang to break down the science of physical performance in youth football.From developing speed at different ages to safe strength trainin, nutrition, and the mindset behind elite athleticism, this episode is packed with insights every parent, coach, and young player needs to hear.💡 In this episode:- How important are speed and strength in modern football?- How to safely build athleticism from U8 to U18.- The truth about strength training and growth.- Multi-sport vs. early football specialisation — which wins?- Recovery, nutrition, and mental toughness in young athletes.- What separates Premier League pros from academy players.- The future of strength and conditioning in football — AI, data, and the next wave of athletic talent.🎧 Perfect for:Parents, coaches, and aspiring footballers who want to understand how athletic development really works — and how to give kids the best possible chance to reach their potential.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify👉 Follow @ProjectFootballer for weekly interviews with world-class coaches, scouts, and experts helping families navigate the journey to professional football.#FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers #ProjectFootballer

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our growing community dedicated to youth football development!This episode features Godfrey Torto — a football agent, academy coach, and owner of both a football academy and player agency. A former academy player at Chelsea, Godfrey has spent years helping grassroots and released footballers find their way back into the professional game.In this episode, Godfrey shares powerful insights into how players outside the academy system can still achieve their football dreams. From building the right mindset to taking practical steps toward earning professional contracts, he breaks down what it truly takes to stand out and get noticed.💡 Expect to learn:• How released players can rebuild their path to professional football.• The biggest opportunities and pitfalls in grassroots and academy football.• What scouts and agents really look for when signing players.• How to take control of your journey and create your own opportunities.This conversation is packed with real-world advice and motivation for any player chasing a professional contract — or for parents and coaches supporting them along the way.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. We would love to hear your thoughts - drop them in the comments below!#projectfootballer #football #podcast #developfootballskills #footballpassion #youthdevelopment #footballagent

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our growing community dedicated to youth football development! In this episode, we sit down with Neil Harris, a highly experienced academy coach with over 20 years at Manchester United. Neil has been instrumental in shaping the journeys of countless young players (such as Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Anthony Elanga and more!) and brings a wealth of insight into what it really takes to progress through one of the most competitive youth systems in the world. Together, we explore the inner workings of elite academies, the qualities top clubs look for in young talent, and how families can best support aspiring footballers through the highs and lows of academy life. 💡 Expect to learn: • The key attributes that separate good players from great prospects. • What it’s really like inside a Premier League academy. • Advice for parents navigating the emotional and practical challenges of youth football. This conversation is full of first-hand experiences and practical advice for anyone involved in the journey of a young footballer. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments below! #ProjectFootballer #AcademyFootball #YouthDevelopment #FootballJourney #ManUtdAcademy #ParentalSupport

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Platts, a career coach and leading researcher in football career trajectories. Chris holds a PhD focused on the lives of over 300 young footballers and has led one of the largest independent studies into player career pathways. We dive deep into the real data behind football development, uncovering what it truly takes to “make it” in the game—and how parents can better support their children through the realities of academy football. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • How to navigate the academy system • Why it’s so important to redefine what “making it” actually means • How to help your child build resilience and plan for life beyond football This one is packed with powerful, practical advice for anyone supporting a young player. 👉 Follow the podcast to never miss an episode—and let us know your thoughts after listening! #ProjectFootballer #AcademyFootball #YouthDevelopment #ParentSupport #FootballJourney

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny and Jeriah Boateng, a mother-son duo with an incredible story. Jeriah is an academy footballer, paving the way for his younger brother Zachary, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring.Jeriah, at just 11 years old, has already made waves both on and off the pitch. After experiencing racism at school, he channeled his emotions into writing a book, Back in Time, which helps parents discuss racism with their young children. His story is a powerful reminder of how challenges can be turned into opportunities for growth and education.Jenny opens up about what it’s like raising academy footballers while managing a family of four, sharing valuable insights on balancing football, school, and life. She also offers advice to parents navigating the academy system, emphasizing the importance of patience, resilience, and fostering multiple passions in young athletes.💡 Expect to learn:* How parents can support their children in academy football.* The importance of teaching kids to handle pressure and think beyond the game.* How Jeriah’s book is creating meaningful conversations about racism.This is an episode packed with wisdom and inspiration—you don’t want to miss it!#ProjectFootballer #AcademyFootball #YouthDevelopment #ParentSupport #FootballJourney

In this episode, we sit down with one of our biggest guests to date! Troy Deeney is known to many as a Watford legend, and most certainly a player who enjoyed ruffling the feathers of defenders and fans all around the country.  Since his retirement, Troy had a management spell at Forest Green Rovers, however now spends the majority of his time raising his son and daughter. We discuss with Troy the ins and outs of raising children of a professional footballer and whether or not he believes they have what it takes to make it as footballers!  Expect to learn how you would raise the perfect footballer, from a retired pro who has gone through so much! This is an episode you cannot miss...

In this episode I sit down with two of the leaders in Wycombe's bold academy vision! Academy Director Jeremy Sauer and Chairman & Chief Football Office Dan Rice offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wycombe's ambitious plans to build one of the leading academies in the UK. In May 2024 Wycombe Wanders was purchased by the billionaire owner Mikheil Lomtadze through his company Blue Ocean Partners. Mikel and his partners had been looking for a professional club in England without an academy so they could build one from scratch. After great research Wycombe Wanderers came out as the perfect opportunity with its geographical proximity to football talent and its incredible football history and culture. Expect to learn how you would create the perfect academy if you were starting one from scratch and what goes into the process from club playing style to how to building the facilities.

In this episode, Marcelo and I have the pleasure of speaking with Peter Sturgess, the Ex-Head of Futsal for the FA. Peter is thought of by many as one of the best youth coaches in England, and is responsible for so much of the great work done by the FA in recent years which led to vast improvements in our national team. Join us as we dive deep into the help Peter had in creating much of the foundation phase coaching courses in England, as well as his role as Head of Futsal for the FA. Expect to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of youth football coaching, the importance futsal has on today’s generation and the ongoing journey to produce world-class talent, especially in England! Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or just a passionate football fan, this conversation is packed with knowledge and perspectives you won’t want to miss!

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 many talented kids from getting a fair shot. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or just love soccer, this episode offers some real insights on how we can make the sport more enjoyable and accessible for everyone. It’s all about helping the next generation of players fall in love with the game and reach their full potential.

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, and how these initiatives have directly influenced the current state of English football. We’ll also explore how the Premier League manages academies without dictating the coaching philosophy, the importance of fostering a positive learning environment for young players, and the crucial role that both coaches and parents play in developing future stars. Expect to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of youth football coaching, the evolution of coaching methods in England, and the ongoing journey to produce world-class talent. Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or just a passionate football fan, this conversation is packed with knowledge and perspectives you won’t want to miss!

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 question have academies in England got this right? Expect to learn how English recruitment works, the English talent ID model,the psychological and social factors which helped Harry Kane get scouted and much much more 🔔 Follow for more insights on what parents must know about academy signings! Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics or being born into a football family. 🎧 Follow us on social platforms for more exclusive content and updates! 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/projectfootballer/

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, and young athletes will find practical advice on balancing multiple sports, dealing with setbacks, and fostering a competitive yet healthy environment. Discover how nature and nurture play pivotal roles in youth football development, and gain insights into the mindset and training techniques that can help your child excel. Whether you're a parent looking to support your child's dreams, a coach aiming to inspire, or an aspiring young footballer, this episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life experiences. Stay tuned until the end for Matt's key advice on parenting in football and the importance of letting children find their own passion. Don't miss out on these valuable lessons from football legends and experts! Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics, or being born into a football family? Follow us on social platforms for more exclusive content and updates! 🌟 https://www.instagram.com/projectfootballer/ #FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers