Stevie chats with his friend and fellow footy broadcaster James Sharman about his new venture; Sharman's Proper Pies. Along with his wife Toni, James has launched Toronto's one and only subscription pie business and he talks to Stevie about his journey from the media desk to the kitchen.If you live in Toronto, please visit https://sharmansproper.ca/ and get some pies delivered right to your door! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Very few Scottish footballers can say that Kenny Dalglish personally invited them to the EPL, but that’s just what happened to Stephen Glass after a man of the match performance in the League Cup Final landed him a contract with Newcastle FC. In this episode, I sit down with ‘Glassy’ - my old friend and teammate - to talk about his own tactical influences as an elite profesional, and how as a coach he’s now passing on that insight to the next generation of North American footballers.Episode Notes: Coaching the next generation of players, and breaking down the many factors required to become a top athleteGlass recalls the commitment of coaches when he was a young player, and how that degree of personal commitment is rare in today’s game.Glass and Stevie reminisce on the influence of Kenny Dalglish - the finest footballer Scotland ever produced - and Glass breaks down Dalglish’s role in his move to Newcastle FC.Playing with the Magpies for three injury-hit seasons, Glass describes the attributes that made Alan Shearer such an effective player and prolific goal scorer.Joining 1st division Watford FC as part of Gian Luca Vialli’s ambitious rebuilding project, Stephen describes being coached in the art of the ‘tactical foul’ and considers why the overall project was not deemed a success.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At only 19 years old, Bradley Wright-Phillips scored four minutes into his EPL debut and had the world at his feet. But just a few years later he was short on goals and confidence in the Championship. When Red Bull New York handed him a lifeline and a chance to revitalize his career in the MLS Wright-Phillips took the league by storm and went on to become Red Bull’s all time leading goal scorer.In this episode of Player to Player Stevie sits down with Bradley Wright-Phillips to find out about the pressures of being born into a famous footballing family, and what the future holds (after lockdown) at LA FC.Episode Notes: With football literally in his blood, Wright Phillips' love of the game started early, and in the pre-internet days it was all about videos.But soon real life became more interesting, when Wright-Phillips finally realized just what a world-class talent his father Ian Wright was.Going through the ranks of youth football at Notts Forest and Man City, Wright-Phillips learned that having a famous father and talented older brother placed him under greater scrutiny than other players.After Bradley’s illustrious debut the Wright-Phillips brother soon found themselves on different footballing trajectories, and it took time for Bradley to find his feet - and his own game.Reflecting on the challenges of his early professional career, Wright-Phillips believes he was hampered by his own relaxed attitude after such a bright start at Man City.And when he got his chance in the MLS, the quality of one (super-star) teammate in particular spurred Wright-Phillips on to record-breaking form.Check out the full interview for more fascinating stories and insights including the Wright-Phillips brothers reunited in NYC, and how Bradley still feels let down by the circumstances surrounding his own departure from the club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone knew he was a world-class goalkeeper, and most people knew he’d suffered a succession of career-hampering injuries; but for a long time, not even Chris Kirkland’s close friends and family knew about the severe depression he was battling on a daily basis. In this special episode of Player to Player, Stevie sits down with his former Wigan teammate to discover how events conspired to leave Kirkland contemplating suicide on a preseason rooftop, only for him to seek out help and bravely fight back from the brink.Episode Notes: With the unwavering support of his father - who suffered a significant health scare when Kirkland was only 9 years old - how the future England Goalkeeper originally saw himself as an outfield player, and only found himself between the posts by accident.Developing his playing style and professionalism under the tutelage of Coventry legend Steve 'Oggy' Ogrizovic, before earning a high profile and big money move to Liverpool.Thriving on Merseyside with the support of Gerard Houllier, before serious injuries and new manager Rafa Benitez ground that progression to a halt.A promising start on loan at West Brom was again cut short by injury, and after finding his feet at Wigan, Kirkland’s hopes were again dashed when he fell out of favour with Roberto Martinez.Leaving Wigan, Kirkland signed for Sheffield Wednesday and the lengthy travel involved suddenly found him out of his routine and increasingly isolated - marking the beginning of a serious battle with depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At six foot four, he’s a huge presence on the pitch; and as a powerful on field leader he’s not only dragged his nation into the World Cup Finals, but also been named on both the MLS and CONCACAF’s Best XI. In this episode of Player to Player, Stevies sits down with FC Cincinnati's Kendall Waston to find out how he became the man and the player he is. Episode Notes: Kendall opens up about his route into the professional game, and how accompanying a friend to a try out unexpectedly led to his first club contract.Overcoming disappointment and developing the mental toughness to succeed - Kendall tells Stevie about the challenges of being sent out on loan, and how attitude is everything at the highest level.Getting his move to the Whitecaps under manager Carl Robinson, and how his game had to change with the responsibility and pressure of the captain’s armband.Highlights and heroics at international level. Kendall talks us through the 95th minute goal that booked Costa Rica a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and what it was like to score in their opening game of the finals.Stevie gets the scoop on Kendall’s tumultuous exit from Vancouver, and finds out what the future holds in Cincinnati after a difficult start to the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All eyes are on the Bundesliga this weekend - with fans around the world finally able to tune in to live top flight football. Although the games will be played out in eerie empty stadiums, and in some cases in front of a cardboard cut-out crowd, players and fans alike will breath a huge sigh of relief as competitive action finally resumes.In this special episode, Stevie sits down with broadcaster Ian Joy to get the lowdown on what to look out for in Germany this weekend.With Bayern Munich looking like runaway leaders before lockdown, has the unexpected break handed a lifeline to other teams with eyes on the title?Ian breaks down the factors behind Alphonso Davies' surprising rise within the Bayern ranks, and how injuries gave him an opportunity in an unfamiliar position.With Dortmund v. Schalke the weekend's stand out fixture, Joy gives us a primer in what to watch out for in the game, as well as highlighting exciting lesser-known Bundesliga players.  Stevie and Ian discuss the North American talents currently playing with German sides and respond to claims in the media by Weston McKennie that he's ready for the EPL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tactical Talks, Stevie picks the footballing brain of TFC legend, and former Vancouver White Caps manager, Carl Robinson. Now head coach of Australian A-League club Newcastle Jets, Carl shares fascinating behind-the-scenes insights on a life in the game - working with top coaches like Harry Redknapp, Mick McCarthy and Pep Guardiola, and how they influenced his own hard-won principles on coaching a team for success.Episode Notes: Carl discusses the power of man management and the lesson he learned on day one as a pro - the crushing blow that later turned out to be a deliberate psychological spur.Carl and Stevie explore the importance of mental strength, and how the mind can affect individuals and interpersonal dynamics with the squad: ‘I love my players, but their minds do awful things to them.’How different managers handle the delicate balance of locker room culture, and how Carl employs the approach used by Harry Kedknapp to create the right balance on and off the field. Living and dying by your decisions as coach - how to deal with the pressure of top-flight management and the importance of shielding players. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stevie talks to the Montreal Impact and Team Canada midfielder about the teenage transatlantic journey - through three European Leagues - that finally brought him back to the MLS, as the hometown hero at his boyhood club.Episode Notes: From the peace and quiet of his Quebec cabin, and with the MLS season on hold, Sam chats with Stevie about a life in football.At aged 14, how connections at provincial level gave Piette the opportunity to play in France, and the mental and emotional demands of growing up fast, away from family and friends.  In the Bundesliga at 17, what it meant to finally get minutes on the field as a professional player, despite already being involved for years at international level.  The challenges of two radically different seasons in Spain; one in LaLiga - the best division in the world - and another in the third tier playing alongside semi-professional teammates.Becoming a household name back home after the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, and how he couldn’t say no when the Impact came calling. Stevie and Sam discuss the influence and belief of manager Mauro Beillo, and what the future holds playing under Thierry Henry and John Herdman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For fans, the season begins on match day one, but for clubs and players the four weeks of preseason can determine the quality of an entire campaign. In this episode Stevie takes us behind the scenes to reveal how top EPL and MLS teams make sure they get off to the right start, and peak at the best time, over a grueling ten month season.Episode Notes: How pre-season is a battle with yourself to be on the team sheet for the first game of the season.How a hill-run to a castle became Stevie’s annual pre-season fitness gauge, and the shift in sports science that introduced ball work from day one.We learn how academy culture can help North American soccer progress, and discuss the importance of MLS teams traveling to Europe to pit themselves against different kinds of opponents.Stevie reveals pre-season highlights and lowlights - including team building in US bars, and team breakouts from remote Alpine camps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Alex Ferguson Famously fought for his signature, and at Old Trafford he played alongside - and against - the best footballers of a generation. In this special extended episode of Footy Talks, Stevie sits down with Man United legend Darren Fletcher to talk about the achievements and challenges of a remarkable footballing career.Episode Notes: How weekly training with both Celtic and Rangers gave Fletcher a unique fusion of footballing philosophies from a young age.Decision time - the story behind opting to sign for Newcastle United, only for a telephone call from a furious Alex Ferguson to hijack the move.At Old Trafford, the influence of Roy Keane, and how the captain’s infamous intensity was a powerful spur to success with the Reds.Playing against Xavi and Iniesta, and breaking down the key elements of the tiki taka style - it’s not ‘skill’, it’s timing.The mental resilience required to come back from career threatening injuries and a serious illness, and found memories of 91 games as West Brom captain after the move away from Manchester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s access-all-areas in this debut episode of Conversations with Caldwell, as TFC’s Justin Morrow cracks a beer with Stevie - his former team mate and captain - to share sixty minutes of candid insights on the demanding and colorful journey to the top of the MLS.  Episode Notes: How family values played a key role in preparing Justin for performance at the highest level, as well as the early steps from backyard soccer to College life, and the first taste of freedom at Notre Dame. We learn about the challenging uncertainty of the draft, and the important lessons Justin learned on loan spells during his first year at San Jose Earthquakes.  What happens when a Manager that believes in you is fired and replaced with another who doesn't? How does it affect the locker room when three key players leave the squad unexpectedly in pre-season? And how do you bounce back from missing the first professional penalty you’ve ever taken, in the most important game of your career?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tactical Talks is the real thing - players and coaches at the highest level breaking down the mechanics of the most important footballing philosophies. For this episode, Stevie talks with his brother, Gary Caldwell, in a wide ranging interview that includes the tactics used to face Messi and Ronaldinho as a player; and as a manager, the system that led to a 20 game unbeaten run and earned Wigan promotion to the Championship.Episodes Notes: The Caldwell brothers knew from an early age that, lacking pace, they had to be mentally ‘one step ahead of the game.’ But while still playing for the school team they learned firsthand that the right tactics had the power to beat a better team.Gary reminisces on the ‘passing and pressing’ advocated by Newcastle coach Tommy Craig - 20 years ahead of the gegenpress used by Klopp and others today - and how hunger and desire are essential to that approach.We learn how Gordan Strachan sent Celtic out to play ‘sliding tackles’ against Barcelona in the Champions League, and discover the Roberto Martinez innovation that changed the face of the week leading up to the game.Stevie quizzes Gary on his transition into management, and how tactics can be imparted to a group, even in cases when players themselves doubt their ability to carry them out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Of all the teams hampered by a lack of finance and leadership, Newcastle United lead the way in terms of frustrated potential. So interest from a consortium with almost limitless resources would seem like a no brainer for fans. But in this special episode of Footy Talks, Stevie talks to highly respected journalist and chief Newcastle United writer at Shields Gazette, Miles Starforth, about why Amanda Stavely’s bid to unseat Mike Ashely is dividing opinions on tyneside. Episode Notes: Stevie and Miles discuss Amanda Stavely’s recurring role in round two of an audacious take over bid at St James’ Park. The Human Rights issues drawing attention to the deal, and the main figures behind a consortium worth over $400 billion. How a successful bid could lead to massive investment both on and off the field, and the three candidates likely to replace Steve Bruce at the helm next season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Passion and aggression are key components of the game, but elite footballers need as much skill controlling their emotions as they do controlling the ball. In this episode, Stevie shares incredible EPL anecdotes to explore how fighting and confrontation can both help and hinder the team.Episode Notes: How players and team mates responded to the EPL’s most infamous on-field bust up. (Dyer to Bowyer: ‘because you’re SH*T!’)How Mick McCarthy created a confrontational culture that actually powered the team to the Premiership.As captain, how to know when to bring harmony and when to bring the pain.Clashes at TFC, and the difference between UK and north American on-field confrontations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Stevie discusses the qualities that make great pairings work and describes the healthy rivalry that took both him and his brother, Gary, all the way from the North Brimmage Colts to playing for their country, and alongside one another in the EPL.Episode Notes: Stevie reminisces on how he paved the way for his younger brother to progress rapidly through the youth system at Newcastle, before they became only the second set of brothers to play together for Scotland at senior level.Discussing his best partnerships with players such as Jonathon Woodgate and Curtis Davis, Stevie explores the different ways that team mates combine to create success on the field. We run through some of the most fearsome pairings ever seen in the EPL and MLS, and look at how the classic treble-winning Man U side of 1999 actually had a sequence of partnerships not just across the pitch, but also waiting on the bench as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s a household name in the MLS and a championship winning hero for TFC, but who is the real Jozy Alitodre, and how did he get where he is today? In this exclusive episode, Stevie sits down with one of Team USA’s greatest ever players to talk about a life in the beautiful game.Episode Notes: Playing footy in the park at eight years of age, the chance encounter with Austrian coach Joseph Schultz that prompted an ambitious prediction and opened the door to a career in the game.  The foundational years at IMG academy, with a national intake of only 40 players, and what it was like to come through the ranks alongside the likes of Freddie Adu and Micheal Bradley. How Jozy turned down several academic scholarships to sign his first professional contract with the Metro Stars, and how the club was transformed under the ownership of Red Bull. The huge challenge and culture shock of his 10 million dollar move to Spain, and how at just 18 years old he ‘didn’t know he had the power to choose where [he] wanted to go’. Thriving in the fast paced, fluid football of the Dutch league, and then struggling back in his second spell in the EPL, with off field issues taking their toll on the pitch. How joining TFC was about the lofty vision of the club, and how ‘that’ goal in the 2017 playoff final was the vision brought to life.Main photo: Tagwa Moyo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Footy Talks Society podcast. Footy Talks has partnered with me, Steven Caldwell, on an innovative and original content project that is sure to both entertain and maybe even educate a little bit along the way. I’ll be doing long form interviews with current players, deep dive tactical discussions with the brightest minds around the game, and telling stories I’ve never told before from my 18 years as a professional footballer.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.