Football Journeys Podcast

In the early 1980s Allan Cockram made two appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in a midfield featuring Hoddle, Ardiles and Perryman but it's not his football achievements, notable as they are, that make Allan a special man, it is his work after his playing career.Running the Brentford Penguins, the club's Down's Syndrome team, has brought him deserved acclaim, and a Grierson Award for the documentary Mighty Penguins, but he doesn't stop there a women's over 40s walking football team and a men's over 55s walking team, are just a couple of examples of how he brings joy and love and uses football as a vehicle for something so much more meaningful. This episode is so special, just listen and enjoy.This series we are partnering with University Campus of Football Business and have recorded episodes at their Media City studios in Salford and at their studio next to Wembley StadiumFor more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/You follow us on our social media @journeyspod on Instagram and Threads and we're still hanging around on X for a while! You might even find us on TikTok too!

It might be cheating a bit to start off with our very own, Fraser Franks, but he's had one hell of a year and there's a lot to discuss.He talks about open heart surgery but we then go on to discuss some of the incredible positive experiences he has had in the last year and there are also some hints about the guests that will follow, starting next week.This episode was recorded at the Anfield Wrap's studio in Liverpool, as we had been due to meet a future guest there but he was poorly.This series we are partnering with University Campus of Football Business and have recorded episodes at their Media City studios in Salford and at their studio next to Wembley StadiumFor more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/You follow us on our social media @journeyspod on Instagram and Threads and we're still hanging around on X for a while! You might even find us on TikTok too!

This is just a quick word from us, with a couple of clips, to say that we are back with Series Three! Fraser is well and truly recovered from open heart surgery and we are so excited for you to hear the stories of some of our guests.We launch next week, on 11th December, and we'll have a couple of episodes pre-Christmas with much more to come in January.You can still keep up to date on our social media @journeyspod on Instagram and Threads and we're still hanging around on X for a while! You might even find us on TikTok too!We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this series. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

This Bonus Episode is also a bit of an announcement. Fraser is preparing to have open heart surgery and, unsurprisingly, that means he'll be out of action for a little while. In this episode he talks to Matt about his condition and the operation. We will most definitely be back but it makes sense, to take a bit of pressure off the recovery, for us to have a rest from the pod.Keep up to date on our social media @journeyspod on Twitter, Instagram and Threads and also on Fraser's @fraserfranks and there will be updates to come.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The campaigner.Troy Townsend's football journey is a remarkable one. From his own dreams of playing as a young boy, supporting his sons with those same aspirations, tragically losing his eldest boy Kurtis and, later, his tireless campaigning for equality. This is an emotional episode and we were so grateful to Troy for sharing with us.We are so grateful, as always, to University Campus of Football Business for their support. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. Special thanks to Sam Smith for this edit. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The Officer.In celebration of former guest David Clarke being awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List we had a Clarkie back on for a quick chat to discuss the honour but also his appointment this year as Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics GB.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The Paralympian.This is the third episode we've badged the Paralympian and, like David Clarke and Jack Rutter before him, we could have given this episode with Martin Sinclair so many different titles.He talks about the "challenge" of his Cerebral Palsy, the tragic experiences that impacted his life but, more than that, the fun and adventure he has had in spite of the challenges. He and his brother Scott are the only brothers to have competed at the same Olympics and Paralympics, at London 2012, and this is just one of a number of uplifting and brilliant stories from this lovely and inspirational man.More information about Martin's new venture, the Disability Football Collective, is on the company's website here - https://www.disabilityfc.org/We are so grateful, as always, to University Campus of Football Business for their support. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. Special thanks to Liam McDonagh for this edit. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

This is a very personal breakout episode presented by Matt Himsworth about hearing loss and football. Matt speaks to former Watford Women FC player Emma Beckett about her hearing loss caused by a car accident at the age of 19 and he speaks to Claire Stancliffe and Ceara Toal, two members of the England Deaf Women's football team who are raising funds for the team to travel to Malaysia for the 2023 Deaf Women's World Cup.To help the team with fundraising you can do so here: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/england-deaf-womens-football-squad or here: https://gofund.me/403b112dYou can learn more on the team's social media pages (supported by GB Deaf Football) at the links below:Twitter - https://twitter.com/GB_DeafFootballInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbdeaffootball/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeamGBDF

The actor.We could have titled this episode so many things but it seems fitting to call Peter, or Mitch, the actor given that his accomplishment, in not even appearing in his school play, to having a regular part in Hollyoaks, sums up the character of the man.Like many Irish lads with footballing talent Mitch came to England as a young boy to follow his dream, securing a professional contract with Leeds United in the process. But in one moment, with a teammate driving erratically, his life changed forever. A car crash resulted in a broken back and the end of his football career. The road to recovery was far from smooth but what he has achieved has been remarkable. From representing Ireland in a Wheelchair Basketball European Championships to appearing in comedy series, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, the good humour and determination of Mitch stands him out but, most of all, he is a husband and daddy. An extraordinary young man.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The trailblazer.If your boss calls you a trailblazer, why argue? When that boss is Les Ferdinand, it is all the more complimentary. Manisha Tailor earns that tag and then some. As a little girl growing up in a South Asian family in the 1980s opportunities to explore her talent and passion for football were limited. A combination of extraordinary desire, hard work, family love and also those tough challenges that life sometimes puts in our way has seen Manisha do incredible things in football since quitting her job as a primary school head teacher. Ten years on and she is the Assistant Head of Coaching at QPR but she doesn't ever rest. She is feverishly trying to pave the way for others to follow and she is a true football polymath and inspiration.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The analyst.As a lad growing up in Merseyside John McGuigan was obsessed with football. Though a decent player, he knew he'd never grace Anfield, and so he set off on his journey to work in coaching and analyst. His passion and work ethic saw him work for Manchester City and his beloved Liverpool as well as a short stint with the Ghana national team.He know works in Lincoln, Nebraska for the big players in football analysis Hudl. For anyone who is interested in the world of football analysis and particularly anyone who wants to work in the game, this is a must listen.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The Paralympian.Yep, another one, and what a special lad.Jack Rutter, a Man United mad kid from Gloucester, was at Birmingham City's Academy, close to signing his first pro deal and preparing to play in the Semi Final of the FA Youth Cup, when he was punched at a night club. He fell and hit his head on the curb and suffered serious injuries which looked like they might kill him.With the support of doctors and the strength of his devoted mother Jack came through it but the neurological injuries he suffered ended his dream of playing professional football. He suffered in those early days but the journey he went through since has been sensational. Qualifying to play for England and Team GB's Cerebral Palsy teams he has represented his country at European and World Championships and the Paralympics and he is simply a beacon of positivity.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The double amputee.If ever a title didn't do a guest justice it's this one. Shaun Whiter, a talented non-league footballer for Newmarket Town, was hit by a drunk driver in 2016 in an incident which very nearly killed him and robbed him on both his legs.He is honest about the struggles, both mental and physical. which followed but he has not allowed what happened to him to define him. Shaun had to re-learn how to do daily tasks which we all take for granted, most notably walking, but he has proved how limitless human beings can be. Running marathons, huge cycling courses, lifting frightening weights and, most crucially, educating people on the true impact of dangerous driving.There is a danger that we can see Shaun and only be inspired. That would be to rob him of the seriousness of the battle he has faced and always faces. His Swiss Army Knife of prosthetic legs has allowed him to do amazing things but they are hard to operate, the rubs and sores, the mental anguish and grief humans go through when they experience something as life-changing as this, and the extraordinary challenge of learning how to walk around the same time as your baby son does so.We are so proud to present Shaun to our listeners and will be presenting him even more to the world as he seeks to more and more positively influence young people, and particularly young footballers and their high-powered cars, on the true impact of dangerous driving.To see Shaun's amazing resilience visit him on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/shaun_whiter/We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The player.In association with University Campus of Football Business this week we meet a man who was described by our previous guest and colleague Brian McDermott as a leader both on and off the pitch. Affectionately know at Reading, where he is well-loved, as Ledge we spoke to Mikele Leigertwood about his fabulous playing career, the influence of family, the experience of playing for and now managing his mum's home nation of Antigua and Barbuda and about the life lessons he takes from a career spent playing exclusively in the Premier League and Championship (plus a loan at Leyton Orient!).We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The lawyer.In association with University Campus of Football Business this week we meet a man, David Winnie, who had a hugely successful playing career in Scotland, Iceland and Australia, but it was the end of his playing career and the requirement to re-think his life, his career and his identity, which was so hard. David ultimately started all over again and re-trained as a lawyer but the mental struggles were almost too difficult to bear at one stage.This bright, intelligent and strong man speaks with admirable honesty about the struggles that all players have when their body won't let them play at an elite level anymore.We are so grateful to University Campus of Football Business who we are partnering with for this and future episodes. This episode was recorded at the University's media facilities at Wembley and the production crew, led by Sam Smith, have edited the episode and our trailer. This episode was edited by Liam McDonagh. For more information on UCFB visit their website here - https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/

The entrepreneur.This week we speak with Michael Doughty, formerly of QPR, Peterborough and Swindon Town. Michael retired from football aged just 27, not because of injury or lack of opportunity, but because of his passion to create something lasting and sustainable.He launched Hylo Athletics, a more sustainable sports brand, and has gone from strength to strength. We talk about his early years, where his father's business success meant that he was privately educated at Harrow School alongside playing at Chelsea's and then QPR's academies and we talk about the tragic loss of his father, Nigel, when Michael was a young man.For more information about Hylo visit - https://hyloathletics.com/

Released a week early on Patreon.The storyteller.This week broadcaster, actor and Arsenal fan, who is so used to telling other people's stories, tells us his own. Those of a certain generation will naturally associate Tom with his role as Lofty Holloway on Eastenders, and he touches on those experiences as he discusses fame and pressure, but it is football storytelling that is so fascinating. From David Beckham's autobiography, travels with his great friend Tony Adams, celebrity football matches and the spine-tingling Shosholoza in South Africa. Tom's is a life of people asking him to do things and him saying "yes" and it's been a life well-lived so far.This episode has been produced in partnership with our good friends and sponsors at Sports Fusion. Sports Fusion are a tech company who have been supporting the sports industry for many years and we are proud to be associated with them. You can find out more about the company here: https://www.sportsfusion.co.uk/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The manager. We're proud to say that the guest starting us back up after our break is now a member of the B5 Consultancy team.Making his debut for Arsenal aged 17, becoming Sweden’s player of the year at a young age, managing Reading to the Premier League – many would think that Brian’s career was the thing of dreams. But his career was racked by self doubt, anxiety and turning to alcohol as an outlet was the worst decision he made.Now seven years without a drink and in the best mental health space he has ever been Brian is helping so many others through mentoring, advocacy and presenting to clubs, businesses and people across sport and beyond.This episode has been produced in partnership with our good friends and sponsors at Sports Fusion. Sports Fusion are a tech company who have been supporting the sports industry for many years and we are proud to be associated with them. You can find out more about the company here: https://www.sportsfusion.co.uk/Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

This week we have an update episode. Fraser and Matt chatted, shared recollections, updates and thoughts about guests from across both Series One and Two. We also have some clips, a few short follow up interviews, and a few other little bits and bobs.If you're a keen listener of this podcast then this should be a lot of fun.We are taking a summer break after this episode and we will back after that break with more guests and more pods. If you can support us in the meanwhile then please do we are looking for sponsors, social media shares and promotion and if you can support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys that would be hugely appreciated. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.

The student.This week we meet Rotherham United striker Georgie Kelly. The 25 year old is no ordinary footballer as he combines his time at the New York Stadium with a Master's Degree in Renewable Energy and Finance.We talk to the Donegal lad about his love for Gaelic sports and the benefits of enjoying an array of different sporting pursuits, his educational background and how that has helped him, rather than hindered him, in his football career, and we talk about his time at Bohemians, a very different football club that shares Georgie's passion for sustainability and outward looking mindset.Please do support us on Patreon - patreon.com/footballjourneys. For just £2 a month you can help fund the production of these episodes. You will also get early access to episodes, ad free content and benefits and content that non-Patreons don't get.