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It Was All A Dream

It Was All A Dream

By: Unedited Stories
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About this listen

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.

Ideas Genius Ltd t/a Unedited Football (American) Football (Soccer)
Episodes
  • What is the problem with the dream? (teaser)

    What is the problem with the dream? (teaser)
    Oct 22 2021

    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.
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    8 mins
  • The 1 Percent

    The 1 Percent
    Oct 25 2021
    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.
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    55 mins
  • The Dark Side

    The Dark Side
    Nov 1 2021

    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.
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    53 mins
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