I Had Trials Once...

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Gateshead, Barrow, Blackburn, Bolton, Morecambe and current Boreham Wood midfielder Tom White. Tom sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his time in football from suffering heartbreak in the recent National League play-off final against Rochdale to loving life playing men's football. The lads start the pod talking about Tom's time at Boreham Wood, their brilliant season and how difficult it was to deal with the heartbreak of losing against Rochdale in the play-off final. They then talk in depth about Tom's upbringing in the North East playing grass roots football, his experience as a youth player at Carlisle and struggling to get trials at other clubs. The trio then chat about why Tom's ACL injury was the best thing that ever happened to him as it gave him the kick start his career needed at some important loan moves. Tom then speaks about how his time at Gateshead earnt him a move to former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers before he soon realised the move was the wrong one to make. Tom continues with his love for Barrow during his first loan spell, why he struggled to make an impact at Bolton Wanderers and his experience of working with Dave Challinor at Hartlepool. Finally, he talks about returning to Barrow on a permanent, pre-season stag do's which included swapping shirts with a murderer and George Ray's naked darts against Pete Wild. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership Check out the British Army below 👇 https://www.army.mod.uk/ A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ Get 15% off your CAPO order when you use code: IHADTRIALS 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Tom White 2:00 Play-Off Final Heartbreak 10:37 Next season aims 15:42 Growing up playing grass roots 17:13 Coming through at Carlisle 22:46 Struggling with trials 25:05 Career changing injury 28:40 Important loan moves 29:35 Breaking into Gateshead’s first team 34:50 Big move to Blackburn 47:00 Fresh start at Barrow 51:35 Tough time at Bolton 1:00:00 Hartlepool move with Challinor 1:02:30 Back to Barrow 1:07:50 George Ray’s darts 1:11:38 Morecambe madness 1:15:40 Tough decision to leave Morecambe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Chester & Runcorn Linnets manager...Calum McIntyre Cal sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his time in football having recently left his role as Chester manager. The lads start the pod talking about Cal's early life at Chester and his time living with Gary Stopforth and his late night binges of Top Boy. They then talk in depth about how Calum got into football management, working with Chester's youth team before being promoted to the first team and forming part of Jonno & Bern's backroom staff. The trio then chat about Cal's step into first team management with Runcorn Linnets, signing players for the first time and some of his most memorable moments as a gaffer. Cal then speaks about how he ended up becoming Chester's first team manager, their recent FA Cup runs and the difficulties of working at a fan own club. Cal continues with how his time at Chester came to an end, why fan abuse crossed the line with a fan storming the changing room & also calling his house at 3am plus how he found out Phil Parkinson was replacing him at the club. Finally, he talks about what is next for him in his career and why he can't wait to get back into football management. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 / membership Check out the British Army below 👇 https://www.army.mod.uk/ A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ Get 15% off your CAPO order when you use code: IHADTRIALS 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: / ihadtrialsonce Instagram: / ihadtrialsonce TikTok: / ihadtrialsonce Facebook: / ihadtrialsoncepodcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Cal MacIntyre 4:01 Living with Gaz Stopforth 7:25 Getting into management 31:38 Serious cash meme 36:00 Managing Chester youth 41:42 Working with Jonno & Bern 44:33 Big break at Runcorn 48:09 First experience of signing players 51:00 Marine Ultras 54:00 Memorable football moments 56:00 Becoming Chester manager 1:02:00 Chester FA Cup Run 1:04:30 Chester fan owned model 1:09:40 Sacked by Chester 1:13:09 Abuse from fans 1:25:55 Parky new Chester manager Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Huddersfield, QPR, Cardiff & Leicester goalkeeper Alex Smithies! Alex sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his football career from playing for his boyhood club Huddersfield to training with Vardy & Maddison at Leicester. The lads start the pod talking about Alex's life post football with his career in finance and helping players manager their money and not fall into the same traps we often see in the media. They then talk in depth about his early career at Huddersfield, how he became a number one keeper at just 18 years old, signing his first big contract and scoring the winning penalty in a play-off final. The trio then chat about Alex's surprise move to QPR, Ian Holloway's bizarre coach carter training tactics, how he knew Eberechi Eze was a superstar from an early age and what made Ravel Morrison so good. Alex then speaks about his dream move to Cardiff with Neil Warnock and why he was gutted he never made his Premier League debut at the club as well as what it's like as a keeper when it comes to dropping clangers and how you can only get away with one. Alex continues with his decision to become a third choice goalkeeper at Leicester City in the Premier League, relationship with Jamie Vardy and why James Maddison wanted him to shout abuse at him in training sessions. Finally, he talks about how he recently fell out of love with football before ending the pod on the toughest player he's ever come up against. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership Check out the British Army below 👇 https://www.army.mod.uk/ A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ Get 15% off your CAPO order when you use code: IHADTRIALS 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Alex Smithies 6:30 Life since retiring 12:25 Early life at Huddersfield 16:30 England youth team 19:31 Breaking through at Huddersfield 24:55 Dealing with big injuries 26:10 Huddersfield play-off final 32:39 Signing first big contract 39:55 Surprise QPR move 46:07 Working with Neil Warnock 48:37 Incredible Ravel Morrison 52:10 Ian Holloway’s coach Carter tactics 54:10 Premier League dream move 57:25 Neil Harris relationship 58:58 Dropping a clanger 1:01:15 Tough centre backs 1:04:11 Life as a 3rd choice keeper 1:16:50 Falling out of love with football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Accrington Stanley, Stockport, Rochdale, Barrow, Stalybridge, Chester and Clitheroe midfielder...Sean McConville Sean sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his football career from life in Liverpool's academy to becoming an Accrington Stanley legend The lads start the pod talking about Sean's decision to step into management and how he's finding still balancing being a gaffer and occasionally playing himself. They then talk in depth about his early career at Liverpool with the likes of Jay Spearing, struggling with his height before immediately dropping into non-league football to gain experience in men's football. The trio then chat about Sean's first stint at Accrington Stanley before opting for a big money move to Stockport which ultimately turned into a disaster thanks to Jim Gannon and then continuing his career at Rochdale, Barrow, Stalybridge & Chester. Sean then speaks about his decision to rejoin Accrington Stanley, his relationship with John Coleman, the incredible job owner Andy Holt has done to transform the club from Northern Prem to having a 6-7 year stint in League One. Sean continues with his relationship with star striker Billy Kee and why he ultimately struggled with the pressures of League One football before discussing his incredible 10 years at the club and how he ended up being one of the leading assist maker’s in the whole EFL. Finally, he discusses the best players he's ever played against including the incredible Adel Taraabt at QPR and having to man mark Adama Traore at Middlesbrough. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 / membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ Get 15% off your CAPO order when you use code: IHADTRIALS 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: / ihadtrialsonce Instagram: / ihadtrialsonce TikTok: / ihadtrialsonce Facebook: / ihadtrialsoncepodcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his football career from starting off at Luton, to linking up with Gaz at Kettering, to a career defining injury. The lads start the pod talking about Ryan's early career at Luton and how that all came to an end. They then talk in depth his time at Kettering and what Seds was like as a teammate. The trio then chat about what it's like to drop into non league football and the trials and tribulations that brings. Ryan opens up about his various legal battle and how this effected his career and what he learnt from it all. Finally, he opens up about his injury issues and how he almost lost his leg, as well as how he's managed to move on post football career. A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Curzon Ashton, Southport and current Avro goalkeeper ...Cameron Mason! Cameron sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his football career from FA Cup runs with Curzon Ashton, being called up to England C and his struggles outside of the game. The lads start the pod talking about Seds' Barcelona trip, Cam's season so far with Avro and what Grant Shenton's really like as a manager They they talk in depth about his time at Curzon Ashton, their FA Cup run and how good Adam Morgan really was. The trio then chat about being called up to England C and how Cam didn't feel ready. Cameron then talks about his time at Southport and how he got back to enjoying football and how it abruptly ended. Finally, Cameron opens up about his struggles with mental health and how dark it actually got and how football saved him. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Stockport, Stalybridge, Guiseley, Hednesford, Curzon Ashton & FC United player...Charlie Ennis! Charlie sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his football career from crazy moves to Turkey with Darius Vassell to playing in Europe with FC United. The lads start the pod talking about Charlie's time at FC United, what their aims are for the season and why Charlie loves it so much. They they talk in depth about the only non-league European trophy, the Fenix Trophy, the experience of playing all over Europe with FC United and what it was like playing in the San Siro stadium. The trio then chat about Charlie's early career at Stockport, why it was much harder progressing through an academy back then and why how his friendship with Adam Le Fondre was formed. Charlie then talks about his brief time in Turkey playing with Darius Vassell at Ankaragücü, why he hated it and what made him go AWOL and return home after just 3 months. The lads then talk about Charlie's career in non-league, why he constantly chased money over football projects before realising the importance of playing games and what it was like playing with a young Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Stalybridge. Finally they end the pod talking about how much Charlie is loving life at FC United before we get an exclusive that Charlie has agreed to extend his contract with the club! 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 / membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: / ihadtrialsonce Instagram: / ihadtrialsonce TikTok: / ihadtrialsonce Facebook: / ihadtrialsoncepodcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Charlie Ennis 7:00 FC United’s season 9:28 Fenix trophy 21:45 The rise of FC United 24:15 Becoming an interim manager 28:30 Early life at Stockport 35:30 Adam Le Fondre 37:07 Mad Turkey move 41:10 Kickstarting career in non-league 46:04 Chasing money 51:00 Playing for the right reasons 54:00 Time at Shaw Lane 59:22 Football shouts 1:01:00 Southport stint 1:04:19 Loving life at FC United 1:08:40 Future plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Preston, Morecambe & Salford striker...Sam Livesey! Sam sits down with Gaz & Jord as he discusses his time in football including the playing with the lads at Salford to wasting his chance to make it as a pro footballer. The lads start the pod talking their time with Sam at Salford, playing up front with Jordan & turning up to the Salford Red Devils' rugby changing rooms. Sam then talks us through his missed opportunity at Bury, telling Phil Neville to f**k off on the phone & dealing with his anger issues both on and off the pitch at Preston & Morecambe. The trio then chat in depth about the culture at Salford in the early days, Edward Ciderhands on the coach, driving Richie Allen & Sam's loan moves. Sam then talks about his brief time at Nelson, fighting with Colne fans and dealing with devastating injuries before talking about his relationship with Graham Alexander at Preston and why he really wanted the best for Sam as a youth player. Finally they end the pod talking about the mischief Sam caused whilst living in digs at Preston, how as he got older he learnt from his mistakes and what advice he'd give to young prospects currently in the game. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Sam Livesey 12:00 Signing for Salford 17:00 Football bust ups 28:05 Devastating injuries 35:10 Early career at Preston 39:30 Digs mischief 51:55 Big time Gaz Seddon 56:35 Learning from past mistakes 1:00:00 Early trials & academy football 1:05:40 Advice for young players Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former West Ham academy prospect Joe Sealey Joe sits down with Gaz & Jord for a different kind of podcast as he discusses everything from growing up with Les Sealey as a dad to how he overcame his addiction issues and became a successful businessman. The lads start the pod talking in depth about Joe's upbringing and what life was like being the son of a legendary Manchester United goalkeeper. Joe then talks us through his early years in football at West Ham, dealing with massive injuries at such a young age and why he had issues with David James at the club. The trio then chat in depth about the worst two weeks of Joe's life as he suffered a career ending injury and lost his father Les Sealey in the space of two weeks and Joe's life began to spiral out of control. Joe then talks about his addiction with cocaine, how he transitioned into being a football agent which saw him play tennis against former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the struggles with getting clean and relapsing before meeting his wife and starting his journey to sobriety. Finally they end the pod talking about Joe tried to buy and save Macclesfield before the ultimately went bust, would he like to own a football club in the future and his life now as a successful businessman. For anyone struggling or needing help with any of the topics mentioned in the pod please check out the following: - https://www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk/ - https://ukna.org/ - https://smartrecovery.org.uk/ 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Joe Sealy 5:50 Being Les Sealey’s Son 17:55 Dealing with big injuries 23:40 Issues with David James 26:50 Worst 2 weeks of my life 29:00 Becoming an agent 34:20 Addicted to cocaine 43:29 Tennis with Roman Abramovich 50:31 Journey to getting clean 56:40 Addiction issues in football 1:02:40 Relapsing 1:04:35 Being a successful businessman 1:06:56 Real Housewives of Cheshire 1:08:03 Trying to buy Macclesfield 1:22:34 Future plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by former Rochdale, Burton, Scunthorpe & Salford midfielder Matty Lund. Matty sits down with Gaz & Jord to discuss everything from his time as an academy player at Stoke to the importance of early loan moves and playing games. The lads start the pod talking in depth about Matty's time at Salford City, working with the class of 92 and the disappointing end to his time. Matty then talks us through his early loan moves in football including Hereford were the manager was also the physio, playing under Paul Dickov at Oldham & crazy Bilel Mohsni. The trio then chat in about Matty's time at Rochdale, the incredible strength of the squad & why he had to leave to chase his Northern Ireland dream. Matty then talks about how his struggles at Burton and why a poor relationship with manager Nigel Clough didn't help his situation before handing in a transfer request to move to Scunthorpe. Finally they end the pod talking about making the wrong moves in football, the best player Matty has ever shared a pitch with and what he's up to since retiring. WE'RE DOING ANOTHER LIVE SHOW! 🎤 Full information: 📅 Date: Friday 27th February 2025 ⏰ Time: Doors open at 6:00pm 📍 Location: Radcliffe Football Club (M26 3PE) Tickets are on sale now so get them before they're gone! Get your tickets here 📲 https://fatso.ma/3bxC 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 / membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: / ihadtrialsonce Instagram: / ihadtrialsonce TikTok: / ihadtrialsonce Facebook: / ihadtrialsoncepodcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro with Matty Lund 9:50 Time at Salford 26:37 Coming to terms with retirement 33:30 Stoke City youth days 38:37 Early Hereford loan 41:28 Oldham loan move 50:55 Kick starting career at Rochdale 59:00 Tough time at Burton 1:05:55 Fresh start at Scunthorpe 1:11:20 Rochdale return 1:21:50 Best player & moment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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We're back with another episode of I Had Trials Once and this time we're joined by none other than G Stops dad, Kim Stopforth! Kim sits down with the lads to discuss everything from life growing up in Burnley, having trials at Blackburn and Non league stories galore. 🔗 Join our Patreon below for as little as £3 a month and get access to all of the best unfiltered and unedited stories that normally have to be cut! 👇 https://www.patreon.com/IHadTrialsOnce/membership A HUGE shout out to CAPO for sponsoring this weeks episode of the podcast - Check them out 👇 https://capouk.com/ 🎧 You can listen to the full episode wherever you normally get your podcasts via the link below! https://podfollow.com/i-had-trials-once 📳 Make sure you Like, Comment & Subscribe & turn on notifications so it lets you know when a new episode drops. Let us know in the comments who you want to see on a future episode of the Podcast! 👇 📲 Follow us on social! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHadTrialsOnce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadtrialsonce TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ihadtrialsonce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHadTrialsOncePodcast/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices