Project Footballer

🎙️ 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: 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 childrenIf 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 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

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 footballThis 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

Welcome to an extraordinary episode featuring a captivating panel discussion with football legends Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redknapp, and Paul Merson. Delve into the world of football, parenting, and the unique dynamics that shape young athletes. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the intricacies of 1-to-1 training and its impact on a budding footballer's development. Can a child be inherently born as a footballer, or is it the result of dedicated training and mentorship? Join us as we unravel the mysteries behind nurturing sporting talent from a young age. The conversation takes an insightful turn as we delve into the realm of parenting styles. Discover the delicate balance between being assertive and fostering a relaxed environment for your child's growth in the world of football. Should parents adopt a more hands-on, pushy approach, or is a laid-back attitude more conducive to success? Our panelists, each with their unique experiences, share their perspectives on what works best in shaping a football prodigy. A highlight of the discussion is the fascinating comparison of parenting styles between the esteemed Harry Redknapp and the insightful Paul Merson. Gain valuable insights into the diverse approaches these football icons have taken in guiding their own children through the challenges of pursuing a career in the beautiful game. Whether you're a football enthusiast, a parent navigating the world of youth sports, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of football development, this episode promises a rich tapestry of experiences and wisdom. Join us as we journey through the minds of these football legends, unlocking the secrets to nurturing the next generation of sporting talent. Don't miss out on this riveting exploration of football, parenting, and the unique stories that shape the beautiful game.

In this episode, Darius Charles and Dan Edwards talk to Jess Warner, the blogger known as being “the one with all the boys”—the mum behind The Only Girl in the House, where she shares tales, tips, tricks, family travels and grumbles of having 5 boys. In this Instagram live stream, they discuss how to deal with teammates who are bullies in academy football and much more.

In this episode, we have a panel of guests to answer your questions! Ex-footballer and current senior house parent for Manchester City U18s and U21s Darius Charles, top technical coach Dan Edwards who has worked with the likes of Jesse Lingard, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raheem Sterling, Ex-footballer and England Futsal player Rob Ursell and Portia Freno, parent of one of the top U8s in London join us to answer the ultimate question of how to make it as a footballer.

David is the former head of research and development at Manchester United, providing intelligence and support to the multi-disciplinary team across coaching, science, data, technology, medicine, operations, media and psychology. He also wrote an in-depth case study on the success of Gary Neville, looking into his structured deliberate practice and decision making. In this episode, we dive deep into football's biggest secrets at the elite level of the game, including how artificial intelligence will impact the future of football. We also look into the success behind Gary Neville in our quest to further explore the question of 'How do you make it as a footballer?'.

In this episode of Project Footballer, we speak with professional freestyler and internet personality, Daniel Cutting. He has amassed a huge audience of over 3 million across his socials from showcasing his incredible football technique online. As well as building his son's accounts past 250,000 in a short space of time, setting him up to become either a footballer or content creator.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Lawrence — Ajax Consultant and father of professional footballer James Lawrence — to explore one of the most overlooked factors in youth football development: birth month.Stephen explains how being born later in the academic year can create hidden disadvantages for young players in the UK system, affecting everything from physical comparisons and early selections to confidence, opportunity, and long-term progression.We discuss:Why early-born players are often favoured in academiesHow late-born players can bridge the gapThe psychological impact of selection biasWhat parents and coaches can do to support late-born childrenLessons from Stephen’s journey raising a future professionalThis is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and anyone working to understand the deeper patterns behind football development.

In this episode, we speak to English former professional footballer Joleon Lescott, who has previously won 2 Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, as well as making over 500 appearances for club and country.  We discuss how Joleon made it as footballer, what was his journey like? What was his environment like? Joleon also gives a lot of insightful and interesting information that parents can take on board and utilise in their child's football journey.   We hope you enjoy this episode, please let us know your feedback in the comments below!

Sonny Pike has an amazing story to tell. One that could really help parents avoid some potential mistakes, as they try to aid their child’s journey towards becoming a football player.  Long before every aspiring young footballer was social media-famous, Sonny was the first, and only, for many many years after, footballing prodigy who was made accessible, known, and even famous, to the general public, as he took his journey towards being a footballer. We hope you enjoy this podcast, let us know your thoughts in the comments!