This is the debut of the Academy Football Network Podcast. The aim of the podcast is to shed light on all the great work being done in youth football. To share good practice to benefit all within the game.

This month we are joined by Dan Micciche. Dan is an experienced coach who has over 15 years experience at both Academy and first team level. Dan's coaching experience also stretches to national level having worked at the FA as lead U16 coach.

Dan shares with us his experiences from his coaching journey and take on the Academy scene, discussing player development, the Premier League's affect on the games programme and so much more.

Intro music by KP Beatz track entitled Made It

This is the second instalment of the Academy Football Network Podcast. The aim of the podcast is to shed light on all the great work being done in Academy football. To share good practice to benefit all within the game.

This month we are joined by Troy Townsend. Troy describes himself as a failed footballer - but he is so much more! Troy had impacted hundreds if not thousands of people (young and old) in his various different roles with mainstream education, grassroots football and the non league scene. Troy also has unique insight into parenting a child right through the Academy system into first football at the highest level.

Troy shares with us his experiences growing up trying to become a professional football player to life after football when his journey was ended when he was not offered a professional contract. Troy also shares some of the trappings he faced when leaving the game to losing loved ones and sharing in his sons success as a professional football player.

This episode is dedicated to Steve Brown, Roy Jones and Kurtis Townsend - Rest in Paradise.

Intro music by KP Beatz track entitled Made It

The third instalment of the Academy Football Network Podcast features Kieron Cadogan. Kieron was a product of 3 academies in England; Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace before making his professional debut for the Eagles under Neil Warnock.

Kieron has experienced the highs and lows that comes with Academy journey and also in the professional game.

Kieron speaks about; mental health; dealing with pressure, being released, growing up in inner city London, loans, agents and so much more - this really is a jammed packed, thought provoking episode.

This is the fourth instalment of the Academy Football Network Podcast. The aim of the podcast is to shed light on all the great work being done in Academy football. To share good practice to benefit all within the game.

This month we are joined by Gifton Noel-Williams. Gifton made his debut for the Hornet's aged 16 and still remains the Club's youngest ever player to make his debut. Gifton grew up in Islington, North London. Gifton played for Watford scoring 43 goals (Finishing Watford's top goalscorer in the 1998-99 season). Gifton went on to play for; Stoke, Burnley, Brighton, Res Murcia, and Elche before playing in the States for Austin Aztex FC.

Since then Gifton has transitioned to from playing football into coaching, becoming a coach educator for the PFA and is currently the Billericay Town Assistant Manager.

Gifton shares his experience of Academy football both from a playing and coaching perspective - a truly interesting listen.

Intro music by KP Beatz track entitled Made It

The fifth instalment of the Academy Football Network Podcast features Fraser Franks. Fraser has shown the mentality needed to forge a career in professional football. Professional football is a rollercoaster, sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down - the key is how you handle the good and bad times.

Fraser grew up on Surrey Lane Estate, Battersea, South London. The product of Chelsea academy from U9, Fraser remained at the club until 16 before being released. This was the start of Fraser working his way through the football league and non-league.

Franks played 320 games in his career, including playing in a 5th round FA Cup tie against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City before retiring due to a heart condition.

Fraser is now full of optimism and is ready to impact youth football through player care. Fraser is currently studying Directorship in Football and is a beacon of what can be achieved with the correct mindset.

The network is growing! Episode six of the Academy Football Network Podcast sees Richard Allen visit the studio.

Richard Allen is a true ambassador for youth development. With 20 years experience as a youth worker in Hoxton, East London before moving across to Tottenham Hotspurs as Head of Recruitment. Richard has since been Academy Manager at QPR, Head of Talent ID at the FA and now is the Director of Football at Loughborough University.

Richard shares how to create an environment conducive for the development of young people, the principles of Talent ID and so much more!

Join the network and subscribe today!

* The aim of the podcast is to shed light on all the great work being done in youth football. To share good practice to benefit all within the game.

Please Stay Safe!!

Episode seven of the Academy Football Network Podcast sees Richard Shaw visit the studio.

Richard Allen is a long servant of the game, having progressed as a scholar at Crystal Palace, Richard made 207 appearances of the Eagles before joining Coventry City making a further 317 appearances. Richard finished his playing career at Millwall. Richard was ever-present in the Millwall side, winning the club's "Player of the Year" award in the process, the third club at which he had won this accolade.

Richard was appointed caretaker manager of Millwall in October 2007 before taking over at Coventry City. Richard since joined Crystal Palace holding a number of different coaching roles, the most recent being U23s manager. Richard has overseen 5 players transition into the 1st team under his tenure including Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Richard is now looking forward to continuing his coaching journey in the US and has a number of ventures including Tornado Football https://www.tornado-football.com

Join the network and subscribe today!

https://linktr.ee/academyfootballnetwork

* The aim of the podcast is to shed light on all the great work being done in youth football. To share good practice to benefit all within the game.

We are back with season 2 of the Academy Football Network Podcast.

This is part 1 of 4 from our discussion with Omer Riza, U23's Watford Manager and U17 England Coach. Part 1 focusses on the current climate at U23's level.

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Intro Music - Fly High by Bigzy

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