Football DNA Podcast

Our guest on the podcast this month is Amy Kay. Amy is a well established and respected figure in Youth Development, currently working as the Lead Foundation Phase Coach at Brighton & Hove Albion Academy. Following an impactful career as captain and Academy Lead at Lincoln City, Amy joined Brighton in 2024. Renowned for her high-energy leadership and exceptional ability to connect with young p...

Mike Melvin is the Founder and Managing Director of 3v3 UK, one of the leading organisations driving the growth of small-sided football across the UK. Through his work with clubs, leagues, County FAs, the Premier League, and The FA, Mike has helped introduce thousands of young players to the benefits of the 3v3 format. Over the past decade, he has organised major grassroots and academy events, del...

Trophies are great, but individual development is the real prize. In this episode, we welcome special guest Ross O'Kane , former Foundation Phase Lead at Luton Town FC Academy, to break down the strategic value of tournament football in youth player development. Drawing from his extensive experience in the elite academy space, Ross shares how coaches can navigate pressure, fatigue, and rapid t...

In this episode we are joined by sport psychologist Sarah Murray to discuss The Value Of Sports Pyschology In Grassroots Football. Sarah has over a decade of experience working in professional sport, education and business. 9 years of which include a full time role overseeing performance psychology at a premier league football club. Sarah has a passion for working with people, hence she can be fou...

In this episode of the Football DNA podcast we speak with Co-Founder & Director of the Football Fun Factory Jonny Martin. Jonny is a UEFA A Licensed Coach and previously worked at Cambridge United Academy for 9 years. He now is on a mission to support young people across the country. The Football Fun Factory was created to provide incredible childhood football experiences, for boys and girls o...

In the first episode of 2026, we are joined by David & Keith Mayer to discuss How To Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly. Insights are taken from the book they both published as co-authors. Keith has an extensive coaching background around the world and for the last decade with Liverpool FC Academy. David has also coached around the world as a UEFA A Licenced Coach, currently at Utah Red Wo...

In the ninth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ross Embleton to discuss Talent ID & Recruitment In Grassroots Football Ross is a highly respected English football coach, currently serving as Academy Head of Recruitment at West Ham United . With a background in youth development at clubs like Tottenham and Norwich, he is best known for his time at Leyton Orient, where he held rol...

In the eighth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ben Bradford to discuss grassroots goalkeeper coaching. Ben Bradford is an experienced and sought-after goalkeeping coach, who is a former academy Goalkeeping Coach for West Ham United Football Club. He has numerous qualifications, including FA Level 2 goalkeeper, FA Level 1 in Talent Identification, and FA Emergency First Aid. His coa...

In the seventh episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Paul McGuinness to discuss Individual Skill Development Paul McGuinness spent 24 years at Manchester United, where he served as Head Coach of the Professional Development Phase. During his time at the club, he played a pivotal role in the development of players such as Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck, and Axel Tuanzebe, among many othe...

In the sixth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Chris Ramsey to discuss being an effective grassroots football coach. Chris Ramsey MBE is a highly respected football coach and coach educator with decades of experience developing elite players and coaches. A former professional defender, he played for clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town. He coached England’s yo...

In the fifth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by James Barlow to discuss the role of coach development. James is currently Head Of Coaching at Portsmouth FC, is a UEFA A Licensed Coach & has The FA’s Advanced Youth Award.

In the fourth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Merfyn Roberts to discuss Managing Behaviour In Youth Football Coaching. Merfyn is an education consultant, specialising in behaviour management and applied learning, and has been an FA tutor for a number of years. His latest role at St George’s Park has been as the lead tutor for the Social Corner on the Advanced Youth Award.

In the third episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Pete Sturgess. Pete is synonymous with Grassroots football development within England, in particular his focus on supporting junior coaches to provide enjoyable and inspiring football experiences. He has committed his whole career to improving the coaching of our youngest players. A former teacher and academy assistant director, Peter w...

In the second episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Steve Sallis. He supports 20 Premier League and Football League Players with mental conditioning support. Steve delivers Leadership Seminars on the UEFA Pro and A’ Licence for the Scottish Football Association. He is the author of "Educating Football" which has received national and international press coverage, which includes intervie...

In the first episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Connor Horrocks. Connor is a British national who moved to Spain as a young child and developed a love for coaching. As an UEFA A Licensed Coach he challenged himself further by now coaching in South Korea.

In the tenth episode of 2024 our host Paul Barry is joined by Thomas Gronnemark. Thomas has made a career in coaching throw ins for professional clubs including Liverpool FC under Jurgen Klopp! Here we dive into the topic of throw ins especially in the youth phases of the game.

In the ninth episode of 2024 our host Paul Barry is joined by Temisan Williams. Temisan has experience coaching at 3 different premier league clubs and has completed the route of starting in grassroots to academy football.

In the eighth episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by Shamus Beaglehole - YDP Coach at Leicester City. Take a listen to get some knowledge on how to plan your coaching sessions.

In the seventh episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by Nathan Thomas - Head Of Coaching U13 - U16 at Crystal Palace. Take a listen to get some knowledge on how to manage players on a match day.

In the sixth episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by Elliot Head - Head Of Foundation Phase (AFC Bournemouth). Take a listen to get some knowledge on how to manage this challenge in coaching.

In the fifth episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by experienced coach Matt Dunn (Brighton & Hove Albion). Take a listen to get some top insights into creating and managing relationships with parents.

In the fourth episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by experienced coach Mark Lyons (Leicester City). Take a listen to get some top tips for managing player behaviour in coaching sessions.

In the third episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by U13 - U16 coaching specialist Sam Cox. Take a listen to get some top tips for coaching those teenage age groups.

In the second episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by U9 - U12 coaching specialist Pawel Guziejko. Take a listen to get some top tips for coaching 8,9,10,11,12 year olds.

In the first episode of 2024 our host Ross Brooks is joined by U5 - U8 coaching specialist Michael Fox. Take a listen to get some top tips for coaching 5,6,7,8 year olds.