Marvee Woods Football Academy Podcast

I’m joined by Matt Hancock the CEO of EFL League 1 team Port Vale, on Episode 27 of my podcast. Matt tells me that listening is very important and it’s a common trait that he’s seen in players who have joined the First Team from the academy. They all seem to be good listeners. Processing information and executing it.

I’m joined byCalum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me that in the Lincoln academy. They are trying to develop good young people, alongside developing their talent.

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me that scholars at Lincoln have to be physically and mentally ready to enter the First Team by age 18 because the club doesn’t have an under 21s team to continue development.

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me that Lincoln scouts players with certain movements and abilities that they can develop long term when considering registering a player to the academy in all age groups. The club accepts that due to their limited resources, the perfect players don’t wa...

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum Oakenfold shares his journey through football coaching, from grassroots to academy management. Calum also gives insights on youth development, coaching strategies, and the importance of experience in shaping successful football careers. In this insightful inte...

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me that the academy takes education seriously and encourages it, because the club cannot guarantee the boys will become professionals in the game. More in my comments Full Episode: Friday May 8th 2026 (6pm)

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me that they play teams like Arsenal, Man United, Man City for a challenge when the under 9s and other age groups are winning consistently to help the development of the academy boys. Full Episode: Friday May 8th 2026

I’m joined by Calum Oakenfold the Academy Manager of newly promoted EFL League 1 Champions Lincoln City, on Episode 26 of my podcast. Calum tells me about seeing academy players fall out of love with the game due to distractions, pressure and change of interests Full Episode: Friday May 8th 2026

On this episode, I’m joined by Martyn Bowles the Academy Manager of EFL League 2 club Walsall FC, on Episode 25 of my podcast. Martyn lets me know that he has planned for the academy 8 years ahead and his staff and him are daily working towards this vision that he has future proofed for the Walsall academy.

On this episode, I’m joined by Martyn Bowles the Academy Manager of EFL League 2 club Walsall FC, on Episode 25 of my podcast. Martyn discusses with me, why left footed players might be favoured and says that Walsall try to develop players to play with both feet from foundation phase.

On this episode, I’m joined by Martyn Bowles the Academy Manager of EFL League 2 club Walsall FC, on Episode 25 of my podcast. Martyn lets me know that the club does have a profile when it comes to recruiting players, but he emphasises that Walsall are not only registering 6ft plus players. This only occurs in specific positions.

On this episode, I’m joined by Martyn Bowles the Academy Manager of EFL League 2 club Walsall FC, on Episode 25 of my podcast. Martyn tells me that the academy plays goalkeepers outfield to help the keepers develop with the ball at their feet.

On this episode, I’m joined by Martyn Bowles the Academy Manager of EFL League 2 club Walsall FC, on Episode 25 of my podcast. Martyn shares his insights on Youth Development, coaching strategies, and future-proofing the academy 8 years ahead in preparation for 2033. Martyn also talks about data, goalkeepers, human development, and his strategic vision to shape the academy players into first-team...

On this episode, I’m joined by Damien Allen the former First Team Midfielder turned Academy Manager of EFL League 1 club Stockport County FC, who tells me on Episode 24 of my podcast. Controlling your emotions and being able to deal with the psychological demands of football is key to becoming a professional footballer. Full Episode: Friday April 24th 2026 (6pm)

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL League Two club Middlesbrough FC tells me on Episode 23 of my Podcast. About his beginning playing football at academy level and the highs and lows of being an early developer physically. Martin reveals his extensive experience in youth talent identification, development, and recruitment. He discusses the nuances of talent ID, the importance of...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the club's academy as a 12-year-old schoolboy, joins me on Episode 23 of my...

On this episode, I’m joined by someone different to my usual Academy Manager guests. A well respected man in the recruitment side of football. He is responsible for discovering players like Djed Spence and more. Mr Martin Carter, the Head Of Academy Recruitment at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough FC, who also played for the clubs academy as a 12 year old schoolboy, joins me and tells me on Epis...

Byron Anthony, the former defender, now Academy Manager and currently the Interim First Team Assistant Head Coach of EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers FC tells me on Episode 22 of my Podcast. About the sacrifices he made to sustain a long term career. Not only when he played in the Cardiff City youth ranks. Also when he went on to become Bristol Rovers longest serving player, making nearly 200 ap...

Byron Anthony, the former defender, now Academy Manager and currently the Interim First Team Assistant Head Coach of EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers FC tells me on Episode 22 of my Podcast. That with the release and retain period for all academies around the corner in April. He finds it to be an intense time and lets me know the Bristol Rovers process when making release and retain decisions.

Byron Anthony, the former defender, now Academy Manager and also currently the Interim First Team Assistant Head Coach of EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers FC tells me on Episode 22 of my Podcast. That different departments within the club will be involved in the registration of a successful Trialist. This usually involves a staff vote to determine who should be registered for the club after a tr...