Marvee Woods Football Academy Podcast

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 the club will not register a player who is on trial. Even if they are good enough to be in the age group that they are trialing in, because the club takes into consideration whether or not the Tria...

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. About his journey from youth player to coaching, emphasizing the importance of discipline, mindset, and development pathways in football. Discover how Bristol Rovers is shaping future talent and the key...

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 the identity of the First Team and Academy is built on B.R.F.C which is a synonym of Brave, Resilient, Forward Thinking & Collaborative. These are the characteristics the club looks for in the...

Byron Anthony, the Academy Manager and also currently the Interim First Team Assistant Manager of EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers FC tells me on Episode 22 of my Podcast. That 80% of the game is mindset. Making quick decisions on the pitch, dealing with the ups and downs of the game. It all requires mindset.

Byron Anthony, the Academy Manager and also currently the Interim First Team Assistant Manager of EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers FC tells me on Episode 22 of my Podcast. That it takes discipline, sacrifice and consistency to accomplish what you want not only in football, but in life. Byron believes that many players do not make the grade because they are lacking in these three areas.

Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That elite players are consistent in their actions on the pitch. Robin says that Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is the perfect example of an elite player.

Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That some of the academy players have ADHD and SEND needs and the club have a protocol in place to cater for those players

Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That the academy players they register at Sunderland have to have a Unique Selling Point (USP). If Grassroots players come to the club on trial and don’t have any unique stand out skill about them. The club will not take them on.

Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. About playing youth team football for Brentford, shares insights into youth development, coaching strategies, and the importance of holistic player growth at Sunderland AFC. Robin also speaks about how talent is identified, nurtured, and the role of mental and physical development in cre...

Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That he is not focused on whether the academy boys win or lose. His job is to develop players for the Sunderland First Team. Full Episode: Friday March 13th (6pm)

Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That the Under 18s on Scholarships study to be referees and more. They also do various work experiences. So if any of the players do not get offered a professional contract. They have some experiences outside of football that they can forge a career in, if they choose. Full Epis...

Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That academy football is not fair because all players are not treated the same in the team. Some players play in age groups above their own, others play in age groups below their own. One player might get First Team opportunities earlier than the rest of their teammates. Outcome...

Snippet: Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of Premier League club Sunderland AFC tells me on Episode 21 of my Podcast. That the Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus insists on making the academy a fundamental part of the club. Prioritising the academy has also had it’s benefits. The Sunderland academy, had many of it’s graduates playing a pivotal role in the Sunderland’s First Team recent succes...

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That he believes the benefits of good Sleep and Nutrition are undervalued in football. Especially, in relation to helping players prepare off the pitch for training and matches.

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That many academy players dream of playing football in the Premier League. Duncan says that a player who forges a career playing outside the Premiership in the Championship, League 1 or League 2 should still be considered a success, especially since the chances of playing in...

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. For an academy player to be a top performer in football, they must be able to cope with pressure and setbacks and maintain the mentality to keep going.

Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. About his journey from coach to academy manager, his experiences in various football academies, and his current role at Southampton. Duncan shares insights on the importance of player development, the structure of football academies, and the challenges and rewards of working in youth...

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That the difference between Grassroots and Academy players is their awareness of time and space when on the ball. Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That there is a birth bias in academy football. Clubs favour players born in certain calender months because they are deemed to be more physically developed and maturer than those born in later months. Being born in a certain month, can have an impact on players that clubs r...

Snippet: Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That the club manufactures challenging and sometimes smooth circumstances for the players, to give them a taste of the ups and downs that will come when they turn professional. Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)

Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast. That winning behaviours and desire are important in football. Being clinical, winning all your duels. Taking care of the small details matters. Full Episode: Friday February 27th (6pm)

Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast. That the First Team Manager and Sporting Director at the club, both scout the u18s and their matches at the training ground for potential First Team players. Full Episode: Out Now

Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast. That Academy Under 18s players who are paid and employed to be full time scholars daily at the club. Have to follow strict time keeping guidelines that coincides with the First Team training sched...

Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast. That his dad Alex Miller who was a former Glasgow Rangers defender and First Team Manager of Aberdeen, Hibernian and St Mirren taught him about fizzy drinks spiking blood levels which reduces perf...

Greg Miller, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Portsmouth FC who is departing the club to become the new Charlton Athletic Academy Manager from March 2026 tells me on Episode 19 of my Podcast. About his journey from being a professional footballer to a coach and academy manager. We discuss the importance of family support, discipline, and lifestyle choices in youth football, as well as...