The Assist Podcast

There's a phoenix tattooed on Harvey's neck, and it tells you everything before he speaks. This is a man who has burned down to ash more than once, and risen every time. He grew up in South London, kicking a ball alongside Clinton Morrison, certain football was his future. His father, a professional bodybuilder, drilled toughness into him. His mother Welsh and Sierra Leonean gave him something dee...

This episode is a powerful and honest conversation with Ben Coker, a footballer whose 18-year career was built not on hype or natural advantages, but on resilience, mindset, and persistence. As the only professional player at the time competing in the EFL while managing type 1 diabetes, Ben’s story offers a rare and refreshing perspective on what it truly takes to survive in professional football....

What happens when the dream you’ve chased your entire life suddenly disappears? In this episode, we sit down for an unfiltered conversation with Jacob Blyth about football, identity, and the hidden cost of chasing success. From playing men’s non-league football at 15, earning a move to Leicester City, and training alongside Premier League winners - to injury, isolation, public scrutiny, and the da...

In this episode, we sit down with Adebayo “Bayo” Akinfenwa, one of English football’s most iconic and respected figures. Across a 20-year professional career, Bayo scored over 230 goals, earned promotions with clubs including Wycombe Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon, and Northampton Town, won silverware with Swansea City, and was recently awarded the Tom Finney Award for his contribution to the EFL and th...

Dudley Tal Stokes’ journey from a boy in rural Jamaica to Olympic bobsledder is a story of serendipity, resilience, and relentless work ethic. His military training equipped him with crucial skills to control fear and perform under pressure. Despite limited resources and a compressed timeline, Dudley’s instinctive feel and dedication allowed him to compete at the highest level in one of the most d...

In this powerful episode, former professional footballer Mason Spence shares his deeply personal story of how the highs and lows of football led him into a destructive gambling addiction. He opens up about the emotional toll of trying to prove himself, the isolation that came with constant setbacks, and how betting became his escape from every emotion — anger, happiness, loneliness, and guilt. Mas...

Here we go again! Series One was such a success that we’re back for Series Two! We’re welcoming new sponsors and looking to connect with like-minded brands that share our values. We’re excited about the guests we’ve lined up and grateful to Carl at Podspace for our new look and home. This series will focus more on solutions — offering guidance and reflection through the stories shared. The respons...

On this week's episode we speak with Laurie Walker, Goalkeeper at Solihull Moors. We discuss family dynamics and the impact it had on his career and personal life growing up. Football was a great escape but it didnt come without its challenges some of which were the most extraordinary experiences we’ve heard in a while. A real feel good story from being let go at a club in your teens to then makin...

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by former professional footballer Aaron McLean. From the very start of the episode, it becomes clear that a central theme in Aaron’s journey is how embarrassment and early setbacks shaped his drive and decision-making. He opens up about his formative years at Chelsea, the unexpected release from the club, and the deep sense of shame that followed. Looking bac...

Jim Burnside provides a warm welcome for Jim Stevenson to join the Assist podcast for this episode and it immediately kicks off with Craig Mackail-Smith and Jim Stevenson not remembering if they have been in the same team at the same time but agreeing they were quite literally in their own personal struggles at that time. Craig and Jim Stevenson spent time together (they think) at Luton Town durin...

Todays guest joining Craig Mackail-Smith and Jim Burnside is John Bitting whose current role is at MK Dons as PDA Academy lead and interim manager of the ladies team who is an ex player and strives to improve the wellbeing and productivity of young players. JB has played an incredible part in some players progression into their professional careers whilst not forgetting some who haven’t been able...

Jim Burnside and Craig Mackail-Smith reflect on how the podcast is being received by people from all walks of life and it allowing them to open up about their own experiences. The previous episode with Barry Fry showed us an insight to how he lives his authentic life and how this has enabled him to live out his version of a dream life. Barrys key message was to embrace being yourself. This episode...

Craig and Jim have a review of how well the podcast has been received and what responses they have had which has left them with moments of imposter syndrome. They both go on a journey sharing stories of how they have had good moments but expecting something bad to follow - is this normal/common? Exhausting pre game rituals, knowing it’s ok to have highs and lows. Exploring how recovery and recharg...

What an incredible opportunity and one Craig and Jim couldn’t let pass! An experience talking to Barry Fry (who has held almost every role in football over 65 years) about the start of his journey playing for England school boys, signing for Manchester United aged 16, ‘growing up’ with George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Matt Busby amongst some additionally equally gifted football heroes in th...

Introducing Assist. It’s time to change the narrative around Men’s mental health and the sporting world. We’re ready to help guide men (in particular) in their journey to exploring and improving mental health and the journey of life - buckle up for some raw, heartbreaking confessions of their toughest moments and how it shaped them and their loved ones! So who are @craig_mackail_smith & @jimbu...