It Was All A Dream - podcast cover

It Was All A Dream

Unedited Storiesshows.acast.com

From the producers of the multi-award winning Coming In From The Cold, comes a new podcast documentary series about the journey, the dream and reality of becoming a professional football player through the academy system. Only 1% of those in England’s football academies go on to become professional full-time players at a Premier League or WSL club. 99% won’t. This is their story.


Many young players, both boys and girls will take the journey through the football academy system, so why do so few make it, and at what cost? How do those lost to the system cope with being discarded? What is the impact on their parents and other members of the family? How do those who work in the game help or hinder their progress? What about the players, their sacrifices, their challenges and ultimately where they are now?


Narrated by Troy Townsend, this series features Premier League, WSL and footballing stars Andros Townsend, Eberechi Eze, Ben White, Andy Robertson, Anita Asante and Steven Caulker. You will also hear from footballing legends such as Les Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Trevor Sinclair, Lee Trundle and Marcus Gayle, alongside the game’s most respected coaches such as Chris Ramsey, Manisha Tailor & Hannah Dingley, just to name a few.


This production was supported by The Audio Content Fund and broadcast nationally on talkSPORT.


Produced by Andrew Spence

Assistant Producer: Anne-Marie Batson

Writer: Drew Christie

Sound Design: Bernard P Achampong


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

Bonus #2: Live Show on talkSPORT

Troy joined talkSPORT's Hugh Woozencroft and former England International and Arsenal quadruple winner, Lianne Sanderson to hear first-hand from players, parents and professionals about their experiences of the UK's football academy system. Here's the second half of that conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 202141 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Bonus #1: Live Show on talkSPORT

Troy joined talkSPORT's Hugh Woozencroft and former England International and Arsenal quadruple winner, Lianne Sanderson to hear first-hand from players, parents and professionals about their experiences of the UK's football academy system. Here's the first half of that conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 15, 202142 minSeason 1Ep. 4

A New Hope

Episode 3 looks at ways of making the Academy system better, and how the governing bodies can help revolutionize the system. Troy Townsend makes THREE calls to action that the Premier League, EFL and the WSL should make. Coaches from clubs such as QPR's Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey speak about what they think can be done to change a brutal system, to one that doesn't affect young boys and girls mentally, and leaves them with options and education whether successful or not. In this episode you ...

Nov 08, 202147 minSeason 1Ep. 3

The Dark Side

Trigger warning: This episode features experiences of depression and suicidal thoughts. Troy Townsend speaks to Premier League players; Arsenal's Ben White, Scotland captain Andy Robertson and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze about their experiences of rejection through their journey in the academy system. We hear the stories of those who have had negative experiences at football academies, like Jordan Eli, Ashley Thompson and Kieran Bywater, who after being released from their respective football ...

Nov 01, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 2

The 1 Percent

In this episode, we look at the start of the journey of many of the boys and girls in the English Football Academy system, explain how it works, in both the men's and women's game. You will hear from the players, such as Everton's Andros Townsend, Crystal Palace's Eberichi Eze and Aston Villa's Anita Asante, who speak about the sacrifices and experiences they made from a very young age to ensure they are successful in the 'Career Before The Career', on their paths to become professional football...

Oct 25, 202155 minSeason 1Ep. 1

What is the problem with the dream? (teaser)

Did you know only 1% of those in England’s football academy system will have a professional full-time career at a Premier League club? All this considering that boys and girls as young as 3 are being scouted and signed to football clubs, dedicating a large part of their childhood to the game they love. Those who are in the system until they are 16, 99% of them are just... left behind. This is their story. Prod: Andrew Spence Asst Prod: Anne-Marie Batson Writer: Drew Christie Sound Design: Bernar...

Oct 22, 20218 min
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