Identity in Elite Youth Professional Football
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IDENTITY IN ELITE YOUTH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TOM MITCHELL A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November, 2015 Abstract The concepts of Athletic Identity (Brewer, Van Raalte, & Linder,1993) and identity (Erikson, 1950, 1968) both carry notions of having a clear sense of self definition. Applied practitioners in elite professional football settings (e.g. Holt & Dunn, 2004; Harwood, 2008; Nesti & Littlewood, 2010; Nesti, 2013) have championed the notion that individuals who possess a clear sense of self, (generally) cope with the demanding nature of first team football, and the daily challenges that arise from their chosen profession (i.e., injury, de- selection). Conversely, a small number of researchers have consistently argued that professional football club culture may not support the development of a clear sense of identity in (young) players, as it has been described as espousing notions of power, dominance, authority and insecurity (see e.g. Parker, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001; Roderick, 2006, 2006a). The present thesis explores the role of identity, the impact of football club culture on its formation, and its importance in the career trajectory of youth team footballers. Across three distinct studies, this thesis explores the concepts of Athletic Identity, identity, and the creation of club culture within youth and professional football. Study one used a cross sectional approach, within and across levels of play along with distinct situational, demographic variables to assess any differentiating factors in Athletic Identity in 168 (N = 168) youth team footballers. Football club explained 30% of the variance in exclusivity among players (p = .022). Mean social identity was significantly higher for those players in the first year of their apprenticeship compared to the second year (p = .025). The range of variance for exclusivity amongst players suggested it was the cultural climate created at each individual football club that impacted this subscale of Athletic Identity. Study Two used a qualitative approach with the aim of critically exploring the perceptions of practitioners in relation to; ideal player characteristics, working practices, organisational culture and environmental conditions. These facets are influenced by practitioners within youth development programmes, all of which contribute to shaping a player’s identity (Erikson, 1968). A total of 19 youth development practitioners were interviewed during data collection. Practitioners provided an explicit and clear blueprint of the ideal player characteristics required for successful upward transition, including, self belief, dedication and self awareness, which are synonymous with notions of identity. Finally, Study three used a case study approach to critically examine how players’ experiences of a professional football environment and culture served to shape their identity and allows them to cope with critical moments. A Championship football club served as the case study in which 4 players were interviewed 3 times over the course of one season. Findings were represented as narrative stories of each player. Findings suggested that having a clear sense of identity provided players with a platform for resilience and perseverance throughout a range of critical moments. In summary, it is vital that appropriate internal (club) and external (affiliated organisations) strategies are developed and integrated into practice to ensure that players develop a clear sense of identity and meaning. It is essential that this transcends the professional football domain for players to have the best possible platform for career progression and career termination. 1 Acknowledgements Martin Littlewood – your support and guidance has been invaluable throughout the whole process. Mark Nesti – thanks taking the time to review the work and for the meetings on all things cultural and existential. Dave Richardson – thanks for your insightful comments throughout the entire process. The football clubs, players and staff - without their willingness to grant me access and their cooperation this project would not have been possible. Friends – for putting up with my football culture ramblings. Mum, Roge, Laura and Grandma – thanks for always believing in me, supporting me throughout my life to get to this stage. And finally.... Lucy, Sebastian and Theo – Not all there at the start but thank you for giving me inspiration, encouragement and a welcome break from the demands of study. Without your love and support I would not have made it. 2 Contents page Section Page Number Abstract 1 Acknowledgements 2 Researcher Profile 8 Chapter One 1.1 Introduction 11 1.2 Literature Review 13 1.3 Cultural and Historical context 13 1.4 Professional football culture 16 1.5 Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) 27 1.6 Career Transitions and Critical Moments 31 1.7 Approaches to understanding identity 38 1.7.1 Athletic Identity 39 1.7.2 Social and Role identity 48 1.7.3 Identity: An Eriksonion approach 50 1.8 Summary 56 1.9 Mapping of the research journey 57 Chapter Two – Athletic Identity in Professional Football 2.1 Introduction 60 2.2 Method 63 2.2.1 Participants 63 2.2.2 Materials and Procedure 55 2.2.3 Statistical Methods 64 2.3 Results 64 2.4 Discussion 67 2.5 Conclusion 72 2.6 Recommendations 73 Chapter Three – Identity formation in English Football 3.1 Introduction 76 3.2 Methodology 78 3.2.1 Participants 78 3.2.2 Procedure 79 3.2.3 Data Collection 79 3.2.4 Pilot Interview 83 3.2.5 Data Preparation 83 3.2.6 Data Analysis 85 3 3.2.7 Strategies for ensuring validity, credibility, 88 rigor and trustworthiness 3.3 Results and Discussion 90 3.3.1 Ideal player characteristics for successful 79 transition from youth to professional 3.3.1.1 Physical and technical attributes 92 3.3.1.2 Psychosocial Competencies 94 3.1.2 Summary of Ideal Player Characteristics 104 3.3.3 Practitioner perspectives on the development 105 of ideal player characteristics 3.3.3.1 Organisational factors contributing to Identity formation 92 3.3.3.2 Non organisational factors contributing 112 to Identity formation 3.3.4 Summary of practitioner perspectives 114 of development of ideal player characteristics 3.3.5 Practitioner Perspectives on the challenges 115 to players (and their identity) during transition to first team environments. 3.3.5.1 Non organisational challenges to player identity 117 3.3.5.2 Organisational challenges to player identity 119 3.3.6 Summary of practitioner perspectives 123 on the challenges to players and their identity during transition to first team environments 3.4 Discussion 124 3.5 Conclusions 127 Chapter Four - The Role of Identity in Critical Moments within Professional Football Environments 4.1 Introduction 131 4.2 Method 133 4.2.1 The Case 135 4.2.2 Co-actors 135 4.2.3 Data Collection 136 4.2.4 Fieldwork Diary 137 4.2.5 Interviews 138 4.2.6 Data Analysis 141 4.2.7 Trustworthiness 141 4.2.8 Data Representation 142 4.3 Results 144 4.3.1 Ryan’s story: A tale of uncertainty 144 4.3.2 Jason’s Story: Feelings of betrayal 155 4.3.3 Kevin’s Story: A ‘lost’ player 160 4.3.4 Robbi’s Story: Spirituality and freedom 166 4.4 Discussion 174 4.5 Conclusion 178 Chapter Five - Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations 4 5.1 Aims of the thesis 181 5.2 Practical Implications 183 5.3 Theoretical Implications 187 5.5 Suggestions for future research 207 5.6 Conclusions 204 References 205 Appendices 235 A: Informed consent forms B: Interview Schedule Study two C: Interview Schedule Study three List of Figures Figure 1.1 Key Performance Indicators for Academies 28 Figure 1.2 Typical Category one club structure 30 Figure 1.3 Development model on transitions 35 Figure 5.1 Trust vs Mistrust in professional football 193 Figure 5.2 Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt professional football 194 Figure 5.3 Initiative vs Guilt in professional football 195 Figure 5.4 Industry vs Inferiority in professional football 196 Figure 5.5 Identity vs Role Confusion in professional football 197 Figure 5.6 Intimacy vs Isolation in professional football 198 Figure 5.7 Generatively vs Stagnation in professional football 199 Figure 5.8 Ego Integrity vs Despair in professional football 200 List of Tables Table 1.1 Socio-cultural model of elite player development 37 in professional soccer Table 1.2 A timeline for the development and use AIMS 41 Table 1.3 Eight stages of Psychosocial development 52 Table 2.1 Mean (SD) Athletic Identity measurement scale 66 (AIMS), social identity, exclusivity and negative affectivity for youth football players according to which English professional league they play in. Table 2.2 Mean (SD) Athletic Identity measurement scale 66 (AIMS), social identity, exclusivity and negative affectivity for 168 professional youth football players according to whether they were living at home or away, or whether they were in the first or second year of their apprentice. Table 3.1 Practitioner Codes 84 Table 3.2 League Codes 84 5 Table 3.3 Ideal player characteristics 92 Table 3.4 Practitioner perceptions on the development 106 of ideal characteristics Table 3.5 Challenges to player Identity during transition 116 Table 4.1 Sages in Professional Development 136 Table 5.1 Eight stages of Psychosocial development 189 List of Abbreviations EDS: Elite Development Squad (or Under 21’s) EPPP: Elite Player Performance Plan FA: The Football Association EPL: English Premier League FFE & VTS: The Footballers' Further Education and Vocational Training Society Limited FIFA: Federation Internationale de Football Association PFA: The Professional Footballers Association UEFA: Union of European Football Association YDS: Youth Development System Glossary of Terms A range of contextual and environmental specific terms are used frequently throughout the thesis and are defined below: Home-grown: A football player that is either located within and/or has player progressed through a professional football club's Youth Development System/Football Academy.