Rap's Rising Star Talks About His Transition Away from Football

#41 FEB 21

James Doig Joel Bonner Charlie Binns Bradley Middleton Renell McKenzie-Lyle

RAP’S RISING STAR TALKS ABOUT HIS TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOOTBALL #41 FEB 21 WRITTEN BY JACK WYLIE | DESIGN BY ICG

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2 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 3 Academy Leagues Round-Up

EFL Youth Alliance North East Division EFL Youth Alliance South East Division U18 professional development league north u18 premier league north

Notts County and Scunthorpe United currently lead the Peterborough United’s talented youngsters wrapped Wigan Athletic continue to be dominant at Under-18s Middlesbrough are the best of the EFL clubs in way at the top of the North East division, although it up their second successive South East title in February, level, amassing 27 points from a possible 33 to make the Northern section, sitting fifth behind leaders is 2018-19 champions Grimsby Town that are in prime completing the job by overcoming 2018-19 Merit them firm favourites for back-to-back Professional Manchester United, Liverpool, reigning champions position to surge to the summit. League One winners Southend United 2-1. Development League North titles. Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Neil Woods’ young Mariners are the only unbeaten side Posh are undefeated since the turn of the year, with The Latics are the only side in the North and South Although their form has slipped since November, Boro across all four EFL Youth Alliance leagues, although they their only dropped points coming in a goalless stalemate divisions to have avoided defeat this season, led by got off to a flying start to the season, winning five of do have several games in hand. Their success has been against second-placed Luton Town, who completed top-scorer Sean McGurk, who has 14 goals in 12 their opening seven matches, with Calum Kavanagh built from the back, with six clean sheets from eight their regular season campaign with back-to-back draws. appearances in all competitions, including a treble doubling up during wins against Leeds United (3-0), games, while they recently found their scoring touch during a 5-1 rout of Crewe Alexandra in November. Newcastle United (4-3) and Blackburn Rovers (3-1), The young Hatters have been impressive for large parts when Josh Smaller bagged a brace in a 4-0 victory over while Josh Coburn struck three in a 4-0 victory over of the season, but lost twice to Southend and were With multiple games in hand on their closest Huddersfield Town. Sunderland. recently beaten by Cambridge United, leaving the door challengers, Wigan currently sit third in the table, a Despite being eight points adrift of top spot, Grimsby open for both teams to overtake them in the table, if point behind Barnsley and two adrift of Birmingham 2018-19 winners Derby County also had a fast start, have played five games less than Notts, with the two they can win their remaining fixtures. City. A run of four straight wins lifted the Blues into first seeing off North East trio Sunderland (2-0), Boro (3-2) teams scheduled to face off at the end of February. place, but an Amir Ariely double gave Barnsley a 4-3 and Newcastle (4-3), although an inconsistent run since Lower down the league, Stevenage have managed just win to reduce the gap. then has seen them drift to seventh position. Elsewhere, Scunthorpe had moved themselves three victories all season, although two of them came into contention after five straight wins, including a home and away against the champions, registering 3-1 At the other end, Nottingham Forest are rooted to the In contrast, Blackburn Rovers have enjoyed an upturn remarkable 4-3 victory over the leaders, who had been and 2-1 victories. Seventh-placed Gillingham were the bottom despite producing two of the biggest winning in fortunes over the past month, claiming three wins 3-0 up with 20 minutes remaining. However, their title only other team to claim all three points against Posh. margins of the season, with Dale Taylor scoring a on the bounce, including a last gasp 1-0 victory over aspirations have drifted away following three defeats hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers (7-0) and Fin Liverpool, with Georgie Gent getting on the scoresheet. in four. EFL Youth Alliance South West Division Back repeating the feat against Cardiff City (6-2). u18 premier league south EFL Youth Alliance North West Division The South West division appears to be going down to U18 professional development league South the wire, with usual suspects AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are the current frontrunners in the Fleetwood Town were in the running for the North Oxford United going head-to-head for first position. Defending Southern champions Millwall currently stand Southern section after beating second-placed Fulham West crown throughout the curtailed 2019-20 season, ahead of the rest again this season. The Lions boast home and away in 2021. The Eagles are a point ahead The Cherries have set the pace for most of the season and they are back in the mix this year alongside Fylde the most potent attack in the region, with Ollie Bate with a game in hand, although Aston Villa are in hot having avoided defeat in their opening 13 league Coast rivals Blackpool. netting eight times in his last four outings, while Abdul pursuit, just four points back having played two matches, however, two defeats in the space of four Abdulmalik’s tally of 11 goals is only eclipsed in the PDL games less. The Tangerines started the campaign with three losses days against Exeter City (3-2) and Forest Green Rovers by Coventry City’s Harrison Nee (14). in succession, but have bounced back in formidable (5-3) saw them fall closer to the chasing pack. The Villains began the campaign with five wins on the fashion, stringing together 10 consecutive league wins, A seven-match winning streak has given them the trot and have responded admirably to their only defeat And the reigning champions relinquished control when largely thanks to the goalscoring exploits of Brad edge over Ipswich Town, although the Tractor Boys of the season against Fulham in October, collecting 11 they suffered a 3-1 defeat to their nearest challengers Holmes and Rob Apter. have played two games less and are just a point behind points from the next available 15. Oxford at the end of January. Despite losing 4-1 to the leaders. Exciting forward Holmes has been particularly prolific, Yeovil Town in their next fixture, Leon Blackmore-Such’s Arjan Raikhy’s second-half winner saw them overcome netting a hat-trick during a 4-2 victory over their fellow side are now in pole position to go one better than their Adem Atay’s team are on an excellent run of their own Palace towards the end of November, while the title contenders, although Fleetwood reasserted their runners-up finish from 12 months ago, sitting a point after winning four in a row, including a 2-1 triumph over 18-year-old also found the net in an impressive 4-2 authority with a 7-0 triumph at Walsall to reclaim the behind with a game in hand. third-placed Watford after first-year apprentice Edwin victory over Chelsea a week earlier. ascendancy on goal difference. Agbaje slotted home a dramatic 92nd-minute winner. Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle have found form at the Last year’s runners-up Preston North End are still in right time, with three impressive wins against Swindon Elsewhere, Colchester United’s form has dipped in the hunt, but are faced with a five-point deficit after Town (4-2), Portsmouth (3-1) and Forest Green (5-0) recent months, but they had made a spectacular start to enduring a difficult January, losing twice on the trot, helping them make a late push for Southern Merit the season, seeing off Ipswich 3-2 and then hammering including a 4-1 reversal against Blackpool. League One qualification. Watford 7-2, with striker Tom Stagg hitting the target on four occasions.

4 Touchline FEB 21 *As of 18th February 2021 FEB 21 Touchline 5 Leeds United have taken the Premier Still only 21, the former defender is “Having that clear pathway made my Sterling credits his commitment to an League by storm this season, producing establishing himself as ‘one to watch’ life a lot easier after completing the alternative interest for keeping him some eye-catching displays under world- within the rap scene. apprenticeship. My transition away from mentally healthy and insists there are renowned manager Marcelo Bielsa. “I started making music when I was 14, football was so much smoother because many transferable skills between football And while they have gained many before I got signed for any professional that option was there, and I’d already and music. admirers on the pitch, one of their own club,” he told LFE. built the foundations to move towards He said: “Both industries are very that route. has been making waves in the music “When I was playing football, my main goal competitive. You’ve got to be strong- industry after winning series two of was to become a professional footballer “I’m grateful for that because many minded and believe in yourself, regardless ‘The Rap Game UK’, which sees six and music was more of a hobby. young footballers put all of their hopes of what obstacles arise. unsigned MCs go head-to-head in a range and energy into pursuing a career in “But as time went on, I didn’t get a “In football, I learned about discipline, hard of challenges, in pursuit of a record deal football and if it doesn’t work, then it professional contract and I wasn’t seeing work, self-belief and mindset. Developing with rap legends Krept and Konan. can leave them in a difficult place. It’s any success from trialling at various clubs. those sorts of skills as a footballer has Jovanni Sterling, aka ‘Graft’, was an important to realise that there are many been very beneficial, as I’ve been able to “There came a point where my music apprentice at Elland Road during the different avenues other than football, and transfer them to my music career. was going so well that I couldn’t ignore 2015-16 campaign before spending the they’ve built up skills that make any job that pathway any longer, so it was a following season at Rotherham United, attainable if they put the right preparation natural process. but devoted his spare time to his passion and effort into it.” of creating music.

6 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 7 “As an apprentice, music was the “Overcoming obstacles is what Throughout the competition, etc, so that I can manoeuvre way that I would express my “Overcoming obstacles is what life is all about and life is all about and you need to Sterling spoke openly about within the industry in the most feelings and get things off my show strength, motivation and a range of important topics, effective and efficient way chest emotionally. Everyone goes you need to show strength, motivation and character character to be able to get back including racism, violence, and open doors that weren’t through a lot of ups and downs up when you’re knocked down. sexism and stereotypes, while previously available to me. in their life, everyone has their TO be able to get back up when you’re knocked down.” “In episode one, I flopped on his final performance with DJ “Obviously, I’m aiming to create own stresses and challenges, and both challenges because I let the Kenny Allstar accentuated the a great single, get it to chart writing lyrics was my release that importance of family and his “I used to watch the MOBO yourself, because you’re nerves get the better of me. and hopefully it attracts a lot of allowed me to be creative in a desire to represent his home city. Awards on TV, and still do, and learning techniques and creative I was shocked by that because interest from labels and other way I enjoyed. you think about massive artists processes from established I hadn’t suffered any failures “As an artist, I pride myself on influential people in the industry. “Rapping is probably a bit different like Jay Z, Stormzy, Krept and professionals. during my music career to that being versatile and showing I’m really determined to make to the norm as a footballer, but point, but that’s where my different sides to myself because great music, where I’m known all Konan, Craig David and so “The more music I make and it’s important to have other football experience came to that makes me more relatable to over the world, inspiring people on, all winning MOBO awards,” release, the clearer I am in my interests because you don’t the fore. a wider range of people,” he said. and touching the hearts of he added. “For me to receive head about what style I want, the want to be stuck as just being “I feel that I have a responsibility millions. recognition from the same message in my lyrics and being “I’ve been through failure and known as a footballer. When to portray the right message, company was crazy. I’m still relatable to others, the use of hardship in football. I’ve been in “Long-term, I want to eventually football is gone, you need to have the correct type of lyrics in young and it’s early in my metaphors and punchlines, and situations where you’re behind set up my own record label and have something else that you can my songs and influence people in career, so that was a very just becoming more confident as and have to dig deep and stay I’d like to invest in property, identify with. proud moment for myself a positive way. Music is universal a performer.” resilient to turn things around shares and other things where I “If it’s something you enjoy, then and my family. and that experience served me and I want to make a difference can be making residual income. I The budding star’s progress and be an inspiration. go for it because you never know “I’ve definitely progressed a lot well when I had to recover from want to put myself in a position caught the attention of BBC what’s going to come from that. over the past few years. The my mistakes. “After my mum and dad split where I don’t have to worry talent scouts, who offered him The best thing about doing things message that I’m promoting in my up, I’ve seen my mum work about money, and I can give back a place on the Rap Game show, “I used that disappointment as a you enjoy is that you’ll put your music is very clear and my lyrical extremely hard, doing whatever to the people that mean the most alongside five other hopefuls. driving force to prove everyone all into it. You can never have too ability is so much better because wrong. I came back with more she can to put food on the table to me. many options.” I’m always practising and learning With tasks including acapella and intensity and I took the rankings and give me the best upbringing “For all the young footballers By the age of 17, ‘Graft’ had from others in the industry. orchestral performances, duets, by storm in every other episode. possible. They’ve both shaped me currently on the apprenticeship, battle raps, recorded tracks and into the person I am today. I’ve already achieved exposure on “Music is my passion and I’ve I had loads of viral moments, I the key is to keep your mind and time-restricted assignments, their got a lot of respect for my family BBC Radio 1Xtra and earned worked really hard at perfecting showcased what I can do and I’m options open. adaptability and composure under and I wanted to highlight that. thousands of online views on his my craft. I really appreciate happy my journey went that way.” It’s important pressure was put to the test. music videos. Since completing the art of writing lyrics and Following his disappointing series “I believe I’ve represented Leeds to know that his apprenticeship, he has expressing yourself creatively. “What really distinguishes opener, the Leeds rapper never as a whole and I can see that love it’s not the end headlined for the likes of Wiley, I study a lot of artists, I’ve someone from the rest is how ranked outside of the top two from so many different people, of the world if Bugzy Malone, Tion Wayne and grown up listening to many they bounce back from mistakes positions in each of the remaining whether it’s old school friends you don’t get Nadia Rose, and even won the different genres and that helps and how they use mistakes to five episodes, claiming plaudits that I’ve not seen for years or a professional MOBO Unsung Award in 2018. when you’re trying to develop their advantage,” said Sterling. from many star guests and even people I’ve never met, contract. There viewers. young and old. are many ways of making a living “All of the defining moments from “Ultimately, I don’t try to be like that you’ll enjoy.” the series, where you look back anyone else, I’m just myself. I and vividly remember, involved want to make a difference in the me,” he continued. “The standout industry and for my local area for me was the orchestra ‘I Spy’ and being on the show provided challenge. I messed up in episode an opportunity for me to change one, came back with a vengeance my life.” in episode two, and then by Having claimed the Rap Game episode four I really showcased crown, the former academy the levels that I can reach. footballer is on the right path “I believe it’s a performance, so to doing just that. With a once I’ve got my lyrics nailed single supported by Krept down, I’ll think about my hand and Konan’s Play Dirty gestures and movements to add record label upcoming, to the package of the lyrics and he has set himself lofty the song. I take it step by step targets to attain. and I make sure every detail is “My short-term goal is to spot on. I was able to produce build a team around me,” he the full combination in that said. “I want a manager, an performance.” A&R rep, a PR consultant,

8 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 9 Marley Marshall-Miranda, Myles Bright Harvey Sayer, & Patrick Jones Junior Tchamadeu Huddersfield Town & Samson Tovide Wales Under-17s Colchester United international Patrick Jones Four apprentices have appeared (pictured) penned his first for Colchester United’s first team professional contract in this season, with Marley Marshall- October after playing Miranda featuring most frequently. for Huddersfield Town’s The 18-year-old midfielder, who first team in a pre-season signed a professional contract friendly a couple of months A total of 91 LFE in December, has come off the earlier. apprentices have Louie Barry, Mamadou Sylla Diallo, bench on five occasions in three The flying winger gained played first-team Kaine Kesler, Hayden Lindley competitions. his first competitive action & Arjan Raikhy football for their in January with a trio Aston Villa First-year right-back Junior respective clubs Tchamadeu (pictured) is the only of cameo appearances, A Covid-19 outbreak gave Aston Villa’s academy this season, member of the quartet to gain a debuting in the FA Cup players the incredible opportunity to play against including 76 start, with three Sky Bet League before two outings in the Premier League champions Liverpool in the third round Two appearances on his tally, while Sky Bet Championship. debutants at of the FA Cup in January. 32 clubs.* Harvey Sayer and Samson Tovide Fellow second-year A full squad of Under-18s and Under-23s was fielded, both experienced time on the pitch apprentice Myles Bright Here is a selection with current second-year apprentices Louie Barry, in the Papa John’s Trophy. was also involved in the of the talented Mamadou Sylla Diallo, Kaine Kesler and Arjan Raikhy Terriers’ cup tie with youngsters to earning starts, while Hayden Lindley was introduced Plymouth Argyle, earning make their first off the bench. Osazee Aghatise, Max Bardell, Bartosz a runout for the final seven appearances at It was a particularly memorable night for Barry Cybulski, Ola Ibrahim, Hugo Jinkinson, minutes. senior level. (pictured), who scored against a side containing the Harrison Solomon & Dylan Williams likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Derby County Mohamed Salah and Georginio Wijnaldum. Seven current apprentices were able to gain their first taste of men’s football in a Derby County kit when the first-team squad was forced to miss out on an FA Cup Lewis Bell tie with National League North club Chorley, due to a Carlisle United Covid-19 outbreak. Having caught the Seventeen-year-old Dylan Williams and second-year eye in a pre-season apprentices Hugo Jinkinson and Harrison Solomon friendly cameo against played the full 90 minutes, while Max Bardell (pictured) Liverpool, winger Lewis and Osazee Aghatise were also in the starting line-up. Bell was rewarded with Elsewhere, Bartosz Cybulski and Ola Ibrahim were a professional contract second-half substitutes. Rob Apter in September, before Blackpool making his senior bow Midfielder Rob Apter the following month. Josh Bailey, Malaki Black, Jack Davies, signed professional forms The 18-year-old featured Lewis Johnson & Charlie Smith in November, securing in the Papa John’s Trophy Milton Keynes Dons his future at Blackpool against Sunderland and until the summer of Milton Keynes Dons have used the Papa John’s Trophy Aston Villa Under-21s, 2022, and made his to develop their young players, with apprentices while his Sky Bet League professional debut in the Charlie Barker & Dylan Gavin accounting for over 450 minutes on the pitch during Two debut came as a late same month during a 3-0 Charlton Athletic their run to the quarter finals. substitute during a 2-0 victory over Leeds United Defender Charlie Barker (pictured) enjoyed a meteoric Seventeen-year-old forward Lewis Johnson (pictured) victory at Walsall. in the Papa John’s Trophy. rise in his football development during the early part of has been the main beneficiary, with four appearances, The 17-year-old, who the season, featuring nine times across four different including two starts, while he has also featured four was recently named in competitions during the autumn months. times in Sky Bet League One, as well as being a late LFE’s ‘The 11’, bagged The second-year apprentice scored in a Carabao Cup substitute in the FA Cup against Burnley at Turf Moor. an assist on his Sky Bet win at Swindon town, penned his professional contract Josh Bailey, Malaki Black and Charlie Smith also League One debut last and was named in LFE’s ‘The 11’ in November, while contributed in the Papa John’s Trophy, while Jack month, contributing to a his most recent outing in the Papa John’s Trophy Davies, who signed a professional contract in the 5-0 rout against Wigan against Leyton Orient coincided with Irish teenager summer, was handed his league debut after initial Athletic. Dylan Gavin’s first taste of the action at senior level. involvement in the cup.

10 Touchline FEB 21 * Figures correct as of 16th February 2021 FEB 21 Touchline 11 Charlie Bell, Alfie Bridgman, Harrison Brook, Seok Jae-Lee, Gerard Storey & Harry Jewitt-White Portsmouth Portsmouth Manager Kenny Jackett offered first-team playing time to seven current apprentices, including six debutants, in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy. While Harvey Rew had already taken to the field last season, Charlie Bell, Harrison Brook, Seok Jae-Lee, Gerard Storey and 16-year-olds Harry Jewitt-White and Alfie Bridgman Callum Brain, Harrison Bright, Aneurin Livermore, all featured for the first time this campaign. Zack Maher, Callum Ryan-Phillip & Lewys Twamley Bell (pictured) was a starter in two group games, while first-year midfielder Jewitt- Newport County White played from the first whistle in Pompey’s third-round tie with Peterborough Newport County handed out seven debuts to apprentices last season, United, two months after becoming the club’s third youngest player in their post-war and six more have added their names to the list, as well as Under-16 history. The November game against West Ham United Under-21s was also the player Sonny Lewis. scene of debuts for Brook and Jae-Lee, with Storey earning a half-hour cameo in a Winger Lewys Twamley was the first of the group to gain first-team second-round victory over Cheltenham Town. Elsewhere, having overcome several experience back in September, and tops the appearance tally with three. setbacks as a schoolboy, midfielder Bridgman’s landmark moment came as a late substitute during the knockout stage defeat to Posh. The following month, Twamley was joined by Callum Ryan-Phillip in the starting line-up against Norwich City Under-21s, while Harrison Bright and Zack Maher were introduced as second-half substitutes. Ethan Brierley & Kacper Mialkowski Alfie Lloyd Five of the youngsters featured in the final group game against Rochdale AFC Yeovil Town Plymouth Argyle, with goalkeeper Callum Brain and midfielder As a 15-year-old, Ethan Brierley found himself on Having been involved Aneurin Livermore (pictured) getting their first starts for the Exiles. Rochdale’s bench for their FA Cup clash with Newcastle with the senior set-up United in January 2020. Nine months later, the talented throughout pre-season, teenager entered the first-team arena with a brief striker Alfie Lloyd’s Mackenzie Chapman, Vani Da Silva, runout in a 1-0 Carabao Cup triumph at Huddersfield prolific scoring form for Ben Hough & Will Sutton Town. Yeovil Town’s Under- Oldham Athletic Midfielder Brierley has amassed eight appearances for 18s side encouraged Four apprentices have featured for Oldham Athletic’s Dale in total, including four in Sky Bet League One, Manager Darren Sarll to first team this season, with forward Vani Da Silva making his first league start against Gillingham before promote the 17-year-old stepping up first as a late substitute during a 3-0 Christmas. into the first-team fold. Carabao Cup victory over Carlisle United in September. Meanwhile, fellow first-year apprentice Kacper Lloyd was included in the Harry McHugh matchday squad for The He also appeared off the bench in the Papa John’s Mialkowski (pictured) replaced Brierley for his debut Wigan Athletic Trophy against Bradford City, which was the night during the latter stages of a goalless draw with Glovers’ National League A torn ACL sidelined of defender Will Sutton’s debut, playing 90 minutes Manchester United Under-21s in the Papa John’s fixture with Hartlepool Harry McHugh for the in a 3-1 win, while Ben Hough (pictured) was also Trophy. United in November entirety of his first year handed his professional bow in the same competition, and was given the as an apprentice, so staying on for the whole game as the Latics defeated opportunity to make his Flynn Clarke the 18-year-old wasted Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s 4-0. professional debut as an Max Dyche Peterborough United no time in making an 81st-minute substitute. Northampton Town Elsewhere, 18-year-old goalkeeper Mackenzie Flynn Clarke has become impression after returning Defender Max Dyche Chapman was the club’s backup early on this season a regular fixture in to full fitness, rifling a was first added to a and had the chance to get his first competitive minutes Peterborough United’s shot from the edge of the matchday squad in in Sky Bet League Two against Morecambe in October, first-team squad this area into the top corner September for a Sky when experienced number one Ian Lawlor was forced season, having penned a on his full debut. off at half-time due to an injury. Bet League One trip professional contract as a The exciting midfielder to Shrewsbury Town, first-year apprentice back was an extra-time remaining on the bench in December 2019. substitute in the FA alongside fellow second- The Scotland Under-19 Cup against Chorley in year apprentice Josh international has featured November and stole the Flanagan. 11 times across four show three days later While Flanagan is yet competitions, including with his first senior strike to make his first-team six starts, since making at Tranmere Rovers in bow, Dyche appeared in his debut in the Carabao the Papa John’s Trophy, back-to-back games in Cup in September, and while he was also called December, playing the found the net in all three upon from the bench in final 20 minutes at Crewe Papa John’s Trophy group a Sky Bet League One Alexandra before earning games, which saw him stalemate with Bristol a start three days later named the competition’s Rovers to cap off a against Oxford United. Player of the Round. memorable month.

12 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 13 TOP OF THE CLASS SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC BEGAN EARLY LAST YEAR, MANY PEOPLE HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE UP NEW HOBBIES AND SET THEMSELVES FRESH TARGETS TO ACHIEVE.

Former Cardiff “Some of our students will Middleton’s desire to provide “They are no different to anyone “Unfortunately, I had a really City apprentice just be suffering from anxiety the required level of support else, they just think a little serious facial injury from an Bradley and need a smaller nurturing to those in need comes from differently. accidental elbow and that pretty Middleton environment compared to a his own experience growing up “They’re not stupid or anything, much ended my career,” said has tackled a normal school. Our classes are with dyslexia. they just sometimes take a bit Middleton. particularly no larger than eight, so more He continued: “When I was longer to process things, so “Using the FA Level 2 Coaching unique challenge, attention can be given to each at Cardiff and said that I’m they require that bit of extra badge that I did as an having spent the last 11 child. dyslexic and needed extra support and patience. I’m really apprentice, I managed to get a months establishing the newly “Our children will be offered help with the college course, passionate about showing role as a sports coach, alongside registered ‘Levels School’. speech and language and the club had never come these kids that you can get playing semi-professionally. The specialist institution occupational therapy, so some across someone with similar somewhere in life in spite of After a couple of years, it is designed as a nurturing will need more support with requirements. The Head of these barriers and it’s just evolved into a full-time position, environment for students with their speech and language, Education, Steve Ellis, found a about your mindset to get and I did further qualifications specific learning difficulties and some will need basic skills of one-to-one tutor to sit next to through them.” in individual sports to become a co-occurring diagnoses. hand-eye coordination. We’re me in classes and support me Middleton boasts significant Level 2 or 3 Coach for about 15 “It will be open for eight to not just providing a school, with my work, and I certainly experience in this environment, different sports. 18-year-olds,” he told LFE. there’s also therapy provision wouldn’t have got my Diploma having worked at a specialist “In the last few years, I moved “We’re starting with Year 4 to attached as well. without that extra support. school for over a decade until into providing pastoral care Year 11 and then there will “There aren’t many schools, “It varies of course, but for me he was made redundant when it to the children. Because I’m a be a Sixth Form in a couple of certainly none here in Somerset, I find it extremely difficult to went into liquidation at the start practical teacher, rather than a years’ time. Most students will that can meet the needs of read and absorb what I’ve just of the first lockdown in March. sit-down teacher, the kids were have dyslexia, but we also cater the kids who do have severe read. Ultimately, the key thing “When I got released by Cardiff, more comfortable talking to for co-occurring difficulties, dyslexia and co-occuring is to understand the children I went to Aldershot Town, who me as it was a more informal so that could be dyspraxia or difficulties, so this is life- and their individual needs. were in League Two at the time. environment to the classroom. dyscalculia. changing for these families.” 14 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 15 “I KNEW I WANTED TO HELP THESE KIDS AND NOTHING WAS GOING TO STOP ME SETTING UP A SCHOOL FOR THEM.”

“I know that the curriculum can be a bit overwhelming for them at times, so it’s great to be able to give them a safe space away from that for a short time and just reassure them that they’re on the right path, and that’s why I love my job. “Originally, it was just something that I’d fallen into, but watching At the end of November, the like this in a different county “Initially, I was in a sport role, these kids have similar issues school was finally authorised in three to five years’ time, but over time I’ve drifted into to myself, I realised how lucky to deliver full-time education and then hopefully a few more a different area and now I’ve I was to get extra help and when its DfE registration was across the country.” set up my own school, so if these students needed that approved, marking a notable Although football was once his you put your mind to it and same level. The school’s closure milestone in the arduous process. primary focus, Middleton, who have support around you, meant that 40 students were “It was really exciting, not only is also a carer for his severely I think you can do anything completely out of school and for the students who can get autistic brother-in-law during his you want. I was determined to maintain back to school, but also the spare time, has found a career “For anyone wanting to go that support, which is why I staff members who have been away from the game that fulfils down the route of teaching, decided to set up my own.” with me and made a lot of his passion to help people who I’d recommend them to get In order to succeed in sacrifices to get to this point,” are less fortunate than most. volunteering. Get into a school completing such an enormous Middleton added. “I thought at 17 or 18-years-old and offer your time to an after- task, the former full-back used “At the start of 2020, I never that football was going to be school club or support teachers skills that he had developed as would have expected to be my life, but one injury changed with whatever they may need. an apprentice footballer to help setting up an independent my path,” he added. “It’s really Get in as early as you can and him along the way. specialist school. Not many important for lads to make sure build your experience. “We’ve made the school a real people can say they’ve built a they have something else to “There is a balance to find team environment,” he said. “In school from scratch and have focus on because you never between when it’s time to have football, you can have one or done it in such a short space know what’s round the corner. a bit of fun and when it’s time two players who are amazing, “I knew I wanted to help Having found a suitable of time. “You don’t need to box yourself to learn, and you need to be but you need a full team of these kids and nothing was premises within a 20-mile “Our next step is to wait 12 to into the sports industry just willing to make an effort with 11 to get through the match. going to stop me setting up a radius of the previous school, 18 months for our next Ofsted because you’ve been involved the kids outside the classroom That’s the mindset I’ve had school for them. It has been a converted the property for inspection, and obviously we in football. You’ve gained doors, as well as inside. when developing the team at rollercoaster, but I always kept school use and recruited staff want to be outstanding for that. skills that will transfer into “As someone who has always The Levels School. There’s 16 that determination and belief and students, Middleton and Our challenge is to get to our any industry, it’s just about cared about helping people, of us and as a unit we all work that it’d happen and it’s from his colleagues then had to pass limit of 65 students and I’ve pursuing something you’re it’s something that suits me extremely hard in our own the knockbacks I experienced a gruelling Ofsted inspection already had a conversation with passionate about and willing perfectly.” designed roles to bring it all in football that gave me that as part of an application to the our Head Teacher, Carol Cook, to put the required level of together. resilience.” Department of Education (DfE). about building another school effort into.

16 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 17 Ben Chilwell Aaron Ramsdale OTHER DEALS (Former Sheffield United apprentice) Karlan Grant £45m (Former Charlton Athletic apprentice) £18.5m Huddersfield Town West Bromwich Albion £15m Ollie Watkins (Former Exeter City apprentice) Ben Davies Ivan Toney (Former Northampton Town apprentice) Peterborough United Brentford £28m £2m PP UNDISCLOSED Joe Gelhardt Ben Godfrey Max Lowe Wigan Athletic Leeds United (Former York City apprentice) UNDISCLOSED UNDISCLOSED Oli Burke £25m (Former Nottingham Forest apprentice) Jayden Bogle West Bromwich Albion Sheffield United Jude Bellingham SWAP UNDISCLOSED Jamal Lowe UNDISCLOSED (Former Barnet apprentice) Wigan Athletic Swansea City Jamal Lewis £800k Callum Wilson (Former Coventry City apprentice) UNDISCLOSED Charlie Kelman Southend United Queens Park Rangers UNDISCLOSED £20m Demarai Gray (Former Birmingham City apprentice) Jack Simpson AFC Bournemouth Rangers Ebere Eze UNDISCLOSED (Former Millwall apprentice) UNDISCLOSED Regan Riley Bolton Wanderers Norwich City £19.5m Bright Osayi-Samuel UNDISCLOSED (Former Blackpool apprentice) Perry Ng Around £200million has been spent on former UNDISCLOSED Crewe Alexandra Cardiff City LFE apprentices during the 2020-21 season. UNDISCLOSED Fabio Tavares Here is a selection of the biggest deals. Rochdale Coventry City UNDISCLOSED

18 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 19 When Renell McKenzie-Lyle The young goalkeeper quickly found himself on the first-team bench for games started his apprenticeship at against AFC Wimbledon and Swindon “Going through the Barnet in 2017, it seemed like Town, with a senior debut feeling like a realistic expectation. he was destined for success. However, he was dealt a cruel blow just days after his 18th birthday that would whole battle with ultimately scupper his progress with the Bees. Having suffered multiple seizures, McKenzie-Lyle was diagnosed with epilepsy really has epilepsy, which limited his availability on the pitch and eventually led to his release. He told LFE: “I was trying on clothes in helped me to develop front of the mirror and the next thing I remember, I woke up and there were two paramedics standing over me and my brother beside them looking really confused. I was just on the bathroom floor as a person. I didn’t with an oxygen mask on. It was so scary. “I had to get a CT scan and they found that something was there, so I went for an MRI scan and they told me they’d found think I was strong a benign tumour in my brain, which was causing me to have tonic clonic seizures. “My first thought was that I’m not going enough, but I just had to be able to play football again. I felt like my life had come to a complete stop. It probably sounds dramatic, but at the time, I just thought everything was over. to be resilient, keep my “Physically, it takes a lot out of you when you have a seizure. You can’t really do much for a few days afterwards. Mentally, I think it makes you feel a bit different head up and maintain from everybody else. You feel like you’re carrying this thing that nobody really knows about, because being epileptic is invisible.” belief that everything In need of professional support, McKenzie-Lyle turned to Young Epilepsy, the UK’s only charity dedicated to creating better lives for children and young adults would be okay.” with epilepsy and related conditions. “The club weren’t really sure how to deal with it because you don’t come across many people in football with epilepsy, so that was where the charity came in,” he said. “My support worker, Alex, came in to speak to the players and did a session with the staff to inform them about epilepsy.

20 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 21 “After I came out of hospital, I felt “There are a lot of handy tips that I’ve learned and very low for a while. I felt helpless I think it’s important to pass on that advice to and I was just sleeping a lot, so I used others. You do really have to plan things properly Young Epilepsy as a support network. I “I have the mindset to get up and that is one thing that can sometimes get you needed to be educated on it and also down. If I want to go out at night or meet friends, needed some emotional support. I’ve got to make sure my schedule is right. “I was introduced to Leon Legge, who is every day and show everyone “I need to get plenty of sleep, take my tablets on a professional footballer and also has time and I don’t really drink alcohol. I work with epilepsy. I was able to speak to him that having epilepsy won’t my neurologist and listen to his advice about my on the phone and that really gave me tablets and what I should and shouldn’t do. Once the drive to still pursue my football. stop me reaching what I we found the right balance for my medication, Speaking to him just showed that it’s I’ve been able to avoid having seizures. possible to continue your career and “Many people have experienced rising cases make things work, even with epilepsy.” want to achieve.” during lockdown due to feelings of stress and not Inspired by his conversation with Port being able to go out and meet friends and family. Vale captain Legge, the 20-year-old Informative blogs, advice videos and even an To combat that, I’ve been doing a lot of reading decided to increase his involvement interview with Jamie Redknapp are also on and meditation, I’ve been on plenty of walks and with Young Epilepsy, raising awareness McKenzie-Lyle’s list of accomplishments as he have just generally tried a lot of things to keep and providing support as a Young aims to spread knowledge of the condition, my brain active.” Ambassador. which affects 112,000 people under the age of 25 in the UK. Now nearly 18 months seizure free, McKenzie- “I wanted to do more to help others, so Lyle is determined to get back to full fitness and I started off by talking at an event,” said He added: “One thing I’m really keen to do is go rise back up the leagues, alongside expanding his McKenzie-Lyle. “Afterwards, I received into different clubs and teach staff and players ambassadorial duties at Young Epilepsy. positive reviews from people, saying about the topic, because it’s not something we learn about in first aid courses and it’s something “I’m currently at Hayes & Yeading United,” he said. they were really inspired by my story “Epilepsy definitely set me back, but it’s just an and liked my presentation. that we don’t need to be scared of. Epilepsy is fairly common and it’s not the end of the world if obstacle that I’m overcoming and I’m focused on “From there, Young Epilepsy asked you are diagnosed. moving forward now and seeing how far I can go. me to be the face for their Christmas “For anyone that may go through a similar campaign and then I did an interview experience, I’d say it’s important to realise that for ITV’s lunchtime news. Shortly after it’s a journey that will make you stronger. It that, I became a Young Rep and a can be hard to always keep a positive mindset, Young Trustee, so I now have a bigger but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and voice for young people and adults with although it may seem like a long process, you will epilepsy. It’s been a crazy experience develop a lot as a person. to go from using them as a support “It’s made me really strong and resilient. One thing network, to now working for them and I really used to struggle with was responding to helping other people. making a mistake, and I don’t really think about “Going through the whole battle with that anymore because my mindset is different epilepsy really has helped me to now. I think about what I can do next to make develop as a person. I didn’t think I the situation better, so being mentally stronger is was strong enough, but I just had to something I’ve definitely noticed in myself. be resilient, keep my head up and “I have the mindset to get up every day and show maintain belief that everything would everyone that having epilepsy won’t stop me be okay. reaching what I want to achieve. I want to show “It’s quite surreal for people to be other people with epilepsy and other invisible inspired by my journey with epilepsy. conditions that you can still achieve great things It feels amazing to be able to help in football. other people who can relate to my “I’m really keen to become more and more story and I’m glad I can show them involved with Young Epilepsy and I’m interested some positivity.” in becoming a support worker. I really want to help people and share my experience, and also spread awareness within sport.”

22 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 23 sometimes the

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24 Touchline FEB 21 advice, support & videos. FEB 21 Touchline 25 It has been seven and he Merseysider’s academic qualifications, alongside his a half years since footballing ability, enabled James Doig completed him the opportunity to his apprenticeship at T pursue a soccer scholarship at Quinnipiac University in Accrington Stanley. Connecticut, where he excelled While he may not on and off the pitch. have achieved his Now 26, Doig has established himself in the Big Apple with dream of becoming his own emerging company, a professional Social Scousers, which footballer back in specialises in social media management, website and 2013, Doig’s time as graphic design, photography an academy player and videography for its growing has helped him forge list of clients. a new life in New York. “I told my family and friends that I was probably going to go for three months, play the season and then come back at Christmas,” he told LFE. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to cope with the academics because university standard would be too tough for me, so I really didn’t expect to last much longer than that. “But in truth, I think that footballers have the skills to adapt and be high achievers anywhere. From a young age, we’ve had the discipline to concentrate for extended periods of time, organised exercise and nutritional regimes, listened to instructions and executed them, worked on developing technique and problem-solving in various scenarios. “You sacrifice a lot and work a tremendous number of hours to get to the apprenticeship level, so without even knowing it, you’ve built up an array of skills that can be transferred into any number of different areas.” Despite having doubts over whether he would settle in the States, Doig was immediately made to feel welcome and quickly lost his inhibitions.

26 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 27 “Students would create signs in system accommodates you as “The team is made up of three “When I decided I wanted to the crowd and chant your name; you’re able to try all sorts of full-time staff, but then a lot of go to the States, I needed the I loved that experience. The different classes before deciding work is done via freelance. We required education to make me banner that really stood out for your major. I was undeclared focus mainly on social media eligible, so it was very valuable me was one that said: ‘Teach for the first year and a half development for companies of to my transition. me how to Doigy’ – that was a and I was able to try a variety varying sizes. We develop an “It’s okay to be sceptical about good one.” of different courses before online presence for them and it. I came over thinking I’d give The Accy academy graduate electing Communications. give them an understanding it a go for three months and was part of the first ever “The school and the coaches help of how the marketing side can come back, but look at me now, Quinnipiac side to reach the you every step of the way. You’re help them. I’ve just bought my first home National Championship during given study hours for extra “We’re working in many in Long Island and I’m building his freshman year, and went support and we had our own industries, such as sport, retail, a business with long-term on to pick up several individual tutors and academic advisors music, plumbing and labour. ambitions to stay here. honours, as well as concluding if we needed them. All of that With the pandemic, a lot of “I also hope to continue my his career with the most wins guidance helped me to excel.” companies have been unable to education by studying a PhD. I by a player in the university’s Although the ex-Quinnipiac meet face-to-face with people often think: ‘how have I done history. captain had offers to continue and they need to focus more of this?’ I want to keep doing that. their efforts on connecting and “I flew into New York and amazing facilities and have his And it was not just on the his playing career in Sweden I want to keep surprising myself engaging with their customers straight away I was greeted academics covered in the U.S. pitch where Doig thrived, with and Iceland, Doig decided he and pushing the boundaries that and audience online. by the coaches at the airport,” was far better than turning his commitment to education was ready to pursue his next I’d previously set for myself. said Doig. “They took me to a professional in Brazil, and leading to him finishing on the pathway. “Due to the fact it’s an online “I definitely took a risk coming treatment room to do a fitness that’s the case for many of the Dean’s List for his Master’s business, I’m able to have Following internships at AC here, but it was a risk worth test and I even had a press foreign guys. degree, which recognises clients back in England as well, Connecticut and New York Red taking. I developed leaps release announcing my arrival, academic excellence. so I’m looking to grow the “We had players from 13 Bulls, he began blogging for and bounds on the pitch as so I was really surprised about company both over here in the different countries from all “They call you a scholar-athlete officially licensed Liverpool FC I was given a new injection how seriously they took it. U.S. and back home.” over the world. There are because the education comes retailer The Anfield Shop, which of confidence and had all “All in the first week, I met with many conferences and they’re first,” he said. “To remain eligible was the catalyst for developing It may not be the route he the guidance and facilities a dietician telling me what I balanced in terms of budgets, to play soccer, you need to his own company. was visualising as a 16-year- to improve my lifestyle and should be eating, I was given a so it’s all very competitive and maintain a 2.0 grade point old starting his football performance. Doig added: “I hadn’t done gym and nutrition programme every game matters. average. I remember one of my apprenticeship, but Doig is now any blogging before, but I took “On a personal level, I was and I was made aware of a first lessons, I rang home and relishing his new challenge and “They do a lot of individual the position and hoped that forced to mix with people service that I could contact if I was buzzing that I’d got the plans to progress his academics awards and I wanted to win I could find my way. It wasn’t from all over the world and needed a sport psychologist. equivalent of a C, so to end even further. them. It sounds a bit vain, long before I was pointed in find my way in a completely “For matches, we’d all travel but I wanted to have the up finishing on the Dean’s List the direction of someone who He said: “In hindsight, I’m so new country, plus academically together in a coach or a plane media coverage and I wanted and getting a 4.0 GPA, which needed help with their social grateful for the education that I was learning in all sorts of and stay in hotels and have our everyone at the university to is basically straight As, was media accounts, then a football ran parallel with the football areas, so combining all that has food catered for us before and know who I was. fantastic. club got in touch asking if I could during my apprenticeship. really helped me to grow.” after games, which just shows “It was crazy to “I was driven and a leader as a help them and before I knew how much funding they put walk around player and took that into the it, I was building a clientele and into it.” the campus academics. running a no-name business. The Brit abroad was also and people “Each team must meet a certain “I started hiring people to do complimentary of the high know who GPA to be eligible to play and I jobs for these different people standard of play, with athletes you are as if prided myself on being a ‘GPA and organisations, and all from all over the globe you’re some player’ that helped keep our my project management and competing for team and sort of levels high as a collective. In education was at the forefront individual prizes at the celebrity. my freshman year, I was being of what I was doing. After college level. bailed out by others, so that was about 18 months running social important to me to turn that “One of my close teammates was accounts for various football around and set the standard. a lad from Brazil and he was a clubs and retail companies, I fantastic player,” Doig continued. “Some kids will come over and decided to put a brand on it and “He explained that the know exactly what they want push it forward, which is where opportunity to play at to do, but if you don’t then their I developed Social Scousers. www.socialscousers.com

28 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 29 EVERY PLAYER NEEDS A SECOND ‘PLAN A’

With your head (and feet) firmly planted on the football field, it’s hard to consider another career path. However, your abilities on the pitch, your drive, determination and commitment, make you a great match for a career in trading.

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Find out more at ostc.com/learn-to-trade-with-zishi/trading-courses/ then to sign up and kick off a second career in trading, email [email protected] FROM YORK CITY APPRENTICE TO PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST

32 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 33 www.cmbperformance.co.uk

ay 2012 was a month to remember for “Generally, you’re looking at how a player is York City. The Minstermen lifted the doing in training and on a matchday and FA Trophy and then regained their EFL analysing whether he is feeling fatigued, if he status after securing promotion from needs a bit more of a presence and should add the Conference via the play-offs. weight, or if he needs to lose a bit of bulk to But for Charlie Binns, it was the start enhance his performance. It’s always different of a new career path away from the with every player. club, having been released at the “When I was an apprentice 10 years ago, there completion of his apprenticeship. wasn’t so much investment in learning how Since then, the 26-year-old has forged his way nutrition impacts performance. Nowadays, clubs back into the professional game in a different are taking it much more seriously, hiring part- Binns provides time or full-time nutritionists, and players are services through capacity, working as a Performance Nutritionist CMB Performance at Birmingham City, as well as founding his own more interested in how it can maximise their and Nutrition CMB Performance and Nutrition consultancy potential, too.” business. Binns’ route into this area began in 2015 when “It took me a couple of years after being released “He took everything on board and obviously it’s “The apprenticeship certainly gave me valuable he enrolled onto the Sport and Exercise Nutrition to figure out what I wanted to do, so I would worked well. That’s the best part of the job. It’s a skills that have helped my transition after playing, degree course at Leeds Trinity University, earning advise apprentices, especially second-years, to very small factor in his success, but you feel like in particular learning how to conduct myself in an first-class honours. have a real good think about their interests you’ve contributed to his journey to the top.” elite environment,” Binns told LFE. “I became a lot While continuing to play at non-league level, outside of football and what the best route to Alongside his club commitments, Binns is now more professional during those two years, which Binns studied a Master’s degree in Applied Sports pursue that is. providing his services through CMB Performance enabled me to push on in a different career. Nutrition at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, as “Obviously, there is a bit of work to put in, but if and Nutrition, where he offers online and face- “As a Nutritionist, I employ a multidisciplinary well as qualifying as a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) you’re passionate about the subject that you are to-face expertise to a range of clients, in and out approach. I work closely with players, physios, accredited advisor and achieving an ISAK Level 1 doing, you won’t have any issues because you will of sport. coaches, psychologists, chefs, strength and award in Clinical Nutrition. be so invested in the work. If you’re willing to put As well as creating bespoke nutritional plans, he conditioning coaches and so on. “It was never my plan to go to university until I enough effort in, you’ll reap the rewards.” has also developed a recipe service, available via “Obviously, you need to know the science around looked further into sports nutrition and becoming The York academy graduate, who benefited from subscription, and delivers talks and workshops, nutrition, but having the ability to build a rapport a nutritionist,” he said. “I was just a steady college PFA bursary funding, landed a Nutritionist role at with a strong focus on how healthy eating is vital when working with people from so many student, but when I got to degree level and it was rugby league club York City Knights in May 2019 can improve mental well-being, in addition to different sections of the club. something that I was 100 per cent interested in, before joining the staff at Birmingham City a few physical performance. I excelled at university. months later, working with the club’s senior and “I’ve always wanted to start my own business academy players, including Borussia Dortmund and when the first lockdown came, I was able and England star Jude Bellingham. to commit all my effort into it,” Binns added. “I work with the Birmingham players a couple of “I’m working with elite athletes, such as World days a week, doing one-to-one consultations to Cup cricketers for England, a few individual see how they are getting on with their diet,” said professional footballers and then recreational Binns. “Every player has their own individual athletes, like golfers, triathletes, cyclists and goals, so it’s interesting to find the right plan for endurance runners. all of them. “I also offer my services to sports teams and I “The players have breakfast and lunch at the club, really want to tap into businesses away from so it’s vital that I’m in close contact with the head sport, too, because I think it’s an untapped area, chef, so that he knows what to cook and when to whether it’s for office workers or people adapting cook it. It’s also important to educate the players to working from home. on their food and nutrition structure, so that “I think a healthy body equals a healthy mind. they’re aware of what their body needs when A lot of people think nutrition will just help you they’re away from the club’s supervision. physically, but mentally it helps you such a great “Academy players are more difficult than the deal. Eating healthily keeps you on top of your senior guys because they’re still growing. You game, helps to optimise your stress levels and don’t want them to be on a calory deficit as that’s makes you and your skin look healthy. just going to make their bones a lot more brittle. “As an apprentice, I never thought I’d be able to They have such a hectic schedule, fitting in school start my own business. I still love football, but and training, so the key is to devise a programme it’s not at the forefront of my mind anymore. that ensures they’re taking on enough calories. There are so many opportunities available to you “I worked closely with Jude when he came into away from the game, so if you have an interest the first team as a 16-year-old and we wanted to in something else, then definitely have the add a bit of weight to him. confidence in yourself to go for it.” 34 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 35 Mark Roberts Online and face-to-face Dru Spinks Jack Rutter Each session is an opportunity for the lads to workshops on a range of We explore the stigmas and traditional The apprentices have more to offer than just understand who they are and how they can important subjects have perceptions that others have of what a young being a football player. They’ve got so many grow. They may well be competing in a team- athlete should and shouldn’t be, as well as skills from being in the position that they are based environment, but a career in sport is an been delivered as part of identifying the more modern ideas of how and can transfer them into other areas. They individual journey, so it’s vital that we do not LFE’s Personal Development athletes should be perceiving themselves. have to deal with pressure on a daily basis, they view their personal development as a one-size- programme this season. Subsequently, once we’ve developed knowledge have to show great levels of respect, they have fits-all solution. in this area, it’s then about raising awareness of to work well in a team environment and they There is a core focus on how personal Here, the four LFE Mentors the opportunities for personal growth that are have a lot of self-motivation, determination and development can support performance, well- discuss some key takeaways out there in the game and society. resilience to overcome adversity. being and transition, but my aim is always to from the sessions. We’re always challenging the question, ‘what is Having the belief to transfer them skills help the lads identify ways they can be the best performance?’ There’s performance in the game, into other areas is so important for them to version of themselves in everything they do. which is often at the forefront of their psyche understand. They can do so many things off the The lads have fully embraced the ideas we are and consciousness, but also performance in pitch that can develop them and improve their looking to share with them and it’s clear, like Chris Elliott society, and we spend a lot of time explaining characteristics and develop a broader identity. anything in life, that the more they engage the The main point I’d like the apprentices to take is how they are linked and complementary. That can give them a lot more security and more they get out of it. that you are more than a footballer. When you That all comes from a foundation of self- confidence and provide opportunities away from the game, while also helping them on the pitch. I try to encourage them to see any obstacle as grasp that, then personal development helps, awareness and the workshops provide a an opportunity to develop, so although in the whether football is or isn’t your pathway. safe space for the lads to go on a journey of current climate we are all dealing with significant When they start to have a different perspective exploring their identity and understanding challenges that we have never encountered on it, most of the lads start to make their own its importance. before, there are also many lessons that can judgements and can see the magic in it. be learned that will undoubtedly shape their futures in a positive way.

36 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 37 Joel Bonner’s football journey has come full circle

The 22-year-old was part of Liverpool’s academy as a schoolboy, playing alongside current first-team superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold, until he was released at the age of 16. And while Bonner’s dream of playing for his boyhood club did not materialise, the former Shrewsbury Town apprentice rejoined the reigning Premier League champions in a different capacity in November, working as an Under-16s Analyst and Individual Coach.

38 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 39 “My role is to analyse Under-16s games and and I received plenty of help with submitting my training sessions and then design development UCAS application, which meant it wasn’t such a plans for each player, in order to help improve stressful situation when I did get released. their game,” he told LFE. “I’m also out on the “There is a lot of support available to every pitch as well, delivering sessions that are tailored apprentice, but you’ve also got to take ownership to each players’ development programmes. of your own pathway. The information I received “I’m passionate about the tactical and analytical was the catalyst for me to then research my side of the game, plus I’m a massive Liverpool options in depth. Being proactive and taking supporter, so it’s an ideal situation. I didn’t expect the initiative to sort out your own future is very to be back here, certainly not so quickly anyway.” important. The Merseysider’s rapid progression into “The lure of Loughborough is the sporting full-time employment has been facilitated by his pedigree. They have a full-time football decision to study Sport and Exercise Psychology programme that you can be involved with at Loughborough University. Bonner secured a alongside studying your degree, and that’s year-long placement opportunity at Manchester something I was already well prepared for having United in July 2019, which gave him the chance been an apprentice.” to develop many skills in a working environment, Several former academy players earn places at while also bolstering his CV. Loughborough every year, studying a range of “I worked with the academy department, mostly different subjects, while contributing to their with the Under-12s to Under-16s, helping to substantial games programme, which includes deliver the educational aspect of psychology, fixtures in the BUCS League and Step 5 of teaching the lads about a variety of different Non-League, entry into the FA Cup, FA Vase components, like motivation, goal setting and and a handful of County Cups, as well as profile self-reflection,” he continued. friendlies against Category One academies. “The model of appreciating the person behind the footballer is important, particularly in young player development. Football is an intense Bonner, who was voted Players’ Player of the Bonner, who shared his insight as a speaker on a environment, so having an emphasis on personal Year 2017-18, added: “We were training three or Premier League Academy Player Support webinar development and mental health is crucial, no four times a week and there is a lot of football to for Under-16 players and parents a few months matter what level of club you’re at, and it’s be played. ago, believes that apprentices are well suited to embedded in the culture at United. “I made over 100 appearances in my first two pursuing the higher education route. “I also worked in other areas, spending time years at Loughborough and it gave me my first He said: “University is an experience that’s not with the analysis, player care and sport science experience of competitive men’s football, which just about studying for a degree. It’s living away departments. It was a great learning experience, is a step that every young player has to take at from home and learning life skills, meeting new understanding how things work at a top academy some point. people and socialising with different cultures, and seeing first-hand the up-to-date research “You’re doing a degree, you’ve got access to state- trying new experiences and finding new interests, that’s being applied in that setting. of-the-art facilities that are going to help you plus there is a football aspect to it as well. “Having gained so much experience in different improve your performance and then you’re able “There are essential life skills that you learn at departments, I learned that I wanted to go to play a lot of games with lads of a similar age. university that have certainly helped me develop down the analysis and coaching route and It’s a unique opportunity to enjoy playing football as a person. It’s important to consider it as an all- I’ve since received support from The PFA to start at a competitive level with your friends. round experience and a wider package than just my UEFA B Coaching badge, which I’m doing at “The facilities are so good that all sorts of elite solely studying a degree. the moment.” organisations are based there, like British “I chose psychology because it’s a subject that Bonner will now complete his degree course in Athletics, the England Cricket team and the interested me and I feel it’s an emerging area 2022, in order to accommodate his additional England Institute of Sport, who have a lot of within football, but the options are endless work commitments. Reflecting on his transition high-profile athletes training there. really. Some of the other ex-apprentices at from football apprentice to university student, “I remember being in the gym and Adam Peaty, Loughborough study economics, accounting and the centre-back believes he was well prepared the Olympic swimmer, was working out next to finance, maths and loads of other courses. thanks to the help of staff at Shrewsbury and LFE. me. I’ve been in there when Heavyweight boxer “Ultimately, the apprenticeship has prepared me “The apprenticeship is well designed in terms of Dillian Whyte was there and there are countless for the ups and downs you get in general life. encouraging us to balance education alongside other examples. Being around those sorts of elite There are setbacks involved in football, but they football,” he said. “The opportunity to go to athletes is really inspiring and motivates you to give you the opportunity to show resilience and university was something that excited me, give that bit extra and strive for more.” overcoming obstacles is what life is all about.”

40 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 41 Social The sense of belonging and stability, linked to relationships with other people both online What to do, and offline. to help you Physical The ability in which physical activities and roles can be performed Savings and Think about your roles Stay connected whilst considering lifestyle budget planning How are you managing Now more than ever, it is Spiritual choices, limitations, being a footballer alongside important to talk. Keep health and disease. Whilst you may not be The faith, beliefs, spending your money the your other roles? communicating through: values, ethics and same, how can you be saving (E.g. family member, student, • video calls • phone calls morals which support Occupational functioning in life it? Use this time to plan out partner, footballer, friend.) • instant messaging • gaming with meaning. The state of balance, how you are going to save • social media • letters purpose and happiness your money and how you are in everyday roles, such going to spend it. as family, work and leisure.

What can you do to What inspires you? How are you? train your brain? Think about your role models Emotional Try some of these mental and inspiring figures. Why The ability to express skills training techniques: do they inspire you? How do feelings which are they cope during lockdown WELL-BEING • visualisation drawn from thoughts. and with life changes? It is strongly linked to • self-talk mental health. • self-reflection

Mental How are you feeling? Help yourself, The process of thinking, help others thoughts and the ability If you are a PFA member, you to cope with the ups and can use their confidential Best protect yourself downs of everyday life. well-being service to talk and others by following about how you feel by calling your club rules and ABOVE AVERAGE 07500 000 777 or emailing government guidance. [email protected]. If you are not a PFA member, you can contact Shout Financial by texting85258 . The state of security AVERAGE and the feeling of having enough money to meet needs, as well as having control of day-to-day finances and financial freedom. BELOW AVERAGE

42 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 43 Stay smarter than Where to find help and report concerns technology. Stay safe. • Family • Report Harmful Content • Football Club’s Designated (www.reportharmfulcontent.com) Safeguarding Officer • PFA Well-Being Helpline • CEOP (www.ceop.police.uk) ([email protected] We recommend you pay attention to these considerations: and 07500 000 777)

Recognise, reject and report harmful content, featuring: Your accounts can be further Criminals have found new protectedYour accounts by using can two-step be further waysCriminals to scam have through found new Take regular breaks from verification.protected by using two-step phishingways to emails scam throughand calls. longTake periods regular of breaksscreen timefrom to verification Thesephishing appear emails genuine, and calls,so maintainlong periods your well-being.of screen time to rememberthese appear to check genuine the so maintain your well-being senderremember is verified to check and the that yousender are not is beingverified targeted and that for privateyou aren’t information. being targeted for EXTREMISM VIOLENCE private information Know who you are Video calls connect you talking to at all times. to family, friends and remote learning. Be sure that: • it is a safe and secure platform • everyone has their camera on • you are appropriately presented in appearance and location Social media musts: • it is not being recorded without BULLYING RADICALISATION • Fully understand the platform you Remember that private your permission are registering with. messagesRemember do thatnot private • sharing screens does • Be able to trust and set the alwaysmessages remain do privatenot . not expose private security of your personal always remain private or inappropriate information. information • Choose your followers and friends carefully. • Think about your online presence and reputation. Excessive online gaming and CRIME FAKE NEWS • Protect your digital footprint Excessive online gaming and and check what could be shared purchasing of loot boxes may publicly by anyone. leadpurchasing to addictive of loot behaviours boxes may When sending content or lead to addictive behaviours streamingWhen sending music content and video, or • Avoid comparing and well-being problems, streaming music and video, yourself to others and well-being problems know the law and respect it. such as financial, mental know the law and respect it to protect your andsuch physical. as financial, mental and self-esteem. physical

HATRED DISCRIMINATION

44 Touchline FEB 21 FEB 21 Touchline 45 Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter @LFEonline @LFEonline

567 523 1,240 15K 2,216 6,457 posts following followers tweets following followers

FEB 2021 Shrewsbury Town Academy @shrewsacademy 3 of our staff joined @LFEonline and Sporting Chance earlier for a workshop focusing on lockdown and mental health

NOV 2020 Joe Thompson @IAmJoeThompson With the huge help of @LFEonline and the superb support of the clubs.

I continue to do my upmost to support and help these young men in their lives. #PersonBeforePlayer

Thanks @pnefcacademy

@pnefc and @MKDonsFC U18s for real, open and ALL BETS inspiring workshops today. #ProudOfYouAll ARE OFF Lincoln City Academy @LCFCAcademy You are not allowed to place ANY bet on ANY Recently the scholars had an @LFEonline workshop on personal development football, ANYWHERE in the world. The lads carried out various activities to help them understand how having various interests outside of football can help them improve their overall This covers any match or competition, wherever it is played in the world. It means you enjoyment of the game. cannot bet on scores or results, or any other event that takes place in any match or competition. It also means you cannot bet on any other football matter, worldwide – for example, who the next manager of a club will be. So don’t fall foul of the rules and remember – you cannot place ANY bet on ANY football, ANYWHERE.

To view The FA’s Rules and Regulations, visit TheFA.com

YOUR REPUTATION YOUR RESPONSIBILITY YOUR CAREER FEB 21 Touchline 47

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