Aug 20, 2024
Playground to Premiership | Adi Viveash
Playground to Premiership
Wayne Thomas, ex-professional footballer and founder of ACE Academy in Walsall talks to former players about their journey from the playground to professional football. Offering insights into the highs and lows of progressing through a career in football, hear the stories from some of the game’s great characters.
Playground to Premiership offers valuable insights to parents, guardians and coaches of young aspiring footballers, with guests sharing their thoughts on development of young players in the game today.
Episodes
Episodes
May 20, 2024
May 20, 2024
1 hr 16 min
Jimmy Walker holds the all time appearance record for Walsall Football Club, and went on to sign for West Ham United in 2004. After a spell at Tottenham Hotspur he went on to coach at several clubs. Jimmy talks to Wayne Thomas about his career path, the highs and lows, and gives his advice to young players starting out on their journey from playground to premiership.
May 1, 2024
May 1, 2024
1 hr 2 min
Stephen Cooke, former Manchester United & Aston Villa player and Lilleshall graduate speaks to ACE Academy's Wayne Thomas. Stephen discusses rising through the English football system, being wanted by the best at a tender age and his thoughts on developing young players in his coaching role today.Stephen also picks his dream 5-a-side team of players he was lucky enough to call friends and teammates during his development.