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Professional football is a hyper-competitive industry. It can be ruthless, cutthroat, and overwhelmingly results-driven. But is there a place for kindness amidst all that intensity?

In Episode 67 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale Football Club, currently of EFL League One. Matt shares his personal journey from learning about the game and people in the weathered, pungent changing rooms of Wolstanton United, a local non-league club that his father led, to working in a variety of community football roles, to ultimately taking the helm of one of the oldest football clubs in the world.

Port Vale is celebrating its 150th year and the club leadership has made the brave decision to forego a front of shirt sponsor in order to maintain a classic design that has gone viral and drawn envy from around the world of football. We talk about the internal discussions that led to that decision and how, combined with a value-driven and authentic marketing strategy, sacrificing a six figure kit sponsor has actually led to commercial growth in other areas of the club.

We speak not only of football’s social obligation to be relevant and in service to its community, but also critical topics of sponsorships, partnerships, revenue generation, and workplace culture within a club.

Matt's trajectory is very different to most CEOs in the game. His 20+ years of experience has largely been in community football - as a coach and administrator -using the power of the game to support non-traditional groups at the Staffordshire FA and Burton Albion Community Trust.

These roles had the ultimate outcome of inclusion, participation, and health - not 3 points and revenue generation. - which is why his promotion from Community & CSR Director to Chief Executive Officer of Port Vale came as a surprise to many.

But, as Matt tells us in this episode, his experience and perspective have prepared him to lead a club that certainly seeks on the field success (and showed it with an immediate promotion back to League One after suffering relegation in his first season at the helm) but also serves as a priceless social hub in its home of Burslem, a town in Stoke-on-Trent that has endured poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse as its core industries of mining and pottery manufacturing have left the area.

This episode displays not only football’s important role in its local communities, but also the mentality of a leadership team that has turned the club around in recent years and is making news for all the right reasons.

Connect with Matt Hancock and Port Vale Football Club here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hancock-653535136/

https://www.port-vale.co.uk/

Connect with Because Football here:

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia@gmail.com

For Episode 66 of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a different format. Rather than interviewing an incredible guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on his round the world journey that took him to football communities in 17 countries in the past 18 months, a new documentary series, and giving his perspective on the new FIFA Club World Cup.

Highlights of this episode include:

• Overview of his discoveries of soccer communities in 17 countries
• Recommended vlogs to watch on our YouTube channel
• The vision behind the new "Road Trip to the World Cup" documentary series to tell the story of soccer in each World Cup region
• Praise and criticism of the FIFA Club World Cup
• Why experiencing fans at the Club World Cup has him excited for next summer's tournament

Follow more of Because Football:

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/

Jason Triglia is Founder and Owner of YerbaCrew, which sells Yerba Mate tea, Yerba Crew bombillas, a variety of mate gourds, and serves as an educational and community hub with its series of "Mateada" events in the Philadelphia area.

As a sponsor of the Icarus Cup, Jason loves the opportunity to share mate with people who have never tried it before and to be a part of a vibrant, powerful soccer community. It's a chance for him to stay connected to a game he loved as a child, as well as the men's and women's teams that YerbaCrew sponsors in the CASA Philadelphia league.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Jason talks about the unique cultural connection between soccer and mate (if it's good enough for Messi - it's good enough for you!), and what makes Icarus Cup the perfect event to market his business and connect with new customers.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer. The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend. Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.

Follow YerbaCrew:

https://yerbacrew.com/

https://www.instagram.com/yerbacrew/?hl=enLearn more about Icarus Cup:https://www.icarus-cup.com/https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscupLearn more about CASA Soccerhttps://www.casasoccerleagues.com/homeCASA Philly Instagram Learn more about Icarus FChttps://icarusfc.com/https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=enFollow Because Footballhttps://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

The growth of MLS in the past 25 years is undeniable, but its the lower levels of American soccer where some of the most impactful success stories live. A great example of that is Chattanooga FC, an MLS Next Pro and WPSL club that has set attendance records and has a hold on their local city.

In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Derrall Stalvey, SVP of Strategy for the club. For the last 4 years, Derrall has been leading the club’s long-term vision, strategic initiatives, and brand growth. CFC is a club that has been around for 16 years but has done some pretty exceptional things in that time and is a great example of what soccer can do for American communities, especially at the lower level.

Derrall talks about how the club selectively markets to key fan groups, how their mission statement drives everything they do, and how a career in TV news production prepared him to enhance and leverage the powerful story of CFC and its fan base in order to ensure success on and off the field.

Connect with Derrall:

LinkedIn

X/Twitter

Chattanooga FC Website

Connect with Because Football

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Anne Song is the Captain of Gritty FC, a grassroots adult soccer team in the Philadelphia area.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Anne tells us about how the team helped her make friends and settle in a new city after moving from Cleveland, as well as the origin of the team's name and how it mirrors their collective personality.She shares about how winning the Icarus Cup last year was the highlight of her soccer life and details the team's gritty (sorry....) comeback in extra time to lift the pedantic and singular Icarus Cup trophy.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer. The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend. Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.Learn more about Icarus Cup:https://www.icarus-cup.com/https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscupLearn more about CASA Soccerhttps://www.casasoccerleagues.com/homehttps://it.linkedin.com/company/casa-soccer-leagueLearn more about Icarus FChttps://icarusfc.com/https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=enFollow Because Football

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_/videoshttps://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

If your youth club could make more money from sponsorships, there is a good chance that money could be used to provide more access for players who can't normally afford youth soccer.

But how do you develop that revenue? Well, you need a gameplan.

In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Madrid-based American Ben Gunduz. As a player and administrator for his local neighborhood club ADC MALASAÑA, Ben has been able to make a difference on and off the pitch.

With the cooperation of club leaders and local businesses, ADC MALASAÑA has expanded their scholarship programs in order to share the beautiful game with more kids in their community.

But the problem is, due to field and geographical constraints, they can't grow anymore. They are at their limit.

So, Ben and co-founder started Tod@s Juegan, a social organization that connects players with local clubs AND consults with clubs on how to leverage their social capital into more robust revenue. There is so much gold in this episode and what Ben shares can be utilized in grassroots, youth and amateur clubs around North America.

Follow Ben and his clubs/orgs:

https://linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gunduz

https://www.instagram.com/adcmalasana/?hl=en

https://www.todosjuegan.org/

Follow Because Football:

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://x.com/BecauseFtbl

Evan Carabelli is the Captain and Founder of Spicy Meatballs FC, a men's league team that has been a key member of the Icarus Cup since it began 5 years ago.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Evan discusses the story behind one of the tournament's most lovable team names, their tactical strategy.

And, most importantly, we chat about why the lads - growing busier with family commitments and feeling the bumps and bruises a bit more than they used to - continually look forward to the Icarus Cup weekend every year.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer. The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend. Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.

Learn more about Icarus Cup:

https://www.icarus-cup.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscup

Learn more about CASA Soccer

https://www.casasoccerleagues.com/home

https://it.linkedin.com/company/casa-soccer-league

Learn more about Icarus FC

https://icarusfc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/icarus-football

Follow Because Football https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/