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As part of an impressive family legacy in pro football, Dave shares his emotional rollercoaster ride through the game. From attending training with his dad, Alvin, at West Ham to signing for Liverpool then MK Dons to being out of contract with a young family to ultimately becoming GK for West Ham in the Premier League, not that we got to talk about most of that but, rather how challenging pro football felt for him most of the time and why, including the one game he still can't watch back. Dave's vulnerability clearly comes through as he recounts some tough times, we thank him for his openness in sharing with us.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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From humble beginnings to living in Dubai, from dreaming of playing in the Premier League to begging Aidy Boothroyd to 'take me out the game', and from co-authoring a book and presenting to the Dragons in Dragon's Den to appearing on Couples Come Dine With Me

The expected highs and lows of a football life from the outside looking in maybe, but Rich shares with us how he experienced his football journey, including how he preferred not being criticised to being effective in goal, severe anxiety, and struggling with overthinking and dreading games, yet never conceeding more than four goals in a game.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Bobby Hassell, boasts a 27 year career in football, so far, including 499 appearances. His loyalty to and conscientiousness for Barnsley FC continues in his current role as Academy Director. But what has this journey felt like for Bobby? What did the ups and downs feel like along the way and were the downs worth the ups?
This episode provides a unique insight into a player who experienced a profound change towards the back end of his playing career, a change he arguably needed to experience to be where he is today.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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A cult figure, a player, club coach, England coach, manager and dubbed as one of football's nice guys, Chris Powell has a wealth of experience and knowledge some of which he shares with us in this episode.
From feeling and being different from his first contract signing at 16 to becoming part of Southgate's England coaching team, Chris shares what that felt like and how he survived the often vicious environment of football.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Episode 12 handed The Changing Room hotseat to Steven Reid. Steven gave us an insight in to his football journey which could be seen as 'at odds' with how he portrayed himself during his 17 year playing career. On retiring from playing his statement included words such as 'with a heavy heart' and 'a wonderful journey' but, was it really?
From a very young age Steven found the football environment uncomfortable and on reflection, not one he would like his son to experience. Find out why as Sue and Paul welcome Steven's reflections of his emotional football journey into The Changing Room.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Goalkeeper Toby Bull joins us for Episode 11. Toby spent all his formative years at Brighton and Hove Albion Academy and was released in 2023 at the age of 20. From the age of 10 to 16 Toby trained and played with the age group below his chronological age due to his 'late physical development'. Toby gives insights into his perspective of growing up within the football system, what helped him manage his emotional journey and the importance continued education has been for him and his identity.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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We went slightly off script with this one, we had the pleasure of Jamie Kenna, British actor and mental health advocate, join us in the studio. Jamie came from humble beginnings and unknowingly started his acting career at a very young age negotiating tough times at home, school and football by pretending things were other than what they were to those he was protecting himself and family from.

Jamie used football throughout his younger life and early adulthood to escape reality although the reality of football also bestowed him with some own goals along the way too. Now a well established and respected actor, most notably Coronation Street and House of the Dragon, Jamie laments about his love of football, his unlikely transition from semi-pro football into performing and why advocating for taking care of our mental health plays a significant part in his journey. Join us for episode 10 to hear some of Jamie's 'motivation' in being where he is today, enjoy.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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This episode welcomes Danny Haynes to The Changing Room. An Aston Villa schoolboy and apprentice who earned a 2 year pro contract, Danny talks about his struggle with anxiety from a very early age and the respite he gained from alcohol. Danny shares some dark and heartbreaking reflections of his journey as a child and young adult in professional football, which he didn't have the opportunity to come to terms with until his 30s when he finally learned how to grieve his football experience. Now a recovering alcoholic, Danny supports and works with others with addiction issues from a place of experience.

If you found this episode insightful or interesting please share with someone you feel may find it useful.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice