))
We are dedicated to witnessing and exploring the emotional journey of professional footballers with the aim to provide insight for those outside of the football environment and validation for those within it. Why? we know there is a a huge gap between the perception and reality of the football journey and this misunderstanding causes hate, resentment and judgement towards players plus loneliness, fear, illness and, even tragically, completed suicide for some within the game. The Changing Roo ...
…
continue reading
Send us a text 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 perspectiv…
…
continue reading
Send us a text 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 …
…
continue reading
Send us a text 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 …
…
continue reading
Send us a text Once pipped as Manchester United's next big thing, Tom Thorpe joined Paul and Sue to explore and reflect on his emotional journey in football. From a first team debut at Old Trafford, to India to taking 5 years away from football completely, an honest and vulnerable account of the not so glamorous side of pro football. We apologise f…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Joining Sue and Paul this week, as promised, is Darren Bent. Darren drops into The Changing Room to share some of his reflections on his football journey from a more personal perspective. He wrestles with 'who is Darren Bent', stepping into the real world and becoming a real person and why Sunderland will always be held fondly by him…
…
continue reading
Send us a text An impromptu episode from the pilot we ran last year. Darren Bent and Steven Caulker joined us for a conversation when we were exploring the value of football's emotional journeys and how sharing these could provide validation and understanding for the younger athletes coming up through the pathway. Both were instrumental in our deci…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In celebration of the 2024 Olympics and in support of other elite athletes in their emotional journeys, this episode hears Sue and Paul speak with the impressive double Olympian Jack Green. Jack provides a vulnerable insight into his early career, his superhero persona and a feeling of 'falling off a cliff' following the 2012 Olympic…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Bruce Dyer holds a place within the history book of English football as the first one million pound teenager. Bought by Crystal Palace in 1994 as they were chasing for promotion, Bruce's future as a potential Premier League player looked to be the stuff teenage boy's dreams were made of. Episode 5 provides a look beyond the headlines…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In this episode, Sue and Paul welcome Ben Clark Eden into The Changing Room as he reflects on his academy journey, explores his struggle with anxiety, staying true to himself and the freedom he now feels playing in the American Collegiate system. Ben shares valuable insights from his time at Brighton & Hove Albion's Academy and with …
…
continue reading
Send us a text We are joined in the is episode by Craig Mackail Smith. Craig explores his lost identity and how he needed to rediscover who he was following retirement from the pro game. He discusses suppressed emotion, not trusting himself and unlearning his dependance on the football structure. If you are or someone you know is struggling with me…
…
continue reading
Send us a text 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…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In this episode, Steven speaks to Sue and Paul about his compulsive gambling addiction from its origins to how it has impacted on his life and career. 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 som…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In our first episode Sue and Paul chat with Steven Caulker about his emotional experience of the football journey. They explore some of his early experiences as a child in the system through to his senior pro years. Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in …
…
continue reading
Send us a text The Changing Room is a space for those who make a living from football, those on their football journey and all those interested to hear about the not so talked about emotional journey of pro 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 con…
…
continue reading
