Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Toweyfrom HD8 Life host Beyond the Postcode, a podcast from HD8 Life and Under the Mast, exploring people who live or work in HD8.

This episode features Matt Glennon, a professional footballer turned hairdresser who owns and works at salon G27 in Emley, and also works as a pundit and grassroots goalkeeping coach.

Matt describes moving through clubs and locations including Scotland, Carlisle, Hull and Huddersfield Town, then settling in Shelley for its schools, green spaces, nearby pubs and quick access to the stadium. He recounts opening the bar at Emley’s Media Stadium in 2007 and later converting a 300-year-old post office into his salon, discussing community ties built through clients, friendships, and the emotional support side of hairdressing.

Matt explains his transition from football after injuries and surgeries, taking a fast-track barbering course in Nottingham, cutting teammates’ hair in boot rooms and before matches, and adjusting to self-employment after football’s controlled environment. He talks about the mental side of goalkeeping, crowd abuse, and how cutting a first paying client felt more nerve-racking than playing at Celtic Park. He outlines juggling salon work, BBC Radio Leeds match work, and his local goalkeeping academy

The episode closes by previewing the next guest, Chris Hobson of Clayton West, who holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to complete an ice marathon.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode + Meet Matt Glennon

00:36 From Stockport to Huddersfield: Finding a Home in Shelley (and the school hunt)

02:24 Discovering Emley: The stadium, the mast, and setting down roots

03:19 Turning a 300-Year-Old Post Office into a Salon (and winning the village over)

04:06 Salon Life = Community Hub: Regulars, friendships, and the ‘counselling’ side

06:25 The Big Pivot: Why a Pro Footballer Became a Barber/Hairdresser

08:02 Cutting Hair in the Boot Room: Clippers, teammates, and matchday trims

10:28 Training, mistakes & mindset: From hairdressing ‘maths’ to handling abuse

13:09 Most terrifying moment: The first paying client vs playing in front of 60,000

15:00 What football really teaches (and the bubble players live in)

15:11 Ready to Retire: Work Ethic and the Transition Out of Football

16:03 A Day in the Salon: Long Shifts, Regulars, and Staying Busy

16:26 Life After the Final Whistle: Money, Identity, and Starting Over

17:31 Football’s Controlled Lifestyle: Time Off, Weigh-Ins, and No Real Autonomy

18:46 Family Sacrifices: Moving Clubs, Relationships, and Raising Kids

19:47 Working With His Daughter: Trust, Responsibility, and a New ‘Boss’

21:10 Wearing Many Hats: Salon, Goalkeeping Academy, and BBC Radio

23:20 Goalkeeping Academy: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Joy in the Game

25:32 Life Skills & Knockbacks: From On-Pitch Mistakes to Business Setbacks

26:30 HD8 Top Tips: Rooftop Garden at The Dunkirk + Quiet Gym Time

28:13 Three Songs for the Drive: Heroes, Tipsy, and Getting Away With It

29:46 Wrap-Up and Next Episode Teaser: Guinness Record Ice Marathoner