Part TWO of our biggest episode yet! Look out for Part 1 on our main show page. Premier League and Northern Ireland legend Keith Gillespie joins Wayne Thomas to discuss his incredible footballing journey, from breaking through at Manchester United to starring for Newcastle, Blackburn, and beyond. Keith shares his experiences of playing at the highest level, the challenges young players face today, and reveals his all-time team-mates 5-a-side team! With 86 caps for Northern Ireland and a career spanning over two decades, Keith offers fascinating insights into the game, both past and present.

Part ONE of our biggest episode yet! Look out for Part 2 on our main show page. Premier League and Northern Ireland legend Keith Gillespie joins Wayne Thomas to discuss his incredible footballing journey, from breaking through at Manchester United to starring for Newcastle, Blackburn, and beyond. Keith shares his experiences of playing at the highest level, the challenges young players face today, and reveals his all-time team-mates 5-a-side team! With 86 caps for Northern Ireland and a career spanning over two decades, Keith offers fascinating insights into the game, both past and present.

West Bromwich Albion legend, 46-cap Scotland international, former Middlesborough midfielder James Morrison talks to Wayne Thomas about his journey into football, his thoughts on young players in the game today and names his all-time team-mates 5 a side team!

2024 has been a great start for Playground to Premiership, with 5 episodes recorded to date. Host Wayne has been busy since the birth of his son in November, so we thought we'd bring you this bonus episode featuring clips from all five episodes so far, featurinf Stephen Cooke, Jimmy Walker, Ade Viveash, Mick Halsall, and Nathan Cantrill.

Nathan Cantrill is Head of Foundation Phase at Premier League club Nottingham Forest, leading on the development of the club's 7-12 year olds. Nathan has a wealth of experience in youth development and coaching, having held positions as FP Lead and u18 development coach at Mansfield Town, Pre-Academy lead coach Doncaster Rovers, and is also passionate about Futsal, having been Academy Manager at London Helvecia Futsal club, and Futsal lead at Chesterfield FC. Visit the Playground to Premiership website - https://playgroundtopremiership.com/ Listen to the Playground to Premiership Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

In this episode of Playground to Premiership, Mick Halsall talks about what it takes to be a top player, including hard work and developing technique. Mick also picks his all-time 5-a-side team, featuring players he coached along their journey to professional football.

In this episode of Playground to Premiership, Wayne Thomas talks to former Chelsea Under 18 and Under 21 Manager and Coventry City Assistant Manager to Adi Viveash about his experiences in developing some of Englands brightest talents, his playing days as a Swindon Town, Walsall and Reading player, and his advice to parents and coaches of young players today. In Playground to Premiership Wayne Thomas, ex-professional footballer and founder of ACE Academy in Walsall talks to former players and coaches about their journey, or the journey of young players from the playground to professional football. Offering insights into the highs and lows of progressing through a football career, 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 the development of young players in the game today. Visit the Playground to Premiership Podbean page - https://playgroundtopremiership.podbean.com/ Listen to the Playground to Premiership Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

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.