https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-next-step--4342325enSoccerCopyright George Murrayhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0459ddd3b0d25f733d798b679516b014.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-next-step--4342325Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:35:53 +0000George MurrayGeorge Murrayfeeds@spreaker.comHaving played academy football for around half of my life, I had some experiences, on and off the pitch, which many other young people only dream of. The Next Step is a podcast where I, George Murray, talk to a variety of guests in the world of...trued5ec903d-0f0d-5b69-8e8c-d13c08549cc2episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/25-jared-roberts-smith-the-bridge-between-players-coaching-staff--41952451
Jared tells me about his passion for his work and how he has used the current extended period for reflection, both on what he has achieved and what he hopes to do in the coming years. There are a host of nuggets Jared provides as we move onto discussion of the development of his own career trajectory and how he feels sports science has improved so vastly with time. To follow Jared on Twitter and keep up with his future endeavours, you can find him @jrs_performance.

As for myself, you can find me @georgemurray_ where I am always open to guest/episode ideas and ways I can improve the pod! #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41952451Tue, 10 Nov 2020 03:50:00 +0000George MurrayIt was a pleasure to have Jared Roberts-Smith on the platform. Jared is someone who I have seen working firsthand in a sports science role and having worked in such positions at clubs including Charlton Athletic, Luton Town and Stoke City for the past...
Jared tells me about his passion for his work and how he has used the current extended period for reflection, both on what he has achieved and what he hopes to do in the coming years. There are a host of nuggets Jared provides as we move onto discussion of the development of his own career trajectory and how he feels sports science has improved so vastly with time. To follow Jared on Twitter and keep up with his future endeavours, you can find him @jrs_performance.

As for myself, you can find me @georgemurray_ where I am always open to guest/episode ideas and ways I can improve the pod! #TheNextStep]]>3165athletic,bloom,charlton,city,james,jared,jones,justin,laurence,luton,nathan,roberts-smith,southend,stoke,town,unitedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/24-daniel-geey-utilising-a-core-skillset-in-the-law-order-of-sport--41730482
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GBTL2TG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41730482Fri, 23 Oct 2020 09:36:00 +0000George MurrayMy latest guest is football and sports lawyer, Daniel Geey. Daniel breaks down how he originally progressed in his career, merging his fervent interest in football with his university law degree. He recounts how he used to blog and made as many useful...
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GBTL2TG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>272613,agents,barcelona,city,client,daniel,fifa,football,geey,law,league,liverpool,manchester,order,premier,psg,sportsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/23-james-justin-youthful-hatter-to-versatile-fox--40668667
James also looks back on the 90 appearances he made for Luton, how he will always be a fan of the club and the whirlwind that has been his first 12 months as a Premier League player. He joined Leicester in the summer of last year, assisted in a victory on his Premier League debut against Watford, and is now working hard to ensure that things “continue on this trajectory” for the foreseeable future. From a seven-year-old boy signing for his local professional club to sharing a changing room with English footballing legends and international superstars, the journey so far has been remarkable. This is just the start.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40668667Wed, 02 Sep 2020 07:38:00 +0000George MurrayLeicester City and England Under 21s’ James Justin comes on the pod to talk about a host of topics, with his senior career already four years old at the age of 22. Firstly, James is full of gratitude for his hometown club, Luton Town, where he came...
James also looks back on the 90 appearances he made for Luton, how he will always be a fan of the club and the whirlwind that has been his first 12 months as a Premier League player. He joined Leicester in the summer of last year, assisted in a victory on his Premier League debut against Watford, and is now working hard to ensure that things “continue on this trajectory” for the foreseeable future. From a seven-year-old boy signing for his local professional club to sharing a changing room with English footballing legends and international superstars, the journey so far has been remarkable. This is just the start.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1926arsenal,ben,chilwell,city,james,justin,leicester,luton,pereira,ricardo,town,watfordfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/22-drewe-broughton-harnessing-the-power-of-the-driving-voice-within--40537600
Drewe tells me what the past few months will have been like for players in the lower leagues of English football, where he spent the majority of his playing career. He also gave his unique insights on empathy, the genius of intense but emotionally intelligent coaches such as Jurgen Klopp and ‘the holy grail’ of consistency that so many aspire to. Next time, my guest is a current Premier League player and England Under-21 international…

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40537600Thu, 20 Aug 2020 11:52:00 +0000George MurrayThis episode was a detailed dive into psychology and mental health in the game with high-performance coach Drewe Broughton. After falling out of the game and into the most trying period of his life at the end of a gruelling career almost 10 years ago,...
Drewe tells me what the past few months will have been like for players in the lower leagues of English football, where he spent the majority of his playing career. He also gave his unique insights on empathy, the genius of intense but emotionally intelligent coaches such as Jurgen Klopp and ‘the holy grail’ of consistency that so many aspire to. Next time, my guest is a current Premier League player and England Under-21 international…

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2722and,broughton,county,diamonds,drewe,empathy,high,honesty,luton,notts,performance,psychology,rotherham,rushden,town,training,truth,unitedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/21-leon-barnett-reaching-the-premier-league-with-the-power-of-positivity--40113544
Before added time, Leon talked openly about the shocking circumstances in which his career ended, also giving his thoughts on what is next for the Black Lives Matter movement and explaining the motivation behind his football coaching academy in the local area where he grew up.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40113544Sun, 02 Aug 2020 16:30:26 +0000George MurrayOver the course of a 40-minute chat with Leon, we were able to cover a range of discussion points. We started by building on his good friend and youth team-mate Jon De Souza’s comments about his work ethic and desire, which Leon agrees singled him out...
Before added time, Leon talked openly about the shocking circumstances in which his career ended, also giving his thoughts on what is next for the Black Lives Matter movement and explaining the motivation behind his football coaching academy in the local area where he grew up.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2373athletic,barnett,brom,city,leon,luton,northampton,norwich,town,west,wiganfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/20-jon-de-souza-pracademics-people-skills-the-chameleon-effect--39903729
Jon also shared how his five years and the exposure he got at Brentford opened his eyes to a more holistic approach regarding coaching, along with the importance of luck and opportunity and what the future may hold for him.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/39903729Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:12:20 +0000George MurrayColchester United’s Director of Performance Jon De Souza joins me to talk all things Luton (where I first met him once he became a coach after playing in the youth team) and how he has adapted his coaching style over the past decade or so. He says...
Jon also shared how his five years and the exposure he got at Brentford opened his eyes to a more holistic approach regarding coaching, along with the importance of luck and opportunity and what the future may hold for him.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1979brentford,colchester,cup,de,jon,league,luton,premier,souza,town,united,worldfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/19-kelly-cates-fine-tuning-personal-style-being-true-to-yourself--36243969
Kelly describes what it was like growing up with a famous father and the impact this had in putting her “inside the bubble” of the industry from the outset. Among other things, we also talk through the importance of being yourself and Kelly becoming a leading female figure in football, as well as online love letters, the positive progression regarding sexism in the industry and Kelly’s moving chat about Hillsborough with her father in the wake of the 2016 inquests.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/36243969Mon, 06 Jul 2020 02:29:17 +0000George MurrayEpisode 19 features an interview with Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Kelly Cates. Kelly is a leading female figure in UK sport, particularly in football, and has covered some of the biggest sporting events across the world including the...
Kelly describes what it was like growing up with a famous father and the impact this had in putting her “inside the bubble” of the industry from the outset. Among other things, we also talk through the importance of being yourself and Kelly becoming a leading female figure in football, as well as online love letters, the positive progression regarding sexism in the industry and Kelly’s moving chat about Hillsborough with her father in the wake of the 2016 inquests.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>35655,anfield,bbc,cates,gerrard,hillsborough,istanbul,kelly,live,radio,sky,sports,stevenfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/18-ryan-atkin-the-rainbow-of-hope-diversity-inclusion--35516118
When he came out in August 2017, Ryan says the reception was an overwhelmingly positive one, full of support both from within football and outside the game. Being openly gay meant he became a better referee, which he explains, as well as offering his thoughts on how far football has to go in terms of sexual equality and the need to continue pushing for all forms of equality in light of the recent Black Lives Matter movement. Ryan also tells me about his work with Prides around the country and his campaigning with organisations such as Stonewall.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/35516118Thu, 02 Jul 2020 21:28:41 +0000George MurrayProfessional referee Ryan Atkin joins me to look back on his memories of football growing up and eventually taking a course before pursuing a career in “the art of refereeing”. Ryan also tells me about how he believes officials are misunderstood and...
When he came out in August 2017, Ryan says the reception was an overwhelmingly positive one, full of support both from within football and outside the game. Being openly gay meant he became a better referee, which he explains, as well as offering his thoughts on how far football has to go in terms of sexual equality and the need to continue pushing for all forms of equality in light of the recent Black Lives Matter movement. Ryan also tells me about his work with Prides around the country and his campaigning with organisations such as Stonewall.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2912atkin,fa,league,pgmol,plymouth,premier,referee,ryan,schmeichelfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/17-harriet-drudge-putting-the-social-back-into-media--34633194
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/34633194Mon, 29 Jun 2020 22:04:59 +0000George MurrayHarriet Drudge comes on the pod to talk about her initial steps and how she acquired valuable skills before establishing herself as a Social Media Associate, a role which, 10 years ago, didn’t exist. In fact, social media helped her take her first...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2820athletic,drudge,harriet,london,manchester,south,the,united,womenfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/16-ben-haines-move-with-the-times-or-get-left-behind--33707248
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/33707248Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:36:48 +0000George MurrayBen Haines from 90min.com joins me for a chat, beginning with how “timing and the fortuitous nature of being in the right place at the right time” have had such a big impact on his life so far. He describes a specific moment during a difficult period...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>288290,ben,haines,hotspur,min,tottenhamfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/15-chris-o-donnell-from-the-pitch-to-the-track-now-the-olympics-back--31785599
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/31785599Thu, 18 Jun 2020 23:54:32 +0000George MurrayThis week, I am joined by Irish 400m runner Chris O’Donnell, to examine the differences between football and athletics given his transition from one sport into the other. He tells me about his love of football, which started at a young age in a...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2336athletics,chris,football,o'donnell,sligofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/14-laure-james-communication-multilingualism-are-key--30570143
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/30570143Sat, 13 Jun 2020 16:28:48 +0000George MurrayUEFA Communications Consultant and Media Officer Laure James joins me to discuss her unique start in the industry and how she has adjusted to working remotely since the start of lockdown. Laure looks back on her highlights so far and tells me how...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1519falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/13-thomas-gronnemark-the-long-the-fast-the-clever-throw-ins--29900256
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/29900256Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:50:02 +0000George MurrayWorld record throw-in holder and elite throw-in coach of 16 years Thomas Gronnemark joins me on the pod. He discusses his history of playing the game and his “football superpowers” that meant he moved into athletics in his early twenties. Eventually,...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2365ajax,atalanta,fc,gent,gronnemark,jurgen,klopp,liverpool,mls,thomas,unitedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/12-jack-collins-building-a-reputation-in-a-new-generation-of-creators--28853211
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/28853211Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:06:11 +0000George MurrayJack gives his advice on having a broad skillset and how the ability to “do everything” can be “a massive advantage” when entering the world of journalism and digital media. He tells me about the history behind his family’s love affair with Fulham,...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2083bleacher,collins,football,fulham,fulhamish,jack,reporttruefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/11-troy-townsend-leading-the-fight-for-equality-using-the-power-of-football-to-provide-hope--28573484
Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go and Troy shares honestly that he feels we have “not made much headway” in the fight as “racism keeps rearing its ugly head” both in this country and across European football. Troy touches on the soft-handed punishments of social media platforms with regards to abusive language and the issues surrounding the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’, as some players have been hesitant to return because of personal circumstances and recent data indicating that BAME people are at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/28573484Thu, 28 May 2020 23:15:18 +0000George MurrayTroy talks to me about his storied career in various sectors of the game, and explains Kick It Out’s ‘Raise Your Game’, the mentoring program that helped Troy initially get a job at the organisation eight years ago and connects people that want to...
Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go and Troy shares honestly that he feels we have “not made much headway” in the fight as “racism keeps rearing its ugly head” both in this country and across European football. Troy touches on the soft-handed punishments of social media platforms with regards to abusive language and the issues surrounding the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’, as some players have been hesitant to return because of personal circumstances and recent data indicating that BAME people are at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>3204andros,england,it,kick,out,tottenham,townsend,troyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/10-josh-taylor-the-stateside-experience-setbacks-aiming-for-the-football-league--28403467
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/28403467Wed, 27 May 2020 01:59:33 +0000George MurrayJosh Taylor tells me about his childhood playing in Crystal Palace’s academy and the regrets he has now about how his love for the game diminished for a while. When he regained his desire to play seriously, an opportunity arose for Josh to play and...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2721austin,crystal,edwards,havant,josh,maidstone,palace,st,sutton,taylor,texas,united,waterloovilletruefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/9-charlie-patino-hunger-to-succeed-eliminating-weaknesses--28173347
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/28173347Sun, 24 May 2020 02:54:15 +0000George MurrayI sat down with Arsenal and England’s Charlie Patino, who told me about the decision-making process involved when he joined Arsenal from Luton five years ago. He also shared his advice for younger players based on his own experiences, and discusses...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1513arsenal,charlie,england,patinofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/8-gareth-roberts-a-party-30-years-in-the-making-liverpool-back-on-their-perch--27540831
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/27540831Sun, 17 May 2020 02:01:34 +0000George MurrayMy latest guest on the pod was Gareth Roberts of The Anfield Wrap. We discussed a variety of topics, including how the award-winning podcast started out and developed into one of the biggest in the world of football. Gareth told me about his first...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>3251anfield,fc,liverpool,the,wrapfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/7-semra-hunter-falling-in-love-with-spanish-football-working-towards-la-copa-mundial--26996626
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/26996626Sun, 10 May 2020 01:33:41 +0000George MurraySemra Hunter, host of La Liga TV, speaks to me about her sporting background, her transition into journalism and eventually broadcasting, and her passion for football, particularly in Spain. Semra shares how some of her experiences have given her a...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2224hunter,la,liga,madrid,real,semrafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/6-adam-hurrey-hitting-it-too-well-the-good-bad-of-football-twitter--26753613
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/26753613Tue, 05 May 2020 09:07:40 +0000George MurrayAdam talks to me about his brainchild — exploring the bizarre, perplexing and often hilarious world of football clichés — and how it was born out of pub conversations with his brother and a friend. The trio started the blog in 2007, which Adam would...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2447falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/5-matt-davies-adams-the-power-of-saying-nothing-the-buzz-of-matchday--26591420
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/26591420Sat, 02 May 2020 22:47:41 +0000George MurrayFootball commentator and podcaster Matt Davies-Adams joins me to discuss his two lines of work. We discuss the art of commentary and Matt shares why, in special situations, saying nothing and letting the crowd noise do the talking is better than...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1407chelsea,commentary,davies-adams,forest,matt,nottingham,podcasting,tvfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/4-jordan-mccann-developing-good-players-even-better-people-in-academy-football--26394169
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/26394169Thu, 30 Apr 2020 02:14:58 +0000George MurrayIn this episode, I was delighted to be joined by one of my old coaches, Jordan McCann, who worked at Luton Town for the majority of my time in the academy. Now, having joined Lincoln City as the club's academy manager, I caught up with Jordan to...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>2065falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/3-seb-stafford-bloor-being-a-swiss-army-knife-in-the-future-media-landscape--26160870
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/26160870Sun, 26 Apr 2020 22:36:32 +0000George MurrayFreelance football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor joins me for a chat about how he got into the industry, what its future may look like and his tips for aspiring journalists like myself. We also discussed the importance of social media in journalism today,...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>3024bt,football,football365,four,journalism,seb,sport,stafford-bloor,tifo,two,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-cameron-mcgeehan-youth-cup-glory-the-rocky-mentality-secrets-of-a-goalscoring-midfielder--25950675
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/25950675Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:52:48 +0000George MurrayProfessional footballer Cameron McGeehan tells me about his love of football from a young age and his career so far, including highlights such as leading Norwich City to FA Youth Cup glory in 2013. Cam remembers watching successful Chelsea sides in...
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>1859barnsley,cambridge,cameron,chelsea,city,luton,man,mcgeehan,norwich,portsmouth,town,unitedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-introduction--25818310
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/25818310Mon, 20 Apr 2020 23:52:06 +0000George MurrayAn introduction to The Next Step podcast, with exciting guests coming very soon... Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep
Follow me on Twitter: @georgemurray_ #TheNextStep]]>102football,next,soccer,step,thefalsefull