Hitting The Areas

This week we welcome Aveley FC Manager Danny Scopes to the podcast. The National League South Manager talks to us about the rise of Aveley FC and how the small Essex outfit are making headlines in non-league. We also speak to Dan about his achievements so far and what his management style looks like. Twitter: @HittingAreasPodInstagram: @hittingtheareaspodcastLinkedIn - Hitting The Areas Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I think we've said this numerous times but we are back and back for good! New episode and a new sound! Our first episode back is with David Wheeler. The Wycombe Wanderers winger takes us through his football career, his work with charities, sustainability and life after football. Twitter: @HittingAreasPodInstagram: @hittingtheareaspodcastLinkedIn - Hitting The Areas Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys are back once again for a brand new episode. In this episode Jamie and Richard speak with well-known author, producer and sports writer Wayne Barton. The boys chat to the also 'Talking Devils podcast' host about all things Manchester United from the current owners saga to the new Erik Ten Hag tenure. This is a fascinating insight into the World's biggest football club by someone who knows the club inside out. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast Twitter: @WayneSBarton

No better time to come back and do an episode! The boys return with a new episode of The Short Corner and where better to start than the England Women's team winning the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Richard and Jamie discuss the tournament as a whole, the England games, yesterday's Final and the impact this tournament and England winning it will have on society and a new generation of Women's football fanatics.

In the first of our short episodes, the boys have a quick chat about some of the latest stories from the world of football. - Rangnick going, Ten Hag incoming at United - SkyBet League 1 promotion race - Channel 4 wins the rights to all of the England games - The final week of the Women's Super League - Ground Grading controversy in non-league

Episode 22 and the boys enter the world of goalkeeping. This week Richard and Jamie interview Swansea City FC Goalkeeper Coach Dean Thornton. Dean has a fascinating story about how he became a top level GK Coach after quitting football at 19 years of age. Dean went on to be a coach at QPR, Swindon, Taiwan National side, MK Dons and presently Swansea City under Manager Russell Martin. We discuss all things from what key things to look for in a Goalkeeper to the modern day Goalkeeper and styles of play that has changed the role somewhat. Dean also stepped into football agency for a time and we hear all about how he went back into coaching after a call from Russell and what it took for him to take the role. Please subscribe to the podcast and review us. You can also follow us on Social Media channels. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod @DMTKeepers Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast @deano1712

The boys are back after a few weeks break away from the microphones. This week, Jamie and Richard welcome Football Agent and Founder or Next Gen Sports and Entertainment Limited Reece Land onto the podcast. Reece Land may not be a familiar face to the fans of football but he is to the people with inside football. Reece is one of the biggest agents in the world of Women's football. His company, 'Next Gen Sports' is the biggest agency in women's football! We get the inside scoop of the world of being one of the top football agents in the game. There are a lot of myths and stigma around football agents and hopefully following this conversation with Reece Land, this will change a few opinions on what a football agent does and why they are important to the footballer. Reece Land works with all the biggest stars, coaches and executives from the women's game. We hope you enjoy our conversation! Twitter: @NextGen_Sports @ReeceLand @hittingAreasPod Instagram: @nxtgen_sport @_reeceland @hittingtheareaspodcast

This week the boys will be focusing on a football club rather than a role or job within football. Richard and Jamie speak with the CEO of Jersey Bulls Football Club, Ian Horswell. Ian tells us all about the very short history of Jersey Bulls and how far they have come in such a short space of time. You will get to hear how and why the club was created, the ambitions of the football club and the logistics around playing in the Channel Islands in the English football pyramid. This is such an interesting chat with a passionate CEO and volunteer which really is what makes non-league football so special. Jersey Bulls will also be playing some of their home games in the south of England (Three Bridges FC, Wycombe Wanderers and Ascot United) over the next few weeks while their home ground is redeveloped. To learn more, visit their website www.bulls.je or their social media channels. Twitter: @jerseybullsfc @hittingAreasPod Instagram: @jerseybullsfc @hittingtheareaspodcast

We have finally got our Kit Man and we don't think we could have got a more high profile Kit Man than Pat Frost, Pat is the national team's Senior Kit Man! We speak to Pat about his role and career. The difficulties with logistics for the national team matches. A Kit Man's relationships with the Manager and players. The day to day roles and jobs on and before a match day. Learn all about the national side behind the scenes and what players give Pat the most banter. This podcast is sponsored by Aylesbury Glazing Repairs Twitter: @KitmanPat @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

It is here! The first episode of the second series, episode 18. What a way to kick things off...this week's guest is the one and only Micky Hazard! The Tottenham Hotspur legend talks to the boys about his career from when he joined Spurs to breaking into the first team and to playing with other legends such as Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle and Steve Perryman. The boys also discuss the glory years from FA Cup Winners to Uefa Cup winners and Micky's pivotal role in that 84' Final vs Anderlecht. Micky is a keen advocate of football being played in the beautiful form. We learn some techniques that Micky used and what Micky learned from other key members of the famous Spurs sides. The second series of the podcast is sponsored by Aylesbury Glazing Repairs. Twitter: @AYGlazing Instagram: @aylesburyglazing Twitter: @1MickyHazard Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

The boys are back!! It has been a long time coming! After a short hiatus, the boys return to the studio to review the 1st series and to preview the 2nd series. Sponsored by Aylesbury Glazing Repairs Twitter: @AYglazing Instagram: @aylesburyglazing Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

Jamie and Richard have their biggest interview yet! In this episode the boys interview current Portland Thorns Head Coach and soon to be Netherlands National side Manager* Mark Parsons. A huge guest for the podcast and a must for any coaches or managers out there! The boys chat to Mark about his time in England at Chelsea Football Club where he started his coaching journey before venturing to the U.S. Mark talks us through how he took the opportunities that made him a future FIFA manager of the year nominee. His time at Washington Spirit was his big break before moving to Providence Park, home to NWSL Portland Thorns and MLS Portland Timbers. Richard and Jamie hear about the host of international stars that Mark has coached, some of the biggest stars in the world of Women's soccer. They hear about big the National Women's Soccer League is and US Soccer. Finally, Mark tells the boys what his average day is like which is a mind blowing insight into the world of an Elite Manager. *This podcast was recorded prior to Mark being announced as Netherlands Manager. We have spoken to Mark since and wished him all the best with the Netherlands Job. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Twitter: @mparsons_1 Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

In this week's episode, we return to the women's game with another big guest. Jamie and Richard chat with Malta International and Lazio defender Emma Lipman. Born in England, Emma has had a brilliant career playing for some of England's biggest clubs from Leeds United to Manchester City alongside England Internationals Jill Scott and Steph Houghton to name a few. Emma, moved to Italy to Seria A with Hellas Verona before moving on to bigger Serie A sides Florentia San Gimignano Società Sportiva Dilettantistica and AS Roma. Emma now plays her trade at AS Roma rivals Lazio in Serie B who have just won promotion to Serie A. Emma has now gone on to represent Malta at national level, the boys hear how that came to fruition. Jamie and Richard start from the very beginning of Emma's career at the first point of a girl looking to play football at a very young age and all the way through her career to what Emma would like to do after she hangs her boots up. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Twitter: @emmalippo08 Instagram: @hittingtheareapodcast Instagram: @emma_lipman02

A huge guest for episode 14! The boys pulled this one out of the bag. Richard and Jamie spoke with Pete Couhig, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. The boys speak with Pete about his career before being part of the ownership team at Wycombe, how the investors came to hear of Wycombe and why a League 1 (at the time) football club in England? This is a fascinating insight into the purchase of a football club and the day to day operations of a COO and CFO at a football club. We discuss working with the brilliant Gareth Ainsworth and what kind of relation the COO has with the Football Manager and the playing side of the football club. A not to be missed rare interview with part of the ownership of a professional football club in England. *This interview was recording at the very end of March 2021. Twitter: @petecouhig Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

In Part 2 of our interview with Hemel Hempstead Town Assistant Manager Steve Bateman, the boys speak with Steve about his successful management career. Steve went on to manage Chesham United, Slough Town, Aylesbury FC and two stints at Berkhamsted FC formerly Berkhamsted Town. Steve took Berkhamsted Town to the Final of the FA Vase where they eventually lost to Taunton Town at Villa Park, Aston Villa Football Club. We learn about the days running up to the game and the huge backlog of fixtures as a result of getting to the final and bad weather that season. The boys learn how Steve got into management and what it is like now to be a number two under Lee Bircham at Hemel Hempstead Town. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod @Batesy220465 Instagram: @HittingTheAreasPodcast

This week Jamie and Richard chat with current Hemel Hempstead Town Assistant Manager Steve Bateman. In part 1, the boys chat with Steve about his playing career (or war stories as his current players allude to) where he started at Everton Football Club. Steve played with many Everton legends at the time from Andy Gray to Kevin Ratcliffe to Peter Reid. Steve goes on to tell the lads about his career further down the ladder and why he went into non-league football and closer to home with Harrow Borough, Hendon FC, Chesham United and Slough Town. Steve was a fantastic guest with some great tales from his Everton days from who he roomed with in digs, who took him under his wing whilst on Merseyside and what he learnt from the great players around him on the training field. Look out for Part 2 on Friday when we talk to Steve about his successful management career. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod @batesy220465 Instagram: @HittingTheAreasPodcast

We carry on our conversation with former AFC Wimbledon Captain Steven Gregory but this time we speak to Steve about his career after football and his very successful business which is a boutique gym in Buckinghamshire called FITLIFE. We carry on the conversation where we left of from Part 1 about his second meeting with former Oxford United boss Michael Appleton. The boys also speak to Steve about his highly recommended FITLIFE podcast where Steve speaks to people from all walks of life about fitness and health. Steve continues to talk about the importance of healthy living and the vital important of exercise and why it should be a main priority in life. Steve gives his tips on motivation and how to centre you life around healthy living. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: fitlife.steve Instagram: fitlife_uk Instagram: hittingtheareaspodcast Spotify: The Fitlife Podcast

Part 1 of our chat with ex-professional footballer Steven Gregory. Steve's story is fascinating. The boys speak to Steve about his professional career, his YTS days at Oxford & Wycombe Wanderers and his non-league days at Hayes and Yeading & AFC Wimbledon. This is an all access areas chat with Steve about the behind the scenes of a professional footballer from football initiations as a YTS, how brutal and how close to the line things got, to the amount of money kicking about and how much Steve was earning in league football and all the in-betweens. Steve talks about how he ended up falling out of love with the game and eventually hating playing professional football. One of our most open chats so far we have had and some great stories about the managers (including Mad dog - Martin Allen) he has played under. Part 2 we will be released later this week where we talk about Steve's successful career after football with his gym 'FITLIFE', his healthy lifestyle advice and his motivational tips. Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: fitlife.steve Instagram: fitlife_uk Instagram: hittingtheareaspodcast

Episode 11 and the boys chat with journalist, presenter and commentator Ollie Bayliss. As spoken about in the podcast, Ollie has been a popular man of late. His updates on twitter and facebook regarding non-league football get a lot of hits. What Ollie does not know is not worth knowing you could say! Ollie is also a BBC journalist and commentator for BBC Three Counties Radio. Richard and Jamie talk to Ollie about the skill of commentating and how difficult it is. Ollie also hosts a non-league football radio show every Sunday afternoon on BBC Three Counties, a popular show with guests from the world of non-league football in the Bucks, Herts, and Beds region. The boys discuss Ollie's career so far and where he would like to see himself in the future. They also ask the all important non-league questions of best ground visited and where is the best food in non-league? Twitter: @Ollie_Bayliss Instagram - @ollie_bayliss Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareaspodcast

The boys decided to do a fan edition in this episode. Being Spurs fans and Tottenham being in the League Cup Final at the weekend, the boys invited some Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holders and friends on to the podcast to discuss the breaking news of Jose Mourinho's sacking, thoughts on his successor, the awful European Super League news and finally their predictions for the Final. Twitter: HittingAreasPod @Abbi_summers @aylesburyspurs @ThisIs_TheShane @davefreeman1908 Instagram: hittingtheareaspodcast

In this episode the boys chat with Maidenhead United First Team Head Coach Aaron O'Brien. Aaron tells us about his journey into football management and at only 31 years of age, working at a Vanarama National League side under legendary Manager Alan Devonshire. The boys ask Aaron about Maidenhead's seasons in the Vanarama National League so far and how the current 2020/21 season is going, how the club have dealt with COVID-19 this season and what their aims were for the season. Aaron takes us through his coaching journey where he started at Burnham FC which then lead to an opportunity with Maidenhead United's Women's Team and how he got the job with the Men's 1st team. O'Brien is also head of the Maidenhead United Academy. Richard, Jamie and Aaron discuss the somewhat controversial structure of academy's in the UK, from FA certified to the disputed 'pop-up' academies. Jamie, finishes with the hard hitting questions of Aaron's favourite away ground he has visited as an away team and the best food after a game. Twitter: @AOB_89 Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: HittingTheAreasPodcast

In episode 8 of the Hitting The Areas Podcast, Richard and Jamie speak with San Marino Academy star Millie Chandarana. At 24 years of age, Millie has already had a fascinating journey in football. Millie tells us about how she got into football, starting in a boys team and finally moving to a girls team to one of the biggest clubs in the world in Manchester United. Millie chats to the boys about her days at Loughborough University which led to a move abroad to start her professional career which has now ended up in Serie A in Italy. This is a fascinating insight into the drive and determination that Millie has to succeed at the very top level of the game and to be doing it in an unfamiliar country. The Manchester born 24 year old tells the boys about living in Italy, the San Marino Academy, the Italian way of playing, that goal against Juventus plus her future ambitions. Twitter - @MillieChands Instagram - @milliechand Twitter - @HittingAreasPod Instagram - hittingtheareaspodcast

Part two of our interview with Sheffield United Under 23s Boss Darren Currie. In this episode we speak with Darren about the start of his managerial career. Darren became Barnet FC Manager after stepping up from his Assistant Manager role to replace then Manager John Still who retired in December 2018. The boys discuss how Darren got into management and was it always something Darren wanted to pursue after his playing career. They speak about stepping up from being an Assistant to a First Team Manager. Darren tells the boys about his football ideologies and preferred playing style and how he gets the best out of his players. Barnet went on to compete in the National League playoffs of the 2019/20 season eventually losing the Notts County in the Semi-Final. Barnet also beat Sheffield United at Bramell Lane in the FA Cup, Darren tells us all about his experience during these games. Twitter: @rubycurrie Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @HittingTheAreasPodcast

In Part One of Jamie & Richard's talk with now Sheffield United Under 23s Boss, Darren Currie. They look at his playing career. From the early days at West Ham to Barnet, where Darren made a big name for himself to his moves to Wycombe Wanderers, Brighton and to Ipswich under Joe Royle. "Ruby" as he was so delightfully nicknamed tells us stories from his respectful playing career, the gaffers he loved and the ones that he wasn't that fond of. A wonderfully gifted midfielder in his playing days gave Jamie and Richard access all areas to his professional career. *This does contain some explicit language in this episode. Twitter: @rubycurrie Twitter: HittingAreasPod Instagram: HittingTheAreasPodcast

In this Episode Jamie and Richard speak with Wycombe Wanderers Goalkeeper David Stockdale. Jamie and Richard speak with 'Stocko' about his career starting at York City and playing for clubs such as Fulham, Brighton and Birmingham. The boys also wanted to know about his England call-ups under then Manager Fabio Capello and what it was like at the training camps. David is also a Director at a Step 7 football club called Droitwich Spa FC, the boys delve deeper into how it came about and what his involvement is at the non-league club. Enjoy the next 1hr and 19 minutes about Stocko's life in football with some great stories to go along with it! Twitter: @stockogk1313 Instagram: @DavidStockdale13 Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @HittingTheAreasPodcast

Episode 5 and Jamie and Richard speak with Sarah Wilson, captain of Women's Championship side Durham Women FC. This is the first episode that delves into the world of women's football. The boys speak with Sarah about her opportunities as a young girl playing football, her career to the elite level of the women's game, plus the great international players that have been produced in the North-East of England. You can follow Sarah and Durham Women FC on Twitter: @SarahW_1991 and @DurhamWFC on Instagram: @Sarah5Wilson and @durhamwfc Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @hittingtheareapodcast

This episode, Jamie and Richard speak with Justin Girdler, Academy Acquisition Scout at Crystal Palace Football Club. This episode looks at scouting in the professional game. How to have a career in scouting including the time and commitment needed to succeed. Justin tells us about the players he has scouted and picks the ones to watch for the future. Justin's career has seen him work at top flight clubs such as Brentford, Manchester City and now Crystal Palace. Twitter: @Gridler Instagram: @justin_girdler_3 Twitter: @HittingAreasPod Instagram: @Hittingtheareaspodcast

This episode, Jamie and Richard speak with the current Southern League Division 1 Central, Aylesbury United midfielder Jamie Jellis, to chat to him about Academy Football in England. JJ talks us through the highs and lows he has experienced in the Academy set-up from a very young age to his late teens. This is a must listen for any Academy starlet out there or aspiring young footballer, about the life and experiences of an Academy prospect. Please follow us on Twitter @HittingAreasPod and Instagram @hittingtheareaspodcast You can follow Jamie on twitter @Jellis_Jamie

Jamie and Richard speak with Western Sydney Wanderers rising talent, full back Thomas Aquilina. They speak with the 20 year-old about the A-League, the Socceroos and coming through the youth system in Australia.  The boys also discuss Gareth Bale's resurgence at Spurs and the future of Erling Braut Haaland. 

Jamie and Richard talk Non-League Football with Bishop's Stortford Swifts Gaffer Billy Cove. They talk to Billy about his playing career, his management career and delve into Billy's recent social media stardom.

Jamie Roberts and Richard Kyson sit down to talk about their new podcast and what you can expect from the first few episodes.