From Academy Football to Non-League: A Goalkeeper’s Journey . (With berry) .

this episode, we sit down with a goalkeeper who’s experienced the full spectrum of English football — from elite academy environments to the realities of non-league. We talk about the highs, the setbacks, and the mental toughness required to keep going.
Topics we cover:
1️⃣ Starting Point – How the journey into goalkeeping began and the path into a top academy.
2️⃣ Academy Life – What people think academy football is like vs. what actually happens behind the scenes.
3️⃣ Trials & Mental Health – Handling pressure, uncertainty, rejection, and the emotional side of trialling at multiple clubs.
4️⃣ Transition to Non-League – The mental adjustment moving from academy football into Step 3 football.
5️⃣ Making It Pro – The hardest parts of chasing the dream that most fans don’t see.
6️⃣ The Goalkeeper’s Role – Dealing with mistakes, confidence dips, and the pressure that comes with being the last line of defence.
7️⃣ Retrospection – What they would do differently if they could restart the journey.
8️⃣ Non-League Lessons – What non-league taught them that academy football never could.
9️⃣ Advice for Young Players – Mindset, habits, sacrifices, and what upcoming keepers need to understand early.
🔟 Motivation – Staying driven through setbacks and what keeps them pushing today.