Since 2017, I have been very fortunate to be associated with Brentford FC as their retained sports psychology consultant, and hopefully the goals keep being ticked off, literally.

From promotion to the Premier League in May 2021, winning the play off at Wembley, when crowds, limited initially, were allowed to attend sporting events again, through to now beating every team in the Premier League at least once.  More importantly, the team and club has brought great joy to the local community, and not just by performances on the pitch, as football still has the power to unite and inspire like no other activity, and I hope and think Brentford FC do that as well as anyone in football. 

The opportunity and privilege to work at this level is never taken for granted, and though I appreciate mine is a peripheral role, as the game is still about “players and fans” (Bill Shankly), to be allowed to practice in the way I do is a gift.  My way of supporting, and challenging, the team, coaches, staff, support staff is not as conventional as some, but it works for us, and I can only thank the Sporting and Performance Directors, the head coaches, and all the staff for accepting me, supporting me and for building my own office, my bench, which is used constantly.

And as the game is about players, I can’t speak highly enough of them, as they continue to embrace my role, and I am not embarrassed to say they have taught me so many things too when sitting on our bench discussing, everything really. It remains a beautiful game.