• Ep24: Building Your Player Recruitment House!! The War Room Has Begun!
    Sep 5 2025

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    Introduction

    Tom and David kick off Episode 24 with a warm welcome and a bit of humor about their recording setup. Football Season Insights: A deep dive into the unpredictable nature of the current football season, discussing teams like Man City, Spurs, and West Ham.

    Recruitment Process: The duo explores the parallels between football recruitment and house renovation, emphasizing the importance of having a structured process. War Room Series: Insights into the first session of the War Room series, focusing on the initial stages of player recruitment and the role of AI in modern scouting. Upcoming Sessions: A preview of the next War Room session, promising more in-depth analysis and real-world applications.

    Call to Action: Don't miss out on our free Kickstart Challenge! Check the show notes for a link to register and get exclusive content delivered to you.

    Hashtags: #FootballInsights #Recruitment #AIinFootball

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    37 mins
  • Ep23: The Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 9-11 and Ready For The War Room!
    Aug 26 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the current football season's unpredictable start, delve into the recruitment process for football clubs, and introduce the upcoming War Room sessions.

    They explore the importance of structured scouting, the role of video analysis, and the significance of the target matrix in player recruitment. The conversation emphasizes the need for clubs to focus on appropriate players rather than just good players, and the challenges faced in maintaining a competitive squad.

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    38 mins
  • Ep22: The Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 4-8
    Aug 21 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the stages of the First 11 app workflow, focusing on player recruitment and data analysis. They discuss the importance of defining objectives, identifying playing styles, and specifying player roles.

    The conversation highlights the integration of AI in scouting processes, the significance of key performance indicators, and the use of video analysis for player evaluation. The hosts emphasise the efficiency and effectiveness of modern recruitment methods, encouraging clubs to adapt and refine their strategies in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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    34 mins
  • Ep21: Behind the Curtain: The First Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 1-3
    Aug 17 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football recruitment and discussing the importance of defining clear recruitment objectives.

    They explore the recruitment process using the first 3 steps of the 'First Eleven' process, emphasising the significance of understanding team playing styles and the role specifications needed for effective player evaluation.

    The conversation highlights the balance between objective metrics and subjective insights in recruitment, ultimately aiming to improve decision-making in football clubs.

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    41 mins
  • Ep20: Inside the Machine – How Smart Clubs Build Player Shortlists in 2025
    Aug 11 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the evolution of football tactics and the importance of structured recruitment processes.

    They delve into the 11 stages of recruitment, emphasising the need for clear objectives, key performance indicators, and the role of AI in enhancing recruitment strategies. The conversation highlights the significance of defining team playing styles and the practical application of these strategies in real-world scenarios.

    Takeaways

    Football is becoming increasingly organised with structured tactics.

    Set-piece coaches are now integral to team strategies.

    A consistent and repeatable recruitment process leads to better results.

    Defining clear objectives is crucial for effective recruitment.

    AI can assist in specifying recruitment needs and objectives.

    Understanding the team's playing style is essential for recruitment.

    Role specification helps in identifying the right type of player.

    Key performance indicators guide the evaluation of potential recruits.

    Shortlisting candidates streamlines the recruitment process.

    The target acquisition process ensures realistic player options.

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    42 mins
  • Ep19: Moving Away From Complex Chaos Towards Simple Clarity
    Aug 1 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the evolving landscape of football recruitment.

    They explore the typical recruitment setup in clubs, the importance of aligning recruitment with playing style, and the challenges of organising data effectively.

    David introduces the concept of his 11-stage recruitment process (First XI) designed to bring clarity to the chaos of data and decision-making in football.

    The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode, where they will delve deeper into the 11 stages.

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    30 mins
  • Ep18: The Shadow Team Model: Training to Build Multi-Window Strategy
    Jun 20 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the intricacies of football recruitment strategies.

    They explore the importance of persistence in achieving success, the concept of a shadow team for future planning, and the tools necessary for effective player evaluation.

    The conversation emphasises the need for a consistent recruitment system that can withstand personnel changes and the significance of aligning player strengths with team strategies.

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    34 mins
  • Ep17: The Thinking Behind the Shortlist — How to Justify Player Picks Like a Pro!
    Jun 13 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss various aspects of football recruitment, including the challenges faced by players in international matches, the constraints that scouts encounter, and the importance of evaluating players from multiple perspectives.

    They emphasise the need for a systematic approach to player evaluation and the necessity of understanding the different concerns of stakeholders within a football club. In this episode, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield delve into the intricacies of player recruitment in football. They discuss the importance of understanding role fit, behavioral evidence, and strategic fit when evaluating players.

    The conversation emphasizes the need for a structured approach to recruitment, including anticipating challenges and preparing for future windows. The hosts also highlight the significance of aligning player selections with the club's philosophy and the necessity of ongoing analysis and adaptation in the recruitment process.

    Takeaways

    • The mental pressure on players can affect their performance.
    • Constraints in recruitment include budget, playing style, and player age.
    • Evaluating players requires both technical analysis and live scouting.
    • Different stakeholders in a club have varying perspectives on player recruitment.
    • It's crucial to prepare for questions from decision-makers in recruitment discussions.
    • Player evaluations should be treated as case studies, not just lists.
    • Understanding the context of a player's performance is essential.
    • Consistency in evaluation criteria is key to effective recruitment.
    • The recruitment process involves balancing financial and performance considerations.
    • Every player signed represents an opportunity cost for the club. The role fit is crucial in player recruitment.
    • Behavioural evidence complements numerical data in evaluations.
    • Strategic fit aligns player choices with club philosophy.
    • Anticipating questions can strengthen recruitment arguments.
    • Preparation for recruitment challenges is essential.
    • Building a shadow team helps in long-term planning.
    • Self-imposed restrictions can clarify recruitment goals.
    • Understanding player behavior is as important as metrics.
    • Recruitment is a continuous process of improvement.
    • Effective communication with stakeholders is key in recruitment.

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    36 mins