Football DNA Podcast

In this episode of the Football DNA podcast we speak with Co-Founder & Director of the Football Fun Factory Jonny Martin. Jonny is a UEFA A Licensed Coach and previously worked at Cambridge United Academy for 9 years. He now is on a mission to support young people across the country.
The Football Fun Factory was created to provide incredible childhood football experiences, for boys and girls of all ages and ability levels, eliminating barriers to opportunity. We use the nation’s passion for football as a vehicle for child development, delivering truly unique experiences to make memories that last a lifetime.

In the first episode of 2026, we are joined by David & Keith Mayer to discuss How To Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly. Insights are taken from the book they both published as co-authors. Keith has an extensive coaching background around the world and for the last decade with Liverpool FC Academy. David has also coached around the world as a UEFA A Licenced Coach, currently at Utah Red Wolves Academy.
For even more insights, check out their book Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly, available on Amazon and major bookshops.

In the ninth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ross Embleton to discuss Talent ID & Recruitment In Grassroots Football
Ross is a highly respected English football coach, currently serving as Academy Head of Recruitment at West Ham United. With a background in youth development at clubs like Tottenham and Norwich, he is best known for his time at Leyton Orient, where he held roles including Head Coach and helped lead the club through a period of transition.

In the eighth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ben Bradford to discuss grassroots goalkeeper coaching.
Ben Bradford is an experienced and sought-after goalkeeping coach, who is a former academy Goalkeeping Coach for West Ham United Football Club. He has numerous qualifications, including FA Level 2 goalkeeper, FA Level 1 in Talent Identification, and FA Emergency First Aid. His coaching philosophy prioritises attacking-minded play with both feet and developing his goalkeepers' organisational skills and positive attitude. Ben was also the former Essex Regional Goalkeeping Scout for Cambridge United.

Under Ben's guidance, many of his students have signed for professional football clubs, such as Man Xity, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Ipswich Town, Cambridge United, Southend United, Colchester United, West Ham United United and Milwall.

In the seventh episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Paul McGuinness to discuss Individual Skill Development
Paul McGuinness spent 24 years at Manchester United, where he served as Head Coach of the Professional Development Phase. During his time at the club, he played a pivotal role in the development of players such as Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck, and Axel Tuanzebe, among many others.
As coach of United’s U18s, Paul guided the team to FA Youth Cup glory in 2011, overseeing a squad brimming with future stars, including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Ravel Morrison.
After departing Manchester United in 2016, Paul spent four years as a National Coach Developer with The Football Association, helping to shape the next generation of coaches across the country. In 2021, he joined Leicester City’s academy as Head of Player Development, a role he held until September 2022.
Paul now works as a consultant, providing mentorship to both players and coaches, and delivering coaching demonstrations and presentations across the football landscape.