In Episode 84 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Dan Rutstein, President of Business Operations at Orange County SC of the USL Championship. In 2023, he was formally appointed President of Orange County SC after serving as interim club president, during which time the club set new records in ticket sales, sponsorship, and merchandise, and expanded charitable programming.
In this episode, Dan shares his fascinating journey - from sports journalist to diplomat to football club president, from the UK to Bermuda to Germany to California. He talks about key business principles of successfully running a professional soccer club in the second tier of American soccer, with a foundational focus on building community.
You will learn about why OCSC is so important - serving as the sole professional sports team for a county of 3 million people - and the values that Dan and his team act out in order to move the club forward. We compare and contrast a game day experience in the US vs the UK, why the club views their sponsors as reciprocal partners benefitting the community together, and how soccer, in particular, is a valuable tool for diplomacy and relationship building across cultures.
He also shares stories of schoolboy days playing soccer with a tennis ball, ghostwriting a newspaper column for one of the Caribbean’s best ever goalscorers, and why he is looking forward to speaking at SoccerEx Miami.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrutstein/
https://www.instagram.com/orangecountysoccer/
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In Episode 83 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Catalina Dunn, Marketing Manager at Soccer in the Streets. At Soccer in the Streets, Catalina plays a vital role in spreading awareness of the organization's mission to use soccer as a catalyst for positive change in underserved communities in the Atlanta region.
Catalina shares what she has learned in her more than six years of experience across diverse industries—including sports, technology, local government, and entertainment— and how her current role combines her passion for community impact with her expertise in digital marketing.
Perhaps most importantly, our conversation touches on the necessity of quality, engaging storytelling in order to sustain the organization. Despite all the amazing work SITS does, if there was no one to tell the story, they simply would not be able to grow to the level of impact they currently have.
We talk about the incredible example Soccer in the Streets sets for non-profit social organizations using soccer as a vehicle for social change, including their Station Soccer project that places mini soccer fields at public transit stations around the city, increasing access to both programming and transportation.
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In Episode 82 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Nicholas De-Long, Head of Academy for North Somerset Sports Foundation, a full-time 16-19 football education programme, in addition to his role as Head of Football for North Somerset Regional Talent Centre, which serves - 1100 boys and girls from ages 7-16. Nicholas has had an adventurous career, spending decades as a physical education instructor and coach in the UK Royal Air Force, to working on National Team staffs in Rwanda and India, to coaching in the academy at Southampton FC and Bristol Rovers.
He has led a life that would be at home on a cinema screen or in a lively novel, serving in Afghanistan with the British Armed Forces, to coaching India in front of 40,000 fans at the AFC Asian Cup. During our chat, Nicholas shares what he has learned along the way, his passion and enthusiasm shining with each sentence.
We talk about the keys to leadership, how to connect with teams in multi-cultural environments, and why his current role, steering aspiring footballers towards education, is so valuable to him. Nicholas also walks us through the realities of “trying to make it” as a young footballer in the UK, the ups and the downs which he has experienced as a player and coach.
This is one of the liveliest conversations we’ve had on the Because Football Podcast - and Nicholas names arguably our grittiest, fiercest ever All-Time 5-a-Side Team!
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In Episode 81 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Jonathan Todd, Director of Social Impact for Philadelphia World Cup 2026, the organization leading local efforts in the host city. Throughout his career, Jonathan has directed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments in multiple industries, in addition to time spent in non-profit and city government.
In this episode, Jonathan shares the Philadelphia World Cup 2026’s vision for short-term and long-term impact in the local soccer community. He also talks about the way that the Club World Cup served as an introduction to the game for thousands of Philadelphians and set a tone for all that the World Cup can be.
From watch parties with local community organizations, to implementation of soccer fields and capacity building through coach development, the organization is engaged in a variety of roles to ensure that the World Cup will be felt by all Philadelphians.
We hope this conversation educates listeners on the role that Philadelphia World Cup 2026 plays in the FIFA World Cup timeline, as well showcases as the possibilities for impacting the next generation of ballers in North America!
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-todd-74094335/
https://www.instagram.com/fwc26philly/
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Is it possible to start a semi-professional soccer club part-time?
In Episode 80 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Joey Lipoff and Charles Salazar, co-founders of Sunflower State FC, a USL 2 and WPSL club serving the Kansas City area. After meeting and playing together at Rockhurst University, Joey and Charles saw a need in the soccer community for affordable, high level team to give local standouts a platform to test their talents.
So, with just a small budget but huge desire to change up the local soccer scene, Joey and Charles were part of a small team that brought Sunflower State FC to life. Since starting a few years ago, the club has placed dozens of players into professional contracts and/or trials in the US and internationally.
In this episode, they share the challenges (and rewards) of running a 4th tier soccer club in their spare time - before clocking into work in the morning, during lunch breaks, and after long days at the office. But they also share why it’s worth it, why they continue improving their technical staff, as well as the matchday experience for local fans. Joey and Charles also share how they strive to support similar initiatives in the local area, such as collaborating with Kansas City Astras of MASL 3 women’s indoor soccer.
It’s an insightful and inspiring conversation that proves to anyone in the American soccer community that, with the right mission and dedicated people, it’s possible to turn even a humble Sunday league team into a product with more structure, organization, and professional exposure.
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Website: https://www.sunflowerstatefc.com/
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In Episode 79 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Charlie Latshaw III, current Head Coach for Des Moines Menace of USL 2, and regularly one of the league’s top performing clubs.
The Menace made headlines in recent years with a US Open Cup run where they signed a handful of former pros like Sacha Kljestan (who had played for the club back in the PDL days), Bradley Wright-Phillips, and USMNT stalwart Benny Feilhaber.
We talk about how coaching has bettered him as a person, how the Menace have maintained success and relevance in their community for three decades, and what USL 2 clubs must do well on and off the pitch in the fourth tier of American soccer.
We appreciate Charlie’s openness in sharing his story, from his initial childhood memories playing 11v11 as a six year old in Chicago, to how he instills values of community, service, and dedication in his teams. And credit to him for putting together a sizzling All-Time 5-a-Side Team with some ballers that the streets won’t forget!
Connect with Charlie Latshaw III
Connect with Because Football here:
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Competition makes soccer enthralling - but at its best, this game offers more than wins and losses.
In Episode 78 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Rachel Jolley, Program & Marketing Director for the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation. The foundation is the impact-driven arm of the Tampa Bay Sun, the Inaugural Champions of the Gainbridge Super League. A Tampa Bay area native, Rachel’s has balanced her desire for competition and impact over her career as a former Division 1 player, award-winning coach, and now program director.
In this episode, Rachel shares how her perspective on the game shifted once she became a coach. Disillusioned with some elements of the American soccer system like “pay to play” and overbearing parents, she shifted her focus from competition to opening access and serving kids that couldn’t afford to participate in that system.
In 2023, she founded Rise Up Soccer Club, a free-to-play program in Tampa for girls who might not have access to the game otherwise. That grassroots work led to her current role with the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation, where she leads community-driven soccer initiatives alongside Tampa Bay Sun Football Club, the area's first professional women's team.
Because Rachel has also worked as a freelance content creator and social media consultant, we talked about how crucial it is for grassroots community soccer programs to effectively shape and share their story in order to attract social, institutional, and financial support.
We hope this conversation will hope passionate people already working in the game, or will encourage you to get involved in your soccer community!
Connect with Rachel and the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheljolley/
https://www.tampabaysunfc.com/foundation/
https://www.instagram.com/tampabaysunfc
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Want to start your own podcast? We can help.
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Despite the booms and busts throughout history, American soccer has a lot to be proud of. From the bright lights of MLS and NWSL, to pre-professional teams in small town America, the game is alive and well.
In Episode 77 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Eleni Hitchcock, General Manager at Columbus United FC of USL 2 and VVP of Business Operations at Virtual Veep. Eleni tells us about her journey in the game, from getting wrapped up in the game day buzz as a child, to learning the ins and outs of club management during coffee dates with her father, Michael Hitchcock, a leader and builder in American soccer since early MLS days.
At the heart of Eleni’s passion and professional expertise lies a desire to share soccer with local communities, to give them an identity and a team to rally around.
Soccer business has always been family business and Eleni shares how she applies what she’s learned with Columbus United, a passionate soccer town on the Georgia-Alabama border. From meaningful partnerships with cool coffeeshops and hip breweries to youth soccer initiatives, affordable tickets and hardworking, authentic team staff, we discuss some of the foundations of successful soccer business that have worked in dozens of markets across the US.
Aside from the ins and outs of running a USL 2 club, she talks about Virtual Veep, a sports management services and consulting company that offers virtual assistance to lower division and minor league soccer teams across the country. Leveraging VP-level talent and experience across multiple organizations allows small town soccer teams to do what has often been so fundamentally difficult in American soccer - survive.
Leaders, fans, and coaches of community soccer clubs around the country will enjoy many takeaways from our discussion about the powerful simplicity that soccer can offer in the United States… and with the World Cup on our doorstep, that impact will only continue to grow!
Connect with Eleni, Columbus United, and Virtual Veep here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-hitchcock/
https://www.instagram.com/columbusunitedfootballclub/#
Connect with Because Football here:
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If you are an obsessive soccer fan, you know that the game isn’t just about what happens on the pitch - it’s about the journeys we take, the cultures we discover, and the wonderful people we meet because (of) football. It’s when we use footy as a vehicle for exploring the vast world around us that we can truly appreciate all this game means and offers.
In Episode 76 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Colin Martin, founder of The Footy Travelers and co-host of the Footy Travelers Podcast. Colin tells us about how his passion for both football and travel led him to create a platform that helps fans connect more deeply to the beautiful game.
From his earliest memories playing youth soccer for the Jetsons of Winslow Township, New Jersey, to his adventures attending multiple Men’s and Women’s World Cups, Colin shares how football becomes a lens for understanding culture, building friendships, and experiencing the world.
During the episode, we talk about how he had the idea to document these stories during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, why travel opens new doors for fandom, and how he somehow stumbled into a two week trial with a team in the Thailand Premier League.
We even chat about a surprising way that our paths (kind of) crossed long before this conversation.
This episode is a reminder that the true greatness of soccer is more than wins, losses - it’s an excuse for exploring the world that brings us closer to one another.
We also chat about an exciting upcoming trip to Mexico City that Because Football and The Footy Travelers are collaborating on - and you can be a part of it, too!
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To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
Is there something missing in your local soccer community? Well - don’t pout about it - build it yourself!
In Episode 75 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Ira Jersey, the Founder and Men’s General Manager at Real Central NJ Soccer of USL 2 and WPSL.
In this episode, Ira tells us about how growing up on the muddy fields of Long Island shaped his love for the game. After decades as a player, coach, and Soccer Dad, he looked around his local area and didn’t see any club offering high quality playing opportunities for college players.
So, he and a few partners collaborated to create Real Central NJ to represent the Central Jersey area - an area that often is swallowed up into its neighboring metropolises - New York City and Philadelphia.
We chat about his role as a General Manager, what it takes to run a summer league (USL 2 and WPSL) team and a year-round program, and how to make it an inviting, entertaining venue for local soccer fans. From financial realities to sponsorship packages and stadium challenges, Ira exposes the behind the scenes of running a club at the community level in America.
A history buff, we talk about the rich soccer tradition of the Mercer County area and the players, coaches, and clubs that laid the foundation for what Real Central NJ has created today. He also shares his pragmatic opinion on the prospect of promotion and relegation coming to the US, and the club’s current plans to make the jump from USL 2 to USL League One (IF they can get the stadium part right!).
Of course, we pick Ira’s brain for his All-Time 5-a-Side team, influenced by his childhood love for the New York Cosmos and his love for a quality Number 6!
Outside of soccer, you also may see Ira on TV as Chief U.S. Interest Rate Strategist for Bloomberg Intelligence.
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American soccer has had its share of ups and downs - but there are many encouraging signs right now. A great example is an announcement by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to expand their existing stadium - growing from a capacity of 5,000 to 15,000, in anticipation of a transformative era for the club.
In Episode 74 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Ryan Shaffer, VP of Marketing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Pittsburgh Riveters SC, and Highmark Stadium, the home of soccer in the area. Prior to working in professional soccer, Ryan owned his own marketing agency for 10 years, and also teaches sports photography and videography at Point Park University.
A local Pittsburgh native, Ryan admits that he essentially forgot about the Riverhounds completely before joining the organization three years ago. But under his leadership since then, the club has made a resurgence - selling out 75% of matches and galvanizing the local community - connecting with soccer purists and newbies, alike.
In this episode, Ryan talks about some key tactics that have been successful in making the Riverhounds, and newly founded Riveters, more relevant in a passionate sports town. He also shares the marketing team’s plans for generating demand for a newly expanded stadium and how they hit the ground running with their new Riveters women’s team by inviting fans to be a central part of the process.
Connect with Ryan and Pittsburgh Riverhounds here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanrshaffer/
https://www.instagram.com/ryanrshaffer/
http://instagram.com/riverhoundssc
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To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
If you love the game of soccer - and want it to be a central part of your life - what’s stopping you?
In Episode 73 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Nick Manske, a Fan Service Representative for the Philadelphia Union of MLS. In addition to his role in the soccer industry, Nick is also the City Manager for Street FC Philadelphia, a pickup soccer community in a dozen cities around the United States.
In this episode, Nick tells us about how he initially hated soccer but grew to love it as a youngster playing on the concrete courts of Brooklyn. He shares how his love of street soccer led him to turning to the game as a new transplant to Philadelphia, and how both his role with the Union and as building the Street FC community gave him a sense of purpose and connection in a new city.
We chat about his role as a Fan Service Representative, engaging with about 600 Season Ticket Members and helping ensure they have a great game day experience down at Subaru Park. From common complaints to more nuanced requests, Nick tells us about how his role contributes to the club’s overall image and its crucial relationship with fans.
And when he’s not supporting MLS fans, he is facilitating the Street FC chapter in Philadelphia, a chapter he founded in 2021 at a barren basketball court with a few friends. Through hard work and fun times on the court, Nick’s influence has seen the Street FC community grow to hundreds of members, daily street soccer games at their dedicated court, and a team of five game captains, who host games and help build out our weekly schedule.
Of course, we pick Nick’s brain for his All-Time 5-a-Side team, influenced by his love for Manchester United, and ask him for a controversial answer - to the question of “Which is a better stadium - Subaru Park - or Sports Illustrated Stadium (home of Nick’s hometown New York Red Bulls!).
Connect with Nick and Street FC here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-manske-958658157/
https://www.instagram.com/nickmanske/
https://www.instagram.com/streetfc/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/stfcphila/?hl=en
Connect with Because Football here:
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To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
It's been a rallying cry, a fiery debate, a humble plea for decades. American soccer fans have been calling for the implementation of promotion and relegation - just like the rest of the world.
The USL is answering that call as it plans to implement pro/rel, plus a newly sanctioned Division One league, in 2027.
In Episode 72 of the Because Football Podcast, Jeremy Alumbaugh, President of USL Championship, tells us the motivations for that decision and how the league is aiming to capitalize on a new wave of soccer fans in the United States.
But this conversation covers more than the hottest topic in American footy - we start at Jeremy's roots - as a young kid in a soccer-rabid Midwestern town, to playing, coaching, and leading at all levels of the game. He talks about the learning he had to do as he transitioned from coach to General Manager to league President, and how he has had to rely on his team to back him at each step.
Jeremy shares the mindset of USL club owners, the league's push for a groundbreaking media rights deal, and how the World Cup will propel soccer culture to another level here in the United States.
We also discuss how USL clubs have succeeded in tapping into local fan bases - especially in small markets like Chattanooga or Vermont or Portland, Maine - by doing the hard work at grassroots level. Our conversation delves into important concepts of fan culture, relevance, and how that will hopefully grow as USL institutes pro/rel in the near future.
It's an extremely exciting moment in American soccer - but can we truly believe the hype?
Connect with Jeremy and USL here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-alumbaugh/
https://www.instagram.com/uslchampionship/
https://www.facebook.com/USLChampionship/
Connect with Because Football here:
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Recently, the game of soccer has been showing its importance in American culture in a variety of ways - especially in the growth of pickup soccer communities around the country.
In Episode 71 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Monica Rojas, Head of Community and Communications at Plei, a pickup soccer platform operating in 28 regions across the U.S. that makes it easy to play anytime, anywhere. A lifelong player and former college athlete, Over the past 8+ years, she’s built communities across tech, crypto, sports, and culture—hosting 150+ events from intimate dinners to 300-person activations.
In this episode, we discuss how Monica first became involved with Plei as a player, drawn in by the opportunity to stay fit, make friends, and celebrate the game in person. We also talk about how crucial in-person events are becoming in a digital heavy world, and how soccer, in particular, serves as such an effective conduit for building relationships.
From Plei’s new “Ball and Brunch” event, to its 2025 summer of Club World Cup meetups, to plans for the 2026 World Cup, Monica shares the core foundations of inclusive, fun, engaging events and activations.
We even discuss the basic definition of community, and why brands need to pay attention to soccer, particularly pickup communities that bring together fanatics from all walks of life.
This episode displays not only soccer’s unique ability to create joyful moments, but also the necessary business insights to leverage the game for commercial growth and sustainability in a meaningful, relevant way.
Connect with Monica Rojas and Plei here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-rojas24/
https://www.instagram.com/la_monirojas/
https://www.instagram.com/pleiapp/
https://www.tiktok.com/@pleiapp
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
The reality we see depends on the stories we tell ourselves. The stories we accept. The stories we reject. And when it comes to American soccer, stories are critical to understanding the opportunities and potential pitfalls of the current state of the game.
In Episode 70 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest is Garret James Hokr, Account Executive in Member Services for Gotham FC of the NWSL. Garret shares how waking up at 4:30am for the 2002 World Cup got him hooked on soccer, as well as how he got into the football industry after a career in sales and finance. In his soccer career, Garret has worked with club in MLS, NWSL, USL, and NISA, giving him a wide spectrum of perspectives on how American soccer clubs can succeed.
Despite the differences, there are two unifying themes: creating community for fans to feel a part of something, and the desire to win.
This theme of community is where storytelling and listening enter our conversation. In his role within Member Services for Gotham FC, he regularly connects with fans and partners about their experiences with the club, hearing their desires and how they want to be included in the club’s mission.
Similarly, Garret’s passion for the game has led him to dive deeper into the hidden histories of American soccer. His research has given him context for our present moment of US soccer, but has also shown him how community and relevance can be enhanced by looking at important people, clubs, and movements in the past.
Whether it’s the Title IX decision expanding support for women’s sports, the US Women’s National Team winning the 1999 World Cup in front of millions of viewers, or the “Miracle on Grass” - the US Men’s victory of England in the 1950 World Cup, this episode showcases pivotal moments that have laid the foundation for the current state of American soccer.
Follow Garret James Hokr here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garret-hokr/
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia@gmail.com
In Episode 69 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Kaitlyn McComb, Director of Ticket Sales and Ticket Operations for the Annapolis Blues, a pre-professional club in Annapolis, Maryland that offers a men’s team in USL 2 and women’s team in USL W League.
In just 3 seasons as a club, the Blues have embedded themselves in the local community, offering free soccer clinics, player appearances, and supporting local businesses and non-profit organizations. These grassroots efforts have incredible results as the men’s team - operating at the 4th tier of American soccer - has attracted crowds of nearly 13,000 fans and the women’s team - only in their first season in 2025 - pulled in just over 7,000 for their opening game.
Kaitlyn shares about her personal journey in sales with the Washington Commanders of the NFL and what led her to soccer, as well as what she has learned relative to commonalities among fans of all sports. Leveraging a fun stadium atmosphere, affordable season ticket packages, and engaging group events, Kaitlyn’s work in the past months with the Blues has helped the club grow into one of the most exciting and community-driven teams in the United States.
We also chat about the values that drive success in community soccer in the US, how soccer teams can rally a community around a single identity, and the ways that fans show their appreciation and support for their local team. This podcast is full of great insight and guidance that can help lower level soccer clubs around the country - whether it’s USL, NPSL, UWS, W League, or League for Clubs - connect with their community and leverage those relationships for financial sustainability.
Follow Annapolis Blues:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapolisbluesfc/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/annapolisblues
Website: https://annapolisblues.com/
Connect with Kaitlyn McComb here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-mccomb
X (Twitter): https://x.com/kaitmccomb
Connect with Because Football here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia@gmail.com
The New York Cosmos are back... but many are asking the question... why?!?!
In Episode 68 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Cosmos CEO Erik Stover about how the club is planning to do things differently (and better) in this third incarnation.
The foundation of that plan is player development of the rich talent in the North Jersey area, as well as community development and expanding access to fans.
Erik and the ownership group are extremely aware of the cynicism and competition that the club faces, but remain confident that a new patient, comprehensive approach will lead to success on the pitch and "profitability within 5 years".
In this podcast, Erik shares about how a Ruud van Nistelrooy volley got him hooked on soccer, what he learned from the European club model while CEO of a club in Denmark, and the new look Cosmos' plan is for succeeding on and off the pitch at USL League One level.
Trading Pele and Raul for developing local talent, believing in and giving youth players a chance to shine, and bravely stepping forward to offer solidarity payments to local youth clubs in the region are top of the list for Stover and his leadership team.
Central to the club's business plan is leveraging a comprehensive club app to keep fans engaged, offering multiple sports and disciplines such as arts and education programming, and presenting Paterson's historic Hinchliffe Stadium and its adjacent Paterson Falls park as a premium soccer and entertainment destination.
Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts - your optimism and criticism!
Follow Erik here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-stover-925b5b15/
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https://www.instagram.com/nycosmos
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Professional football is a hyper-competitive industry. It can be ruthless, cutthroat, and overwhelmingly results-driven. But is there a place for kindness amidst all that intensity?
In Episode 67 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale Football Club, currently of EFL League One. Matt shares his personal journey from learning about the game and people in the weathered, pungent changing rooms of Wolstanton United, a local non-league club that his father led, to working in a variety of community football roles, to ultimately taking the helm of one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
Port Vale is celebrating its 150th year and the club leadership has made the brave decision to forego a front of shirt sponsor in order to maintain a classic design that has gone viral and drawn envy from around the world of football. We talk about the internal discussions that led to that decision and how, combined with a value-driven and authentic marketing strategy, sacrificing a six figure kit sponsor has actually led to commercial growth in other areas of the club.
We speak not only of football’s social obligation to be relevant and in service to its community, but also critical topics of sponsorships, partnerships, revenue generation, and workplace culture within a club.
Matt's trajectory is very different to most CEOs in the game. His 20+ years of experience has largely been in community football - as a coach and administrator -using the power of the game to support non-traditional groups at the Staffordshire FA and Burton Albion Community Trust.
These roles had the ultimate outcome of inclusion, participation, and health - not 3 points and revenue generation. - which is why his promotion from Community & CSR Director to Chief Executive Officer of Port Vale came as a surprise to many.
But, as Matt tells us in this episode, his experience and perspective have prepared him to lead a club that certainly seeks on the field success (and showed it with an immediate promotion back to League One after suffering relegation in his first season at the helm) but also serves as a priceless social hub in its home of Burslem, a town in Stoke-on-Trent that has endured poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse as its core industries of mining and pottery manufacturing have left the area.
This episode displays not only football’s important role in its local communities, but also the mentality of a leadership team that has turned the club around in recent years and is making news for all the right reasons.
Connect with Matt Hancock and Port Vale Football Club here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hancock-653535136/
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To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia@gmail.com
For Episode 66 of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a different format. Rather than interviewing an incredible guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on his round the world journey that took him to football communities in 17 countries in the past 18 months, a new documentary series, and giving his perspective on the new FIFA Club World Cup.
Highlights of this episode include:
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When it comes to making an impact off the field in terms of community engagement and building trust, it is critical that football clubs think long-term about their goals.
In Episode 65 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat about having a successful framework for building partnerships with Jan Twete, Director of Global Partnerships for VfL Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga.
As Jan shares, football clubs have a responsibility to be active in their communities and it requires vision and clear values to find the right companies to activate with successfully. And, as Jan has seen while working for Wolfsburg in both China and North America, understanding the local culture and market needs are critical, as well.
This conversation centers around not only the business side of developing and deploying activations, but more importantly, how success partnerships allow clubs to build inter-generational trust and brand awareness through holistic programming.
Without the right partnerships, professional soccer clubs will never reach their full potential - socially or commercially.
Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling.
We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game.
Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.
Connect with Jan Twete:
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