Graduating through a professional football club academy can be a defining experience in life.
In this week’s Magpie Circle podcast, three Nottinghamshire likely lads take us through their journey from being a YT at Notts County and into the professional ranks.
Former Mansfield boss Paul Cox, Ravenshead’s Paul Sherlock and Sutton in Ashfield’s Jimmy Walker were all products of the Magpies academy at Meadow Lane 30 years ago, Cox went on to play 52 times for Notts before pursuing a managerial career with Eastwood, Mansfield, Torquay, Barrow and now Kettering. Sherlock made 18 appearances for Notts, took up a teaching career and is now Principal at a school in Qatar.
And despite never making his pro debut for Notts, Walker became the record club appearance holder with over 530 games for Walsall, and is now goalkeeping coach at Ipswich.
Initiations, beatings, being scared out of their wits, and the pressures put on teenagers to get through the harsh world of pro football, are all analysed in full.
Many hilarious tales too… including stopping off for a drink in the Starting Gate pub in Colwick during a training run back from Stoke Bardolph.
Ultimately all of this has bonded these three for life.
A great tale of camaraderie, heartbreak, fun and coming of age.
Thursday 10th December 2020
- Paul Cox, James Walker & Paul Sherlock – The YT’s (The Magpie Circle)
*Main image @Official_NCFC Paul Sherlock in his young days at Meadow Lane.
