Show Transcript
Episode 5 – Tom Broadbent – How Do I Become A Professional Footballer

Episode 5 - Tom Broadbent -  How do I become a professional footballer   Tom Broadbent  In the army, you get like resettlement days like they grant you days that you can use. It's like paid. I think it's like 21 days that you use to like do courses or like work experience, things like that to transition into what you're going to do. And I had to use all them days for like my trial. So if it didn't work out, like, I don't know what it done like, you had no idea I had no idea. I just fought all eggs   Joe Partington  in one basket. I have to do this. Yeah. Welcome to leave no doubt, a podcast brought to you by E perform explores all areas of performance within football. From the biggest lessons from the best players in the game, to diving into nutrition, strengthen conditioning, and psychology with elite practitioners. We are here to help you maximise your potential, improve your game, and leave nothing to chance in your football performance. I'm Joe Partington. In today's episode, I'll be talking to someone who spent six years in the Army made his football league debut at 26. One promotion from League Two with Swindon, in 2020, Tom Broadbent, in this episode, we get Tom's lessons and insights into creating the opportunity to become a professional footballer how to approach going and trial and how to maintain playing at a higher level. Oh, good.   Tom Broadbent  Oh, good night. Thanks for having me.   Joe Partington  Yeah. Good. Nice to have you here. So to get us up and running me, how does opportunity link into modern day football?   Tom Broadbent  Rephrase the question. What do you want to know? How does how I went about getting my opportunities?   Joe Partington  How important do you think opportunity is in the game?   Tom Broadbent  Oh, massive. Obviously. Not everyone gets the opportunity to play. Obviously, the level football that I play. You know, I sort of think luck comes into it as well. With how it came about me getting my opportunity, but then obviously, it's it's having the right mindset to take it as well.   Joe Partington  Totally. Yeah. When did you first start to think about playing professionally? Obviously, your life had taken a different path. Yeah. When was the thought process start to begin?   Tom Broadbent  Obviously, like, as a kid, I wanted to be a pro anyway, like, like everyone does, but then it didn't work out. And then sort of sat football off like put it, put it put it to one side. All right, I'm going to concentrate on the army. And then I started playing for like Farnborough in the league with a and at the time, Ryman premier think it was start playing quite well getting like a bit of interest in like National League teams and stuff. And then end up going away with the Army again. And I was just feeling like it's ruining like my chance to flight plan full time saved for hazing yet in and then it sort of come about again. And that's when I was like, I've stopped playing well, I skip and things like that. And I thought I could I could maybe play like a higher level but it was sort of the army holding me back. Because Because at work   Joe Partington  you had that opinion of your of yourself during the time like yeah, felt good in that moment. Yeah, yeah,   Tom Broadbent  like, obviously, playing at that level, I felt like it was easy. I and I knew that I could play higher. But the only reason I couldn't was because of work commitments. But then I didn't really get presented that opportunity to play higher at the time I cuz I would play like three games and then go away and then play like another to go away and it was sort of getting in the way. So then I just made a decision to sign off the army. And like gamble really at the start of what he had to sign for rovers? 17 Yes, at the start of 2017 I signed signed off the army because you have to give a year's notice and I thought right sort of be if you have a job lined up they let you go after six months for start the year it'll be sort of summer then I could maybe get a club like preseason. That's a gamble. Certainly gamble.   Joe Partington  Interested in finding out was whether or not you had to find the club to leave your army role. Or you left and gambled it all we just got Yeah.   Tom Broadbent  So I left and I basically, in the army you get like resettlement days like they they grant you days that you can use it. So I paid I think it's like 21 days that you use to like do courses or like work experience or things like that to transition into what you're going to do. And I had to use all them days for like my trial. So if it didn't work out, like, I don't know what I'd done like, you had no idea. I had no idea like I just put all their eggs in one basket. I have to do this. Yeah. So that's why I went there with the mindset like, I can't I can't fail.   Joe Partington  Yeah. Did you know how difficult it was going to be?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, prepare myself. My mindset was, I might not be the best footballer. But I know that I need to stand out in some way. And I fought fitness, like leading up to I found out about the trial like two weeks or three weeks before. And like a PT in the army was a good mate of mine. And I told him, we were doing like, Yo Yo tests everything. Like every day, I was basically like, three weeks leading up two or three weeks leading up to it. Like just me and him. It was based in me. So I went in to the trial field because everyone hates preseason done by me, but that was the fittest. I've been in a preseason. And I mean, I don't know if you remember, I wasn't like, the fittest. But I was, I was up there. And I think that sort of put me into Darrell Clark sort of mindset of the eyes of fit, lads like, and I remember my first training my first my first day there. And we did a kickball session. I was awful. Like Zach a little, little, I think, you know, the little box. And I was so like, the pace is so quick park and I couldn't get to grips with it. I remember him walking off like put his arm around me guys. I'm racing. That's not your thing. That is it. And I just thought you know, you know if you're on track, if you have been been on have been? Yeah. You think about all the bad things that you've done that day. So you go out you're driving, driving home after training. You don't think about the good things that you've done. You think about like the bad stuff. And it like haunts you like that Pastor did?   Joe Partington  But you don't want to get judged in that moment, as the Minister thinks that I can't do that. Yeah. And you think within yourself, you think but I can I just I did show it in that moment.   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, like, it's just obviously the speeds a lot different in it. So it's just getting obviously the next day is better and better. And then I was used to it. And I felt good.   Joe Partington  Let's strip it back a little bit, because there's going to be a lot of people watching this. And we've spoken a little bit beforehand about opportunity being obviously the main theme of what we're talking about. And people knowing how to create an opportunity. So you're playing a hazing heading, you're doing quite well, personally, you feel like you're capable of playing higher. What immediate steps did you take within those that that time to move on.   Tom Broadbent  So I just went off my own back and forth. Like obviously we got sent for clips to the games. And I just I downloaded some app on on a laptop and got all the clips and and clipped them all into one video. It was like 13 minutes long or something I can't remember I sent it I think I sent it to the UK Armed Forces manager at the time. And he he was mates with Danny coals or mates with a friend of Danny coals. And he sent it to him, and then he sent it to cosy. I think he then sent it to Daryl Clark, because I think they were looking for a centre at this point. You've had no real feedback from anybody else. Nah, say I want to say I'm really on YouTube. And people just like you know, liking it and things like that. But but this was I didn't expect anything to really come of it was all of your own back all of my back. Yeah, I made the video myself. Yeah, it sounds a bit but it helps John I mean,   Joe Partington  and so Danny goes obviously to we know him but yes, he's an agent. He's an agent. Yeah. Had you had any exposure to agents before that moment?   Tom Broadbent  A couple of like you know, like the sort of non people look around like non League and things like that, but I wasn't signed with any What   Joe Partington  was your opinion during that time of what an agent's role was for lack of fabulous career   Tom Broadbent  well just to put them out there and sort of speak to managers and things like that but obviously that being a good agents having contacts and so you know, there's a lot of agents in football like non League and stuff going out here I'll get your club and but they don't actually know anyone within the pro games to be able to get the club so obviously finding out that this agent particular agent was an ex player and he can get me a trial. I didn't even know who it was going to be with like I just had a phone call from that UK I didn't even speak to the agent myself. Suddenly you can't force it manager Nick, and he just rang me goes up. I've got a trial with Bristol Rovers site in two weeks.   Joe Partington  Did you have any understanding of of what Danny calls his role is going to be for you know, so you weren't aware of what clubs he was trying to get in contact with now   Tom Broadbent  because apparently obviously this was after I'd signed for rovers I found out that if it didn't work out rover, so we're gonna send me on trial to Jelena So he must have had.   Joe Partington  Yeah, that was possible at that time there was Yeah. You didn't know that. No, I didn't know that now. So when you get the news, you get the feedback. You've spoken to the Armed Forces manager I've spoken to obviously this agent calls you almost immediately says, you've got a child at Bristol Rovers. Yeah. What emotions are you going through in that moment?   Tom Broadbent  I think in nerves really straight away. I'm like, wow, like, and then I'm like, It's preseason. I hate preseason. Like, because I know, it's just gonna be running. And they're professional athletes. So I need to get fit. It was almost immediately I was I run my mate, I was like, you need to, you need to help me out Ma.   Joe Partington  Up until that point. What had you been? How had you been training?   Tom Broadbent  I've been doing this, obviously, in the army to keep fit anyway. But I think I've just been to the ascension islands where I hadn't even played football for ages. And obviously, the season have finished anyway. So I hadn't really kicked a ball for a while. And I was thinking, wow, like, I need to do ball work. I need to get fit, like, and I was panicking thinking I've only got a couple weeks.   Joe Partington  You're moving into obviously going on trial to professional environment. Yeah. You knew within yourself. You had the capability of playing to that level yet you hadn't prepared to up to that moment. Now. Probably how you would have wanted to? Yeah, yeah. So for that, what was that two or three weeks? Like? Yes, tough. Like,   Tom Broadbent  I may nail Riley. I love that. I've shouted him out as well as real good PT in the army. Like it makes things fun as well in the army, like all the lads love him. But like he was doing the yo yo test within like lampposts runs and but he would do it all with me, it wouldn't make me do it on my own. He did it all with me as a machine. So and then obviously, we have the little 4g pitch, like the little cage thing, near where, where our block was where we lived. And we just be like pinging balls and that to each other, just getting a touch going. Helped me loads like getting getting prepared for that. And then obviously, I went there feeling quite confident with the runs. Because I know that some footballers, even though professionals that go on holiday for the whole summer, some of them do nothing and then come back. So I was sort of, I don't know, like top top sort of for fitness wise, it it depends what sort of run it was. If it was like a longer distance one, it's not really my thing, but the short, the short, like interval running and things like that. I've done a lot of that. Aaron, so I felt good.   Joe Partington  What was your perception before you went in to Bristol Rovers about what a professional footballer looked like, like what a professional football environment was was.   Tom Broadbent  I try not to think about it too much. Because I knew basically I trialled that when I was a kid. And I always let like my own fault. Sort of, you know, or other people's opinions like affect my trial, which I think a lot of people probably suffer with as well. So like, I thought to myself, like people aren't going to want me here because I'm potentially going in to take someone's position they're going to make my time difficult. Like the rover's lads didn't. But they didn't make it easy for like they no one. Let's face it, no one really talks to the trial. It's that much they like, I do a bit more now because I've been there, but it's just how it goes like no one really. I especially if they're in your position, you're like I don't want him like sign in. It's gonna take my place.   Joe Partington  It's definitely a tough environments come into Yeah, try last year during that first training session, just touched on it before about in that box about not feeling like you'd given your best. Were you aware of the level that you're going to have to raise your game up to? Yeah,   Tom Broadbent  yeah, definitely. I was sort of panicking a little bit thing. And it gets you question yourself. I mean, but then it's always, you know, like, if you make a bad pass, just make a nice easy one, like get yourself in quit, I started doing like, little pass little bounce passes, just just to get yourself in credit. And it builds the confidence and things like that. And as the days went on, I felt more and more confident.   Joe Partington  Is that the first moment? I mean, you've got to a point where you feel that good about yourself, that you're putting yourself out there for to play professional football. Is that the first moment that you questioned? where you're at?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, like, in what way like question where I'm at, like,   Joe Partington  in terms of so. You felt like before you came on? I felt like you're   Tom Broadbent  at that level. Yeah. So then I was like, am I actually good enough?   Joe Partington  Did you question that?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Because I mean, the usual lads. You know, some lads, you give it away and you know, you get the little lads gun. You don't know if they're talking about you? Things like that. And it makes you think, Am I good enough? Like, they don't want me here. And but I was that coming in I was that focus, like, I just ignored everything that everyone else said. And I just caught like, I didn't care, you know, like, you know, some people come in, they're afraid to like tackle someone in case the player like, hates, I didn't really care. Like, I was like, I'm not leaving anything here. Like, I didn't want to regret then I could have done more to get that get that contract. And like, obviously, I did get it. So I was buzzing.   Joe Partington  People are gonna be wondering, why if you're at this level at this point, so you were 25 at this point, obviously capable of being a very good footballer. Why for whatever reason, when you were younger, didn't really work out. Let's say I know that you at Southampton for a period of time Bournemouth Portsmouth, South Coast teams know from Basingstoke. So they're sort of the local professional teams to you. Yeah, what happened it during that period? Why didn't it work out?   Tom Broadbent  I'm not really sure. You know, I think there's a number of things I think I was quite late at developing as well. On my fitness site, when I was at 16 weren't fit at all, I even regards to joining the army, he had to pass AKA a PFA physical fitness assessment. And he had to get it in under like 1030 a mile and a half, which is easy. But now, but at the time, I remember going and doing like a trial run with it. And I was like 12 minutes. That's unfair. I mean,   Joe Partington  so you're, like your physical state was terrible. Like, yeah, like,   Tom Broadbent  I was all right, like, the ball and things like that, but I wasn't fit. I remember at Pompey, I was 17. They did the, the 1k test, you know, the three minute 31. But they did that in like two groups. So it's three minutes, 30, then you'll have the other group go to only three minutes for 30 off, and you do it again. Three minutes for those three rounds. I did like one and I was sick. I couldn't do it again. And it's embarrassing. But like, that's probably one of the reasons but also like the confidence I like I said to touched on it, they're like where you go in. And other people have the effects where like, they don't want you there make you feel like you know what, like the the lads, like they're being their little clique, and there'll be like, on him like, and it just made you not want to be there. So like that as well. Whereas Ben that bit older, and obviously what I've been through within the Army and like, built up that sort of resilience and things like that, not to care what people think and stuff like that. Like, I feel like it helped me like being in the Army helped me to be like the sort of character and have that sort of mental toughness that I've got now.   Joe Partington  So that rejection that you felt at that age of not being signed, not being given a deal at that age helped you in the moments now where you're on trial as a five year old,   Tom Broadbent  yeah, don't don't get me wrong, like doesn't mean like I'm so mentally strong. I think that because last season, the gaffer getting on me and a couple of bad guys, you're gonna wrap bad run, and then you're out the team and that everyone struggles with it. But like, because before that, when I was at rovers, everything seemed to just fall into place for me, like I was playing well, lead on the ball. Like, everything seemed to be going good for me, I didn't really made one or two sort of mistakes or things like that. But I was still learning that sort of level and things are ever set, everything seemed good. And then I'd never gone on like a bad run of form. And I went to Swindon, and in like, I sort of towards the end of my first season there hit like a bad run a foreman, and like my head was going and the manager was on me. And I sort of got like how to sort of deal with all that. And like found it hard. And like it affected everything, like everything at home, and I was going through like a bad a bad thing. But like, sort of just worked on myself. I mean, even just like reading things I helped you. I mean, like we read through it and stuff like that. To help you sort of deal with all that sort of stuff.   Joe Partington  I think it was what you do have is obviously being able to look back on the journey that you've been on. Think like I'm at this point, because I've made this like I've done this for myself. Yeah, that's that's a nice way for you to reflect on. But before we move on, I know that people there's gonna be a lot of people watching this who are 17 years old, like I myself at 15 was released in Portsmouth and mean, you both know how much of a big club that is in that area? And the premise at the time as well? No, yeah, it was like enormous club and obviously really important to the both of us. But those 17 year old, 16 year old, 15 year old boys who are being released, being rejected at that level, but still have aspirations to play professionally. What sort of advice have you got for them off the back of your journey?   Tom Broadbent  Where like, it feel at that time, when you get released at that age, you feel like that's it? It's, it's over, then. Yeah, like you feel like, you kind of don't know what I'm going to do. But it's always good to just sort of not, not think too much into it. If you're not, I mean, like, yeah, use that as like, feel like, I'm going to I'm going to show them, I can do it. But if it doesn't happen straight away, like don't give up. Because, I mean, although I could I, I kind of did give up, but not completely. You know, I mean, I was like, right. It's not worked out for me right now. So I enjoy football, I'll keep playing, but I'm going to focus on like my career. And then football sort of just crept back in and because I wasn't caring too much, or like letting it affect me too much. I just enjoyed it. It then picked up again, John, I mean, but yeah, just I know that a lot of lads get released, and then they think that their life's over. But it's not it. It opens up so much more opportunities as well. I mean, you look at three careers and 25. And I think he's dealt with that so well. I mean, he speaks really well about it. Yeah. Someone who definitely that means that an inspiration like and any it kind of shows that. Yes, footballs, our job and everything like that, and everyone wants to do it. But it's not everything. Like there's so much more   Joe Partington  during that six years, that you've stepped away from football and are enjoying your time in the army. Is the seed of our question. Personal football still in there?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, like, I remember. I'd go to the pub with my mates and like, say like a Saturday, it like when I wasn't playing football at the time. And you'd have like Gillette soccer Saturday on in there, and I'd be having beers and stuff like that. And I'd see people that like, I know playing and I'll be sat there with my pint, I'd be like, putting it down thinking like, what am I doing? But that could that could have been me. So like, it was always there like that her like I was guided, see it like, not guided to see them doing well, but guide because I wanted to do it. So it was always there. It was just the opportunity never come up. I was never like better. Because a lot of the players that I played with as a kid didn't make it either. And even lads that I thought were probably better than me didn't make it. So it was kind of like, I felt like I'd watch someone or say I'd watch soccer league to game or something like that on telly. Be like, This is rubbish, like I could play in this. But like it's very easy to say and like people do it now. Yeah,   Joe Partington  we're all great from an armchair. Yeah,   Tom Broadbent  that's what I mean. But like, I genuinely thought like, I can do better than this. Like, what's he doing there? But   Joe Partington  at what point did you address? He touched on before that you felt at 17 You weren't fit enough held you back? Because quite obviously you're capable as a footballer. what point did you address that? And at what point did you feel like you were gaining success with your football because of that?   Tom Broadbent  Well, it's probably the farm the farmer one really so I played for I play for a team called Pagham in the Sussex County league whilst I was still like joining the army, do my training and stuff like that. And that football fitness is a lot different I was I was fit when I come out of basic training that and I played Little 20 minutes there and I was blowing but I knew that I was better than that level. And I started playing in the army like for the Army team and stuff like that, which is quite good level a lot like some of the lads in our planet conference cellfina swing and if he's playing conference south like I can play that you are allowed to play in there. You're allowed to play yeah, yeah. Like the army actually like liked it. They they they do all the stuff like on social media and that now like some of the lads play for Hungerford, the goalkeeper and one of the defenders there. They're always tweeting about and stuff that they encourage you they like their level. Like there's a cut off like if you play yeah Yeah, but like, like for me, they wouldn't allow me to play like full time. And like play and be in the Army beside me. Because I like it can't get in the way of your work. So as long as you can manage your sport around work, then they're happy. But I've got to like, it's different with rugby, though. They have like professional rugby players that play internationally. But they play rugby just, and they're classed as a soldier as well. But they were trying to sort out that it was going to be the same as that for me, so that I could stay in the army and be a footballer, but we couldn't come to light that can come so that an agreement would have been quite cool. Yeah, it would have worked out for you. And yeah, it would have been nice level   Joe Partington  pay. And he. So we're talking about opportunity as a starting theme, obviously, for your career. We haven't really got into because you've made a decision, like an enormous decision to leave the army before you've had a trial before you've even spoken to an agent? Or did the video of yourself centre clubs? Yeah. How do you come to that decision? How big of how big of a decision is that?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, it was massive, because obviously the army, the army is like a bubble, and it's comfortable. You know, you can just, you've got your mates there. Sometimes it feels like it's not even work. But I was getting annoyed with like, not that not the job, like, so if I was on tour, so Afghan or something like that. It was good. Like you had like a purpose. But normal day to day work, sometimes they just find things for you to do just to just so that you're not doing nothing. And it was like that kind of thing that pissed me off a bit. Because it would just be like, pointless things. Or you'd sit about all day, like in this crew room to like four o'clock, you think I finished go gym and stuff like that. And then they go, right? Ollie, you've got to go and do this now and give you a job to do at like four o'clock. And it was just not the sort of bullshit of it in our society. hate this part of it like, and obviously the pay the pays, alright, but to get to like, you know, real decent wage, you would have had to be in like 2025 years. And then once you've been in 2025 years, you get you come to your service is only meant to be 22 years, and they say like, extend it. So once you've been there that you finally achieve that pay. And then they're like, Yeah, your service has finished, like, you get a pension. But you're still only going to be like, I mean, I would have been like 4550 Whatever. By the time I'd finish something like that, then I'd have to find another job anyway. And I was just like, I don't, I looked at the job that the the other soldiers are doing, like the rank above me, they've sat in an office. And I was like, I don't even want to do that. So I kind of had like, a moment where I was like, Yeah, footballs, I won't really want to achieve being a professional footballer. But do I really, if I'm not going to go out and do that, but do I really want to stay in the army and have a career in like, full career in the army? No, not really, because I didn't really like the look of what, what the ranks above me were doing anyway. So I made a decision to sign off and try and pursue being a footballer. But then I had like, in my head. What else can I do? And I sent in our could be like, personal trainer or something like that. But really, I was kinda like, I don't even want to do that anyway. So I don't know what I would have actually done it for football didn't work out all or nothing. Yeah, it was kind of all or nothing. But I was saying to the people in the army, oh, yeah, I'm gonna do this, like, personal training and things like that, because I had a lot of people going, Oh, you'll be back. Like, you know, the banner light. I think you're going to be a professional footballer and all that. It will ban a lot. And then when you actually do it, you can't a   Joe Partington  lot of people talk about when they set goals by saying them out loud. Obviously, they become a little bit more real. Do you tell people like I'm I'm going to do this? Or was it I'm going to try and do this now. Yeah, I was like, Yeah, I'm gonna do and you have your mates who   Tom Broadbent  are your planners, same team with be like, I could do that as well. If you're doing it, I'll do it. And it's like, Aladdin always had injuries nice. And we played together and he was decent. But like not as good as I was. But he was just like, I'd have enough blow fighting games. I'd be like oh, yeah, cool. But now I generally believed like I was so just site focus and driven like, I remember speaking to one of my mates a while ago when I was struggling, like, as in in there which spoke about he was like, I remember when you first Seifer rose you're just so focused, like, what's changed? I don't know. Like, any, like, that conversation just helped me. Yeah, it just remembering that remembering like, was sighted trying to remember the things that I was doing. And like I just live football for that that period like, since I found out about that trial, absolutely just not didn't think about anything else.   Joe Partington  I know your opinion of yourself was enough to give you this opportunity to play. What feedback did you have when you were at Bristol Rovers that made you think that you are okay at that level that I belong here?   Tom Broadbent  I think it was more from from the gaffer really, because I feel like you know, lots of people like like footballs about opinions anyway in it. And the fact that I think if it was a different manager, I think it's just the way that Darrell Clarke was like his his character and things that are who he would speak to here. I mean, a lot of managers don't, like they're quiet, and then they'll just sort of make the decision. But he gave me feedback most most the time. And I mean, for the first like week, or whatever he didn't, it's sort of her cards close to his chest, and that, but I think I paid a lot of games as well. And you know, when you play a game, you know, if you've played well, and I was getting a little feedback from the guy who got me the trial, Nick, that the UK armed forces when he'd bring me like algae Daigo and things, and he'd speak to is me, who would speak to cosy who cosy would have spoke to the manager. And it'd be like a little chain and it would feed back to me. I don't know if it was meant to, but it was part of it is quite happy with the washer and dryer whilst I'm on trial. Yeah, just keep doing what you're doing. I was I Yeah. All right. That was nice. It was nice to hear that because you like said to you earlier, like you'd go. After training you think about you could have a welding session, but you'd be thinking about that one misplace pass. Right. And it would ruin your whole day. game last night. Last night,   Joe Partington  I don't think you can blame yourself for that. How different was the professional football environment from what you were used to in terms of training in terms of the level that the other guys were at? training habits. Daily extras? Yeah, just the overall football environment. How different was that to what you were? Yeah,   Tom Broadbent 

1. I mean, lots of people struggle with the transition from Army to like, civilian life. But obviously, we're me. I'm going sort of I played football in the Army. I was part of a team and things like that going into like professional football. I found it sort of easy, because it's that team environment. The banners similar, like army banners a little bit different, a bit more weird. But like, like once I was there and signed, and the lads like, I don't think I could have asked for like a better group of players. I still say now like, it's, it's one of the best group of lads that I've sort of been involved with. And like they they proper, I mean, remember that thing when they bought all the wardrobe, man. I mean, you were heavily involved in that where the guy's got them out on Yeah, but like, it just makes you like you feel like, accepted. But like, it's, it's different in the sense that I just enjoy, you know, when it's in the summer, it just got a pair of shorts on a t shirt, just driving into training. I was just like, could not wipe the smile off my face, especially when I found out that I'd sign I was almost in tears drop was that moment like, How

  Joe Partington  How did that go?   Tom Broadbent  I remember going in the office with Darrell and he sort of sat there with a bit of paper. And it's so funny like because he's decided I'm going to take a punt on you. And I was sort of trying to hide the smart and he's like, and he'd like write down like the wage that he's going to give me like literally scribble it down in a bit of a I'm going to give you this and then you do well. When I give you an another year on this, and it just slide the paper over. And I was just like, Okay. Like, it wasn't amazing money, but it was like I think it might have even been, I was on all right money in the army, but then I was also getting cashing out like playing on Saturday. It was probably similar to them put together or a bit less, but didn't care. So as I doing what I've always wanted to do. I remembered that when it all sort of got finalised, things like that. And I was in the car light and it was proper Sunny. And I just sort of had a moment where I was like done it like, but then I also thought I keep fit. You've not done it like not even played a league game. Yeah, yeah. But it was just so happy like I was almost crying.   Joe Partington  You signed? Yeah. incredible moment. How do you go from it? We're gonna want to know, from motivated to be signed to change your motivation to get in the team? Yeah. How How difficult was that?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah it was it was hard because I remember my first game. And like,   Joe Partington  the first game of the season, by the way, yeah,   Tom Broadbent  I remember. Like, I knew that I hadn't signed to play. But I know that I'd get an opportunity to play. And I just thought I'm at the moment, I'm happy to be here. So don't care. But I'm playing football every day training. And that I'm just happy with that. And I knew that they were getting swains back in on loan, so I thought, Well, I'm not going to play anyway. But then they didn't do the deal in time, like so can play the first game of the season. And then I went in like you see it show up for the first time and that you're getting all the pictures and stuff. And any name the team and I was starting its children away. First game of the season. I mean, what what place to play first like game and I've been mates and that go up and watch as well.   Joe Partington  And   Tom Broadbent  I remember they got a place and often like the first five minutes or something like that. And it just made it is that Novak when it got sent off, and it kind of made it a bit of an easy, an easier day. They scored didn't they? They won one nil and it and it hadn't even got cross a line at it.   Joe Partington  Well, as far as we're aware, no, no the line of   Tom Broadbent  thought it was I mean, I played all right. I think I play quite well. And then, you know, see comments people going is good like blah, blah, because I played like nine preseason games as well, nine or something like that. And I play well in every game. So that my confidence was high. Anyway, I was just so happy to be there. Confidence was high. played my first game I was buzzing done. Alright. Then I was decided by next game, that and just concentrated on the next game. Everything was just like, one step at a time. I wasn't thinking about the big picture or anything. It was literally like, next game. Next game. And then before I knew it, they were like racking up. And like, the gaffer could pull me out the team and I wouldn't care like a polite, right, it's fine. But then it got to a point where they pull me out of team and I was a little bit pissed off. Because I thought I weren't playing   Joe Partington  so long into that first season. What did you feel like that moment was?   Tom Broadbent  I think it was when I remember that. There was a game we had Rochdale at home. And we won free to nearly score like the poster site from a header. And then he pulled me out. I think we had like 12 games left at the season. And he pulled me out. And he was very good at like making you feel good. Even though you wasn't in the tea was   Joe Partington  like, I've remember too many times trying to talk to him about something that I wouldn't egregious. Yeah. And ended up like walking off saying thank you thinking that how has that happened? How's he managed to turn that around? Yeah, you   Tom Broadbent  go in thinking, you've got in your head like stats, and I the last five games that we've won five, something like that. And you go in their feet and have all this you want to say and you come out they're actually thinking you were the best player at the club. But you're still not in the team. And as you've walked out, like buzzing and you think how has he just done that? You just have to laugh. But I remember him saying, you know, you're 12 games left, you're not gonna sit on the bench these 12 games, blah, blah, blah. I wasn't in the squad. What's going on here? And it just sort of got a bit. But then when I think about it, the bigger picture first season and I think I played like 25 and I've not played more games in a season since then. Obviously I've had like injuries and things like that, but I really like my best season. First my first one.   Joe Partington  So I've got something I was interested to ask. The Bristol Rovers fans in particular might be interested in. Like, how did you feel after that season? You've gone from start the year on trial of Ligue one club off the back of being involved in in a much lower level. The end of that season finishes How do you feel about yourself?   Tom Broadbent  I was buzzing like we had south end last game that season away. I remember that. I think we won one nil I think it was. I remember it being like proper sunny day. Family went up to watch and finished the season. And like I was happy with how my season went up. First season, you've now got seven, eight weeks off, or whatever it is, and I'm not used to that. Like, even going back to A, you said, how I felt about the transition, I felt like I was doing something wrong. Because I had all this spare time, like with going into training, sometimes you're finished by like off 12. I mean, normally I'd be like, still in work to like our four or five. But like I was doing something wrong. But like, I'd finally like adjusted, knew that I had like seven weeks off or whatever holidays booked. Like, I've gone on holidays that I could never imagine going on. Like, because I've managed to earn enough money to like actually go on them. I went to the Maldives, just proper went all out. And I was thinking, I'd never been able to do this if like, I hadn't, like, managed to get this get this contract, restore, I get this opportunity.   Joe Partington  Quite often people talk about surviving and striving. So you've had a good first season, and you obviously feel great about yourself. Yeah, like as you should have done. How does the mindset change from surviving? In terms of like you've been on trial, you're now playing at a level that you're trying to get people to acknowledge that you're a good player to striving in terms of you now want to be one of the good players in that team? Yeah,   Tom Broadbent  yeah. It's, um, it was difficult for me because obviously, I, at the time that I wanted to stay at rovers when, when I left like, I remember it being like cogs just to cover and where I come from the army, and I only had like, six months left in my deal, what I started, and I wasn't playing at the time, start thinking this could all be over for me, like, I'd end up going back in the army or something I don't know. And I was offered a two and a half year deal at Swindon, a bit more security and at the time, like I wanted to take security. And I just kind of wanted like a new deal at rovers. But I basically was asking for a new deal. And he was I can't give you on. And I was like, Well, I'm gonna go then. And see like, that's how I went. So I went, Yeah.   Joe Partington  Whose advice? Did you go to go in those moments? Yeah, who did you look to for advice,   Tom Broadbent  I speak to my brother in law. I had a mate as well. He's been in the game. And he's not an agent. But he was advising me as well. Like, you just got to do what's best for you like just Windham or offer me to go there and offer me to play every week. Now that didn't really happen. But at the time, you know, the gaffers ringing you up and gassing you up guy, I want you to be Skipper. Bla bla bla. And I was like, for like, about 10 games or whatever. And then he just changed. I don't know what I don't really know why I still don't really know why. But and that's when I went in that difficult period after that sort of mess with my head a bit. And I sort of forgot sort of where I come from, and things like that. But yeah, so it's just, I mean, I've waffled on I don't even know what that what the original question was. It was,   Joe Partington  I mean, when you move to Swindon, you're now you must feel like a footballer like and yes on there. You've almost forgotten where you've come from. And I don't think that's necessarily in my opinion, a negative no now playing at a level that is very good. You've played games and excelled in those games. So you now you know, you're capable of playing good football but to strive it's the Yeah, that I'm interested to know how you how you got a you changed your attitude from feeling like I'm not playing but that's okay. Cuz I'm here. Yeah. So yeah, to be an annoyed that you're not playing because you knew you were good enough to play?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah. It's a good question. To be fair, because I you know what, it's like when you're out the team, you end up feeling like you're not good enough. And it's hard to keep that, that sort of belief in yourself. Like, the more the more get like, obviously, when I wasn't in the team last season, we were top of the league and we were flying. So can't you can't argue that much. All I thought to myself was I'm good enough. I want to play the like, the gaffer had his team. And I was I knew that I was like, right. If I get an opportunity, I've just got to play well, but then even when I played well, I knew that first opportunity had it'll take me back out the team that was just how it was. And I sort of come to terms with that. And I just thought, just play whatever game I can keep playing well. And then I'll I'll just move so I'll try and move somewhere where I like the gaffer one me, because I felt like I wasn't wanted. How difficult was that to deal with? It was difficult. You know, my agent had a lot of calls from me like GoLite. effing and blinding light. I'm fuming like, what forgot to do blah, blah, blah. And you know, that's what your agents there for really, as well. And it's hard because I remember in training night, the gaffer at the time was I, I plan to keep all I'd been ledge. And like there'd be people giving it away in that and not to give one away on me. I'm thinking, we've had arguments. What's your problem, mate? I don't know what I've got to do. But yeah, so obviously, you think to yourself, right. I mean, that that made me think, like, I'm not just happy to be here, because I'm not happy. I'm not actually happy to be here. I mean, like, I wasn't happy being there when I'm not playing. But like, I'd moved on to that club. And I sort of put that I'm happy to be here to bed like with Bristol Rovers, because it was a new manager. He hasn't signed me like, I don't owe him anything like, like, he hasn't signed me out of the army. I don't owe him anything. I felt like, I was just grateful to Darryl for giving me the opportunity. But when I signed for Swindon, it was aka Newstar. Like, I'm a professional footballer, I'm not just ex army. I, I'm here because I'm good enough. And that's, that's where the mindset sort of changed.   Joe Partington  I mean, you had been told by the manager at the time that he wanted you. Yeah, that must have made you feel like oh, yeah, that's why I want to be Yeah, that's   Tom Broadbent  where I want to be. Yeah. And obviously, yeah, it's a great manager. And he's, you know, we won, the league got promoted. And, you know, I only played like, nine league games, that season. You know, people thought I was injured, but I wasn't, I wasn't even injured. Like, I just wasn't getting in the team. And I'd come in, and I play in like a game, like, say, crew, like up there with us. And we win, like free one. And I play well. But then his main sent off of that, and he did back in, like, I wouldn't play again.   Joe Partington  I I myself, during my career, I've been involved in teams that been promoted. But I didn't play similar to I didn't play enough to feel like I probably contribute. Yeah. People who think that you'd have been absolutely over the moon, right? We've been promoted on like, it's, it's reflects amazingly on me. And even insight into the mixed emotions you feel during that.   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, I still felt like, I still felt like I deserved it. Because I mean, yeah, it wasn't planned at the time. But the way that I was training and playing like, I was keeping the people I like the competition in that, like, they knew that they had to play well, because otherwise I'd be in because, I mean, the gaffer would use me as example going. He's doing everything right, is training, like, up here in training, blah, blah, blah, it made me feel good. And it made me keep doing what I was doing. But then I also, I played in some really important games like that one I mentioned. And then I had like, a couple of little injuries, so much bad luck, with like, games being called off as well, like, I started, and then the game will get cooled off. That happened about three or four times. And then the next week, I'm not in a team, but I'm not starting to like change it because I'm going to be back. There's, there's an extra three or four games where I would have played. There's another my I was meant to start against Plymouth away. And that would have been a week against playing. And I had like, some virus. I was throwing up and I couldn't go. I was just site. I was my law I could have I probably could have played about 1520 To be fair.   Joe Partington  In your opinion. How different was the tumbrel Ben that went on trial at Bristol Rovers to Tom Broadbent that is now in a promotion league to Swindon thing   Tom Broadbent  I think, yeah, like as you know, Tom Broadbent. I feel like he was actually more drip driven. The one who went on trial, like I had where I had in my head like clear goal of what I wanted, but when I was actually in the promotion team, I almost felt like a little bit of an outsider, you everyone wants to be that important one like wanted and things like that, and I didn't really feel that so I mean, although I was like more experienced, and I knew that I was good enough, whereas that going on trial, I still actually wasn't sure I just, I was just like, I'm gonna give it everything. And if it doesn't work out, then at least I've tried. I was almost like that. But and I mean, it's just, you know, it's like itself and when things aren't going well, you know, you start questioning a lot of things. And yeah, and you're like, I want to be like, people, like, you can't even have a laugh with the lads as much because you banter someone that there'll be like, aren't even playing light and like, it just shoots you down straight away. Like,   Joe Partington  do you have you created habits? Have you like, Do you not have training habits? Do you have routine? Do you have a like a lot of professional footballers, obviously, work within their sort of what they used to? Yeah, you have that now?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, yeah, like do certain things. I like to eat certain foods, like for pre match means I obviously like when you go away that they have certain foods for you. But I always eat the same meal. Because I just feel like I've done it before. And it's worked. And I want to keep doing that. I mean, I'll always make sure that I'd but sometimes I still made the mistake now where I'll sleep. I'll sleep too long. And then you feel worse. Like I always make sure that I get between like eight and nine hours. Not too much. Or not, or not enough. But I like to get like a good sleeping by certain things like that, where you just think right, I've done everything right. You know? Think think there's that that's really it. That's it really like, I don't do too much. I don't like to think I used to think about the game too soon. And I build it up and be like, game tomorrow. Like, not not being able to sleep because I was thinking about the game. You know that feeling that you get I've been guilty of that. Yeah. And then you come the game comes. And I'm like, knackered but and actually drains Yeah. But recently, I mean, I've only just come back and the team has been out injured. recently. I made my first game back. I was nervous. I was so nervous because I haven't played for so long. And I was thinking about a game that night before in the morning. I bellies in BitSight game comes I feel like drained. And I was knackered during the game done done well. But then I was like, I'm not going to think about the game before now. And I don't even think about the game until like I'm out doing the warm up now. Like because I feel nervous energy and easier way to do it. Yeah, yeah.   Joe Partington  Yeah. I've always struggled with anxiety like I've been guilty of that. Those days Friday's just the write off really in terms of focusing on on something Yeah. And so much of your effort into wanting to do well well and then and then you playing the game and whatever happens. And do you think after the game like good or bad I didn't need to waste my energy. Is that something that you wish you could have told yourself? Yeah, before?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, like especially you know, when I was going through that bad that bad phase where you know, I remember being like social media like bands like hammering it, I ain't good enough and that and I was thinking I've come from like a league one team into elite two team and I feel like I'm I've just turned into a worst player. I think even now, like, I'm not really the same player as it was at Bristol Rovers. Like, because of I'm still building that are like, I've only played like, paid for games on the bounce. Now, I need a good like 10 if game before you like, fully right? I'm on it. So I'm still just taking one game at a time. But I feel like I'm a different player at the minute like Bristol Rovers used to like, get on the ball on the bone drive out on play. At the moment. Like, I don't really do that. I don't really know why that is. But I know that the gaffer doesn't really want that either. So don't know if that's but people like you ain't good enough to do that. You kind of it gets in your head and you're like, why not? are better just keep it simple and just do that. Whereas Rover's the gaffer wanted me to step in, express yourself. And you felt like you had the licence to do it. Whereas go to a different club and they want you to play a different way. So you just do and then it becomes like part of how you play.   Joe Partington  How tough is it to you've had a unique journey. And you've gone through loads of different emotions and loads of different levels in terms of at one point, you're on trial. One point you're in the team then you're out of the team before very emotive. It's highs and lows consistently every day. How tough is it in your low moments, to remember that you're a good player? And that you deserve to be here?   Tom Broadbent  It's hard. It is hard. And I'm sure you know that yourself. Like, sometimes you just look back on. I sometimes look back on clips of where I've played well, to be like, say you are good. Or, but I always say like, I remember someone saying it to me, I can't remember who it was, like, never too high, never too low. Because the games come round so quick. Like, you play the next, say, you've had a bad game, and you play the next game. And you do well, like that bad games I've completely forgotten about straightaway. Like people, I, you know, fans are fickle on they. Like, they'll instantly be like, the best player in the world scores. I see. So   Joe Partington  that word that we've used quite a lot, actually at the start, obviously, when we've been speaking at the start opportunity, so important for you, your career kicking off? How important do you think the word opportunity is to you now?   Tom Broadbent  Yes, massive thing everyone. Like, it's one thing's getting the opportunity, which is quite hard to come by anyway, but then it's taking the opportunity. I mean, because as a footballer, you're waiting for an opportunity, like every week, really, especially when you're in the position that I have been found myself in being on the bench or not involved. And you're like, I just want that opportunity. And then like I said, like, find out, you're starting, oh, gotta take this opportunity. But then you don't want to try and do too much. To mess it up. Either. Scott do things simple. I mean, then, but like, I remember that the previous manager, I felt like I had to do something amazing to be able to stay in the team. Because I just knew that it wasn't, I wasn't really in his plan to play.   Joe Partington  How many different kinds of opportunity are there? That makes sense? So, and by that, I mean, when you're first trying to become professional footballer, the opportunity that you want is to showcase yourself to Yeah, what's the rover's? Now the opportunity that you want is to be in the team? Oh, yeah. Next opportunities to stay in the team? Yeah. Like how within this is all the time now, how how broad of a word is opportunity, there's   Tom Broadbent  sort of no, no real limit is there? Like, but we've just said, like, so where I'm at now, is I've started the last four games. On I've got that opportunity, where I'm starting at the moment each week. The next opportunity, if I keep playing well, is a new contract, or a move or something like that. And the next opportunities is endless, really, in?   Joe Partington  How aware are you that you're so good at dealing with opportunity, if at all, because I'm not sure that you know, but from having this conversation of like, you've had created so many opportunities for yourself, and more often than not taking them? How aware are you that that's something that you've done? Or do you not give yourself the credit?   Tom Broadbent  I don't think I'll give myself the credit. Because I think I'm I'm like my own biggest critic, you know, like I said to you with, like the trial, where I do really well, and then I'd do one bad pass, and I'd just be thinking about that bad path. Or, like I said to you, like a play last night play really well. But then I'll give a free kick away and it scored. Like, which cost aside point. It's, like, you can't do anything about it now. Like, it's, it's how you sort of, like, overcome that and, and move on and take the next opportunity that you get, but I don't feel like I've, I've read by you saying that? I've never really sat down and I've took that opportunity. I've took that opportunity like you wish you did. I'm gonna now I'm getting now like just a bit of appreciation for myself just being like, wow, you've actually like, achieved a lot like   Joe Partington  yes, I haven't spoken to you now for about an hour. We keep talking about each moment. We're talking about opportunities, an overriding theme of your career, and you've taken enormous amount of opportunities that you've been given. But still when you speak you want more you want more Do you want to focus on things that possibly you haven't done? Do you think that's also? Why you're why you've been successful?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, I think so. Because I'm never like, it's almost like I'm never settling for what I've got. And I'm always like, No, I want more. I want more. So like, yeah, if I took that opportunity and was like, Yeah, to that opportunity now like nappy, I don't think I'd go on to achieve. Like, say, I've got the opportunity to start a game. I've not started for a while I've got an opportunity to start game. I've paid well, and I start the next game. I'm not going to be like, I'm in now. Like, I feel like, right, I'm still I've only played one game like I need to. I need to prove that I can keep this. Keep this position and make it mine. So I literally just think about a game at a time. And just like play your bet, like give it give it your best.   Joe Partington  Amazing advice. Amazing advice. We're almost done, right? But we're gonna get on some quickfire questions. We're eight quickfires for you. Okay, first one is your best moment   Tom Broadbent  that moment when I found out that I was signing the contract and I regret that moment that that was in effect I actually reflected that I was actually like, wow, it's actually happening   Joe Partington  worst moment   Tom Broadbent  probably been told by the previous manager that I'm not going to squat number and that I can find a new club because I was injured at the time as well and I was thinking I stain right like armaments, find a new club, like being injured. And then like when you actually look at that it's been about opportunity and, and obviously, he's moved on I stayed there couldn't move like I think I bought it or someone wanted somehow could have ended up in Barnet. And then I've stayed there because I'm injured not moved. And then now I'm back in the team in Ligue one just waited an opportunity to come out and took it again. worst moment, and worst moments turned goods but because of opportunity.   Joe Partington  Best pay you've played with   Tom Broadbent  Billy boden's Other.   Joe Partington  Sinclair said Billy as well. So Joe, can you hear me? Yeah, incredible play. Yeah. Best Play. You've played against?   Tom Broadbent  This one, okay. Yeah. Just because of who he is. And it's funny because I didn't even realise he played but I'm gonna say him, dude. Bellingham. play against him. And I mean, pretty seasoned. Yeah. preseason friendly.   Joe Partington  Did he stand out in that moment?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, I didn't actually know who he was at the time. But he scored like, two or three goals in that game. And then someone was I eyes only like, 16. I was like, wow. But like, I didn't really. And it was only I did still didn't realise until like, a month or two ago when like, the larger than the gym talking about our gym. And when we played against him in I thought, wow, yeah, you played that game, as it did. As our core I can sell it or fight against   Joe Partington  your biggest regret   Tom Broadbent  probably not sticking at football. Joining the Army soon, but not like not sticking to football, maybe getting into the pro game earlier. But I also don't think that that opportunity would have come about if I if I didn't join the army. So it's not a massive regret. Yeah. Maybe maybe not. Not having that mindset of like, what I had when I went on trial at Bristol Rovers, having that mindset while I was younger, but you can't really change that,   Joe Partington  though. Yeah. Easy in hindsight. You wish you had Yeah, I just   Tom Broadbent  do that when I was younger. Yeah.   Joe Partington  Have you enjoyed your career?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah, I mean, playing football for a living every day. It's it's a dream minute. Obviously, there's been ups and downs and you always look at it and saying, Oh, I wish I played more and things like that. But you know, hindsight, it's a wonderful thing and   Joe Partington  best atmosphere you've played in.   Tom Broadbent  I remember when we were at home with the Bradford free one. Remember that game? Did you score? Yeah. How mad was that? Got ahead. Like I remember running into, I remember running to the   Joe Partington  corner. And it's like the biggest bubbler ever. And I celebrated as if it was like a 30 yard screamer.   Tom Broadbent  They remember running towards that baches end. Like obviously because I it wasn't for your goal, but I think it was for LS scored and search scored as well as this goal. And obviously I was at the back and everyone a run to that corner. And as I was running, like, it was like, the sounds like bouncing me is it was like that loud. And it was just unreal. That was probably the best.   Joe Partington  To be fair, most home games. Very special. Yeah, yeah. Last one. Wait. What piece of advice? Would you give an 18 year old tumble been?   Tom Broadbent  A very good question.   Joe Partington  Say that it'll last?   Tom Broadbent  Yeah. Don't let what other other people's opinions affect your, your opinion yourself. Think because footballs. Football is a matter of opinions. One manager might hate you, but another one might love you. Or like a fan might think you're rubbish. Another fan might think you're amazing. But like, don't really listen too much to them. Obviously, a manager's opinion matters at the time of the club that you're at. But I feel like Don't think too deep into what people say about how you play or anything like that. As long as you stay strong in your own head. Like, then you do alright.   Joe Partington  It's funny that you said that. Because the whole reason why you've had some sort of personal football career, because you believed in yourself, created a video off your own back, sent it to people off your own back. You thought that you were a good footballer so that at   Tom Broadbent  night, I think don't get me wrong. I've been guilty of being guilty of like forgetting don't I mean, like forgetting that I've been able to set that self belief like I've had times where I've been down like, I'm fit. I'm not questioning myself. I remember even having a phone call my brother driving home one one day from training. I was like, that might knock it on the head mate. Because I've had enough I've got I've got to that that point. And he was like just stick at it for a bit and then I think that was only like, a few weeks before thing is after like that an injury and then another injury from that injury. And then another injury from that injury and it was just a knock on and then coming back and then the Manage not being happy that you're not fit things that happened I was just like, I might knock you on the head mate like and it was a few weeks before we played Oxford and then I end up going on upfront and like turning the game around and then he's like remember conversation we had like three weeks ago and I was like no that's how quickly things can change in football.   Joe Partington  Listen, Tom Ferry show me that was brilliant, so much insightful stuff. If people watching listen to this can't take anything from that, then I'm not sure they will be able to take anything from from anything they listen to. But thank you very much.   Tom Broadbent  Been a pleasure, man. Thanks for having me.   Joe Partington  Guys, thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed the episode with Tom Broadbent as much as I did, and have some lessons and takeaways to put into your game and try training tomorrow. Remember to subscribe, like and review the show via podcast channel and press the bell button so you never miss a release. If you're watching us on YouTube. Go to the PErforM website even more football specific information and subscribe to our mailing list to get all the best actionable advice straight to your inbox for free. Andre Partington. See you soon