Barnsley Academy Manager - Bobby Hassell ("Academies Should Prioritise Winning") - Episode 36

On episode 36, I’m joined by Bobby Cassell, a former Defender and now the Academy Manager of EFL League One side Barnsley.

Bobby tells me that after a 19 year playing career in football, he feels that academies don’t prepare young players for First Team football which is essentially about winning.

Bobby would even go as far as introducing league football in academies at from 14 years old to get boys accustomed to the pressures of First Team football sooner.

Full Episode: Friday September 25th 2026