Episode 1

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Published on:

14th Feb 2025

Ep1: The Secret to Finding Hidden Gem Players with Data Analytics.

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Summary

In the inaugural episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the transformative role of data in football, particularly in recruitment.

They explore how data analytics can uncover hidden gems in the sport, emphasising the importance of a systematic approach to player analysis. The conversation highlights successful case studies of clubs like Brentford and Brighton, which have effectively utilised data to enhance their recruitment strategies.

The episode also addresses the challenges of bridging the gap between traditional football practices and modern data analytics, aiming to foster better communication and understanding between both camps.

In this episode, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the intersection of data analysis and football, emphasising the importance of experience, education, and player trading.

They explore the value of on-ball event data, the success of clubs like Benfica and Lille in player trading, and the necessity for clubs to identify their unique identity.

The conversation also highlights the process of finding hidden gems in football and encourages community engagement in sharing insights.

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About the Podcast

A.I. In Football

Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly.

AI in Football: Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly is a practical podcast about how football clubs make better recruitment decisions in an AI world — without the hype.

We don’t chase novelty tools. We focus on the thinking and structure that makes any tool useful: clear role briefs, behaviours over labels, constraints and trade-offs, repeatable shortlisting, and decision review that actually improves the process.

Each episode gives you something you can use:

- Role Definition Templates (behaviour-based, not position labels)

- Question sets that lead to better shortlists

- Meeting Structures that stop recruitment becoming a persuasion contest

- Simple Ways to Stress-Test Decisions (“what would make this wrong?”)

- How AI Fits Safely: drafting, checking, standardising outputs — never replacing judgement

If you work in recruitment, scouting, analysis, coaching, or you’re aiming to, this show is for you. Clarity First. Tools Second.

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About your hosts

Thomas Butterfield

I'm a very approachable obsessive learner who is always interested in the stories of others, and how that information and experience can be used to help others move the needle of their life in a positive direction.

As a result of the work I do adults and younger people understand the importance of being an active participant in their own health.

The result of this is we at Elevate Health Chiropractic and Wellbeing are putting better educated individuals into the community who are making better health decisions for themselves and those they care for the most.
They move better, they eat better, they think better.

They Feel Better.

We are always looking to work with and help individuals and organisations who value their own health, that of their family, or their staff high enough to take that next step with Elevate Health, Chiropractic and Wellbeing.

David Bromley

For the last fifteen years I have applied my analytical, systems-evaluation and financial background to the football industry.

As a long-term student of the game I hold coaching badges from the English Football Association and am a certified member of the Professional Football Scouts Association.

I hold distinctions in the Prozone (STATS) Professional Performance Analysis/ Performance Data & Recruitment Certificates Levels 1,2 & 3 in addition to being an F.A. Registered Intermediary.

My experience in football has enabled me to view player recruitment from the 'sharp end' and allows me to tailor my service to meet clients' best interests.