Episode 28

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Published on:

2nd Oct 2025

Ep28: Inside the 11-Stage Funnel: From 'What Do We Need' to 'Player To Target'

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Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the complexities of football recruitment, emphasizing the challenges posed by data overload and the necessity of a structured approach.

They introduce an 11-stage recruitment process that encompasses talent identification, player evaluation, and target acquisition, highlighting the importance of defining objectives, understanding playing styles, and bridging the gap between football and analytics.

The discussion also touches on the role of AI in enhancing recruitment efficiency while maintaining the essential human element in decision-making. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of thorough off-field checks and the need for a defensible list of players to streamline the recruitment process.

Takeaways

  • Data overload is a significant challenge in football recruitment.
  • A structured recruitment process can streamline decision-making.
  • Defining clear objectives is crucial for successful recruitment.
  • Understanding your playing style influences player selection.
  • Bridging the gap between football knowledge and analytics is essential.
  • AI can assist in recruitment but should not replace human judgment.
  • Creating a defensible list of players is vital for transparency.
  • Off-field checks are necessary to ensure player suitability.
  • The recruitment process should be adaptable to changing circumstances.
  • Continuous evaluation of the recruitment process is important for improvement.

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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

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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

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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.