Episode 35

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Published on:

21st Nov 2025

Ep35: Inside Recruitment: Lessons from Successes and Failures

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Summary

In this conversation, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the intricacies of football signings, emphasising that each transfer tells a unique story.

David discusses the four key realities of recruitment, emphasising the importance of clarity, behaviour, environment, and expectation in the recruitment process.

He highlights that understanding these elements can lead to better player selection and overall success in recruitment strategies.

He highlights the factors that contribute to the success or failure of player signings, including clarity of objectives and the importance of recognising warning signs.

Takeaways

  • Every signing really tells a story.
  • Success in transfers often comes from clarity.
  • Some signings fail due to overlooked warning signs.
  • Not all failed signings are due to bad players.
  • Looking back can reveal the reasons for failures.
  • Behaviour of candidates is more important than just their output.
  • The right environment for players is crucial, not just their reputation.
  • Expectations should be realistic rather than overly optimistic.
  • Recruitment should focus on finding the best fit for the team.
  • Understanding player behaviour can lead to better hiring decisions.
  • Expectations must align with the actual capabilities of players.
  • Recruitment strategies should be adaptable to different environments.
  • It's important to avoid biases in player selection.
  • A clear understanding of recruitment realities can enhance team performance.

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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.