Episode 30: Andoni Iraola

After a memorable unbeaten season and a Hampshire Cup win, Abby Jones and Maisy Smith from the AFC Bournemouth women's team joined Neil Perrett to discuss the campaign.

Arriving at the club in the summer, performance director Jay Mellette brings a wealth of experience. Fresh from winning the Stanley Cup with Vegas Golden Knight, for which he recently visited The White House, Mellette talks us through his time in sport, working with Cirque du Soleil, military service and his fascinating philosophy. 

As AFC Bournemouth women head into a new era, our next guest on our official podcast is someone in the middle of it all! Lucy Cooper has only just turned 18, but she's incredibly mature for her age. Alongside playing football for the Cherries, she's also studying for A Levels and faces crucial exams in the coming months. She still found time to sit down for our podcast, as she delves into her love of reading and passion for sport. Ahead of this weekend's game against Portishead Town at Vitality Stadium, Cooper discusses life on and off the pitch in depth with Zoe Rundle and Neil Perrett. 

Listen to our latest club podcast, which features new head coach Andoni Iraola. He discusses his footballing philosophy, his career so far and what he wants to achieve with the Cherries. 

A recent appointment to AFC Bournemouth, President of Business Jim Frevola has already helped implement some early changes at the club.In this detailed conversation, he talks about his own personal background and what supporters can expect from himself and the takeover of owner Bill Foley.

Our next guest on the Official AFC Bournemouth Podcast is a man who has been a standout performer this season and one of the first names on the team sheet every week. Chris Mepham arrived at the Cherries back in January 2019 and has been on a rollercoaster ride at Vitality Stadium. He spoke superbly to Neil Perrett and Zoe Rundle about overcoming injuries, that play-off defeat to Brentford and how a career as a gardener might have come to fruition if it wasn't for football. As Wales get set to play their first World Cup fixture for 64 years, the defender also discussed the special journey he's been on with his country to get to this stage. 

Our next guest on the Official AFC Bournemouth Podcast is former player and under-18s manager, Alan Connell.  He won two promotions with the Cherries in 2003 and 2010, while also featuring in the club’s unforgettable Great Escape season of 2008/09. The former forward netted almost 100 goals in 400 career appearances and won further promotions with Swindon Town and Bradford City. He also helped the Bantams reach the final of the League Cup in 2013.Connell joined the academy coaching staff at Vitality Stadium in 2015 and was elevated to head coach of the under-18s in July 2017.In his five years at the helm, he's not looked back once as the youth team have finished in the top two of the EFL Youth Alliance every season. In 2018/19, they also reached the sixth round of the FA Youth Cup for only the second time in the club’s history. Away from football, Connell bravely talks about the tougher times in his career and dealing with passing of his mother Sue, before discussing the strength he takes from his young family. It's a podcast packed with information that you don't want to miss