Jeannette is joined by the legend himself, Alan Curtis MBE, former Wales international football player, and current honorary club president of Swansea, to discuss insights into receiving an MBE, his early days in football, experiences at various clubs like Swansea, Leeds, Southampton, and Cardiff, and the changes in football over the years.

Alan also reflects on the challenges and highlights of his career, including injuries, club transitions, and the psychological aspects of sports, as well as the life lessons he's taken from the beautiful game, and on into all corners of life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Alan had a stellar football career, playing for various clubs and experiencing the changes in the game over the years.

• The transition from playing for Leeds to Cardiff was challenging due to the intense rivalry between the two clubs, leading to a mixed reception from fans.

• The importance of mindset and mental health in sports was evident, with players facing self-doubts and pressure before games.

• The story of Alan's uncle, Roy Paul, winning the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1956 after losing in 1955, showcases the determination and prediction of a victory.

• The evolution of football tactics and the emphasis on possession in modern football contrast with the more straightforward and aggressive style of play in the past.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the players certainly are much more tactically aware as well now... It's much more tactical. It's almost like a game of chess now." 

"I think everybody, every player goes through a doubt just before they go out... all the self-doubts that he had, and, oh, I've got a little bit of a niggle there now." 

"I think sometimes I always feel that somebody's looking down and looking after me in key moments... I think that probably would have all disappeared." 

"I remember the first time I played for Cardiff... I got booed by both sets of supporters. Wow. Talking about character building!"

This is the perfect time to get focused on what YOU want to really achieve in your business, career, and life. It’s never too late to be BRAVE and BOLD and unlock your inner BRILLIANT. Visit our new website https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ - there you'll find a library of FREE resources and downloadable guides and e-books to help you along your journey.

If you’d like to jump on a free mentoring session just DM Jeannette at info@brave-bold-brilliant.com.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Brave Bold Brilliant - https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/

Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brave-bold-brilliant-podcast/id1524278970   

ABOUT THE GUEST

Alan Thomas Curtis MBE (born 16 April 1954) is a former Wales international footballer, who played as a forward; he is currently the honorary club president of Swansea City.

He began his career with Swansea City in 1972, and spent the next seven years with the "Swans", winning promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1977–78 and out of the Third Division in 1978–79. He was then sold on to Leeds United, but struggled in the First Division and was sold back to Swansea in 1980. He helped Swansea to win promotion out of the Second Division in 1980–81, but a period of decline for the club followed and he moved on to Southampton in November 1983. He played on loan at Stoke City towards the end of the 1985–86 season, before he joined Cardiff City in the summer. He helped the "Bluebirds" to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1987–88 and to also win the Welsh Cup in 1988. He made another return to Swansea during the 1989–90 campaign, and later ended his career with Barry Town, winning the Welsh Cup in 1994.

During his career he also represented Wales, scoring six goals in 35 international games. After retiring as a player he spent many years on the backroom staff at Swansea City, and has had several spells as a caretaker-manager.

ABOUT THE HOST

Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 30 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development.

Jeannette is a down-to-earth leader, a passionate champion for diversity & inclusion, and a huge advocate of nurturing talent so every person can unleash their full potential and live their dreams.

CONTACT THE HOST

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Podcast Description

Jeannette Linfoot talks to incredible people about their experiences of being Brave, Bold & Brilliant, which have allowed them to unleash their full potential in business, their careers, and life in general. From the boardroom tables of ‘big’ international businesses to the dining room tables of entrepreneurial start-ups, how to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities and take risks, whilst staying ‘true’ to yourself is the order of the day.