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What does it really take to become an elite goalkeeper in the women's game?

In this episode of Catching Up: Between the Sticks, James Howarth sits down with Sunderland AFC Women and Wales goalkeeper Demi Lambourne for an honest conversation about resilience, pressure, confidence and the realities of life between the posts.

Demi shares her journey from playing football with boys as a young girl to establishing herself in senior football. She discusses the challenges of breaking through in the women's game, the importance of resilience, and how goalkeepers develop the mentality needed to thrive under pressure. Along the way, she reflects on dealing with mistakes, earning trust from teammates, managing analysis and performance data, and adapting to the demands of elite football.

The conversation also explores the growth of women's football, the evolution of player pathways and the lessons young goalkeepers can learn from today's game. Demi provides valuable insight into communication, leadership, concentration and what separates good goalkeepers from great ones.

Whether you're a goalkeeper, coach, parent or football fan, this episode offers a fascinating look inside the mindset of a modern goalkeeper competing at the highest level of the women's game.

In this episode:

• Why playing with boys accelerated her development
• The mindset every goalkeeper needs
• Breaking into senior football at 17
• The challenges of elite women's football
• Building trust with defenders and coaches
• Managing mistakes and staying focused
• Communication, leadership and consistency
• The evolution of the women's football pathway

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What does life really look like through the eyes of a professional goalkeeper?

In this episode of Catching Up: Between the Sticks, Paul sits down with Sunderland AFC goalkeeper Simon Moore for an honest conversation about longevity, mindset, sacrifice and what it takes to stay in the game for 18 seasons.

Simon shares his journey from growing up on the Isle of Wight, travelling by boat to chase football opportunities, to building a long career as a professional goalkeeper. He reflects on the sacrifices his parents made, the overthinking that held him back early on, and the powerful advice that helped simplify his game: stop thinking, just save.

The conversation also goes inside Sunderland’s promotion dressing room, the goalkeeper department, the impact of team spirit, and how the club has transformed heading into European football. Simon talks about staying sharp when you’re not playing, supporting the group, working with top goalkeepers, and what young keepers can learn from watching players like Robin Roefs.

This episode is packed with insight for young goalkeepers, goalkeeper coaches and parents. From confidence, mistakes and loneliness to distribution, mindset and modern goalkeeper demands, Simon gives a brilliant look at the realities of the position beyond the highlights.

In this episode:

• Simon Moore’s journey from the Isle of Wight to professional football
• The sacrifices behind an 18-season career
• Why overthinking can hold goalkeepers back
• Life inside Sunderland’s promotion dressing room
• Staying ready when you’re not playing every week
• What young keepers can learn from Robin Roefs
• Why team spirit matters in successful squads
• Coaching, confidence and helping young keepers make mistakes
• The loneliness of goalkeeping and how to reset
• Why the modern goalkeeper must do everything

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Women’s football has changed dramatically over the last decade, but for many players, the journey started long before pathways, professional contracts and sold-out stadiums existed.

In this episode of Catching Up: Between the Sticks, James Howarth sits down with Sunderland AFC Women goalkeeper Lucy Farrell-Shrouder to discuss her remarkable journey through the game. From writing letters to her goalkeeping idol as a young girl to representing Wales internationally, Lucy shares the challenges, setbacks and lessons that have shaped her career.

Lucy opens up about being released at 17, dealing with confidence issues, overcoming mistakes, handling the pressure of major cup finals and the psychological side of elite performance. She also reflects on women’s football’s incredible growth, the impact of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory, and what it was like witnessing Wembley Stadium packed to capacity for the women’s game.

Along the way, Lucy provides valuable advice for young goalkeepers, discusses the importance of psychological support within football academies, and explains why the goalkeeper unit often becomes a player’s biggest support network.

Whether you’re a goalkeeper, coach, parent or football fan, this episode offers an honest and inspiring insight into life between the sticks.

In this episode:

• Lucy’s journey from grassroots football to international football
• Being released at 17 and rebuilding confidence
• Why boys’ football accelerated her development
• The psychology behind elite goalkeeping
• Women’s football before and after the Euros
• Goalkeeper coaching, pressure and resilience
• Advice for the next generation of keepers

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