The A-Z challenge
Shaun's plan is to complete the alphabet, from A to Z, of sessions at football clubs. If anyone has contacts at Zwolle, Zaragoza or Zamalek let us know!
A is for Arsenal
Shaun's last session of the 24/25 season was with the Under 18s and Under 21s at Arsenal's London Colney training ground. The 18s particularly were super engaged, we've never had so many questions!
A is also for Aston Villa
Shaun's last session of the 23/24 season was with the Under 21s at Bodymoor Heath and Shaun is still in touch with some of the players there even helping some through tough injury setbacks.
B is Brentford
With both their B team and under 18s
B is also for Bristol City
A great trip out west!
C is for Cambridge United
Shaun worked with the scholars at Cambridge United, a club which helped him during his tough times, and also featured on the ITV News as a result.
C is also for Chelsea
As a Chelsea fan, it was an honour for Shaun to work with scholars and younger age groups at Chelsea, but also to kick a ball for the first time since 2016 in the club's impressive training dome.
and C is also for Crystal Palace
It was special to go in to the club with our colleague Leigh Nicol. Ironically a bad road accident meant delays which delayed Shaun getting there!
F is for Forest Green Rovers
FGR has always been a little bit different. The most rural club in England the winding roads were a reminder of the dangers that exist.
I is for Ipswich Town
The club that employed Shaun as an Under 13s coach after his accident will always be dear to him. Presenting to an Under 18s group which included players he had coached was truly dear to him.
L is for Leeds and LAPS
Shaun appeared at the LAPS (Life After Professional Sport) conference at Leeds United's Elland Road. With scholars from all over the north in attendance he probably ticked off a lot more letters of the alphabet than he realised!
M is for Manchester City
Visiting the incredible facilities of the Champions to work with their scholars was a huge highlight.
M is also for MK Dons
Milton Keynes were Shaun's first M.
N is for Norwich City
It's fair to say that East Anglia has been well and truly covered with Ipswich's fierce rivals Norwich City welcoming Shaun with open arms.
O is for Oxford United
Such a fantastic group, an absolute credit to their football club.
P is for Portsmouth
Play up Pompey! We were so grateful to be joined by first team keeper Will Norris at the session too.
S is for Sheffield United
Shaun's first female group was the under 21s at Sheffield United. The girls went on to win the Professional Game Academy Cup final against the mighty Chelsea the weekend after his session. They could not have been more welcoming.
T is for Tottenham Hotspur
The scholars at Spurs were fantastic, the fact that they are coached by his former schoolmate Stuart Lewis, was a massive bonus.
V is for Vipers
Probably Shaun's only chance to get a V was by changing sport and, so it was, he was the star of the show at the Professional Cricketers Association Rookie Camp in March where he spoke to young professionals at slightly more obscure lettered clubs such as Kent (K), Yorkshire (Y) and, of course, the Vipers (V) one of the women's regional squads.
W is for Watford
The first team no less. There were no airs and graces from the boys. They were welcoming, open and provided some great feedback.
W is also for Wigan Athletic
Shaun's first group. The Latics will hold a place in his heart because of that. During a tough time for the club Shaun was grateful for the chance to inspire some of their scholars and talk to them about seeing beyond the adversity of the time and being grateful for the wonderful opportunities life gives us.