Unlocking full potential to maximise performance
WHAT WE DO
We provide mentoring support for athletes helping them navigate their life and career
on and off the field.
SERVICE
Academy Players
We provide tailored 1‑to‑1 support for academy players, helping them build a strong sense of identity, confidence, and emotional resilience alongside their football development.
Through honest conversations, practical tools, and a focus on who they are beyond the game, players learn to handle pressure, setbacks, and expectations with greater clarity and self‑belief.
This support not only strengthens their wellbeing but also enhances their performance, decision‑making, and long‑term development by ensuring they grow as people first, and players second
Professional Players
We provide confidential 1‑to‑1 support for current professionals, helping them strengthen their identity, clarity, and emotional resilience in an environment where pressure, scrutiny, and expectation are constant.
Through honest conversations and practical tools, players gain space to reflect, reset, and reconnect with who they are beyond the demands of the game.
This support enables them to manage stress, maintain perspective, and make better decisions on and off the pitch, ultimately protecting their wellbeing and sustaining high performance throughout their career.
Retiring players
We provide ongoing 1‑to‑1 support for players who are retiring or have already stepped away from the professional game, helping them navigate the identity shift that comes when football is no longer the centre of daily life.
Through honest conversations and practical guidance, we support players in rebuilding confidence, rediscovering purpose, and understanding who they are beyond their playing career.
Person Before Player ensures that the individual is prioritised long after the final whistle, offering a safe space to reflect, adjust, and move forward with clarity, stability, and a renewed sense of self.
WHY
In a high-pressure sporting environment, holistic support is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity. Person Before Player offers a human-first approach that champions the wellbeing of athletes, strengthens team cohesion, and fosters leadership grounded in emotional intelligence. For players, it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect with who they are beyond the game. For teams, it’s an opportunity to build trust, open dialogue, and deepen understanding. And for clubs, it’s about embedding a culture that values the person as much as the performance creating a legacy built not just on results, but on relationships, resilience, and real impact. This isn’t just support; it’s a shift in mindset.
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The PFA surveyed over 1,000 players across the Premier League, EFL, and WSL, revealing widespread mental health concerns linked to pressure, insecurity, and career uncertainty.
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Only 38% of male players and 26% of female players feel comfortable sharing mental wellbeing concerns with their club
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Depression rates among athletes are comparable to or higher than the general population.
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Overtraining syndrome can mimic symptoms of anxiety and depression, yet is often overlooked.
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Transitioning out of sport frequently leads to psychological challenges, including loss of purpose and isolation.
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Stigma around mental health in sport remains a barrier to seeking help, especially among male athletes
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HOW
- Safe & confidential space for full vulnerability without judgement
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Independent support external to the club, neutral and objective
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Holistic coaching focused on emotional wellbeing and personal growth
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Open conversations that respect the person behind the player
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Off-field coaching guiding athletes to their own answers not yours
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Exploration of options to uncover meaningful paths forward
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GROW model:
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Goals – What truly matters?
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Reality – Where are you now?
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Options – What could you do?
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Will – What will you commit to?
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Our Person,
Our Purpose
​Welcome to my corner of the sporting world. I am a former professional footballer who proudly represented both my club and country on the pitch. Throughout my career, I experienced the highs and lows that come with competitive sport, which ignited a deep passion within me to make a difference beyond the game.
Drawing from my own journey navigating the intense pressures and challenges both on and off the field. I am now dedicated to providing a platform for athletes seeking support. Whether you are grappling with issues related to your sport or facing personal life challenges, I am here to listen and guide you towards finding the right answers.
I understand the unique struggles athletes encounter, and my aim is to create a space where you feel understood and valued. Together, we can work through the complexities of your experiences and help you thrive in both your sporting and personal endeavours. Your journey is important, and I am committed to standing by your side as you navigate it.
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Paddy Gamble
WORKSHOPS
Elevate your performance with our transformative workshops focused on purpose and mindfulness. Discover new strategies to excel in your personal and professional life. Our coaching sessions are designed to help you unleash your inner strengths and achieve your goals. Take the first step towards a more fulfilling future today.
TESTIMONIALS
Nottingham Forest In The Community
"Paddy, thank you so much for your support. The workshops have been extremely beneficial to participants and even staff, with staff being very complimentary and hoping to take the advice forward."
Professional Footballer
After speaking to Paddy Gamble for an hour or so the other day, I realised what a top guy he is and I want to really support his passion by sharing his business to my network.
He is supporting athletes as a mentor and a coach. He really emphasises on the ‘person before player’.
Really recommend to anyone to reach out to Paddy as he can help you on and off the pitch.
Professional Footballer
"My experience with Paddy's coaching so far is class. He's a great guy and I am lucky to have him in my support network.
I feel like every time I finish a call, It's like a weight has been lifted of my shoulders and it's something I encourage every athletes to try out"
Media
In this episode, David sits down with Paddy Gamble, the founder of the Person Before Player initiative aimed at supporting footballers off the pitch. Paddy, a former professional footballer himself, shares his journey and the challenges he faced transitioning out of the sport. Paddy discusses the need for realistic conversations about career planning and the significance of having a stable support system that prioritises the individual behind the athlete.
I had a brilliant chat on Burton FM's 'Snoozy Breakfast' diving into some great topics about athlete wellbeing. If you want to hear my segment, tune in at 1:46:47, but the whole episode's a treat. Enjoy!
.......Podcast episode coming soon
