My PhD is funded by the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC) and Loughborough University through a PhD studentship lasting three years.

Having the time and funding to carry out the research for my PhD with absolute heroes from the grassroots level of football in Leicestershire has been a pleasure.

I have also enjoyed teaching at a university level, while achieving the Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy qualification.

I have also been fortunate enough to take on the role as Lead Rep for doctoral researchers in SSEHS which has allowed me to give back to the research community on a local and university level.