EP 03: Joshua Laws - Wellington Phoenix, Grasshoppers Zürich, and an Under 17 World Cup

From kicking a ball around the back garden in Sydney to playing for Wellington Phoenix, Grasshoppers Zürich, and Western Sydney Wanderers, Joshua Laws's story is one of constant change and quiet resilience.In this episode, Josh sits down with Jan to trace a path that took him through six different countries. He talks about growing up as a hyperactive kid sent on Bondi Beach runs by his dad, the long drives to Blackburn Rovers with his mum, and the first real "no" when the club decided not to renew him at 14. We move through eight years in Germany, the Turkish coach at Fortuna Düsseldorf who convinced him to sign, and his under-17 World Cup in Chile where Australia beat Argentina to make the quarter-finals.Josh is honest about the harder parts of the journey too. Two years lost to ankle injuries at the exact moment he was knocking on the door of the first team. Negotiating his first professional contract on his own from a COVID quarantine hotel. The reality of warming up on a cricket oval at Wollongong University. And the gamble he took at the end of his Wellington years, flying back to Europe with two suitcases and sleeping on a friend's sofa until the unexpected call came from Grasshoppers Zürich.Having now finished his playing career at 28, Josh shares what he wishes he had known earlier and the one piece of advice he would pass on to every young player still on the path.Whether you are a young player chasing the dream, a parent supporting one, or a coach shaping the next generation, this episode is full of perspective on what the journey actually looks like.IN THIS EPISODE:▸ Growing up in Sydney and being trained by his dad on Bondi Beach ▸ Trialing at Manchester United, Everton, and signing for Blackburn Rovers ▸ Being released at 14 and processing the first real rejection ▸ Eight years in Germany, the language barrier, and the intensity of German youth football ▸ Switching from Scotland to Australia and the U17 World Cup in Chile ▸ The ankle injuries that cost him two years at Fortuna Düsseldorf ▸ Negotiating his first professional contract from a COVID quarantine hotel ▸ What pro football actually looked like in Wollongong during the pandemic ▸ Sleeping on a sofa in Europe and the call out of the blue from Grasshoppers Zürich ▸ The advice he would give to every player still chasing the dreamCHAPTERS00:00 Joshi's First Touch05:34 Dreams of Professional Football10:17 Trials with Teams in the UK15:16 Finding the Right Environment in Football16:43 Moving to Germany20:01 The Intensity of German Football26:25 Changing from Scotland to Australia28:02 U17 World Cup with Australia33:01 Injury Setbacks During a Crucial Time35:48 New Opportunities in Australia40:02 Starting with Wellington Phoenix43:23 Going Back to Europe for Trials44:04 The Offer from Grasshopper Zürich46:59 Stoppage Time QuestionsSubscribe so you never miss an episode. If a question comes up while listening, leave a comment or send us a text on Instagram. @firsttouchtofirstteamAnd remember: enjoy your football journey.GUEST Joshua Laws, former professional footballer with Wellington Phoenix, Grasshoppers Zürich, and Western Sydney Wanderers. Born in Glasgow, raised in Sydney, developed through academies at Blackburn Rovers and Fortuna Düsseldorf, and represented Australia at the U17 World Cup in Chile.