Dr James's One Cap Wonders

A story of what could have been with sheer perseverance. Joe's career only had very high highs and very low lows. From making his debut in the Championship and playing for Malta to being clubless during covid and fighting injury after injury, with grace, determination and tenacity. His story, his cap and more in this episode.

From being the 58th woman capped for England to pioneering roles in the FA and developing the women's game as well as her own cap Julie Hemsley shares all and discusses what it is like to be the assistant manager of a national team on the other side of the international setup.

Treble winner Chantel talks of being a rising star in Women's football, her one cap and her new career as a performance coach and explores how she fell out of love with football. Her journey and career highs and lows discussed in this episode.

From earning 21k a year and training as a social worker to playing in front of 80,000 fans, Ella Masar has done it all in the beautiful game, across more than half a dozen countries and major clubs including PSG her career has the medals to prove it. In this episode she describes her incredible sporting journey and her current role as a manager and plans for the future.

Esther Sullastres has played a staggering almost 500 games both for major clubs including Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and others as well as a range of underage caps for the Spanish national team. In this episode she talks about the evolution of women's football over her career, the standards expected and how she juggles training and studying to be a veterinarian. This insightful discussion shines a light on the progression and success of women's football in Spain and also the tenacity and mindset of an outstanding goalkeeper playing at the highest levels.

An incredible journey that began at 17 in the 4th tier of French and took him to breaking records as a striker all the way to the top of French football, to Dubai and back to France, along the way making his inspirational international debut in the Nou Cap against Colombia, Jawad's story is one less ordinary and this episode covers his fascinating career with his focus now on the growing global sport TEQBALL

From bursting on the scene as a teenager making his debut under Paul Dickov to playing in front of crowds of 48,000 and getting promoted with Sunderland, Carl Winchester saw the highs and lows of football and discusses how hard work was the key in his career which now sees him playing in front of passionate fans with Derry City. In this episode he explains how proud he was to play for Northern Ireland during the Nations Cup.

Daniel's career took him from his hometown club in Denmark to Norway to California and to making his international debut in Phoenix Arizona.In this episode he explains the importance of family values, of having a supportive twin brother  and father who both played football in his early years as a career professional. He describes his father video taping his debut due to the time difference back to Europe and how he values and respects his wife who has been a cornerstone of his career for more than a decade.

In this Episode, Jefferson talks about his extraordinary journeyman career with 51 moves over 28 years as well as what it meant to play for Dominica, the country of his mother who was a major influence and support throughout his life. An inspiring story of a man whose love of the game didn't stop even when he went to prison and his drive and determination to get back to football is now leading him to coaching and inspiring future generations to focus on sport, fitness, education and health.

From playing across Europe in Germany, Russia, Greece and Cyprus under some of the top managers of the time including Tuchel and De Santos, Dario Krešić showed why he deserved to spend 2 years as part of the Croatian national team. Capped once he discusses his journey leaving his war torn home to move to Germany at 14 and finally coming back to play for his nation against South Korea before embarking on a career as a football agent.

In 10 years Eddie Robinson did it all, he won everything in US soccer, over and over with both the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamos, cups and leagues and when he got his chance to play for the national team he took it with both hands, scoring on his debut despite playing in defence. In this episode he looks back on his career, the highs and lows and explains why he never got more than one cap.

In this episode St Mirren fans favourite Stelios Demetriou discusses his circuitous journey from the lower tiers of Cypriot football to the top tier of Scotland and on to make an appearance for his national team. The full back also explains how taking risks has paid off for him and that younger players should consider exploring other countries and divisions to ply their trade

In this Episode Dr James Mahon speaks to former St Mirren star and League Cup Winning captain Jim Goodwin. The no nonsense defender discusses the impact his parents had in supporting him to leave Waterford and pursue his dream and how as a teenager he made his way first to Celtic and then in the lower leagues of England before success back in Scotland firstly as a player and now as a manager. Goodwin offers advice to younger players and discusses the strange situation that led to him being subbed on for Robbie Keane for Ireland at senior level. 

In this Episode Dr James Mahon speaks to former Kilmarnock and Rangers star Cammy Bell. The shot stopper discusses the impact his father had in supporting him from a young age and how he understood the importance of playing for Rangers having also been a lifelong fan. Finally he elaborates on the difficulty in breaking into the Scotland setup with such experienced keepers ahead of him.

In this Episode Dr James hears from Celtic and Dundee Utd star Mark Wilson on how playing while aware of his own injury and limitations was important to him to prolong his career. Wilson discusses his successful national team youth career and how that didn't translate into senior caps. Finally the former defender highlights the importance of his charity work with the Andy Robertson organization AR26 which helps disadvantaged youths in Glasgow and beyond.

In this Episode former Kilmarnock, NY Red Bulls and Leicester defender Peter Canero reflects on his career and his solo Scotland cap. The Glaswegian praises the impact of his wife and family on supporting his decisions including playing in North America and the challenges he faced with hip injuries throughout his career.

In this Episode Dr James hears from Celtic and Norwich star Chris Sutton on how his father impacted and supported the early years of his career before success and acclaim with his hometown club and later with Celtic. Chris discusses his one England cap and the path his career took after that.