GREG TEMPEST: From League One To Retirement

Greg Tempest went from Sunday league at Arnold Town to League One at Notts County in a matter of years. He's shared a pitch with Drogba and Sneijder, and played for Northern Ireland U21. Then came the release, the injuries and the reality of non-league. Now retired, he works in player care at the Notts County academy. In this episode of Who Are Ya, Daisy sits down with Greg to talk about his decision to retire, playing as a pro, and the ups and downs in his journey. He also opens up about life in non-league, and what needs to change at this level. In this episode, Greg shares: Why he decided to retire Being scouted late and growing through academy football to becoming a pro Life working in Player Care for Notts County Academy Making his Notts County debut against Scunthorpe, the club his grandad managed Playing for Northern Ireland U21 His release from Notts County and journey into non league A 15-month knee injury, and stepping out of the full-time bubble Ego, transparency and contracts in non-league football Who Are Ya Pod shares the names and stories behind football’s favourite question. We want to give non-league footballers the platform they deserve. Follow Greg: Instagram: @gregorytemps / @thegrowthspace_gt Follow the pod: Instagram: @whoareyapodcast TikTok: @whoareyapod Guest ideas, thoughts or questions? Email podcast.whoareya@gmail.com — CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:44 Retirement & making peace with the decision 3:35 Arnold Town, playing in goal & a late start at Mansfield 6:34 The day Mansfield's academy shut 9:56 Notts County scholarship & Martin Allen's stand challenge 14:57 Player care at the Notts County academy 16:26 Grandad Billy Corkhill & a debut against Scunthorpe 18:54 Grealish, McGregor & facing Drogba 19:27 Northern Ireland U21: Belfast, Serbia & Italy 24:44 The release meeting 29:11 Lincoln City & being treated like a man 34:23 Nuneaton, injury & stepping out of the bubble 40:10 Basford, ego & transparency in non-league 47:39 Money, contracts & the state of non-league 56:08 Quickfire questions — Host & Creative Director: Daisy Faye Videographer: Danny Draper Recorded at The Createry, Nottingham #NonLeague #WhoAreYa #NottsCounty #NonLeagueFootball #PodcastEpisode