The Football Collective

The Football Collective is a dedicated network of people who bring critical debate to football for those interested and involved in building football for the future. Through sharp analysis, meaningful and collaborative engagement, and research-informed original reporting, it provides a platform for thought-provoking, critical debate in football.

The organisation aims to showcase best practice and help share academic peer-reviewed research in an accessible and understandable format for all. This includes:

  • Sharing evidence-based commentary on football issues

  • Disseminating peer-reviewed research on football

  • Opening debate around key issues in related to football

  • Reaching wider audiences through diverse mediums such as articles, videos and podcasts.

The Football Collective was conceived by Dan Parnell and Paul Widdop in 2016. A founding group was created which also included Jamie Cleland, Mark Doidge, Danny Fitzpatrick, John Hayton, John Hughson, Peter Millward and Joel Rookwood. The group met to discuss ways to grow and diversify the network, support one another’s research and especially engage with and provide a platform for PhD students and early career academics. The current co-chairs are Paul Widdop and Joel Rookwood. Various members support different aspects of the Football Collective, including mentorship, book proposals, journal special issues, conference organisation, writing and publications, podcasts, and social media. The group has its own Routledge series on Critical Research in Football.

I manage the Football Collective website and its videography and creative content. I also sit on its events committee.

The next conference will take place in Belfast on 27th and 28th November 2025.