How did Ivan Toney overcome rejection in his early career?

After being rejected by Leicester at 15, Toney felt disheartened but his parents encouraged him to go to Northampton, where he eventually earned a scholarship, marking a turning point in his perseverance.

Why did Wolves withdraw their offer to Ivan Toney despite him having a squad number?

Wolves initially showed interest, gave him a squad number, and took photos, but then rescinded their offer, claiming he had scoliosis in his back. Toney and his family were confused by this sudden change.

What was Ivan Toney's experience moving from League Two to the Premier League with Newcastle?

The transition was described as crazy, with immediate recognition and a change in lifestyle. Toney admits he became a bit naive with money and fell into a 'cruise control' mindset, thinking he had made it just by being there.

How did fatherhood impact Ivan Toney's football career?

Becoming a father at 21 significantly focused his priorities and work ethic. He felt a stronger drive to provide for his family and make his son proud, which he believes made his game 100% better.

What makes Brentford a special club in Ivan Toney's opinion?

Toney attributes Brentford's success to their emphasis on hard work, a lack of fear for opponents, and a strong sense of togetherness and humbleness. Manager Thomas Frank's philosophy fosters an environment where everyone mixes and respects each other.

Why did Ivan Toney miss out on the World Cup squad despite his performance?

Toney believes the timing of the FA's allegations regarding betting during the World Cup selection period was a questionable coincidence intended to prevent him from playing, seeing it as a bigger story to tell.

What was Ivan Toney's internal struggle and coping mechanism during his ban and the allegations?

He described feeling at his lowest point, close to depression, but never showing emotion externally. His coping mechanism was to always be friendly and smile, making others happy to bring him up, avoiding direct confrontation with his emotions.

Did Ivan Toney admit to having a gambling addiction?

During the FA process, a psychologist, Dr. Philip Hopley, diagnosed Toney with a gambling addiction-induced compulsive disorder. Toney stated this was the first time he'd heard of it, and he personally felt he could stop at will, showing his stubbornness.

What was the purpose of Ivan Toney's controversial tweet, 'I'll speak soon with no filter'?

The tweet came from a reckless and angry headspace, a defense mechanism against public scrutiny and people associating him with match-fixing. His family advised him to let his football do the talking instead.

How does Ivan Toney deal with racism in football?

Toney stated he still receives racist abuse, often from disgruntled bettors or fantasy league players. He stopped taking a knee before games because he believes the gesture has lost its purpose and more substantive action is needed.

What are Ivan Toney's future ambitions in football after his ban?

He aims to come back stronger, play for England, score goals, and eventually win trophies at the highest level, including the Premier League and even the World Cup. He desires to be the 'main man' wherever he plays.

Ivan Toney Finally Opens Up About His Ban & Reveals His Preferred Future Team!

The Diary Of A CEO

People & Blogs4 min read107 min video

Aug 21, 2023|1,870,444 views|30,638|1,722

The Diary Of A CEO steven bartlett steve bartlett podcast the diary of a CEO podcast life lessons CEO Ivan toney opens up Ivan Tony betting Ivan toney gambling Ivan toney interview Ivan toney talks about his ban Ivan toney brentford

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Ivan Toney discusses his betting ban resolution, football career struggles, and future aspirations.

Key Insights

Toney faced significant career setbacks, including rejections and loan spells, before finding success.

His eight-month ban stemmed from 232 betting breaches, though the FA report indicated no match-fixing.

Becoming a father significantly impacted his perspective and drive, focusing his priorities.

Brentford's success is attributed to hard work, unity, and a strong team culture, not just talent.

Toney believes the FA may have used his case as a high-profile example due to his prominence.

Despite the ban's psychological toll, he remains motivated to return stronger and achieve top-level success.

EARLY STRUGGLES AND THE MENTALITY OF A FIGHTER

Ivan Toney's early life was shaped by a rough, competitive environment playing football from a young age, which instilled a resilience that proved crucial later. Despite a natural inclination towards being lazy, he understood the necessity of hard work to complement his talent. Rejection from Leicester at 15 and then again when trying to secure a scholarship at Northampton, where he was the last to be told, forged a deep-seated fear of not being good enough. This period was profoundly difficult, making him question his future in football and emphasizing the importance of perseverance through adversity.

NAVIGATING THE PREMIER LEAGUE AND THE PITFALLS OF SUDDEN SUCCESS

Moving to Newcastle at 18 marked Toney's leap to the Premier League, a surreal experience that brought immediate fame and financial rewards. This rapid ascent, however, also led to naive decisions, overspending, and mixing with the wrong crowds due to a lack of life experience and being away from family support. A significant setback occurred when a potential move to Wolves was halted due to scoliosis concerns, only for Newcastle to later sign him. This period highlighted the challenges of sudden wealth and fame at a young age, demanding a shift from a perceived arrival to where the real hard work begins.

LOAN SPELLS, PETERBOROUGH, AND A FATHER'S FOCUS

The loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, and Scunthorpe were initially perceived as a setback after failing to secure a place at Newcastle. Toney, however, viewed this as an opportunity to gain experience and develop. His transfer to Peterborough United at 22, after failing to establish himself at Newcastle, was a crucial turning point. This move, combined with becoming a father, reignited his drive and focus. The responsibility of providing for his family, coupled with a manager who believed in him, transformed his attitude and performance, leading to a prolific spell and reigniting his career ambitions.

BRENTFORD'S RISE AND THE CLUB'S UNIQUE CULTURE

Toney's arrival at Brentford marked a significant chapter, where he was promised the role of the main striker. He found the club's success to be built on unwavering hard work, unity, and a shared responsibility among players. Unlike teams relying solely on technical skill, Brentford's philosophy emphasizes effort and commitment, fostering a sense of togetherness and humility. This environment, where every player is valued, has been instrumental in their achievements. Toney acknowledges that while he is an important player, the team's collective work ethic ensures their continued success, even in his absence.

THE BETTING BAN: ALLEGATIONS, REALITY, AND THE FA'S ROLE

Toney's eight-month ban stemmed from 232 breaches of betting rules between 2017 and 2021. While he admitted to betting, the FA report did not find evidence of match-fixing, a crucial distinction. Toney suggests the allegations were brought to light strategically to heighten the story and potentially prevent his inclusion in the World Cup squad. He recounts the disbelief and confusion surrounding the investigation, including personal impacts like being denied restaurant entry and issues with car insurance. The process also involved admitting to lying initially due to memory issues and the pressure of the investigation.

CONFRONTING GAMBLING ADDICTION AND THE PATH TO REDEMPTION

A psychologist's assessment identified Toney as having a gambling addiction and compulsive disorder, a diagnosis he initially struggled to accept due to his stubbornness. This realization, coupled with the significant financial losses and the impact on his family, led him to quit all forms of betting. He notes the lack of financial education for young footballers and the difficulties in managing sudden wealth. Toney takes full responsibility for his actions, particularly betting on himself to score, and acknowledges the ban's severity, viewing it as a period to reflect, rebuild, and strategize for a stronger comeback.

THE IMPACT OF THE BAN AND FUTURE AMBITIONS

The inability to train at the club during his ban was a significant psychological blow, highlighting a perceived inconsistency in the FA's approach to player welfare and mental health. Despite this, Toney has remained dedicated to his fitness with a personal trainer. He feels strongly about the disparate punishments meted out to players in different leagues and believes his high profile contributed to a harsher sanction. Moving forward, Toney is determined to return with renewed hunger, aiming to exceed his previous performance levels and achieve top-tier success, including winning trophies with England and at club level, and leaving a positive legacy for his children.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

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●People Referenced

Common Questions

Ivan Toney grew up in a challenging environment playing rough with older kids in a park, which he believes shaped his physical style of play in professional football.

Topics

Ivan Toney Football Ban Brentford FC FA Rules Career Progression Racism In Football England National Team Football Transfers Parental Support

Mentioned in this video

personSteve Evans

Manager of Peterborough United who put his arm around Ivan Toney and encouraged him, telling him he would be the main man.

organizationPeterborough United

Club Ivan Toney transferred to at 22 after leaving Newcastle, where he became a key player, scoring 24 goals in 32 League One games.

personSteven Gerrard

Former manager of Rangers, Ivan Toney spoke with him about joining the club.

bookThe Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws for Business and Life

A new book written by the host, based on his learnings from the podcast and business career.

personRafa Benítez

Former manager of Newcastle during a period when the club was fighting relegation, leading him to prioritize experienced players over youth like Toney.

organizationLeicester

Football club that rejected Ivan Toney at 15 years old.

organizationWolves

Football club that was interested in signing Ivan Toney but withdrew their offer, citing scoliosis as the reason.

personHarry Kane

Top striker in the Premier League, Ivan Toney finished third behind him in the Golden Boot rankings. Also mentioned as the main competition for the England starting spot.

personThomas Frank

Brentford manager who told Ivan Toney he would be the main striker and has publicly defended Toney during his ban, disagreeing with the handling of the situation.

personDr. Philip Hopley

Highly qualified psychiatric expert who interviewed Ivan Toney and concluded he had a gambling addiction, which led to a more lenient sentence from the FA.

personBryan Mbeumo

Brentford teammate described by Ivan Toney as being like a 'little brother' who gets angry when he misses chances.

organizationScunthorpe United

Football club where Ivan Toney scored six goals in 15 appearances during a loan spell, showing promise as a prolific scorer.

productEight Sleep Pod Cover

A smart mattress cover that adjusts temperature for optimal sleep, recommended by the host.

organizationBarnsley

One of the clubs Ivan Toney was loaned to from Newcastle, providing him with first-team experience.

personErling Haaland

Manchester City striker, Toney finished third behind him in the Golden Boot rankings and believes he could have scored more goals if he was as clinical.

personGareth Southgate

England manager who has shown support for Ivan Toney during his ban.

eventWorld Cup