Podcasts

S1E7 – Autism and Football: Finding Belonging On and Off the Pitch

22nd April 2026

From being released by a club at 15, to moving away from home at 16, to finding focus, calm and identity through football, Maddison’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery and determination.

Diagnosed as dyslexic at school and later as autistic, Maddison Millington-Stanbury has navigated a world that hasn’t always understood her. Yet on the pitch, something shifts. The noise quiets. The game makes sense.

This episode explores how football became more than a sport. It became structure, belonging and a way of making sense of the world.

At the same time, we confront the reality that sport is not always inclusive by default. Through Maddison’s story, we examine what needs to change so that more autistic young people can access the same sense of belonging.