
Jordan Skelton P2 - “Welcome To The Hunger Games!” Ricardo Pepi, Mark Mckeever & being desperate to bring success to One Knox - E10
Explicit content warning
01/30/25 • 37 min
Skelts is back for part 2, reflecting on the successes and challenges of the inaugural 2023 season with One Knoxville, emphasizing the importance of implementing a strong team culture, communication on and off the field, and building for the future of the club. He discusses the impact of losing long standing coach Mark Mckeever midway through 2024, and what effect that had on team dynamics and the growth of the club. The conversation also touches on defining success for One Knoxville and the significance of personal achievements in football, including playing for England Schoolboys and winning a national title. And trying to volley a certain USMNT international as he was being danced around...
00:00 2023 Breakout Season
02:37 One Knox Defensive Unit
04:31 Reaction to Mckeever Exit
06:35 Jam's Red Card vs Skelts
13:59 What Makes a Good USL1 Team?
17:01 What is Success for Skelton & One Knoxville
20:13 Mark McKeever's Impact on Player Development
24:59 Extra Time
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Skelts is back for part 2, reflecting on the successes and challenges of the inaugural 2023 season with One Knoxville, emphasizing the importance of implementing a strong team culture, communication on and off the field, and building for the future of the club. He discusses the impact of losing long standing coach Mark Mckeever midway through 2024, and what effect that had on team dynamics and the growth of the club. The conversation also touches on defining success for One Knoxville and the significance of personal achievements in football, including playing for England Schoolboys and winning a national title. And trying to volley a certain USMNT international as he was being danced around...
00:00 2023 Breakout Season
02:37 One Knox Defensive Unit
04:31 Reaction to Mckeever Exit
06:35 Jam's Red Card vs Skelts
13:59 What Makes a Good USL1 Team?
17:01 What is Success for Skelton & One Knoxville
20:13 Mark McKeever's Impact on Player Development
24:59 Extra Time
Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod
For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!
Previous Episode

Jordan Skelton P1 - The Geordie Cesc Fabregas? Injuries, Mental Health & Coming Back Stronger for One Knoxville! - E9
One Knoxville captain Jordan Skelton joins the boys in the Back Stick studio this week! In a lively conversation with Jordan, we share his journey from the UK to the US. From England Schoolboys, to captaining an ambitious USL League One club in One Knox. The discussion covers various themes including the cultural differences in football between the two countries, the challenges of communication due to the thickest geordie accent of all time, and the pressures of professional football. Jordan reflects on his early influences, the competitive landscape of football, and the importance of leadership and communication on the pitch. He also opens up about his struggles with mental health, the impact of injuries, nearly falling out of professional football completely, and his journey to finding joy in the beautiful game again.
00:00 Intro
01:18 US vs UK Weather
02:47 Geordie Accent in America
07:11 Fabregas, Arsenal & Newcastle
09:13 Different Pathways to Professional Football in the UK
18:31 Leadership on the Pitch
24:50 Different Types of Leaders in Football
25:44 Reflections on Leadership Style
29:30 North Carolina FC Reflections
31:53 College & PDL
35:04 Agent caused 1st Year Pro Contract to Fall Through
37:03 Fighting Injuries in PDL Again
40:39 Overcoming Adversity in Pursuit of Professional Football
Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod
For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!
Next Episode

Kalil El Medkhar - The Face Of FC Tulsa’s Rebuild, FC Dallas MLS Experience & A Kentucky Wildcat Standout! - E11
FC Tulsa’s new signing Kalil El Medkhar joins the boys in the studio this week! A former college standout with the University of Kentucky, we explore his college career, as well as his already impressive professional career with MLS powerhouse FC Dallas, to Loudoun United and his more recent signing with FC Tulsa. The conversation covers Kalil's transition from college soccer to the professional game, his experiences with team dynamics, and the challenges of playing at a professional level compared to college soccer. We discuss the importance of team chemistry, the impact of college rivalries, and the complexities of MLS contracts. Kalil shares insights on his playing style, expectations for the upcoming season, and reflects on his college career, highlighting the significance of teamwork and personal growth.
00:00 Intro & West Ham's New Manager
02:48 2025 FC Tulsa Expectations
06:09 Loudoun United & DMV Living
08:15 Kalil's Playing Style, Cody Gakpo?
12:06 Kentucky Mens Soccer Reflections
18:19 Marshall vs Kentucky Soccer Rivalry
23:54 FC Dallas Reflections
26:22 Will MLS Ever Be A Top 5 League?
30:37 FC Dallas Reflections
38:41 Extra Time with Kalil Elmedkhar
Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod
For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!
The Back Stick Podcast - Jordan Skelton P2 - “Welcome To The Hunger Games!” Ricardo Pepi, Mark Mckeever & being desperate to bring success to One Knox - E10
Transcript
Dom Okus (00:00)
Beautiful.
It rounds us into like, you know, you've gone through a terrible time, ups and downs, and then you had a bit of a break out right? So like, 2023, 2024, you know, team of the year, accolades,
sheets, all those things. Talk to him nice, talk to him nice. That is true.
Jordan Skelton (00:15)
Come on, man!
Yeah, come on man! man's gotta eat fam! Man's
gotta eat fam!
Dom Okus (00:29)
Amazing. Brilliant. So just talk to us a little bit about tha
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