Ivan Toney: I’m Finally Ready To Speak! The Truth About His Football Ban And His Future Team!

Aug 21, 2023
Overview

Ivan Toney, a Premier League footballer, discusses his journey through rejection, financial naivety, and overcoming a gambling addiction that led to an eight-month ban. He shares insights on resilience, career progression, and the mindset required for success.

At a Glance
18 Insights
1h 43m Duration
15 Topics
5 Concepts

Deep Dive Analysis

Early Life, Football Beginnings, and Rejection

Navigating Premier League Move and Loan Spells

Rebuilding Career at Peterborough United

Impact of Fatherhood and Brentford Transfer

Brentford's Unique Culture and Success Factors

Missing World Cup Due to Betting Allegations

The FA Betting Investigation and Personal Impact

Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Role

The FA's Sanction and Ivan Toney's Perception of Fairness

Coping with the Ban and Maintaining Mental Strength

Family Support and Brentford's Loyalty

Future Ambitions and Proving Doubters Wrong

Advice for Aspiring Young Footballers

Experiences with Racism in Football

Facing Fears and Preparing for Comeback

Scoliosis

A condition where the back is not straight, having a slight bend. Ivan Toney was told by a specialist he'd be lucky to be walking at 28, but he feels it hasn't affected his game.

Hard Work Beats Talent

The idea that natural ability is less effective than consistent effort if the talented individual does not apply themselves. Ivan Toney learned this lesson and applied it to improve his running and overall game.

Cruise Control Mentality

A state of mind where one believes they have 'made it' and can relax their efforts, leading to a decline in performance or development. Ivan Toney experienced this after moving to Newcastle, thinking he was already a Premier League player.

Gambling Addiction

A compulsive disorder where an individual is unable to control their gambling, despite negative consequences. Ivan Toney was diagnosed with this by a psychologist during his FA tribunal, which contributed to a reduced ban.

Token Gesture

An action or statement that is made to appear as if something is being done, but is largely symbolic and ineffective in bringing about real change. Ivan Toney views taking the knee before matches as having become a token gesture that has lost its purpose in fighting racism.

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How did early life experiences shape Ivan Toney's football career?

Playing rough with older kids from age seven helped him develop a physical style of play and prepared him for the brutal nature of lower league football.

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What was the impact of early rejections on Ivan Toney's career?

Being rejected by Leicester at 15 and Wolves at 18 (due to alleged scoliosis) was painful and made him consider quitting football, but ultimately fueled his determination to prove himself.

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How did moving to the Premier League at a young age affect Ivan Toney?

At 18, he became naive, got mixed in the wrong crowd, spent money unwisely, and adopted a 'cruise control' mentality, believing he had already made it, which hindered his development.

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What advice would Ivan Toney give his younger self when first joining a Premier League club?

He would tell himself that the hard work is just beginning, not finished, and to 'go to extra gear' rather than putting it on cruise control.

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What makes Brentford a special football club?

Brentford's success is attributed to hard work, a fearless attitude, strong team togetherness where everyone mixes, and a humble philosophy instilled by manager Thomas Frank.

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

He believes it was due to the betting allegations, suspecting the FA released the information at that time to prevent him from going and to make it a bigger story.

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What was Ivan Toney's lowest point during the betting scandal?

Missing out on the World Cup was his lowest point, making him feel targeted and hurt, more so than the subsequent ban.

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What was the reality of Ivan Toney's betting breaches?

He admitted to 232 breaches between 2017-2021, which included betting on himself to score and on his team to lose when he wasn't playing, but the FA concluded there was no match-fixing.

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Why did Ivan Toney use others to place some of his bets?

He stated it was primarily because his post went to his parents' house, and he didn't want them to see his betting activities, not to conceal it from the FA.

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Was Ivan Toney aware of the FA's betting rules?

He described it as a 'grey area,' as clubs would have people share experiences about gambling addiction, but not explicitly state that players couldn't bet on football.

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What was the role of gambling addiction in Ivan Toney's case?

A psychologist diagnosed him with a gambling addiction (impulsive compulsive disorder) during the FA tribunal, which was accepted and led to a reduction in his ban.

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Why did Ivan Toney stop taking the knee before matches?

He believes it has become a 'token gesture' that has lost its purpose and is not effectively addressing racism in football.

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Does Ivan Toney think his punishment was fair?

He doesn't personally think it was fair, especially when comparing it to similar or worse cases in lower leagues, believing he was made an example of due to his high profile.

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What is the impact of not being allowed to train with his club during the ban?

He finds it painful and believes it could break players less mentally strong than him, questioning how it helps mental health when football is their life.

1. Hard Work Starts at Top

Upon reaching a new career level, recognize that the hard work is just beginning; avoid complacency and push for an extra gear to continue progressing.

2. Seek Brutally Honest Feedback

Surround yourself with agents and mentors who provide the honest truth, even if it’s difficult, to ensure you make the best decisions for your career.

3. Practice Patience in Career

Avoid rushing significant career decisions, as good things are not rushed and patience can lead to better, more opportune outcomes.

4. Prioritize Being the Main Man

When making career choices, prioritize opportunities where you can be the primary player and consistently play games, as this is crucial for development and proving your worth.

5. Maintain Top-Tier Mentality

Regardless of your current position or league, cultivate the mindset that you are a top-tier player, ensuring you always put in maximum effort.

6. Fatherhood Fuels Performance

Embrace fatherhood as a powerful motivator, as the desire to make children proud and provide for them can significantly focus priorities and enhance performance.

7. Build a Culture of Hard Work

Foster an environment characterized by relentless hard work, mutual respect without fear, strong togetherness, humbleness, and clear individual responsibility to achieve collective success.

8. Strive for Continuous Improvement

After achieving success, maintain a mindset that you could always do more, reflecting on missed opportunities to continuously improve and aim higher.

9. Let Actions Do Talking

When feeling angry or defensive, channel that energy into productive actions and performance rather than reckless words, as actions speak louder and protect your reputation.

10. Manage Money Wisely

For young individuals earning significant income, prioritize learning to manage money, understand financial rules, avoid negative influences, and resist simply following trends.

11. Overcome Gambling Addiction

To overcome gambling addiction, reflect on the significant financial losses and the negative impact on family, using the desire to provide for loved ones as a strong motivator to stop.

12. Don’t Dwell on Setbacks

When experiencing difficult days or setbacks, avoid dwelling on them; instead, recharge, stay active, focus on the next opportunity, and maintain belief in your ability to come back stronger.

13. Train Hard During Downtime

During periods of suspension or forced absence, commit to rigorous training with a personal trainer to maintain peak fitness and prepare for a strong return.

14. Thrive Under Pressure

Actively seek and embrace high-pressure situations, as they can serve as powerful motivators and enhance your performance when you believe in your ability to succeed.

15. Cultivate Unwavering Self-Belief

Approach every performance with absolute self-belief in your ability to succeed, and if a setback occurs, immediately shift focus to the next opportunity with renewed conviction.

16. Value Close Relationships Only

Prioritize the opinions and understanding of close friends and family, and disregard the judgment of strangers who do not genuinely know you or your situation.

17. Raise Resilient Children

Adopt a parenting approach that encourages children to work for what they want, rather than simply giving them everything, to build strength, resilience, and a path to success.

18. Young Player Success Principles

For aspiring young athletes, cultivate the mentality of being the best player, combined with relentless hunger, unwavering drive, and a consistently positive attitude, to achieve long-term success.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Ivan Toney

If you're not first, you're last.

Ivan Toney

The biggest punishment for me was missing out on playing at the World Cup.

Ivan Toney

I don't feel like crying solves anything personally.

Ivan Toney

I'll speak soon with no filter.

Ivan Toney

I'm built different. My mentality is different. I'm not one of these, 'I could have been a great player, hadn't he done this.' I'm gonna go beyond that.

Ivan Toney

I thrive off pressure.

Ivan Toney

I'm gonna be a different man. I'd be even better than that guy that's scored them goals before.

Ivan Toney
16 years old
Age at Northampton Town debut When he started his football career
15
Age at Leicester rejection Considering doing something else with his life
18
Age at Wolves rejection Due to alleged scoliosis
18
Age at Newcastle United transfer First time away from home
24
Goals scored at Peterborough United In 32 League One games
21
Age at first fatherhood Helped kickstart his journey again
12
Goals scored in first Premier League season For Brentford
20
Goals scored in second Premier League season Finishing third in Golden Boot rankings
232
Breaches of FA betting rules Between 2017 and 2021
£50,000
FA fine Part of the sanction for betting breaches
eight months
Suspension duration Reduced from an ordinary 15 months, FA suggested 12 months
17 January 2024
Date ban ends (playing matches) When he can play professional football again
17 September
Date allowed to train When he can train with the club and be around the boys
five hours
Duration of FA interview First interview in May 2022 regarding betting allegations
three
Number of children All boys
around 100
Approximate number of racist messages received Easily, if he were to save everything he's received