You may be wondering about what experience I have in football, especially at this level, so here’s my footballing CV….

From the age of nine to eighteen I played academy level football, for the likes of Luton Town, Northampton Town, Norwich City, Boreham Wood and Yeovil Town, with and against players who now play at the highest level (see later). I know the felling that comes with being released from the Academy system. I also experienced my first serious knee injury (meniscus) whilst playing for Luton Town’s Academy and I know how tough the recovery process can be.

 

During my time playing football I toured in Belgium, Germany, Holland and Italy and was often awarded the responsibility of captaining the sides, including the Buckinghamshire Schools representative sides at U14s and U15s.

After spells at various clubs including Stratford Town, Enfield, Studley FC, Coleshill Town, and Crawley Green FC I notched up around 60 games in semi-pro football. I’ve known the anguish of moving from club to club in search of a club which really ‘got’ me. I also know how hard it can be to be led by a manager who is dogmatic yet lacking in leadership and coaching skills. Working for people you have little respect for is so demotivating. I’ve been there guys,

I then got the opportunity to play in the United States, when I was awarded a four-year soccer scholarship at Texas A&M International University, in Laredo, on the Mexican border. We played at some fantastic locations across Texas and also on tour to Colorado, where we played overlooking the Rocky Mountains.

After a successful couple of terms, I returned home for Christmas 2021 only to fall ill with a blood clot after a COVID 19 vaccination. It took six months for me to recover to about 50% of my former self. Since then I have been absolutely determined on turning a positive out of a negative. Working all hours, and optimising all the contacts I’ve made at club Ievel, I launched SLM Sports Management Ltd.

I have built great relationships with dozens of managers and coaches as well as some excellent owners/Chairmen. Just a few of the notable footballers I’ve played with and am often in contact with include….

• Iliman Ndiaye (Sheff Utd, Marseilles and Senegal WC 2022)
• Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield and Wales WC 2022)
• Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea)
• Fabio Carvalho (Liverpool)
• Louie Barry (Aston Villa)
• Louie Sibley (Derby County)
• Josh Umerah (Charlton)
• Karamoko Dembele (ex Celtic)

I’m proud to say that in a relatively short period of time  I have secured around 250 clients who I’ve helped to mentor and guide up the football ladder. So whether you are a club representative or keen footballer looking for some special help, I hope I’ve given you confidence that, as a mentor,  I am well-connected, resourceful, very effective and highly experienced at this level.

Just to complete my footballing experience I’m proud to report that last season I was appointed interim manager at Yaxley FC, from the Northern Premier Midlands Division. At 20 years of age it  made me the youngest-ever manager to be appointed in the top 9 Divisions of the English football pyramid.

Yaxley FC had had a very poor run of results before I was appointed and though the task of escaping relegation was almost impossible, we managed to recruit several new players and performances and results noticeably improved. We even achieved a run to the final of a local Cup, although, sadly, I left the club by mutual agreement before the final took place.

I have to say the whole experience was a massive learning curve. I now know what it’s like to manage and lead rather than follow instructions and the experience of working directly with a Chairman was most illuminating. I also learned a lot about dealing with fan commentary! What gave me most thrill was the experience of dealing with national media who really picked up on the story of me being the youngest ever manager. I had interviews with TV channels, national radio stations, podcasters  and loads of  footballing press, delivering £000’s of media coverage for the club.

I mostly enjoyed the experience of managing and hope to be able to return to it at some point (see News section!) but I should stress that my company SLM Sports Marketing and my services continue to operate successfully so do please still get in touch via my website’s enquiry box or any of the contact means.