Practical Football Experience. Real Business Knowledge.

I help ambitious non-league football clubs understand what it really takes to progress — on the pitch, off the pitch, and behind the scenes.

Football clubs are built on ambition, but sustainable progress takes more than results on a Saturday. It requires structure, people, standards, facilities, leadership, commercial understanding, and the ability to make difficult decisions at the right time.

My consultancy is built on lived experience across both football and business. I have operated at ground level, boardroom level, and business ownership level, giving me a practical understanding of what clubs need in order to develop, compete, and grow.

Football Leadership Experience

My football experience spans more than a decade in senior roles across non-league football, working as both manager and chairman.

From 2011/12 to 2015/16, I was involved with AFC Barnton in the Cheshire Football League Division Two, initially as manager before becoming chairman. During this period, the club achieved promotions and cup success, progressing into the North West Counties Football League.

That step up required more than performances on the pitch. It involved helping the club prepare for the demands of a higher level, including ground improvements, operational changes, and working towards the standards required by the Football Association and the league structure.

As chairman, I oversaw the club’s continued development and further progression into the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

From 2016/17 to 2024/25, I served as chairman of Widnes, joining the club while it was competing in the North West Counties Football League Division One.

During my time there, I helped build a strong board of professionals and supported the creation of a structure capable of delivering sustained progress. The club achieved promotion to the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in the first season and continued to climb the football pyramid, progressing into the Northern Premier League West Division and ultimately the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

This period also included cup wins and further success both on and off the pitch.

What This Experience Brings

Having worked across different roles and stages of club development, I understand the pressures and responsibilities that come with trying to move a football club forward.

My experience includes:

• Club leadership and boardroom decision-making
• Managing football operations from both manager and chairman perspectives
• Building boards and surrounding clubs with the right people
• Supporting promotions and progression through the football pyramid
• Ground improvements and preparation for league and FA standards
• Understanding the demands of moving from county league football into the NWCFL and beyond
  Working with volunteers, staff, sponsors, supporters, players, and committee members
• Balancing football ambition with financial and operational reality
• Managing change, pressure, and expectations within a football club environment

I have seen first-hand that every club has ambition, but not every club has the structure, standards, or support needed to turn that ambition into sustainable progress.

Business & Commercial Experience

Away from football, I bring a strong commercial and operational background.

I am a time-served mechanical engineer and have also worked as a telecoms engineer. I have experience in the licensed trade, with practical knowledge and contacts across pubs, clubs, nightclubs, hospitality, and catering.

In 2009, I founded Hallmark Security Limited and continue to serve as Managing Director. The company has grown into a successful security services provider, giving me extensive experience in business ownership, leadership, service delivery, staff management, client relationships, contracts, compliance, operations, and commercial growth.

Running a business has given me lived experience of the good, the bad, and the ugly of commercial life. I understand what it means to build something, protect it, manage people, make difficult decisions, deal with pressure, and deliver services in demanding environments.

This business experience is directly transferable to football clubs, especially those looking to improve structure, standards, revenue, operations, facilities, and long-term planning.

How I Can Help Clubs

I work with clubs, boards, owners, and football organisations that want practical, honest guidance from someone who has lived the journey

My support can include: 

• Club structure and operational review
• Board development and role clarity
• Promotion readiness and step-up planning
• Ground grading and facilities planning support
• Commercial and sponsorship strategy
• Matchday operations and service standards
• Volunteer, staffing, and supplier structure
• Football operations support
• Practical advice for ambitious non-league clubs
• Independent guidance for owners, chairmen, and committees

Every club is different. My role is to understand where a club is now, where it wants to go, and what needs to be improved in order to get there.

Why Work With Me

I have not studied football club progression from the outside. I have lived it.

I have experienced promotions, cup wins, ground improvements, board building, operational pressure, commercial demands, football decisions, and the reality of trying to move clubs forward through the non-league pyramid.

Alongside that, I have built and operated a successful business since 2009, giving me a grounded understanding of leadership, people, standards, contracts, delivery, and commercial responsibility.

This combination of football and business experience allows me to offer practical advice that is honest, realistic, and focused on action.

A Practical Partner for Ambitious Clubs

After taking a season away from football, I am now ready to share my experience with clubs that want to grow, improve, and progress in the right way.

My aim is simple: to help football clubs build stronger structures, make better decisions, and understand what is required to progress sustainably both on and off the pitch.