Professional Player Magazine Issue 22

issue 22 • july 2018

PHOTO: MARCO IACOBUCCI EPP / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

professional player

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION

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FLANNELS is a luxury fashion destination for men and women, home to an edit of over 200 designer brands from established international designers to contemporary casual labels.

S H OP O NLIN E

SH OP I N STORE Altrincham Birmingham Cardiff Douglas, Isle of Man Hereford Liverpool Leeds Meadowhall Metrocentre, Gateshead Middlesbrough Nottingham

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Plymouth Shirebrook Silverburn

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The Mercedes-Benz VIP Programme.

E-Class CoupĂŠ.

E 220 d AMG Line Automatic. ÂŁ389.99 per month.

For more information, please contact Robert Murray on 0113 201 5227.

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Mercedes-Benz range: urban 13.0(21.7)-52.3(5.4), extra urban 22.4(12.6)-72.4(3.9), combined 17.8(15.9)-62.8(4.5). CO2 emissions: 378-117 g/km.

Derwent Vehicles Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Optional Purchase Payment payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. The Total Amount Payable includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Based on 10,000 miles per annum and 17p per additional mile. Orders/credit approvals on GLE models only between 1 July and 31 September 2018, registered by 31 December 2018, excluding Mercedes-AMG models. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Over 18s only. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your local Stratstone Mercedes-Benz Retailer for availability.

Mercedes-Benz of Leeds 155 Gelderd Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS12 6BZ 0113 201 5227

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Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk www.mercedes-benzofleeds.co.uk

GLE. 250 d 4MATIC AMG Line Night Edition £399.99 per month.

Representative example: Personal Contract Purchase GLE 250 d 4MATIC AMG Night Edition

36 monthly payments Customer deposit On-the-road price Term of agreement Amount of credit

£399.99 £2,999.99 £37,576.33 36 Months £34,576.34

Acceptance fee Purchase activation fee Optional purchase payment Total amount payable Fixed interest rate APR Representative

£0.00 £10.00 £24,775.00 £42,184.63 5.12% 5.30% APR

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The Mercedes-Benz VIP Programme.

GLS. 350 d 4MATIC AMG Line ÂŁ499.99 per month.

For more information, please contact Robert Murray on 0113 201 5227.

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Mercedes-Benz range: urban 13.0(21.7)-52.3(5.4), extra urban 22.4(12.6)-72.4(3.9), combined 17.8(15.9)-62.8(4.5). CO2 emissions: 378-117 g/km.

Derwent Vehicles Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Optional Purchase Payment payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. The Total Amount Payable includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Based on 10,000 miles per annum and 20p per additional mile. Orders/credit approvals on S-Class models only between 1 July and 31 September 2018, registered by 31 December 2018, excluding Mercedes-AMG models. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Over 18s only. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your local Stratstone Mercedes-Benz Retailer for availability.

Mercedes-Benz of Leeds 155 Gelderd Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS12 6BZ 0113 201 5227

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Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk www.mercedes-benzofleeds.co.uk

S-Class Coupé.

S 500 AMG Line Automatic £999.99 per month.

Representative example: Personal Contract Purchase S-Class S 500 AMG Line Automatic

12 monthly payments Customer deposit On-the-road price Term of agreement Amount of credit

£999.99 £4,999.99 £75,991.09 12 Months £70,991.09

Acceptance fee Purchase activation fee Optional purchase payment Total amount payable Fixed interest rate APR Representative

£0.00 £10.00 £62,875.00 £79,884.87 5.77% 5.9% APR

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ROOMS & SUITES

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R E S TA U R A N T S & D I N I N G

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S PA & W E L L N E S S

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MEETING & BUSINESS

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E L E V E N D I D S B U RY PA R K

D I D S B U RY H O U S E H OT E L

W W W. E C L E C T I C H OT E L S . C O M

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.FLANNELS.COM AND IN SELECTED FLANNELS STORES

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Welcome

Issue 22 credits

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issue 22 • july 2018

PHOTO: MARCO IACOBUCCI EPP / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

professional player

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION

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Welcome to the 22nd Edition of Professional Player

Founder Peter Etherington peter@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

I must start with a ‘massive congratulations’ to our England team in the world cup this year. No one in their wildest dreams thought you guys would go as far as you did or indeed impress with your attitude, togetherness and spirit. With our young England teams already making their mark on the World Football stage our future in the hands of Gareth Southgate can only look strong and very bright.

Business Development Director Gina Wade-Taylor gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk 07715 974816

However we must also congratulate France for winning the World Cup and Croatia for getting to the final. With a population of only 4m people that is an amazing achievement and one which must be admired!

We have all enjoyed this World Cup far more than any I can remember and ‘VAR’ may have its critics but with a few tweaks I think it will only help our game and the officials moving forward.

Our latest magazine covers many issues once again and we hope that you will enjoy reading it. You can also view on line at: theprofessionalplayer.com/pp-online From everyone at Professional Player we want to wish you all a great season and good luck.

Peter Etherington Founder

Get connected!

Follow us now on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook 14

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Photography Mark Kirk markykirkphoto@gmail.com 07817 531324 Creative Director Chris Blyth chris.blyth@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk Fashion & Image Consultant Harriet Byczok harriet@harriet-byczok.com Features Journalist Emma Harrison harrison_ej@hotmail.com Contributors Anthony Bunn, Luke Nicoli, Euan Reedie, David Fearnhead, Harriet Byczok, ThinkBDW, Marky Kirk Photography, Matt Fearnon, 20Five Ltd, Adgenda Media, Cube Marketing, Shutterstock, Leo Moynihan, Emma Harrison, Bobbi Brown, Flannels

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Published by O7 Media Ltd. Bartle House, Oxford Court, Manchester, M2 3WQE. Printed by Rowtype Printers Ltd sales@rowtype.co.uk. www.rowtype.co.uk

Terms and conditions:

The Professional Player is solely owned by O7 Media Ltd. All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of O7 Media Ltd. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. The publishers cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of any material, solicited or unsolicited. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or those of the advertisers.

@proplayermag @proplayermag theprofessionalplayer

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PHOTO: IMAGINECHINA/SHUTTERSTOCK

features 18

DeTrafford

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Giuseppe Zanotti

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David Beckham

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Nick Leather

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Akra Hotels

Professional players new partners DeTrafford showcase their award winning luxury property investment portfolio.

Italian fashion designer Giuseppe Zanotti show off their new AW2018 range.

David Fearnhead chronicles the many twists and turns of David Beckham’s bid to bring the MLS back to Miami.

David Fearnhead meets the BAFTA winning Evertonian and discovers how a love of football helps him write the perfect screenplay.

Sit back and relax in Akra five star hotel located in the beautiful Antalya. Picturesque scenery, cocktails, infinity pools are just a few of what this amazing hotel has to offer.

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regulars men’s fashion world’s best... the other half women’s fashion

50 78 105 122

Follow us on twitter at: @proplayermag Facebook: theprofessionalplayer & Instagram: @proplayermag

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WATSUP? Professional Player’s take on who’s saying what in football’s world of social media

Honour in Defeat Harry Kane Very proud to have won the #WorldCup golden boot. Not possible without my teammates and all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. #Eng #ThreeLions Kyle Walker We might live in a time where sometimes it’s easier to be negative than positive, or to divide than to unite, but England: let’s keep this unity alive. I love you.

N’Golo Kanté World Champion

From Russia with love Yannick Bolasie Replying to @ SchneiderlinMo4 Just seen you in the fan zone @SchneiderlinMo4 Victor Moses Off to Russia, Naija all the way

Steve Sidwell Best fans in the world @ England proud Englishman to be there tonight cheering our boys on with my kids Wayne Rooney Gutted. Massive well done to all the lads who have done us all proud, keep your heads held high. This is a great young team with a big big future Alex Scott MBE Gareth Southgate.. walks over to congratulate Croatian players and staff. A man who is Humble in victory and Gracious in defeat Our @england manager,along with the players has made everyone fall back in love with the national team! So much to be proud about!

Reply Retweet Favourite More

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To the Victor the Spoils

Alex Scott MBE Taking it all in today.. because tomorrow the real fun starts!!

‘Let the games begin’ #FifaWorldCup2018 #bbcsport

#fiersdetrebleus

Zlatan Ibrahimovi Let them talk but the game speaks for itself @paulpogba #pogcup #myapprentice #congratsfrance Benjamin Mendy Another one in the bag this year @FIFAWorldCup Henrikh Mkhitaryan Throwback ‘98, “Allez les Bleus” Congratulations to the World Champions! #france #worldcup #football #russia

Simon Mignolet Thanks for choosing a child friendly hotel @BelRedDevils. Haven’t seen @hazardeden10 this happy since he got that ball from @CarrascoY21.

Alfreð Finnbogason Just arrived in Volgograd, well prepared after watching England’s game Olivier Giroud Reply Retweet Favourite More Reply Retweet Favourite More

With friends like these…

Peter Crouch Triple denim is in. There’s no 1D anymore. Meet 3D Shay Given Nice to bump into sergeant Eubank @chriseubanksnr this morning. Great to learn all about your new initiative of going in to school and teaching youngsters the importance of talking/diffusing situations rather than aggression/fighting. Top man.

Laugh and the world laughs with you…

Mesut Özil That moment when you realize your mobile phone battery is on 1% ... #DieMannschaft #Worldcup2018 @DFB_Team

Family Fortunes Danny Ward 25, very lucky to have those i love, remember those who you cherish

Christian Benteke VAR say it was a dive! #WorldCup Rio Ferdinand Me... to Cesc.... Cesc to.... Didier...

Didier Shoots.... Goaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!

Decent spine to the line up this afternoon on @BBCMOTD @didierdrogba

Simon Mignolet Happy birthday mum! Even supporting me whilst revising exams Thanks for everything, my lifelong teacher #mum #birthday

Héctor Bellerín Out here supporting @LewisHamilton

Victor Wanyama Supporting my brother @OgadaOlunga at his tournament in Baba dogo grounds yesterday.

Harry Kane Hands up if you’re looking forward to Sunday. #ThreeLions

Retweet FolloReply w us!

Héctor Bellerín They see me rollin’

Michy Batshuayi Me entering bae’s home when her parents just left ...

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Favourite More

For updates on the world of football and our exclusive partnerships, follow us:

Twitter: @proplayermag Facebook: facebook.com/theprofessionalplay er Instagram: @proplayermag

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GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Autumn/Winter 2018 Men’s Collection ‘ V E R S AT I L E ’ Versatile. This is the adjective which best describes the Giuseppe Zanotti Men’s Autumn/Winter 2018 collection. Defying frameworks and definitions, it breaks traditional rules and instead acquires an eclectic, multi-faceted language which gives a nod to a variety of trend elements.

The spirit of the collection is elegant yet sporty at the same time. Each of the footwear styles expresses individuality, such as the combinable bootie with a feature zip, which can be worn low down, or in a combat biker version with the addition of a detachable band at the top.

The signature characteristics of the brand can be seen in the choice of materials used, the trademark detailing and the iconic accessories. The footwear styles are skillfully combined with rubber soles, ensuring they are always ultra-light and functional.

Within the elegant styles, the soft velvets, embroidery in black sequins adorning the monk-straps and graphic prints with a trompe-l’oeil tone-on-tone effect, all reinterpret the English classics with a modern dandy approach.

The colour palette sees a prevalence of polished black, dark electric blue, mirror gold and silver, and burgundy.

GIUSEPPEZANOTTI.COM/UK

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ABOUT GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Giuseppe Zanotti is an Italian luxury footwear and fashion designer known for his sculptural, jeweled heels and fashion forward sneakers. Through his eponymous label, Giuseppe Zanotti, the Italian-born Zanotti manufactures and distributes women’s, men’s and children’s shoes as well as small leather goods, handbags, jewelry and readytowear. Available in 75 countries worldwide, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes are a red carpet favorite, inspired by and connected to the world of film, music and art.

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The sneakers defy their technical appearance, taking on a luxurious look with stretch velvets in dazzling hues, embroidered socks inspired by the ‘60s tennis trend and polished metallic detailing.

The shift from street style to a more refined look is made with a deliberate approach, which manages the transition of the most sporty footwear into elevated styles complementing every outfit.

GIUSEPPEZANOTTI.COM/UK

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DAVID FEARNHEAD ON ENGLAND’S 2018 WORLD CUP IN RUSSIA

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The Premier League may be the richest football league in the world, but it’s been cited as a problem behind this nations consistent failure at International level. Only around 30% of Premier League players are available to Gareth Southgate.

The dominance of overseas stars is most notable at positions such as goalkeeper. With England’s biggest clubs all opting for foreign talent between the posts, Southgate went for youth with Nick Pope of Burnley the oldest at just 26. Jack Butland, 25, from Stoke, and Jordan Pickford

World Cup. Many had thought the right back’s inclusion was a necessity born from his constant supply of assists to Harry Kane. Yet look through the international press for their best XI of the tournament and it’s Trippier’s name, not Kane’s, which appears.

It was a World Cup in which we saw a generational change in football’s upper order. Even before the World Cup many in Germany were voicing what proved to be legitimate concerns about their team.

Argentina finally answered that question about Lionel Messi being able to carry a team to victory on his own. The answer came back as a negative.

To some extent the same could be said about Portugal and Ronaldo, although Juventus’ latest acquisition was an inspirational talisman at times during those early rounds. Brazil were a disappointment, especially Neymar whose rolling antics got more coverage than anything else he did at the tournament.

For many in Croatia’s experienced squad it was the last role of dice, but for the other semifinalists, youth led the way. France, Belgium and England all awoke a feeling of optimism.

However, one theme which emerged from of Everton. At 24 Pickford proved to be a England’s run that should not be overlooked. revelation and was one of a number of England For the first time in many a tournament, players who would have been unknown to the England looked more like one team and less like casual football observer before Russia. a collection of club cliques that had momentarily Harry Maguire is another who might not have suspended hostilities to play for their country. been a household name yet the former Sheffield Gareth Southgate may have been given the job United and Hull defender kept more experienced earlier than expected, but after Russia 2018 few players such as Chelsea’s Gary Cahill on the would argue against him being the right man at bench. Perhaps the stand out performer was the right time. There’s still a lot of work to do, Kieran Trippier. The 27-year-old from Bury who but if the success of the youth teams is anything cut his teeth in the professional game playing to go on then the future is looking bright for for Barnsley and Burnley had an outstanding England’s young Lions.

PHOTO: MARCO IACOBUCCI EPP / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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hose of a pessimistic persuasion will no doubt argue that England squandered their best chance yet to win a second World Cup. That although they were impressive against the footballing minnows of Panama, they failed at their first real test against Croatia, having needed penalties to get past Colombia. Yet, if this were true why was a nation which almost to a man had realistic if not low expectations suddenly so passionate and hopeful about their team again?

The seeds of England’s success were sown in their youth policy, and a rejection of the Premier League All-Stars selection policy that had blighted England teams of the past.

The annual Montaigu Tournament serves as a sort of mini World Cup comprising of national U16 teams. It’s a competition in which England have had notable recent success, winning the tournament in 2008, 2011, and 2015. At U17 level they won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2010 and 2014, and 2017 saw England teams lift both The FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In that same year England also won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and the U21 side – coached by Gareth Southgate – reached the semis. The current U21 team have qualified top of their group for 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. England’s Women have also excelled finishing bronze medalists in the 2015 World Cup.

PHOTO: MARCO IACOBUCCI EPP / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY A TOURNAMENT, ENGLAND LOOKED MORE LIKE ONE TEAM AND LESS LIKE A COLLECTION OF CLUB CLIQUES”

PHOTO: A.RICARDO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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Miami Price David Fearnhead chronicles the many twists and turns of David Beckham’s bid to bring the MLS back to Miami

Los Angeles

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t was a single clause buried within a thick contract. An extra piece of bait on the line to try and lure in the world’s most marketable footballer. A clause which today is valued at $200 million.

The numbers with Beckham have always been impressive. Estimated shirt and boot sales relating to Beckham during his career totals $1 billion, whilst worldwide sales of MLS merchandise in the period he was with LA Galaxy increased by 231%.

In 2012, his final season in the MLS, he topped the Forbes list of highest earning footballers with total earnings of $50.6 million. Despite a five year exile from the big money leagues of Europe, Beckham was still comfortably ahead of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with Neymar Jr still to play in Europe.

MAY 2 1975

Born in London

JULY 8 1991

Signs for Manchester United as a 16-year-old trainee

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MAY 15 1992

Wins FA Youth Cup with United

SEPT 23 1992

Makes senior debut for United in League Cup

JAN 8 1993

Signs professional terms with United aged 17

Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

When the story broke in early January 2007 that Beckham was coming to America, it made headline news on both sides of the Atlantic. In a stunt worthy of PT Barnum, a bit of creative PR by his management company saw that his initial five-year deal was widely reported to be worth $250 million.

That figure was actually Beckham’s potential full package including commercial endorsements and share of club profits. His real annual salary was just $5 million.

To sweeten the deal the MLS gave him an option to buy an MLS franchise post retirement. In 2007 that option was originally worth $10 million, the fee paid by Toronto when they joined the league in that same year. By 2012 when a new contract was being negotiated, that franchise option had already quadrupled in value, and Beckham signalled he intended to use it.

“He made it very clear to us we have to sort this through, that he is going to exercise his option to be an owner in Major League Soccer,” said Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group who own LA Galaxy.

APRIL 2 1995

Makes Premier League debut

AUG 17 1996

Scores on opening day of PL season by lobbing the keeper from the halfway line

What was surprising to some was that by agreeing to that option LA Galaxy were effectively supporting future competitor. “We have a commitment to help him when that time comes and my guess is that, unless that’s part of the Galaxy, were going to be competing with him on and off the pitch,” said Leiweke.

Their reason for doing so was that unlike the European leagues with their relegation and promotion. The MLS is a single entity league in which teams are franchises. So a stronger more competitive league with bigger stars means more sponsorship, more media coverage, and the ability to demand a higher price from broadcasters. The MLS is stronger with Beckham as a part of it, and a result LA Galaxy benefit too. Just as they benefited from having Beckham on their roster. His signing immediately secured shirt-sponsor Herbalife on a five-year $25 million deal. »

SEPT 1 1996

JUNE 30 1998

Makes England debut.

JAN 25 1998

“Posh and Becks” become tabloid favourites after he becomes engaged to Spice Girl Victoria Adams

PHOTO: JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Goes from hero to zero after he’s red-carded during World Cup clash against Argentina. The backlash goes so far as to see an effigy of Beckham being hung with a noose around its neck outside a London pub

EXCLUSIVE Jeff Hendrick David Beckham

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Number of countries which showed the 2012 MLS Cup final, which David Beckham’s LA Galaxy won, his last game for the club

231%

Increase in worldwide MLS merchandise sales between his first game in 2007 and his last five years later

534

Top-flight league games played

by Beckham across five countries and 19 seasons

10m

Estimated replica Beckham shirts sold throughout his career

£1bn

Estimated shirt and boot sales relating to Beckham during his career

MAR 4 1999

Birth of his first son Brooklyn, reportedly named after where he was conceived

MAY 26 1999

United win the Champions League Final in dramatic fashion scoring late on from two corners both supplied by Beckham

JUL 4 1999

The Beckham’s wed in a lavish ceremony sending the media into Royal Wedding like coverage

NOV 15 2000

Makes the first of his 59 appearances as captain of England

PHOTO: IMAGINECHINA/SHUTTERSTOCK

OCT 6 2001

Scores 93rd minute equaliser against Greece from a free kick securing England’s place in the next World Cup and earning him the moniker “Goldenballs”

APR 10 2002

Metatarsal enters the country’s vernacular as Beckham breaks his with the World Cup just weeks away

APRIL 12 2002

Bend it Like Beckham goes on general release in Cinemas. It goes on to make $76.6 million in worldwide box office takings

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Money Talks

Team Beckham

Stadium

Quite why a franchise in the MLS has ballooned to $200m has a lot to do with the American sports market where soccer is in direct competition with the established sports of American Football, Basketball, Baseball and Ice Hockey. According to Forbes 8 out of the 31 NHL teams are currently losing money. The Arizona Cayotes currently have the biggest operating income losses at $19million, and yet with their current market price at around $300 million, $200 million for an MLS team begins to look like a comparatively better option.

Major League Soccer’s managed expansion may not yet be paying out the big dividends but the long term outlook is promising. Soccer is the fastest growing youth participation sport. It’s now second only to Basketball in terms of participation numbers. If managed correctly we should see a competitive 30 team league. The impact of not qualifying for Russia 2018 was negated by the US being chosen as co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup. They’ll co-host with Mexico, but more importantly Canada who currently have 3 teams in the MLS. Miami is also billed as “the Capital of Latin America” and the traditional association with soccer in Latin and South America is strong. So much so that Beckham and the Miami franchise noticeably use the term “Fútbol” not Soccer or even Football in all their marketing and on their official social media pages. Enticing the local Latino population to come and watch is a key part of their financial strategy and longevity, but also for their authenticity in the city of Miami.

Whilst Beckham is the face of the Miami franchise he’s not doing it alone. Remember Tim Leiweke the former CEO of Galaxy’s owners. After leaving AEG he became president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment who own MLS side Toronto FC. It was Leiweke who played a major role in their key signings of former England striker Jermain Defoe, and Sebastian Giovinco who surprised everyone by switching from Juventus at age 27. Leiweke departed MLSE in late 2015 and is now Beckham’s chief negotiator.

And there is a lot to negotiate.

Miami are still without an official name – though some insiders are suggesting it will be called Miami Freedom. They currently have no players committed to their roster and most troublingly they are still without a stadium or an agreement of where to build one. There’s also been some considerable restructuring of the team. Todd Boehly, co-owner of the LA Dodgers left, and was replaced Miami-based brothers Jorge and José Mas owners of tech company MasTec which has an annual revenue of $5 billion. Marcelo Claure, the Bolivian-American executive chairman of telecommunications giant Sprint has joined.

Claure is also the chairman of Bolivia’s biggest football club, Club Bolívar. Japanese businessman Masayoshi Son whose net worth is $23 billion, and Beckham’s agent and American Idol creator Simon Fuller are also on board. And in late July the news broke that Beckham was on the verge of hiring Atlanta United Vice President Paul McDonough as Miami’s General Manager.

McDonough is no stranger to Florida as he was the Senior VP for Soccer Operations for Orlando City prior to his Atlanta move.

So Beckham has considerable financial clout and experience to go along with his name, but it’s still no guarantee of success. Doug Hanks of The Miami Herald has been covering the stadium saga since the beginning.

“I’ve described it as something like Beckham fatigue,” says Hanks. “His star power will only work for so long before people get tired with all the changes. They are currently on their fifth potential site. We thought it was going to be in Overtown, closer to Downtown Miami, now they’re talking about building on a golf course near the airport.”

That 73-acre site is currently home to the Melreese Country Club and an adjoining park complex.

Beckham’s $1 billion plan is Miami Freedom Park and would include a state of the art 28,000-seat stadium, with attached retail and entertainment venues, plus a 500-room hotel.

Beckham’s team is offering to pay an annual rent of around $3.6 million, plus a further investment of $20m for the parks construction to be fully paid off in 30 years. There’s also a promise of $5 million for city projects and a guaranteed living minimum wage for employees. They will also pay for the environmental clean-up costs to develop on the site which is forecast at $35 million.

City commissioners voted in the summer to put the project’s go ahead to the public vote with a ballot taking place on November 4th.

Hanks believes Beckham can succeed where the previous Miami team failed. “MLS did have a presence here before with the Miami Fusion in the late nineties which only lasted four years, but I think we’re in a new era now.

His star power has been the number one asset. Miami certainly appreciates attention from celebrities. It’s the playground of the famous, so to have one of the top celebrities pick Miami to launch a soccer team has been very appealing.”

SEPT 1 2002

Birth of second son Romeo

JUN 7 2002

In the World Cup England beat Argentina 1-0 with a David Beckham penalty. It’s seen as revenge for his sending off in 1998.

England go on to progress to the Quarter Finals being knocked out by eventual winners Brazil

36

FEB 16 2003

In the dressing room after losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup manager Alex Ferguson kicks a boot in anger which strikes Beckham above the left eye.

Beckham has to be restrained by United team mates. The resultant x marks the spot bandage is plastered all over the front pages signalling his end at United

PHOTO: FEATUREFLASH PHOTO AGENCY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

JUNE 17 2003

Joins the Galácticos of Real Madrid for €35 million (£25M) choosing to wear the number 23 in honour of Basketball legend Michael Jordan

PHOTO: PHOTO WORKS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

AUG 30 2003

Scores within 3 minutes of making his La Liga debut

FEB 20 2005

Birth of third son Cruz David

JAN 11 2007

MLS announce Beckham to join LA Galaxy in the summer

EXCLUSIVE David Beckham

PHOTO: LYNNE SLADKY/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

JAN 7 2009

Joins AC Milan on loan before rejoining Galaxy for the second half of the MLS season

MARCH 10 2010

On his second loan spell at Milan plays against Manchester United at Old Trafford

JULY 9 2011

Scores for LA Galaxy directly from a corner in a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire

JULY 10 2011

Birth of first daughter Harper Seven

JAN 31 2013

Signs for Paris Saint Germain on deadline day, and donates his entire salary to French Children Charities

MAY 12 2013

Wins fourth different top-flight winners’ medal as PSG win Ligue 1. He retires from professional football after PSG’s final home game of the season six days later

PHOTO: LIAM GOODNER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

FEB 5 2014

Signals his intentions to launch a new MLS team in Miami

JAN 29 2018

MLS officially announces Beckham’s Miami as a new team for 2020

37

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Louise Streets

Football’s Finest Garden Design Team UK & EUROPE Garden Design & Planting Creative Maintenance Nursery Sculpture l

l

l

Architectural Plants, Stane Street, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1DJ enquiries@architecturalplants.com 01798 879213

www.architecturalplants.com

39

Architectural Plants and Blue Forest at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May

Let’s be honest, first impressions count. We can have the most impressive property, filled with all the latest gadgets and the finest interior design, but if the surrounding gardens have fallen into disrepair - or, indeed, are non-existent - it can leave our homes looking tired and neglected, writes Luke Nicoli

P

ulling on a pair of football boots and hitting the turf is one thing, but donning a pair of gardening gloves and taking on the green stuff in an entirely different manner can be a daunting prospect – and incredibly time consuming. That’s where the team at Architectural Plants comes in. With a reach that covers the entire country and parts of Europe, the Sussex-based nursery has an award-winning garden design team with over 40 years’ experience.

They can create bespoke spaces that have the ‘wow’ factor which every dream home should have; so whether you’re looking for a complete overhaul, the perfect place for entertaining guests, or planting around existing structures such as treehouses or office buildings, they are unrivalled in the UK.

If magic doesn’t sway you, they make the whole design process unusually straightforward for their clients. “You can be as involved in the job as you like,” Guy adds. “Wherever you are in the UK, we can visit your home and then send you designs and photos via e-mail, so everything can be agreed without you making a trip to us. Or, if you’d prefer, we can come and collect you from your home and take you to the nursery, where you can make a day of choosing plants with the whole family on our 32-acre site. We’ll provide lunch and a glass of local bubbles, and there’s plenty to keep the children entertained.”

Just as fashion and interior design are constantly changing, so are horticultural trends, and Architectural Plants lead the way. “We’re trying Architectural Plants already boast a number of highout new things all the time – we enjoy the challenge profile clients, due to its long-standing reputation and of creating something different,” Guy points out. ever-simple underlying ethos. “All you need for a great “A lot of our stock is homegrown, so you won’t find garden is a great design, and that’s what we offer time it anywhere else in the country. We have trees after time,” explains Managing Director, Guy Watts. that we have nurtured for over 20 years, as well as “Whether you’re after a whole new garden, or simply many tropical varieties that we have imported from need a few well-placed, impeccably sculpted trees overseas. Our designs are totally bespoke, which to make your current space your own, we offer bold, means they can’t be copied. This is part of the unique designs. There’s always a twist, a final magic reason our client base continues to grow touch, which you won’t find anywhere else.” so quickly.”

40

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Guy, a keen football fan with Tottenham Hotspur tendencies, boasts his own sporting prowess, having become a Guinness World Record holder as part of a two-man team that rowed across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius.

“We broke two records: the first pair to row between the two countries and, as a result, the fastest – in 112 days,” he reveals. “The preparation took two years; we were training for 12 hours

PHOTO: BLUE FOREST

Wherever you are in the UK, we can visit your home and then send you designs and photos via e-mail, so everything can be agreed without you making a trip to us”

a day and it was completely different to anything we had done before – we headed out into the unknown.”

It certainly seems that this sporting discipline and desire to succeed has contributed to Architectural Plants’ success. “My past achievements have inevitably led to the natural affinity

I have with successful sportsmen,” Guy says. “Personal relationships are hugely important to us. It’s about developing long-lasting relationships; we not only want to create gardens that are an instant source of pride, we also want to continue to offer consultation for many years, as the garden matures and flourishes.”

To find out more, visit www.architecturalplants.com or contact Guy directly on 07887 766300 or e-mail guy@architecturalplants.com Twitter @ArchiPlants | Instagram @archiplants

41

THE ULTIMATE HIDEOUT FOR ANY CHEEKY MONKEY (YOUNG OR OLD) 42

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Bespoke Design and Build Treehouses, Playhouses and Elevated Platforms From simple elevated cabins to a complex maze of rope bridges and tree top hideaways we can design and build the tree houses of your dreams. Whether it’s a fort for a teenager, a peaceful hideaway where you can enjoy the summer days, or a cosy den to disappear to during the cold winter months, we construct tree houses to suit whichever stage of life you’re at.

For more information call:

+44 (0) 1403 732 452 or visit:

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.com

Commercial and International commissions welcomed.

43

Blue Sky Thinking David Fearnhead speaks to Andrew Delaney of Cheeky Monkey Treehouses to find out why their treehouses are becoming the must-have trend for royalty and celebrities alike. happy to oblige with any request.”

And you don’t even need to have a Tree in your garden, says Andrew. “Probably about 40 - 50% of our builds have not really got trees involved.

With a treehouse there is always element of risk because it is outside, but each build is watertight and fully insulated. There is a lot of weight in the structures and that’s down to safety. We probably put more support beams in than is actually necessary. We can also offer an annual maintenance and a structural check as an extra.”

I

t began as a hobby, something to do whilst the kids were at school and the wife was at work. Yet from a little workshop in the corner of his garden, Mark Pollecutt, along with business partner Andrew Delaney, began on a journey that would see them working for royalty of both the traditional and rock star variety.

“When Mark’s two boys, Ross and Joe were young, and he decided to build them a treehouse,” says Andrew. “It wasn’t started with the idea of it becoming a business, but parents of the boys’ friends began to ask if Mark could build one for them too.”

Delaney first met Mark through rowing. Both are former junior Internationals for Great Britain.

Mark had been Andrew’s coach, and Andrew had been a reliable babysitter when Ross and Joe were little.

“I ended up helping Mark build treehouses when I was still at College. It was just a couple of days a week, a bit of pocket money, but then demand grew. One of the boys school friends was the son of a member of Pink Floyd. We built a big one for him and used a photograph of it when I designed a website and brought in some advertising.”

Fifteen years on Cheeky Monkey Treehouses are the preeminent treehouse builders with more than forty builds a year all over the globe. Amongst their

44

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Made from solid timber each treehouse is bespoke and built to the individual plans drawn up in consultation with their clients. Nothing is built without the approval of the clients, and often even the children themselves. clients are the royal families in Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Greece, European Heads of State, the Getty family, international financiers, Greek shipping tycoons, an Oscar-winning actress, a James Bond director, and a former Liverpool striker.

“It’s getting the design right first of all and then the guys can take that and build it into life.

Only the doors and windows are built offsite, everything else is built on location to the client’s exact specifications.”

Whilst those first builds were trial and error, their designs have been now been perfected to the point that the only limit is the imagination of their clients. “With the team we have there is probably around 20 years experience in building treehouses,” says Andrew. “If they want it, we can build it. We’ve put air-conditioning in a treehouse before, lights, underfloor heating, even log fires. We’ll get subcontractors in to do plumbing and electrical work if that’s what’s required. We can do all that, it’s really blue sky thinking. Our guys are very good craftsman, for instance one of them is a cabinet maker so we’re talking about intricate woodwork detailing on some part of the internals. We’re more than

There’s no job too ambitious. Their largest build to date was for a client in Oxfordshire. Built around a huge Oak Tree from expensive solid oak, the two-tier structure measured 7x8 metres and cost £150,000. It took three and a half months to complete but a normal treehouse will take between 2-4 weeks to construct.

Andrew is keen to stress that a good portion of their treehouses are for adults too, with many clients looking for an outdoor office or study.

They also build outdoor classrooms for schools and many of their builds are not used for luxury camping known colloquially as ‘glamping’.

When it comes to treehouses, as Andrew puts it, “Anything is possible.”

For more information call:

+44 (0) 1403 732 452 or visit:

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.com

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TOGETHER WITH

KING STREET TOWNHOUSE & HARVEY NICHOLS MANCHESTER LAUNCH THE

ULTIMATE LUXURIOUS PACKAGE ‘STAY & SHOP’

Luxurious, exclusive and indulgent... raise a toast to this brand new experience brought to you by King Street Townhouse Together With Harvey Nichols, Manchester.

The ‘Stay & Shop’ package is based on two people sharing a room and includes: • Overnight stay in a Cosy room at King Street Townhouse with breakfast the following morning • Champagne Afternoon Tea at King Street Townhouse on either your day of arrival or day of departure • £100 Harvey Nichols Gift Card in your room

• Harvey Nichols Style Concierge At Your Service, offering the ultimate personal shopping experience (for up to two hours) • A complimentary cocktail at the Harvey Nichols Second Floor Bar and Brasserie to celebrate your new purchases

*Subject to availability. Offer available throughout 2018.

• £50 towards dinner for two in The Tavern at King Street Townhouse on the night of your stay • 12 noon check-out the following day Price: Sunday to Thursday £400* Friday and Saturday £450*

King Street Townhouse, located within the upper King Street Conservation Area of Manchester city centre, is an impressive Italian renaissance building, designed by local architect Edward Salomons and originally built in 1872 for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank. The Eclectic Hotel Collection respectfully expanded on the allure and unique qualities of this historic building with a baby grand hotel providing the need for new contemporary accommodation in the area.

Also available...

At Your Service In Association With Harvey Nichols, Manchester Exclusive Harvey Nichols in-store services available to all our hotel guests on request: • Style Concierge (in-room style consultation) • Same day hotel delivery • Out of hours shopping • Garment alterations • Guest gifting

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TOGETHER WITH

GREAT JOHN STREET HOTEL & ROSSO RESTAURANT LAUNCH THE

ULTIMATE DECADENT PACKAGE ‘INDULGENT SUITE RETREAT’

Raise a glass of Champagne and toast to the hottest NEW collaboration in town. From Manchester’s sexiest hotel and the city’s swankiest restaurant comes the most sought-after experience in the city… Indulgent Suite Retreat; Great John Street Hotel Together With Rosso.

Escape reality and adorn yourself in 5-star service with this decadent, luxurious and totally Eclectic package: The ‘Indulgent Suite Retreat’ package includes: •O ne-night stay in an Eclectic Grand Suite at Great John Street Hotel with breakfast the following morning • A fternoon Tea at Great John Street Hotel (day of arrival or departure)

• C ocktail, beer, glass of House Wine or Champagne in the Oyster Bar at Great John Street Hotel •A ddison Lee car to Rosso •A n indulgent, three course dinner* at Rosso

• T hen, ‘begin’ the night as you please exploring Manchester…

Price: Sundays to Thursdays £400** Fridays to Saturdays £450**

Only a stone’s throw from Manchester’s most exclusive shopping areas, restaurants and theatres, Great John Street Hotel is the city’s most luxurious townhouse hotel with unique, individually designed bedrooms and suites alongside stylish lounges such as the ground floor Oyster Bar and the southfacing Rooftop Lounge and Playground.

A favourite amongst Manchester’s elite and city dwellers, Great John Street Hotel is a city centre haven perfect for relaxation and play…

Rosso, Rio Ferdinand’s restaurant, stands proudly at the top of the prestigious King Street and is well known for its excellent Italian food, great service and electric atmosphere. Decadent, luxurious and steeped in history, Great John Street Hotel and Rosso form the perfect, decadent, Eclectic partnership.

TO BOOK:

Call 0161 831 3211 or book online at: www.greatjohnstreet.co.uk *Drinks not included. Gift card for £50 per person. **Subject to availability June 2018 to September 2018

49

THE K EY

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PIECE S FOR

AW18 FOR

HIM

Top row L-R GUCCI New Ace Embroidered Bee Trainers - £405 11473601 GIVENCHY Logo T Shirt - £569 59993103 STONE ISLAND Badge Sleeve Sweatshirt - £180 52272019 GIVENCHY Star Print T Shirt - £325 59993403 GUCCI Tiger Jacquard Zip Sweatshirt - £1,130 55436222 Middle row L-R GUCCI Fake Logo Feline T Shirt - £529 59993701 VALENTINO Camouflage Zip Sweatshirt - £849 55437616 NEIL BARRETT Bruta T Shirt - £249 59864903 GUCCI Tiger Jacquard Jogging Bottoms - £779 51108622 Bottom row L-R DOLCE AND GABBANA Royal King Baseball T Shirt - £345 59185001 OFF WHITE Off 3.0 Trainers - £485 11439301 VALENTINO Camouflage Jogging Bottoms - £729 49202216

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

51

L-R MONCLER Basile Sliders - £160 22229401 VILEBREQUIN Pique Polo Shirt - £80 54207201 POLO RALPH LAUREN Us Sail Flag Swim Shorts - £175 35242399 GIVENCHY Logo Swim Shorts - £325 35120903 VERSACE Greco Swimming Shorts - £295 35227265 VILEBREQUIN Moorea Swim Shorts - £125 35224601 GUCCI Bee Star Swim Shorts - £380 35226803 VALENTINO Drawstring Swim Shorts - £290 35226716 MCM Visetos Sliders - £195 22202808

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MENS S UMMER SHOP

L-R DSQUARED2 Baseball Icon Cap - £110 39177961 GUCCI Gg Canvas Cap - £190 39103622 GUCCI Stripe Drawstring Bag - £629 71548508 DOLCE AND GABBANA King Print Sliders - £319 22215503 PLEIN SPORT Logo Sliders - £65 22230608 GUCCI Web Sliders - £180 11452803 GUCCI Gg0292s Aviator Frame Sunglasses - £355 75949290 DIOR HOMME 0220s Sunglasses - £300 75685190 DIOR HOMME Master Sunglasses - £279 75687590

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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LOGOLUXE 54

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GIVENCHY Broken Logo Hooded Sweatshirt £599 53248003

HELMUT LANG Logo T Shirt - £149 59995001

VALENTINO Vltn Baseball Cap £235 39179503

DOLCE AND GABBANA Contrast Logo Sweatshirt - £645 52804348

DOLCE & GABBANA Sorrento Trainers £515 11049140

BUSCEMI 100mm High Top Trainers £645 11557403

OFF WHITE Camouflage T Shirt £250 59411999

GIVENCHY Paris T Shirt £295 59993201

VALENTINO Vltn Tape Zip Sweatshirt £1,100 52834303

HELMUT LANG Logo Hooded Sweatshirt £289 53249803

GUCCI Ace Logo Trainers £445 11500301

GIVENCHY Logo Knit Jumper £529 55922603

GUCCI Fake Logo Feline Sweatshirt £869 52228903

DSQUARED2 Multi Tape Logo T Shirt £169 59998001

HELMUT LANG Logo Cuffed Joggers £299 48819503

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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THE

BOYS EDIT

1. GUCCI Boys Tiger Face Polo Shirt £160 54827101 2. BURBERRY LONDON Boys Noel Polo Shirt £80 31301501 3. GUCCI Boys Fake Logo Hooded Sweatshirt £210 53816522 4. DOLCE & GABBANA Boys Logo Strip Trainers £275 03342430 5. GUCCI Boys Bee Slip On Trainers £210 03319303

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BURBERRY LONDON Burberry Daryll T £50 31404318

DOLCE & GABBANA Boys Crown Hooded Sweatshirt £155 31207822

BURBERRY LONDON Boys Fred Shirt £140 31419713

STONE ISLAND Boys Badge Hooded Sweatshirt £125 53000722

STONE ISLAND Boys Long Sleeved Patch T Shirt £67 59146201

DOLCE & GABBANA Boys King T Shirt £145 31436740

STONE ISLAND Boys Badge Jogging Bottoms £112 48204422

GUCCI Boys Sport Webbed Jacket £270 63803622

GUCCI Boys Sport Cuff Joggers £195 51802622

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

57

Interview

Mills&bloom He’s played in a Champions League semi-final for Leeds United and represented England at the World Cup in 2002, but when Danny Mills’ career ended prematurely through injury at Manchester City, his life reached the crossroads sooner than expected.

So began a move into the media which has since flourished, while he has also successfully dipped his toe into a number of business ventures. Luke Nicoli caught up with the former right-back to find out the secrets behind his post-playing success…

I

suffered a knee injury playing for Manchester City at the age of 30 and was forced to retire two years later... so I had to re-evaluate my life plan. I already had a property portfolio, which was going to be my pension, and I had done bits in the media in that two-year period leading up to my retirement, so that was an avenue that I wanted to explore further. I actually did my first Match of the Day in 2003, an FA Cup semi-final, then I started doing radio and TV for the BBC, bits for Sky, and it was a case of building my CV up so I was in a good position by the time I finally called time on my playing career.

I then started doing plenty of Bolton v Blackburn type games on a Tuesday night, with lots of travelling up and down the country, often for not a lot of financial reward, but you’ve got to start at the bottom and work your way up. Now I’m at a reasonable level; I’m not Lampard, Gerrard or Shearer, a name of that ilk, but I’m good enough to do what I do.

Ingham, people who gave me some really positive feedback and advice, likewise Martin Tyler, who I have worked with for Premier League Productions.

It quickly became evident that whether you’re on the radio or TV, you’ve got to understand who your audience is, what they want to hear, and I always have that in mind. When I worked at Setanta Sports in Ireland, for example, 90 per cent of their audience are Liverpool or Manchester United fans,

League finals, and it’s a privilege to give my opinion on such prestigious worldwide events. You obviously build up personal relationships within the media world as you go, so although I use an agent or two on an ad hoc basis, who will offer me certain things, I’m fortunate to be in a position where I get approached direct for the majority of my work. This means I can manage myself, my diary, my timetable and travel etc.

I always say what I feel... that’s just the way I am, but it’s worked for me. I can be critical at times but it’s always a measured criticism, not just ‘he was rubbish’ or ‘he’s had a shocker’. I will always analyse why someone’s made a mistake, why they’ve had a poor game, so if you’re overly critical on those two teams, for and that way it’s less personal. It doesn’t always the sake of being controversial, you start to lose tick the right boxes for certain organisations but the audience. If you lose the audience, you lose the people want to hear opinions. That’s why I like my work and you don’t get paid. old Middlesbrough team-mate Gareth Southgate at I didn’t want to work for one broadcaster... because the moment; he’s quite happy to be a bit flippant, be a little bit sarcastic. He says to the press, ‘if you for me that gets a little bit boring. Variety is key to keeping it fresh, so once I started gaining experience want to take it out of context, that’s up to you. You I improved, my name was out there and I was able to all know how it’s meant’ and he has gained respect pick and choose my games. This has been the fourth back from the media for that. He’s open, honest World Cup I’ve covered, I’ve worked on Champions and has integrity.

“I didn’t want to work for one broadcaster... because for me that gets a little bit boring”

I learnt from some really good people at the BBC... the likes of Ian Dennis, John Murray, Mike

58

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Danny Mills

Radio is a lot more free... and I love it because you a pundit, I believe he had a touchscreen in his house, working with it on a daily basis to make can be more expressive. If the game’s dull you can go off topic, whereas on TV you have to be specific, sure he was fluid. People think you just rock up and go live to air and while you might get away say what you see and try to add something to it. with that once or twice, if you don’t know your With radio, we might talk about the town we’re stuff, you’ll get found out. There are no excuses in, a night out with the fans beforehand or give a either, as everything’s on an ipad, on an app, flavour of the surroundings. For me it’s good to all the information’s out there for you. All you have a mix of everything though; a bit of TV, a bit of radio, local broadcasters, national broadcasters, ever need to do is top it up. As you’ve consumed foreign broadcasters, and just mix it up and enjoy. a lot of games, much of the info is already in your head, so your prep is just to re-affirm what The moment I stop enjoying it is the moment you know, so you can add something different to call it a day because if I’m bored, then people if you’re co-commentating or pull out the odd listening or watching me will soon get bored. nugget if you’re being interviewed on TV. There is always work out there if you want it...

The flexibility in my media work means I can but it’s also important not to be arrogant enough pursue other interests as well... so I still run to price yourself out of the market – it makes my property business, while I’m also involved in bad business sense. Sometimes the fees can be a private equity firm, Endless, where I sit on the quite low, but if it’s two or three hours’ work with board for Enact and invest, along with the other a little bit of prep needed, it all adds up. When I started out there was the BBC, ITV had a little bit of football, Talksport and Sky, but that was it.

Now you’ve got Premier League Productions, lots of foreign broadcasters, I’ve taken roles as BT Sport... football 24/7, a consultant and with broadcasters not just covering English a non-executive football but La Liga, Ligue director in certain 1, Serie A, MLS and the Bundesliga. Obviously ventures, which the big names, the likes has been extremely of Shearer, Lampard, Gerrard and Rio have the interesting” big games sewn up when it comes to TV studio work, so you need to understand what your level is, what high net worths, in distressed businesses, and you’re good at, stick at it and keep working hard. help to turn them around [the company’s most On TV, I would say the viewing public make high-profile success story was making a £33m their mind up on a person... between four and seven seconds - it’s why people channel hop - that’s return on the sale of a Lancashire printing firm to FTSE 100 giant Mondi, a massive 9.5x it. There’s no rhyme or reason to it; it might be what they wear, the sound of their voice, so you’ve return in under three years, that’s 950 per cent]. That has further got to adhere to certain rules. I learned very early heightened my business acumen on at the BBC that you have to try and keep up with fashion, but don’t try and set fashion. If you’re and I’ve taken roles as a consultant extreme and out there, you divide opinion. People and a non-executive director in have then lost interest in what you are saying certain ventures, which has been because they’re focusing on what you are wearing. extremely interesting. The Enact It’s bizarre but because it’s visual, the medium of Fund 1 has just been disbursed back TV is super powerful. It’s weird how people focus to investors giving them a return on what colour socks or shoes you wear! of 4.2x on their investment in just over three years - that’s 420 per Preparation is vital... take Gary Neville for cent, where the bank might have example. He’s very good at what he does on Sky but it’s not by chance. When he first got the job as given you three per cent at best.

My latest venture is The Coaching Manual... a new app and website aimed at grassroots coaches, which is the brainchild of ex-Carlisle United apprentice Chris Barton and his brother Terry.

Dads, mums, volunteers, they do their coaching badges, turn up two nights a week, but get no real support, so we’ve put together 2,000 sessions, via videos and animations, along with coaching plans, season plans, all sorts of information. We used Southampton’s academy to film all our content so the quality is incredibly high and Les Reed [Southampton’s vice-chairman] has been a big help. There is a monetary value to it, of course, but for me it’s about giving something back, especially at grassroots level. For the coach who has been working all day and has suddenly got a session to put on in the evening, he or she can open up our app, click on a page and there will be a passing drill for example, with video and animation to explain it in very simplistic terms, and how to set it up. All that info is at hand in one place, so it’s a no brainer for any coach who wants to make a session more fun, more engaging for those taking part.

We’re now at the stage where we’ve had a soft launch... and the response has been very positive.

Chris and Terry came to me as I’ve been involved in the game, but also with my experience in business, I’ve been able to pull in other investors and we’ve now got the investment to take it to the next level.

I’ve brought in people I know, specialists in their field, and we’ve had lots of meetings with Premier League clubs recently regarding new content, while we’ve also been out to the States to make a presentation to LA Galaxy. It’s a pleasure to be involved with such a good business model, that has good morals and is trying to do the right thing. For the premium package content, the most you can pay is just over a pound a week, so if this relatively small layout can provide coaches with the base to make their players better and have more fun in their sessions, that’s all you want to hear.

For more, visit www.thecoachingmanual.com

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Interview

Gary Rowett

On May 22nd, Gary Rowett was unveiled as the new manager of Stoke City. Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn had a front row seat at the bet365 Stadium in June to see and listen at close hand to Rowett’s plans for The Potters, and to look at the dynamics of a manager’s first press conference.

I

t’s 11am, Thursday June 7th, and it’s a beautiful sunny day in The Potteries.

I’m at the bet365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City, and making my way up to their Media Suite. I’m at Gary Rowett’s first press conference after he was announced two weeks earlier as the new manager of The Potters.

Stoke City’s relegation from the Premier League a few weeks beforehand saw them part company with manager Paul Lambert. And while Gary Rowett became the club’s third manager in four months, The Potters are seen as a stable, extremely well-run football club, with the ex-Derby County boss becoming only their fourth manager in the last twelve years.

As a defender, Rowett played in the Premier League for Everton, Derby County, Leicester City and Charlton Athletic, and since taking the Burton Albion hotseat in 2012 his managerial career has seen him move around The Midlands – to Birmingham, Derby, and now around 35 miles along the A50, to Stoke. Rowett signed a three year deal with his new employers before jetting off on a pre-arranged family break – hence the belated press conference, but I’m here to hear what the 44 year old has to say about his new role.

The room is full of local and national media people, all keen to get the lowdown on the Rowett era at the bet365 Stadium. The room starts filling up, with many only too happy to take in some oatcakes filled with cheese, or sausage and cheese (oatcakes being the local delicacy), along with bacon and sausage sandwiches, and various hot drinks. I chat to several people I know, from the media and the football club, about the unveiling of Rowett and the season ahead. As a supporter of the club, I’m especially keen to hear what our new manager has to say, and I quickly get my position on the front row, as various journalists place their dictaphones and mobiles on the table in front of us.

Behind us are cameramen from various media outlets, and at 11.30am, the new manager of Stoke City walks into the room wearing the club’s new purple and black tracksuit, alongside The Potters’ Head of Media and Communications, Fraser Nicholson.

The first part of the press conference involves general questions from the assembled throng. I was keen to look at the new manager’s body language and how he answered the questions as much as his

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answers, and I must admit, Gary Rowett came across very impressively. He looked each questioner fully in the eye throughout the questions and spoke with warmth, knowledge and a confidence that I was looking for as a fan.

The manager’s move from Derby to Stoke was instantly picked up on, with Rowett answering in a straightforward, forthright style...

“I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and the season ahead. You always look at what is ahead of you, and I am planning in putting things in place that ensures that this club is very competitive.

There’s an awful lot of hard work in front of us and it’s never as simple as bouncing straight back up”, he stated, before continuing, “The Championship is a league where any side can beat any other and it’s going to be even harder next season. We want to be in the Premier League and there are certain elements you need on the pitch to be successful.”

The move here came about quickly. I had a big decision to make: Did I want this challenge and did I want this opportunity? And the answer was yes!

The ambition here is huge and that was a factor. I’ve had a really warm welcome and I am excited about what we can achieve together. I will have a chance to mould a squad together here, which really excites me. I want to get promotion – it is as simple as that.”

Attention to detail in the off-season can be overlooked by some when looking at the lifestyles of manager and players, but Rowett explained that his family holiday at the end of May wasn’t a time to switch off from football. He commented how he regularly got up at 6am to work whilst on holiday, and indeed watched any number of Stoke games from last season whilst away. Indeed, he even bumped into Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross in a supermarket whilst away!

Everyone there was keen to find out just what type of manager and person Stoke City now had in charge. We gained an insight into the persona of Rowett and managers in general.

“I am a learner and always looking to get better”, he explained. “I don’t have a specific way of playing or doing things and make decisions based on my assessment of the group and individual players. It’s important for the team to grow but also that I keep getting better as a manager, too. “ After a decade in the Premier League, it’s fair to say that The Potters’ style of play changed somewhat during that time. Just what kind of team will Stoke City fans be getting in the coming months? Rowett immediately picked up on the partisan, vociferous support at the bet365 Stadium (“We want and need to produce a team that the fans want to get behind. The support here is incredible and this is a really exciting season for us”) and also on his own style of play (“It’s about having to evolve. You have to be flexible and you always want to play in a more complete way”).

After relegation, Stoke City will be one of the preseason favourites for promotion this coming season.

And as I type this, the club have already brought in Benike Afobe and Nigerian World cup midfielder Oghenekaro Peter Etebo, and Welsh midfield star Joe Allen has just signed a new contract – a real statement of The Potters’ and Rowett’s intent. So, what kind of player does Rowett think is needed in The Championship compared to The Premier League?

“We know how hard The Championship is and so we need players who can understand the intensity of the division. I suppose it’s about making sure that the players have the right hunger and drive to succeed”, he answered, before adding, “I want players who are driven, unselfish and want to be successful. They need to be good enough to play in the Premier League, too.

It’s good that some players have come out and stated publicly that they want to atone for what happened last season and that can only be a positive for us.”

After half an hour or so of fielding questions, the main press conference ended. Rowett went into a side room where he fielded questions from radio and then the written media (I was in this session). It gave us the chance to not only think and chat about what we had just seen and heard, but also to feast upon more of Staffordshire’s finest savouries!

The second meeting with the manager was a slightly more relaxed and informal gathering than before, but Rowett was also equally as impressive as before.

He spoke honestly about his time at each club and went further into some of the answers he’d given before regarding his aims and objectives for the season ahead and why he came to Stoke. The local media asked questions to inform and feedback to their readership later that day, whilst others looked

Rowett I Predict a

“What I can guarantee Stoke City fans is that they will have a team that will work incredibly hard for the badge and the shirt”

at various other angles for their content, such as the new manager’s pre-season plans and budget. It was an intriguing twenty five minutes or so, and once again I was heartened as a supporter, never mind as a football writer, to hear the conviction in Gary Rowett’s voice and his positive body language. It bodes well.

My main question to Rowett came from the angle of being a Stoke City supporter for more than four decades. After introducing myself, welcoming the manager to our football club, and stating hnow excited Stoke fans were by the appointment, I asked the new Stoke supremo just what we, the fans, could expect when we walk out for our opening fixture on August 5th and how he could tap into that excitement...

“One great way to build on excitement from the fans is to sign players who get the fans excited, and we’ll be looking to do that”, Rowett explained. “I want to match the expectation of the fans and will look to put out a team that is mobile and athletic, and will work incredibly hard all over the pitch.

I’m not the sort of manager who wants his players overly bothered about focussing on one area of the pitch, stats or even how we look at times – I’m bothered about winning games of football. I want to attack quickly and incisively, but we need to know there are different ways of playing during games. It’s about balance...

The balance of being pragmatic and horrible to play

against but also one that is exciting going forward, too. But what I can guarantee Stoke City fans is that they will have a team that will work incredibly hard for the badge and the shirt”.

All that was left, was for the assembled press to attend the obligatory holding-the-shirt-up photograph opportunity that was housed in the main stand seats afterwards.

I left the bet365 Stadium with a positive impression of both how Stoke City professionally and smoothly sorted out the logistics of the press conference day; with plenty of food for thought about the new season ahead; and with an affirmation of my love for Staffordshire oatcakes!

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Interview

Turning a

new Page He’s captained Watford in the Premier League and played over 40 times for Wales, so how did Rob Page then find the transition from player to coach to manager? Luke Nicoli sat down with the current Wales under-21 boss to find out more… needed a youth-team coach, offered me the position and I jumped at it. I had a squad of 16 players and that gave me an opportunity to make my mistakes I’ve always had leadership qualities, from my there and not be judged on them so much. You’ve days as an apprentice at Watford, right through still got to create a winning mentality and develop to hanging up my boots at 35, but it wasn’t until I was at Coventry City, at the age of 30, that I started players for the first-team but you also have time taking my coaching badges and soon got the bug. I’ve to develop as a coach as well. Sometimes I’d be left spoken to a couple of ex-team-mates since who said with 13 players if Micky needed two or three boys that if any of us would have gone into management for his sessions, and then you had to think on your it would be me. I’ve always had the characteristics to feet. Within six months, Micky had me with the first-team on matchdays, where I was now standing lead by example, although that’s no guarantee that in the technical area, alongside a guy who’s had a you’ll be a success as a coach or manager. wealth of experience in the Premier League, and won You followed Micky Adams from Coventry countless promotions. I got to see how he managed to become his assistant at Port Vale, so was that games, when he made substitutions and why he an important stepping stone? made substitutions, and that was invaluable.

It provided the perfect transition. I knew I wanted to go into management but didn’t want to be thrown You later replaced Micky as manager – a sea-change from being a player, isn’t it? straight in the deep end as the stats show that It was hard to begin with. As a player, you’d often be when you’re a first-time manager and fail, the odds are stacked against you getting another job. Micky finished by 1pm, whereas my day now didn’t finish As a captain, was moving into coaching a natural progression for you?

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until five in the afternoon, after I’d looked at other games and maybe had a meeting with our hands-on chairman to keep him in the loop - and that’s before I went out watching our next opponents. Within two or three weeks of the job I remember an agent phoning me at 10pm on a Saturday night and I bit his head off. I wasn’t use to this; I was at home with the family and trying to unwind. However, I soon realised that this was the norm, that agents will try and get hold of you at any hour. I quite enjoy that side of the game though; dealing with agents, players and trying to get the deals sorted.

How did you get on at Vale Park?

My task was to keep the side in League One and we managed that with a couple of games to spare. I didn’t have any coaches so had to promote from within, with Dean Glover, Mark Grew and our scout George Foster playing a big part in our survival. That summer I did bring in my own staff: John Harbin as performance coach and Paul Bodin as assistant manager, and we made eight or nine signings. We finished 12th on a budget that was probably bottom three in the division, but the chairman then wanted to cut the budget rather than invest further and I didn’t agree with that. I wanted to push on, to improve on 12th so when Northampton showed an interest, I moved there following Chris Wilder’s departure.

Rob Page

In hindsight, was it the right move to make?

It was the next logical step for me. It was a club on the up, having just won promotion convincingly under Chris – who is now doing a fantastic job at Sheffield United. I was tasked with getting 31 points

by January 1, which I achieved, and we also beat West Brom in the League Cup, which set up another home tie with Manchester United. The one thing I would change, in hindsight, was being stronger with the chairman in terms of recruitment. I had three or four players I wanted to bring in and should have pushed harder for them. The fact that we didn’t bring them in meant I couldn’t play the way I wanted to, so had to adapt to the players we had. A couple of results didn’t go my way and I ended up getting the sack, but it’s always important to get the players in you want and the owners trusting your opinion.

You spent time playing for Neil Warnock, so what’s his secret?

I had three years as Neil’s captain at Sheffield United – and his man-management is second to none. I actually went down to Cardiff to shadow Neil, Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson last preseason and when it came to the running sessions, it was refreshing to see them doing the same 400 yard hurdle runs that we had done 15 years earlier.

Don’t get me wrong, football’s evolved and it’s changing every day, but some of the old values never change, with Neil also taking the 11 v 11 from inside the pitch that day and simplifying the coaching for the players. Yes, we need the sports science side to the game and all the analysis for example, but there’s still a place for the old ethos of working hard and testing players mentally.

You also played for Graham Taylor, Kenny Jackett, Mark Hughes and John Toshack, so have you taken elements from them all and added them to your own coaching style?

You look back at the different coaching sessions you’ve had down the years, likewise the coaching courses you’ve been on, then take the best bits and add them to your own sessions – but it’s important every drill is done for a reason and that it has an end product behind it. What has changed now is the greater emphasis placed on the opposition, thanks to the analysis side of the game and formulating a plan during the week to counteract the opposition’s strengths – that’s something you have to implement in your coaching sessions during any given week.

Players do get bored, so is it important to mix sessions up?

I was the same as a player; I knew that if I was coming in on a Thursday, we’d be doing the same session as we’d done every other Thursday and it became monotonous and boring, so while the

structure of the week doesn’t change, you need to keep mixing up the detail of the sessions. You’ve got to work players hard, test them physically and mentally, but not have them knowing exactly what they’re doing every single day. It’s important to test them and offer them something different.

After a brief spell assisting Jack Lester and Gary Brazil at Nottingham Forest last season, you got the Wales job. Tell us more about it...

My official title is Wales intermediate manager, where I oversee the under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides – while also being the coach of the latter. My targets are two-fold: to qualify for the elite tournaments, while also producing players for the senior Wales squad. For any coach at this level, you have a predicament where you need your best players to enable you to have the best chance of qualifying for the big tournaments, but often you have a weakened side as the senior squad would have taken some of your players. For instance, I could still have Ethan Ampadu, Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson, Chris Mepham and David Brooks in my squad, but they’ve all moved up recently.

That’s something you accept because the ultimate aim is to provide players for the senior side, to give them a better chance of qualifying for major tournaments; then the finances that come off the back of that can be drip-fed back into the trust, to provide the facilities we need to keep developing these players at youth level.

Is it important the younger players get used to playing different formations?

Absolutely. Recently we had an under-17s camp and we played Scotland, who played a diamond against us, and we couldn’t cope.

Two days later we played them

again; this time they changed to a 3-5-2 and more problems occurred for us in that game too. One of my arguments to the committee, which they backed me on, was to get more training in for the lads – a two-day training camp to get three sessions in – and it has been very, very beneficial and brilliant to see the players working out the problems for themselves.

Then, if we’re not getting the right answers, we as coaches can step in and help.

When the players are back with their clubs, what is your working week like?

Rob Edwards coaches the under-17s, Paul Bodin the under-19s, and the three of us will be watching players at those levels all the time. On a Monday I’ll be out watching predominantly under-23 fixtures, Tuesdays will be spent watching any of my under21s if they are playing in first-team fixtures, then Wednesdays will be spent watching more under23s fixtures and I’ll be watching first-team games on a Saturday. There are always youth team games to watch on a Sunday - so it’s a busy job and you can easily pick six games a week to go and watch.

Do you have a good relationship with Ryan Giggs?

Yes, he’s very much pro youth and will speak to me regularly to ask how my players are doing. He recently had four or five of my under-21s with him at a training camp in LA, prior to the friendly with Mexico, and we also had a three-day camp at the end of last season where ten of his Championship players came in, along with six of my under-21s, giving him a chance to see what’s coming through and where I could feed him information about the players. I also spent three days with the senior squad in Cardiff, just to see how Ryan and his assistant Albert [Stuivenberg] operate and the attention to detail was brilliant; in fact it’s second to none and definitely bodes well for the future.

Fave moment as player? Best club player played with?

Walking the Wembley steps a winner following Watford’s PlayOff final win against Bolton in 1999 – I’m still the only Watford captain to win at Wembley.

Best Premier League memory?

Beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.

They had the likes of Fowler and Owen, but one of the most vivid memories was hearing their fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone. It made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Heidar Helgusson at Watford.

He could leap like a salmon and scored a couple of great goals for us in the Prem. It was also good to see Michael Tonge and Phil Jagielka coming through at Sheffield United.

Hardest opponents?

West Ham when I was at Watford. We lost 1-0 but it could have been 12. Di Canio was playing as a 10, dropping into midfield, and was phenomenal.

RYAN GIGGS PHOTO: INFLUENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

I also played against the Italian trio of Inzaghi, Vieri and Del Piero for Wales – I didn’t know what day it was!

Fave international moment Making my debut against Turkey at home at the old Arms Park – I had all the players sign my shirt, including Ryan, Vinnie Jones (right) and Dean Saunders, and it still takes pride of place at my house.

VINNIE JONES PHOTO: JAGUAR PS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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65

Feature Gordon Taylor

How much is Gordon Taylor paid?

H

Last year he received a pay and benefits package of £3,368,653, made up of his salary of £2,932,615, £31,626 in benefits, and £404,412 in national insurance contributions. In 2013 he received a salary of £1,132,615, NI contributions of £233,775 and benefits of £34,769

ow does this compare with Premier League chief executives, Premier League footballers and other trade union leaders?

According to Forbes the best-paid Premier League player is Wayne Rooney, who they estimate received a salary and bonuses last year totalling £12.75m. The average English top-flight player, however, received a comparatively meagre £2.2m in 2014, with players in the Championship averaging £500,000.

Not every Premier League club specifies the salary paid to their chief executives but in the year to June 2014 Tottenham paid their chairman, Daniel Levy, £2.17m, and Arsenal paid their chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, £2.19m. Others are paid considerably less: the highest-paid director at Everton gets £350,000 and at West Ham £636,000.

In 2001 Taylor’s salary was £319,671, and he received benefits totalling £138,699, making his total package five and a half times the £84,000 received by John Edmonds, then leader of the GMB union. By 2014 the salary paid to the GMB’s general secretary, now Paul Kenny, had risen to £121,000 – and Taylor package is 27.84 times greater.

Where does the money come from? The PFA has always received money from their members’ annual subscriptions and from the 1950s they have also received a percentage of Football League (and now Premier League) television income – originally 7%, rising to 10% in the 70s. When Premier League television deals started to generate large incomes, club chairmen moved to reduce this payment, and in 2001, after the agreement of a £550m-a-year TV package, they offered the PFA 1.5%, or £8.25m.

This led to the threat of strike action, with Taylor complaining: “The Premier League wants to destroy the union. They are trying to wipe out the PFA

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because they don’t want any control over what they do.” The union finally accepted an offer of £17.5m a year. Their latest accounts show income of £534,180 from members’ subscriptions and television fees of £20,808,537, with total income of £22,525,121.

How long has he worked for the PFA? Taylor was first elected chairman in 1978, when he was a 33-year-old winger playing for Bury. He became assistant secretary following his retirement in 1980, and secretary the following year. Having been described by the Times in 1985 as “undoubtedly the most impressive administrator and negotiator in football” he was invited to apply to succeed Graham Kelly as chairman of the Football League three years later. Instead he decided to stay at the PFA after his salary was increased, again according to the Times, “to a level equivalent to the game’s other leading administrators”. That report added that “neither did he request nor does he require greater financial benefits to prolong his contribution” to the union.

How does Taylor justify his salary? In 2001 Taylor insisted that criticism of his pay was “archaic and insulting”. “I don’t see why I have to defend it.

It is decided by the players as a salary for their union leader,” he said. In 2010 – when he received £1,143,464 – he insisted: “Why is it a problem if you get a good salary because you are a trade union leader as opposed to a captain of industry? Mine pales into insignificance compared to the bankers’.”

In 2014, Ross McEwan, the chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland, was paid £2.7m.

Is this the first time Taylor has been the centre of controversy? Throughout his leadership he has been criticised for defending players in public even for serious indiscretions. In doing so, earlier this year he controversially compared the convicted rapist Ched Evans with those who died at Hillsborough, saying they were an example of “person or persons to be

found guilty and maintain their innocence and then been proved right”. He subsequently apologised.

His salary has been considered excessive for many years, with the then Birmingham City chairman, David Gold – now joint chairman of West Ham – accusing him in 2002 of “building a mausoleum to greed”. “This cash is coming from television monies awarded to the clubs which should be used to pay our players,” said Gold. “Instead a percentage is going to the union who then hand themselves big pay increases. It’s scandalous.”

In 2013 it was reported that he had run up a gambling debt of more than £100,000, after which his deputy, Bobby Barnes, insisted: “Gordon Taylor has done a tremendous job for football and footballers over the last 30 years.”

Have the PFA been accused of overspending before?

In 1999 they controversially bought LS Lowry’s Going to the Match at Sotheby’s for £1,926,500, nearly four times a top estimate of £500,000. “We are trying to build up a collection of memorabilia – caps, medals, jerseys – and good football pictures,” Taylor explained.

Ken Bates, then Chelsea chairman, raged: “If they can afford a £2m Lowry painting why do they need any more money – if, indeed, anything at all?”

Unrepentant, last year the PFA bought Lowry’s preparatory sketch for the painting.

What has been the backlash? “It proves how ludicrous the money washing around in football now is, when the guy who is meant to be sticking up for players’ rights is on the sort of salary that a Premier League striker is earning,” said Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby & Ainsty and a member of the culture, media and sport select committee. “It is an extraordinary salary for anyone, let alone the head of a union.”

Guardian Newspaper - Feb 2018

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

This article was amended on 29 July 2015. An earlier version stated that the highest-paid Everton director earned ÂŁ604,000 a year. This has been corrected

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“We choose to go

to the Moon!”

In May 2018 Accrington Stanley were crowned champions of League Two, but how did a club with little money and a couple of thousand supporters achieve what no one predicted. David Fearnhead chronicles the astronomical ascent of “the club that wouldn’t die”.

We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organise and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY ADDRESS TO RICE UNIVERSITY, 1962

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FEATURE Accrington Stanley

T

he last time a club called Accrington Stanley played in the third tier of English Football, Jack Kennedy was just a senator from Massachusetts. That same year, 1960, he was embarking on a campaign to become the 35th President of the United States.

“We choose to go to the Moon,” would go down as one of his greatest presidential speeches, perhaps one of the great speeches of all time. It spoke of hope, of ambition, and of personal challenge. To strive for something that seemed barely possible.

It could be said that in 2018 Accrington Stanley fulfilled their own lunar ambition. They were the minnow club whose only claim to fame was to be the butt of a joke about milk consumption.

Now, nobody is laughing at Stanley.

PHOTO: ANNA GOWTHORPE/BPI/SHUTTERSTOCK

For a club with a shoe-string budget (£670,000 per year), and with the second-lowest average attendance in League Two (1,979), who refer to their main stand as “the cow shed”, Accrington Stanley have taken on and beaten relative giants.

How they did it is even more remarkable.

much awaited return to East Lancashire. Whatever alchemy they had together, Accrington seemed to be the magic third ingredient.

“A lot has changed since I first arrived back in 1999,” said Coleman in April with a league title looking likely. “If somebody had told me that we would be playing Coventry when I first walked into Coleman and Bell Accrington, let alone beating them home and away, I would have laughed at them. This really would be At end of 98/99 season Accrington Stanley finished bottom of the Unibond Premier Division. an amazing achievement for these players given the facilities that we have.”

Fans were praying for a miracle and it arrived in the form of two best mates from Kirkby – a Those facilities consist of training on municipal overspill town of Liverpool. John Coleman and astroturf which Coleman describes as “a plastic council Jimmy Bell first took over Stanley after they had pitch.” They also had to suffer the indignity of being been relegated to the lowly depths of the eighth turfed off those same pitches because it was doubledtier of English Football. They immediately set booked with a Burnley Ladies match. Coleman adopted about building an entirely new squad of players a “you’ve got to laugh about it” approach. with a whole new philosophy. In their first season Together they’ve made Stanley’s lack of prestige they became champions having an unbeaten work in their favour. Nobody goes to Stanley for run stretching all the way back to the start of the money or the glory of training at less than the calendar year. By the time they departed for luxurious surroundings. “We want young and Rochdale in 2012, the club had climbed back hungry players. Yes, we want them to earn good into the Football League after 44 years money but just not with us. They can use this club in the wilderness. They’d made an as their platform for one or two years. That is the appearance in the Fourth Round model that works for us,” explains Coleman. of the FA Cup and had made Amongst their squad you’ll find players who were it into the playoffs places for once on the books of Premier League clubs. Often promotion into League One. released as youth players they have become senior Coleman and Bell failed players with a point to prove. Players such as the to recreate their magic at Portuguese midfielder Érico Sousa who at age 15 Spotland, lasting just 12 was on the books of Manchester City, and defender months at the Dale.

Mark Hughes who started at Everton and has over Spells at Southport 200 appearances in the Football League. Hughes and Sligo followed. hails from the same part of Merseyside as Coleman Then in September and Bell, as have quite a few of Stanley’s players 2014 came their during the Coleman and Bell era. »

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FEATURE Accrington Stanley

THE HISTORY:

In Simon Hughes’ book, On the Brink - A Journey Through English Football’s North West, Coleman’s assistant Jimmy Bell said the Liverpool connection has made a difference.

“The type of lads that don’t care enough, they don’t last long here. They soon get knocked into shape – not by us but by the rest of the team. It helps having a lot of Liverpool lads because one thing Liverpool lads are great for is, if someone needs picking up they’ll put their arm around them. If someone needs knocking down, they’ll knock them down. We don’t have prima donnas.”

Accrington are forced to run a tight ship by financial necessity but there is a deeper philosophy at work.

Players aren’t allowed to waste anything. The type of thing you see often in football, where a player will take a swig from a bottle before spitting it out and tossing away the bottle is not tolerated by Coleman.

At Stanley players wash up after themselves, and tidy their own dressing room. One apocryphal story is that Coleman berated his own players calling them

Dick Webster should have been an England International. A highlytalented left-back he was a mere teenager when he made his debut for Accrington Stanley in the rough and tumble of England’s Third Division. So highly-prized was the youngster that he was signed for a then record fee as a 19-year-old by Sheffield United in

English Football’s First Division. Big things were expected, but holding a copy of his contract, one line stands out.

It’s not his transfer fee of £1000, or his wages of £5-a-week plus appearance bonuses. It’s the date: 1939. Webster was one of those unfortunate to have his best playing years interrupted by war. He retired in 1951, having returned to play for Stanley after the War. The fact he’s a club legend, still remembered by those who weren’t even born when Webster hung up his boots, says a lot about the importance of history for the small East Lancashire club.

Accrington Stanley bill themselves as ‘The club that wouldn’t die’ but the original club did die in 1966, having

an embarrassment to the club after they left their visiting dressing room in a mess.

“We see players who have never known a job,” says Coleman. “They’ve come straight from school, signed a youth contract and then become pro.

Some become blasé about it all very quickly and it makes you scratch your head. I’ve never been like that and Jimmy’s never been like that. This is a joy to us, we’re getting paid for something we love doing. If we weren’t managing Accrington and if nobody else would give us a job, we’d still want to run a Sunday league team. We’d do it for nothing.”

Bell has worked in an abattoir and as an

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electrician. Both he and Coleman were part-time at Stanley before they reached the Conference. He gave up his job as a primary school teacher, risking a secure income for the turbulent world of football management. He chose football, even though it halved his earnings. “I just knew I’d have regretted it for the rest of my life if I didn’t try. It paid off because within three years we’d won promotion into the Football League,” reflected Bell.

That wanting of success and being prepared to start from the bottom is exactly what they look for in their players. Coleman speaks of his players as using Accrington as a “trampoline” to reach greater heights. Recruitment, he says, determines your success or failure at any football club. Whilst the big boys might take a scientific approach, at Stanley they often rely on gut instinct about players. They don’t always get it right but over the years both Coleman and Bell have developed a sixth sense for finding those players who’ll go that extra mile for them.

They’ve unearthed some gems, such as the Irish

bed crying,” said Billy Kee of his battle with severe anxiety and depression. “Times when I just wanted to drive my car into a wall and end it all. Why would someone with the best job in the world go and kill themselves? It doesn’t make sense.”

Kee is one of growing number of players breaking down the wall to speak out about mental health. It helped to have a manager like Coleman who spotted his striker was struggling. “He said go on, go away, have a month off. For a football club to do that...” Kee trails off, unable to find the words for his astonishment.

“It’s a dark word depression,” says Coleman.

“People are afraid of the stigma. Until you’ve been depressed you can’t tell people who haven’t been depressed what it is like. It doesn’t even make any sense in your own head. Billy is a smashing lad. You have to understand Billy to manage him and once you understand him, he will give you his all.”

Kee says the regular medication he’s on has helped to mellow out his moods, and the understanding shown

been forced resign from the Football League with heavy debt four years earlier. Speak the name of Bob Lord in the town and you’ll see how much painful memories still linger with later generations. It was Lord, then chairman of nearby Burnley, who was brought in to help rescue the club from the creditors in 1962. Instead Lord persuaded the rest of the board to resign on the promise he would buy their shares. He then promptly gave the club up as a lost cause and the club was forced to tender a resignation letter. A new club was formed in 1968.

Accrington Stanley’s name reached a new audience in the 1980’s when it was used as a punchline in a popular Milk Advert featuring two young scousers dreaming of being professional footballers for Liverpool.

Watch the classic advert here: youtube.com/watch?v=pieK7b4KLL4 “Ian Rush says if I didn’t drink enough milk, when I grow up I’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley.”

“Accrington Stanley? Who are they?”

“Exactly.”

Who’d have thought some 30 years later that two scousers would be the cause of so much pride for the club.

International and Boro keeper Darren Randolph who joined them on loan as a teenager from Charlton when they were desperate for a keeper.

“We still argue about all sorts of things but when we see a good player, we both know straight away,” adds Bell.

by Coleman has been rewarded. Billy Kee finished the 2017/18 regular season as League Two’s top scorer with 25 league goals (plus 8 assists). He was in the 2017/18 EFL League 2 team of the year, awarded the EFL League 2 player of the year, with boss Coleman taking the honours of Manager of the Year.

Billy Kee

Whilst Coleman has been the target of a number of clubs, his relationship with Accrington makes it unlikely that he’ll be tempted away this summer.

“I went to Rochdale and that didn’t work out for me.

Sometimes you have to realise what you have got and enjoy that rather than go chasing something else that might not turn out to be as good.”

Billy Kee was a product of the Leicester City youth system, released in 2010 he was a player capable of scoring goals everywhere he went, but something wasn’t right.

“There were times when I was just rocking on my

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Academies

Bolton Wanderers FC Academy Workshop

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Bolton Wanderers Academy had the most amazing end to their season. They were crowned Champions of the Under-23’s Professional Development League North Hall and Jack Earing. But what is at Bolton Wanderers and Cup Winners

ot only are they champions but the academy has also been ranked top of the standings in terms of productivity out of the 72 English Football League sides and 2nd out of all 92 EFL and Premier League clubs. A fantastic achievement for the Trotters considering the fact that the Premier League teams have budgets up to ten times that of Bolton’s.

The production line at Bolton Wanderers is in full flow and names to look out for in the not too distant future are Connor

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that is putting them at the top of the academy game? Is this due to the players? Their commitment? The coaches?

The Facilities? Or a mixture of all four?

Here at Professional Player we saw with our own eyes that the staff at Bolton show a great deal of care and commitment to their players both on and off the field. The respect for one another and the enthusiasm from the coaches was second to none. Confidence is drilled into the teams from an early age but mainly it comes down to hard graft from all involved and the willingness to succeed.

Bolton Wanderers FC

The Under 23’s team welcomed us in with open arms and eagerly took part in the Professional Player Academy workshop. This is a hosted event with our specialist partners in which we cover areas that agents or indeed coaches may not be qualified to do. We believe that off the field activities can play a huge part in turning the player into the complete package and the advice that our partners give out will help the young players in their day to day lives going forwards. The coaches at Bolton agreed with us how important advice is at a young age and it is imperative especially when it comes to finances, legalities and insurance. Professional Player only partner with companies at the forefront of their field who are well equipped and knowledgeable to

A must do work shop for all young professional players.”

1st

Ranked top of the standings in terms of productivity out of the 72 English Football League sides

David Lee – Under 23’s Coach Bolton Wanderers FC

apply this to the lives of the young footballers.

Professional Player are certain that the success will continue at Bolton and that the under 23’s will now be savvier on the world that awaits them.

“The workshop presented by the staff at ‘Professional Player ‘ was a really worthwhile exercise. The information within the presentation was in my opinion “the best information and advice our young players can be given”. All the advice they were given, was valuable and had clarity. ‘A must do work shop for all young professional players.”

David Lee - Under 23’s Coach Bolton Wanderers FC.

All the advice they were given, was valuable and had clarity” David Lee – Under 23’s Coach Bolton Wanderers FC

Professional Player are booking workshops up and down the country. If you would like your academy to benefit from this free of charge service then please contact gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

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Interview

Geordie Sure Sean Longstaff is a player that you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the coming years. The 20 year old recently completed an outstanding season on loan at Blackpool from Newcastle United.

Here, the midfielder talks to Anthony Bunn about his formative years growing up in North Shields and his ultra-sporting and supportive family, his career so far, and what the future holds for him.

You grew up in North Shields.

Tell us about yourself as a youngster...

I was a good kid, to be honest. I was always sporty and my family was massively into sport as well.

My dad played Ice Hockey nationally and my mum played Netball to a really high standard, too. My 18 year old brother is currently signed as a pro at Newcastle United too, so I suppose I was always going to get into sport from an early age.

You won’t be surprised to know that I was a big Newcastle United supporter. Being a Newcastle fan it was Alan Shearer that everyone looked up to and worshipped no matter what position you played in. As kids, we were always encouraged to be fit and active and to do sport. I also loved playing cricket, too, and still go to watch my local club in the summer whenever I’m free.

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When were you spotted?

I was spotted by Newcastle at 9. You make sacrifices as a young footballer, such as going out with your mates and things like that, but it’s a small sacrifice to make for having the chance to become a professional.

When did you think you had a real chance of making it to be a professional footballer?

It was quite late, I suppose. When I was 16, I started playing well consistently, scoring goals, going to tournaments and doing well. I’m my biggest critic and always pushed myself hard, but at 16 it was a key point in my career where things went well and I thought that I might have the possibility of a professional future in the game.

You moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock in January 2017. Was it a period in your development that you enjoyed?

Yes, massively.

I went there along with Newcastle teammates Cal Roberts and Freddie Woodman so it was great to have some lads I knew, it being the first time I’d lived away from home. It was good to not be by myself and Kilmarnock were superb. They were always there for us.

Lee Clark was the manager at Kilmarnock, and we knew him a little from his time at Newcastle.

He was great with us, but left after a short time.

I was lucky enough to do alright there...

Sean Longstaff

It was much more physical and faster than the U23 football that we had played. You don’t get as much time on ball to look good as you may do in U23 games and I’m sure that’s why we were sent on loan there.

Playing 16 games in Scotland was obviously a great part of your development as a player and a person. You then signed on loan for Blackpool in League One...

To score a winner in your first league game is a dream come true” Alright!?!?!

You scored the winner on your debut!

Ha, ha, yes, it was pretty much a perfect start.

I was nervous for my first game, as you would be, but scoring that winner against Ross County allowed me to settle in straight away. It never does you any harm scoring on your debut. Perhaps it gave me a little more breathing space?

As I said just, Lee Clark left and Lee McCulloch took over. All three Newcastle lads looked at each other and wondered what the immediate future would hold, but the boss met with us and said he really wanted us here. It was a massive boost and both him and Peter Lever (assistant) were great with us. I loved it at Kilmarnock.

Once again, I really enjoyed my spell out on loan at Blackpool. It was quite a young side but the manager (Gary Bowyer) had real faith in us. I think we went on a long run where we didn’t win any games, but the manager was brilliant in keeping faith with us and hopefully we repaid that faith. He was amazing with me – very similar to how I was treated at Kilmarnock, and I settled in straight away.

I stayed in the hotel that’s built into the ground – it could be a little tough at times when things aren’t going too well but it was a great experience for me.

Four or five other lads were in the hotel, too, and so it was similar to Kilmarnock.

My parents, brother, sister, nan and granddad , aunty and uncle... they’d all come down to watch me as often as they could, which was great. They’ve always been there for me.

How did Gary Bowyer play you?

We played with a holding midfielder and me and Callum Cooke in front of him. This allowed us to have the freedom to do things when we had the ball and play my natural game. In 45 games I scored 9 goals, which I was really pleased with...

international goalkeeper says that to you then you listen. Luckily for me, my first one or two went in - and so you then try it more and more because of the confidence you have.

You always have to learn. I’m always trying to develop my game. As you get older you tend to watch players that play in your position. Real Madrid’s Tony Kroos and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba are two I watch closely. I look at their game and take little bits from them to try and help me. I’ve always tried to tap into knowledge that’s in the dressing room. At Blackpool, we had Jay Spearing who has played at the highest level, so it was good to pick his brain. I’d often go and chat to him for ten minutes or so, but I reckon he got annoyed after a while, ha, ha.

Yet again, you made a great start to life on loan at your new club?

What do you do away from football?

Yes, I was fortunate enough to net the winner on my league debut again and I scored in four consecutive games. To score a winner in your first league game is a dream come true and it also helps the lads take a liking to you, ha, ha. It was great to hit the ground running. I played with some very good players at Blackpool who helped to create space and opportunities for me. So, whilst I got some of the headlines it really was a massive team effort.

You’ve got one more year left on your contract at Newcastle United...

You are noted for your long range shooting – is this something you’ve always had in your locker?

No, it wasn’t actually. Last pre-season at Newcastle United I had a chat to Tim Krul in training. I’d just scored against him and he said that I should do it more because I had a great shot on me. When a top

Off the pitch I like spending time with the lads at Newcastle, playing a bit of golf, and as I’ve just said, I go to my local cricket club and watch a lot.

I’m not sure about what’s happening next year yet, so I’ll see what Newcastle have to say. I love it there, so I’ll be working hard this summer and go back as fit and determined as possible. I’ll enjoy training with the team and then see if I’ll be going out on loan or whatever.

I just love playing and so with one year left on my contract it’s a case of playing as much as I can.

Whatever happens, happens, and I’ll just try to kick on from last season.

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ONE IN A

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Hospice care for children & young people

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WWW.THEDONNALOUISE.ORG THE DONNA LOUISE

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@DONNALOUISEUK

Feature Professional Players Federation

The risks of gambling for sport professionals In 2014 the Professional Players Federation (PPF) commissioned research that found professional sports’ players in Britain were more likely to gamble than the general population, and three times more likely to experience problems...

I

n response, the PPF partnered with GambleAware to improve players’ understanding of gambling and raise awareness of the support available to players who may have a gambling problem including the launch in December 2017 of a series of films targeted at sportspeople: www.ppfpg.org.uk With over 400,000 problem gamblers in Great Britain, including 25,000 to 30,000 children, and with more than 2 million adults at risk of becoming a problem gambler, GambleAware is a national charity working to reduce gambling-related harm.

We are concerned about the ever-growing relationship between professional sport and gambling, and specifically the exposure of gambling as a normal activity this gives to children.

Nine of the twenty Premier League clubs carry gambling brands on their shirts, and recent studies demonstrate high levels of exposure on both commercial television and the BBC. GambleAware has commissioned research on the impact of gambling advertising and marketing of all kinds on children, young people and vulnerable people. The research will address the mass promotion of gambling via the ‘gamblification’ of sport – i.e. presentation of gambling as an inherent part of sport through sports sponsorship, gambling-related advertising during sport, and the merging of sport with gambling content in online operator social media.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: PPFPG.ORG

In December 2017, we wrote to the nine Premier League clubs with gambling-related shirt sponsorship deals sharing our concerns. We are delighted that Crystal Palace F.C. have become the first Premier League club to agree to partner with us to address concerns about gambling-related harm within football. Together we have produced advertisements and promotion materials to raise awareness of the risks of gambling. Messages, which are visible to spectators on the ground and to viewers at home, have appeared around the perimeter of the pitch and on screens throughout the stadium during the last three games of the season.

Aimed at both players and fans alike, the campaign is taking place during the final three games of the season and is designed to raise awareness of the advice and support that is available at BeGambleAware.org, and to encourage conversations about safe and responsible gambling activity.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: PPFPG.ORG

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: PPFPG.ORG

There are calls for the current 9pm ‘watershed’ to be extended to cover all forms of gambling, removing the current exceptions which allow daytime advertising of bingo, and betting around live sporting events. This may help reduce the volume of advertising to which all generations are exposed, but caution should be applied in assuming this will be sufficient to protect children from exposure to gambling advertising. Some evidence suggests that 11¾ may be the average age when parents first allow children to regularly watch TV shown after 9pm, either live or recorded, unsupervised. Also, young people are increasingly consuming media via the internet and smartphone technology.

Gambling is now clearly an important source of revenue that supports sport, but with that comes a high degree of social responsibility. We are concerned that sports’ businesses ought to be doing more to counter-balance the prominence of gambling with clear messages about the nature of gambling and the associated risks. For example, giving equal prominence to BeGambleAware.org as to gambling brands at venues and in broadcasts, so a signpost to advice and treatment is always available.

Also, we think it is incumbent upon all those who profit from commercial gambling including sports’ clubs, venues, the advertising industry, broadcasters, media and social media companies to contribute financially to research, education and treatment.

This is an important first step towards a deeper and broader action plan to address shared concerns and, in our view, Crystal Palace is setting a great example to other clubs, and not only those with gambling sponsors because all benefit from the income that flows from television deals funded by the evergrowing amount of gambling advertising around live sport. What was particularly pleasing was the coverage in the local newspaper. In a world where British football is beamed around the world for millions to consume, it can be easily forgotten that clubs play an incredibly important role in their local communities. Players and their clubs can do much to help us to reduce gambling-related harm.

GambleAware is a national independent charity tasked to fund research, education and treatment services to help minimise gambling-related harm in Britain. Our strategic aim is to broaden public understanding of gambling-related harm as a public health issue and to help those that do develop problems get the support and help that they need quickly and effectively.

Marc W Etches is Chief Executive of GambleAware

marc@gambleaware.org

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Feature Luxury Watches

TIMING IS EVERYTHING From elegant timepieces to sporty chronographs designed for life in the fast lane, there has never been a better time to ensure that your watch make a true style statement.

Emma Harrison rounds up the best luxury watches for men and women for the summer and beyond.

A. LANGE & SÖHNE For generations, German watchmakers A. Lange & Söhne have pursued one goal: to craft timepieces that are at the pinnacle of international haute horlogerie and aim to bridge the gap between heritage and tradition and today’s art of fine watchmaking.

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FOR HIM:

FOR HER:

A. LANGE & SÖHNE 1815 CHRONOGRAPH

A. LANGE & SÖHNE LITTLE LANGE

If you are a fan of the chronograph, then the 1815 flyback with its black dial and “pulsometer” scale is definitely for you! Its transparent caseback reveals the exquisitely finished, hand-wound movement in all its meticulous glory! This is set to be a timeless classic that can be dressed up or down with ease. £POA

The Little Lange is big on style with its eclectic interplay of colours and material. It has been released in three lovely colourways: a purple dial with a white gold case, grey dial with a white gold case, and brown dial with a pink gold case, all of which have a case diameter of just 36.8 millimetres. £POA

GARRICK WATC H E S A fine example of British watchmaking, Garrick watches create fine timepieces with a distinctly British character.

They produce watches that are infused with a high-quality finishing and appeal to those who wish to wear high quality, English-made timepieces that are built to last.

FOR HIM:

S1 TIMEPIECE

It takes four months to make one S1 by hand, conferring a high degree of exclusivity. The Garrick S1 is the British watchmakers most ambitious timepiece to date, setting aside mass production, showcasing British craftsmanship at its finest.

This fascinating timepiece is suffused with a plethora of no-compromise

detail and is equipped with a UT-G02 calibre which features a Trinity freesprung balance, olive jewels and gold chatons that surround the adjacent brushed, hand-frosted and grained surfaces. It takes four months to make one S1 by hand, showcasing British craftsmanship at its finest and the S1 is limited to only 10 pieces offering a high degree of exclusivity. ÂŁ23,329

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Feature Luxury Watches

FOR HER:

PATEK PHILIPPE REF 4948R ANNUAL CALENDAR WITH BALINESE MOTHER-OF-PEARL DIAL

This is a graceful statement piece perfectly suited to the wrist of a confident lady. The rounded rose gold case measures a comfortable 38mm and is set with a breathtaking 347 diamonds with an approximate diamond weight of 2.65ct. The winding crown is set with a further 14 diamonds, while the matte, pearly white alligator leather strap also features a prong buckle set with 27 diamonds.

One lovely feature is the white Balinese mother-of-pearl dial adorned with gold applied numerals (as well as plus gold and lume-filled hour and minute hands.) A thin gold minute track encircles the watch face, which is paralleled by the thin gold detailing that marks out the day and month registers central to the dial. The date aperture, however, is found at the 6 o’clock mark under the moon phase indicator, which shows a golden moon nestled among twinkling stars. £POA

PAT E K P H I L I P P E Often considered to be one of the finest timepieces in the world. Patek Philippe combines tradition with innovation, quality and craftsmanship to create watches that are not only timepieces but that also will create a unique legacy that can be handed down from one generation to the next.

FOR HIM:

FOR HER:

The Aquanaut Chronograph is the first model in the Aquanaut collection to house a Chronograph and is a new model for 2018 which was introduced at Baselworld earlier this year. The Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A comes with bold touches of orange on the dial and an option of an orange strap making it one of the most casual Pateks to be seen in some time. Other features include a black embossed dial with gold applied numerals and an Aquanaut fold-over clasp. If you are seeking casual elegance, uncompromising performance and technical perfection, then the Aquanaut Chronograph is for you. £POA

Perfect for summer, the 7130G Patek has a new colour - a striking peacock-blue. It has all of the same features as with previous models including a grey-blue handguilloched dial centre and comes with 24hour indication. It also has a sunburst outer chapter ring with 24 international cities. The white gold case measures a solid 36mm and the bezel is set with 62 shimmering diamonds. At 36mm, it makes a real impact on the wrist. £POA

PATEK PHILIPPE AQUANAUT CHRONOGRAPH 5968A

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PATEK PHILIPPE WORLD TIME WATCH

BREITLING Since 1884, Breitling has been a true pioneer in precision-made chronometers designed for aviators and has demonstrated its commitment to accuracy in exceptional conditions with its dedication to producing superior chronometers. They are considered to be one of the most luxurious, popular and expensive watch brands, highly praised for its technological performance.

FOR HIM:

BREITLING NAVITIMER 8 B35 AUTOMATIC UNITIME 43 WITH BLACK DIAL AND STEEL BRACELET Love to travel? This automatic wristwatch offers world-time indication through an ingenious independent hour hand that can be adjusted with the crown and forms part of a new pilot’s watch collection from Breitling.

At the heart of the COSC-certified chronometer is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B35. The stunning dial is available in black or silver and has a transparent sapphire caseback. The 43 mm steel case with a rotating bezel comes with a steel bracelet, or an alligator leather strap. £6500 FOR HER:

BREITLING NAVITIMER 1 B01 CHRONOGRAPH 43

Fusing technical mastery with a sleek and original design, the Navitimer 1 BO1 Chronograph 43 is effortlessly cool and is a smaller evolution of the brands iconic Navitimer wristwatch. It has a black dial, silver chronograph counters and applied hour markers and is available in four compelling colours - steel, steel & gold, red gold as well as other dial colours. The most elegant of these features an 18k red gold case with a blue dial on a black alligator leather strap. Equally eye-catching is a stainless-steel and 18 k red gold model with a Stratos Gray dial, which is also presented on a black alligator leather strap. £16,460

BREMONT Bremont is an award winning British luxury watch company inspired by a love and passion for aviation, engineering and adventure. Not only do they look super stylish, but they are uncompromising in their precision, reliability and durability, making them an ideal choice for gentlemen and ladies on the go.

FOR HIM:

FOR HER:

Limited to just 300 pieces, the Bremont Waterman is a striking and remarkably technical diving watch that has been tested in the most extreme ocean environments by Bremont Ambassador and world-renowned free-diver and surfer Mark Healey. The open sapphire backed 500m water resistant case, helium release valve, anti-shock vibration mount and scratch resistant sapphire uni-directional bezel make it a watch that can be tested to the very extreme.

In celebration of aviation hero Amy Johnson, who flew her DH-60 Gypsy Moth from England to Australia in 1930, Bremont’s SOLO-32 AJ has an 18 carat rose gold Bremont Trip-Tick® case construction and comes with black alligator or white lizard straps and a rose gold pin buckle.

It is designed to celebrate life on and indeed under the water and fundamentally to help contribute towards protecting our oceans’ legacy with part of the proceeds being donated to ‘Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii’, a charity which aims to protect the ocean’s legacy as well as increasing awareness of the issues that our oceans are facing all over the globe. £4395

This pretty watch also has a modified calibre 9’’ BE-10AE automatic chronometer with 40-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 50 metres. £7995

LIMITED EDITION BREMONT WATERMAN

BREMONT SOLO-32 AJ

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Feature Luxury Watches

URWERK Urwerk might be a relatively new kid on the block when it comes to watchmaking but one of their models – the Urwerk UR-110 RG worn by actor Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark/Ironman in Spider-Man Homecoming in 2017 sold at auction for a cool $150,000, you know that they are ready to play with the big boys of watchmaking.

FOR HIM:

FOR HER:

The UR-105 revisits URWERK’s iconic satellite indication, which has been an instantly recognizable signature element of the brand for 18 years. Equally unmistakeable is the shape of the case with its imposing crown at 12 o’clock. The catch on the top of the case slides open to reveal the mechanism of the UR-105 CT. £49,968.60 (price based on current currency rate)

Le coup de foudre, the love that makes your eyes shine is what the UR-106 Flower Power personifies, housing no fewer than 239 Top Wesselton quality diamonds - a total of 2.53 carats. Three satellite hours wander across the dial to create the most elegant of horological blooms. The UR-106 Flower Power is cased in diamondset stainless steel with a titanium crown and caseback and is limited to just 11 pieces, making this highly exclusive. £73,754.88 (price based on current currency rate)

UR-105 CT

UR-106 FLOWER POWER

B L A N C PA I N There is no contradiction in using the words tradition and innovation in the same breath to describe Blancpain.

One of the world’s oldest watchmaking brands, Blancpain has remained ever-faithful to pushing the boundaries of its inheritance through constant self-renewal. They have has taken the designs, complications and methods of the last centuries and brought them into the modern era through there relentless drive to conquer new horizons and to take the watchmaking art to places where it has never been before.

FOR HIM:

FIFTY FATHOMS BATHYSCAPHE DAY DATE 70S

Limited to 500 pieces, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe captures the stylistic allure of watches from the 1970s with nostalgic design cues inspired by previous Fifty Fathoms models, but with a few twists along the way.

The 43mm satin-finished case is equipped

with a unidirectional bezel featuring a ceramic insert whose indexes are filled with Liquidmetal® and is available with four different wristbands: a vintage-style antiqued leather, sail-canvas or NATO strap, as well as a steel bracelet. From £9,290

FOR HE R:

VILLERET GRANDE DATE JOUR RÉTROGRADE

Classic and refined, the Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde by Blancpain is elegant style personified. It has a double stepped bezel, understated hands, Côtes de Genève finishing and honeycomb guilloché motif which adorn the gold rotor which are visible through the clear case back. The elegant, minimalist dial reveals the day of the week

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retrograde complication positioned between 7 and 9 o’clock, while the large date window is placed between 5 and 6 o’clock. The Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde is offered in red gold with silver opaline dial, stainless steel with white dial, and for both, a choice of alligator strap or metal bracelet. All versions are 40 mm in diameter. £17,880

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World’s Coolest Luxury Villas

Thew rld’scoolest

luxury villas From elegant Tuscan villas to Ibiza party pads and everything in-between, hiring a villa is the perfect solution to getting away from it all without compromising on luxury and style. Emma Harrison rounds up the coolest villas to hire this summer.

Vista Mar LAGOS, PORTUGAL

Vista Mar is an exceptional contemporary luxury villa in a stunning beachfront location near Lagos, Southern Portugal. It boasts a rooftop terrace with a pool, soft seating and a barbecue and dining area.

The villa is surrounded by pretty gardens which lead down to the beach. The open plan kitchen/sitting/ dining room leads out to a large panoramic terrace with gorgeous views. From £8,278 per week cvvillas.com

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Villa O

COTE D’AZUR, FRANCE

Tucked away on a private road, but exceptionally close to the sea, the magnificent Villa 0 is incredibly striking. The villa has been totally designed to make the most of the light, space and the spectacular panoramic sea views. The levels of service here are just as exceptional as the villa itself, especially when it comes to the food - the private chef will cater to your own specific requirements, making the most of local produce, specialities and seafood.

Spread over five levels, there is a spiral staircase that winds around the huge atrium past a 25 metre Banksy mural, and a glass enclosed lift. Guests can also take advantage of the Balinese style pool-house, the beautiful infinity pool that curves around the garden, the rooftop terrace that has an infinity pool with the most breath-taking views. POA oxfordprivatetravel.com

Villa Cassia SRI LANKA

This luxurious beach front villa is set in a 23-acre private estate in Tangalle, Sri Lanka close to the stunning Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary and safari parks.

There are 5-bedroom suites in the main house (each with king size 4 poster beds) and two luxury garden cabanas as well as a library, bar area, swimming pool, tennis court and a massage pavilion. The villa comes with a private chef and has direct access to the beach. From ÂŁ16,100 per week dynamiclives.com

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World’s Coolest Luxury Villas

Ani Villas KOH YAO NOI, THAILAND

Inspired by the temples of the northern provinces, Àni Villas Thailand is a stunning 10-bedroom beachfront enclave offering a magical Southeast Asian experience. The serene island of Koh Yao Noi provides a true escape, and this fully serviced private estate is the epitome of luxury and provides the ultimate five-star experience in every way imaginable. The estate overlooks the Indian Ocean and enjoys its very own beach, a state of the art fitness centre, a pool and large grounds with beautiful gardens and plantation acting as the perfect complement to the estate. Guests can enjoy the privacy of a villa with the facilities and staff of a 5-star resort. POA oxfordprivatetravel.com

Le Bleu

WEST END, ANGUILLA

Anguilla was voted the number one island in the Caribbean and with its 33 powderwhite beaches, turquoise waters and a fabulous culinary scene, it is easy to see why. Le Bleu is understated elegance personified with its high ceilings, indulgent soft furnishings and of course, its sweeping views of the islands beyond.

Guests can enjoy two private beaches, a beachside jacuzzi, a cinema room, two large swimming pools, a gym and an outdoor tennis court and pavilion. The villa comes with its own team of staff including a butler, concierge and your very own private chef. oxfordprivatetravel.com

Zarassi Estate MYKONOS, GREECE

For a Bond like entrance, land by helicopter at the palatial, 7,000 square-metre Zarassi Estate on this years must-visit Island – Mykonos. Combing glamour, understated elegance coupled with its incredible facilities such as an infinity pool, private spa room, cinema and outdoor gym, you could almost be stepping onto a movie set.

Perched high on a hilltop, guests can enjoy a secluded and relaxing break whilst only being a five-minute drive to the sought-after beach of Kalafati. Divided into two buildings, the four-bedroom villa

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has two pool-level bedrooms and two suites, including the honeymoon suite complete with private sun terrace and heated Jacuzzi. A further pair of twobedroom apartments, offer an ideal space for families as they include a kitchenette, dining area and sun terrace. Inside the adjacent five-bedroom garden villa you’ll find white open-plan living and a dining area overlooking the manicured lawn.

From £33,367 akvillas.com

Pelican House

BLUE WATERS, ANTIGUA

Considered to be one of the most luxurious and exclusive villas in the Caribbean, Pelican House is lavishly decorated, located within the much loved Blue Waters Resort, bordered by two stunning beaches. This award-winning family friendly resort is nestled in a secluded cove, surrounded by 17 acres of tropical gardens, making it the perfect getaway from it all destination.

There are 2, 3 bedroom semi-detached villas at Pelican House. They can be booked exclusively or in part. The private infinity pool at Pelican House boasts views out over the stunning Caribbean sea and beyond. Thanks to an impeccable 24-hour concierge service, your every whim will be catered for.

From ÂŁ13,280 per week, per family for exclusive use (Includes return international flights and transfers) turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Villa Fenicia IBIZA

If you want to visit Ibiza for the thriving party scene, but don’t want to be right in the thick of things, Villa Fenicia could be the perfect place for you. It is located in the highly exclusive area of Es Cubells, this spacious villa offers views of Cala Jondal and Salinas in the distance.

The villa has four en-suite bedrooms, set over 2 floors and a guest apartment with two en-suite bedrooms, an infinity pool, BBQ area and comes with a 24- hour manned security entrance, From E22,750 per week dynamiclives.com

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Overwater Bungalows BAWAH ISLAND, INDONESIA Bawah Island is a true Robinson Crusoe hideaway if Robinson Crusoe did luxury! It is ideal for a romantic and secluded getaway and guests can step from their very own private veranda straight into the tropical lapping waters below. Watch the spectacular sunset whilst sipping a delicious cocktail from your own bar or why not try a spot of snorkelling?

From ÂŁ13,500 per family, per week (Includes international flights and transfers) turquoiseholidays.co.uk

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World’s Coolest Luxury Villas

Villa del Duca

Villa Acqua

For those seeking an Instagram worthy property in one of Italy’s most enchanting areas, Villa del Duca ticks all the right boxes and then some! Built in the mid-1800s, Villa del Duca is luxury personified with crystal chandeliers from Murano and gilded mirrors, whilst still exuding warmth and homeliness are making an ideal choice for either a group of friends or for your family to enjoy.

Designed in French style, the property

If you are looking for a chilled-out break in Ibiza, look no further than this stunning 5-bedroom villa which is situated on the beautiful west coast of the island. Guests can expect fabulous sunsets and panoramic views whilst enjoying the fabulous facilities which includes a bar, massage centre, large swimming pool plus stunning water feature and a rooftop terrace complete with jacuzzi. From €15,500 per week

TUSCANY, ITALY

has become the retreat of the rich and famous where old-world grandeur meets impeccable service.

Guests can take advantage of private swimming pool, tennis court, billiard room and gym as well as enjoying the stunning views of the 7,400-acre estate.

Bellissimo! POA akvillas.com

IBIZA

dynamiclives.com

Jungle Abodes SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND ‘Stay in your very own ‘castle in the sand’; the Private Beach Pool Reserve at Soneva Kiri in Thailand. Surrounded by lush tropical jungle, this beachfront bolthole is perfect for a luxurious family getaway. The master bedroom and three additional bedrooms all come with outdoor bathrooms, complete with outdoor bathtub, daybed, double vanity, shower and rain shower so you can soak in the starlight or shower under the rays of the sun. The fifth bedroom is a tree house with bunk beds and a slide into the

swimming pool – simply perfect for little ones. Whilst relaxation is the name of the game, you can still work out overlooking the sea or from the spa deck in your very own private gym.

From £32,500 per week, per family (Includes return international and domestic flights) turquoiseholidays.co.uk

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At Price Bailey - It’s all about you Helping you make better decisions 90

Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

Who are Price Bailey?

Award winning, top 30 accountancy firm experienced in providing services to professional players What can we offer to players?

• The ability to speak with experts in accountancy and taxation on a one-to-one level • A bespoke service that will help players meet their obligations with HM Revenue & Customs • Guidance and training sessions available to groups of academy players, which can be organised with their clubs • Practical advice and tax planning tips for players and their families • Access to in-house advisers on employment law, and wealth management • Advice on the taxation of image rights and other bespoke areas of being a professional player

Contact Aaron Widdows, Partner 01603 709330 aaron.widdows@pricebailey.co.uk

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Nick Leather David Fearnhead meets the BAFTA winning Evertonian and discovers how a love of football helps him write the perfect screenplay.

F

ew television writers are as hot as Nick Leather is right now. Fresh from his success at the BAFTA’s, his latest offering Mother’s Day about the 1993 IRA Bombing in Warrington is coming soon to BBC Two. Nick’s career began in theatre but it is television where his passion for storytelling resonates most.

Having graduated from Hollyoaks, he created and wrote the popular children’s show Rocket’s Island, and penned two episodes of the Jimmy McGovern drama Moving On for BBC One.

Jimmy McGovern calls me a Woolyback…

Andy Gray was Indiana Jones…

“It was October 1984 when I first went to Everton.

There I was this little kid of about 7, my dad dragging me there when I expressed no interest in football up to that point, and I’m so little I couldn’t see over the chair in front. It must have been around that time they screened Indiana Jones on television for the first time, because those memories have melded into However, it was a true story that was to see him one. Andy Gray was Indiana Jones. He was an 80’s land the BAFTA for Best Single Drama. Sophie action hero, looking battered and bruised, unshaven Lancaster was just 20 years old when she was and bleeding. This was Andy Gray to me at the end of kicked to death in senseless act of murder. An every single game. To see him sliding along the turf exemplary piece of writing Murdered for being different is handled with deft-care and is the result to head a ball that was already on the ground was one of the most amazing things I’d seen, “He’s still of meticulous research which involved speaking heading it in!” to those most closely associated with the victim, including Sophie’s boyfriend Rob who survived the Talk about galvanising a team. I think he was only with us for about 18 months - he came in ’83 and was gone attack despite being put into a coma. by ’85 - and yet he was there during that period where “It’s a hate crime, but it’s a love story,” says Nick. we had a league title, an FA cup, cup-winners cup, and “With something like this you hope you can do it a league cup final. If you think back to when Everton justice and hopefully have an impact.” played Bayern Munich in ’85, the semi-final of the cup Nick’s gift for captivating an audience is just as good winners cup, it reminds me of that scene in Raiders of in person as I was to find out when I joined him for a the Lost Ark when he’s up against the man who does all chat about the magic of a 1-1 draw, Michael Caine’s that fancy sword work and Indiana Jones just gets out ability to boss a defence, dodgy football on the telly, his gun and shoots him. That to me was how Andy Gray and a certain 80’s action hero... played football. Pure attitude, lets get this job done.

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“I worked with [screenwriting legend] Jimmy McGovern and producer Colin McKeown for Moving On. Their company LA Productions is based in Liverpool, you can actually see Goodison from their offices, but they are both reds.

Between Jimmy and Colin you just get them taking the mick out of you for two things: Being an Evertonian, and being called a “Woolyback” because I’m from Newton-le-Willows. It always comes back to Football.

My Grandad was born in Scotland Road in Liverpool, and you can’t get much more Liverpool than that. Dad had trials for Everton when he was a teenager, so he was a much better player than me. Given that we won the league in my first season I thought to myself this is what football is, you go, you win, and at the end of the season you watch them parade around with a trophy.

He really set me up there. Talk about false expectations of the game, because we then went and watched relegation scraps for the best part of 20 years. Where the glory was staying up in the last game of the season.

From 84-88 was a great tussle with Liverpool. They were two great teams. I love a derby match now but if you think about it then with the title at stake - happy days. Look at that team from ’85, when we win the league and the cup winners cup, I think you’d be hard pushed to say there was a better team in Europe at that time. They didn’t get to go for the European Cup in ’86 because of the ban on English Clubs. Probably every Evertonian thinks that that was their moment.

We had Gary Lineker then, just before the World Cup in Mexico where he was leading goalscorer.”

INTERVIEW Nick Leather

To see him sliding along the turf to head a ball that was already on the ground was one of the most amazing things I’d seen”

How come the Americans can make great sporting movies, but we can’t?

“I did a play about football. It was a piece of physical theatre so you could get away with it there, a sort of heightened representation of football.

Why can’t we do it naturalistically on camera. Is it because we know as football fans that it’s just never going to convince us. Is it so much easier to cheat baseball, or basketball, than it is to cheat the freneticism of football. You know yourself that if you’re watching football on telly it never quite looks right.

Escape to Victory is still one of my favourite films. Probably again because it’s quite heightened being set during World War Two. Maybe it works because other than Michael Caine you’ve got proper footballers striking the ball the way you expect to see it. Bobby Moore playing in midfield, because Caine is the centrehalf. This is the best team ever, isn’t it.

Even with Sylvester Stallone in goal, »

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INTERVIEW Nick Leather

own. He tainted things a little bit when he went to United and tried to sign Leighton Baines. You can have Fellaini, but leave Leighton Baines alone!”

Martinez played football the right way…

you’ve got Ossie Ardilles, John Wark, and Pele.

Maybe you could do it now, maybe you could cheat it, maybe the definitive football film is still to come.

My friend Shaun Duggan writes Jamie Johnson for CBBC and I know that they went out of their way to cast kids who could also play football. I know Klopp’s done a cameo in it. Gerrard too. I guess Big Sam didn’t have time.”

“In 2013 we played Arsenal, at Arsenal, and drew 1-1. And yet the football we played in that game was some of the best football I think we’ve played since we won the title. We took the game to them. We drew but you just felt brilliant because we put them on the back foot. It was everything you want. You could come away with a draw and feel better than if you’ve just numbed them into submission. I read a quote by Marco Silva where he says sometimes you are forced by the opposition to sit back and that’s different than having it as your game plan. It will happen in some games but it should never be a choice.”

managers in their late 30’s, you are much more We all tell stories, but forgiving of mistakes then. I think Moyes had a tough how do you write a screenplay? second season but you felt like he was getting to grips with the club and developing as a manager. I don’t think “To me the best example of it is through football. there was a sense that Sam was going to change.”

When you write a script it’s not a 90 minute football match, it’s more like the extended Moyes reminds highlights. What you are trying to show is the me of Gordon Brown… turning points. Obviously you’re going to show “Moyes used to talk a lot about the big jobs he was the goals, but what else do they show. It might be going to go on to, which was the one thing that used someone getting booked and you think well thats Big Sam sent me off to sleep… to grate a bit as an Everton fan. He was quite fond not a significant piece of action until you realise in “Probably for the last 30 years my last thought of painting a picture of the future, his journey of the story of that game that player is to go on and has been about football. That’s how I get to sleep.

If you think of work you can’t get to sleep. So every destiny. Yet when he got there [Manchester United] get sent off in the last minute and they’ll concede night I go through what team Everton should play he was saying things like, “We haven’t got this quite in injury time. So actually that booking was a right but I’m new at the job,” and I thought you can’t massive turning point. The choice that player made on Saturday, go through the tactics and formation, really say that sort of thing given how you’ve been when he threw the ball away or gave a bit of back work out who you could buy, who you could sell. presenting yourself. You need to be on it right away. chat to the referee, a minor thing, ultimately cost It’s true I was sat there during our last home game It reminded me a bit of Gordon Brown becoming his team the game and that’s how you tell a story. of the season thinking this is Prime Minister. Someone who was Everything in the script must build towards the final turgid stuff. I think with Big always destined for a big job, yet score and you create a narrative to make that happen.

Sam the problem was as much when they got there they were still All those little moments that build up to the winning the messenger as the message. not ready for it somehow. Probably goal. You tell a story not by saying this happens and If someone else had been the a moral to all of us to be careful then this happens. You tell a story by this player has manager, playing that way, what we wish for. a penalty to win the game but he missed the last one. everyone would have been more Moyes got the club from day It’s about obstacles. It’s about buts not ands. forgiving. There was a sense that one. “The People’s Club,” he The best stories, like football, are when it’s ultimately this was a person coined that in his first Everton unexpected.

It has be to a surprise that makes who doesn’t quite represent the values and ethos of press conference. Absolutely brilliant, how many absolute sense though, something you didn’t see the club. Though you’ve got to say in terms of when he managers actually do that, manage to brand a club coming but the moment it happens you go, “Of came to when he left we owe him thanks. on day one. We’ve slightly moved away from “The course!” Like when United won the Champions As a manager Koeman was the master of selling People’s club” now with Mr Moshiri, but you can League with Solskjaer and Sheringham. It has all his Koeman brand. He created this idea that he still buy a scarf outside the ground with it on. the twists. They’ve lost Roy Keane and Paul Scholes played good football - I didn’t see it. I don’t think he Moyes was the perfect manager for Everton at before they’ve even started. It doesn’t look like they got his team to play with any real fluidity. that time. I genuinely feel he acted in the best are going to win, but then the moment they got I suppose for us the fantasy is going back to a Howard interests of the club, rather than himself. He didn’t those last minute winners you thought, “Of course!

Kendall, and when we had a good period with Moyes. overspend and when management is a short-term They were always going to win because it’s Fergie The perfect manager for Everton does tend to be a thing the temptation must be there to spend every time!” Everything was written yet ten minutes younger, ambitious manager who will build a team penny you’ve got because you might not be there before it didn’t seem written, no one was predicting over the long term. Both Kendall and Moyes became next year. Moyes spent every penny like it was his that. So, that’s when a game is the perfect story.”

“Probably for the last 30 years my last thought has been about football”

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Interview Jennifer Lonergan

P U G N I N N U R

L L I H T A H T

You can find out more information and learn how to donate at the following website:

www.250kilimanjaro.co.uk

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For more info on the Gem Appeal go to:

www.gem-appeal.co.uk

ENGE L L A H C H G U O BIG EN “WE NEEDED A PEOPLE’S ATTENTION TO GAIN

Jen & Andrew Lonergan are also organising a charity golf day at Preston Golf Club on August 12th

For more info on Mind and mental health issues go to:

www.mind.org.uk

Tragedy can befall anyone, but for one player’s wife a double-blow kickstarted a quest to do something extraordinary.

Jennifer Lonergan is literally prepared to climb a mountain in order to help others, writes David Fearnhead

M

ount Kilimanjaro is African’s highest mountain. It stands an impressive 5,895 metres above sea level. It is this dormant volcano that Jennifer Lonergan, wife of Leeds United goalkeeper Andrew, has decided to scale with a group of supportive friends to help raise money for two charities close to her heart.

The first of which is the GEM appeal.

“We were blessed with a baby girl in September 2006 and shortly after found out she had a genetic disorder (PKU), resulting in her attending Hospital regularly. This is what started our fundraising and from that we decided we needed a big enough challenge to gain people’s attention.”

Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a genetic disorder of the metabolism which without treatment can lead to a variety of life-shortening mental and development problems including seizures. The Gem Appeal was set up in 1994 by mother Karen Johnson whose two sons were dying from a disorder. Vital research was needed, but like all research it needed funding. The Gem Appeal helped by raising money for the Willink Unit at the Royal Manchester Children’s hospital where Jen’s daughter was treated.

The research carried out and the improving knowledge for treatment of serious childhood disorders is helping families like the Lonergans.

“I wanted to give something back,” says Jen. “Having been through it with my own daughter I thought what can I do to help other families. We hope that the money raised by our challenge will help raise funds to allow the charity to purchase a new machine which will help to save little lives.”

Joining her on the Mount Kilimanjaro trek will be a group of eight friends including two fellow wives of professional footballers.

Jade Sharp, wife of Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp, also has a very personal reason for joining the climb. The couple tragically lost their son Luey Jacob who died from gastroschisis when just two days old in October 2011. Jade is no stranger to fundraising and has devoted much of her time and energies to raising money in support of children.

“Climbing Kilimanjaro is top of my Bucket List,” says Jade. “I jumped at the chance to get on board with the team to raise money for two amazing charities, Mind & The Gem Appeal.”

Preston when Andrew was there. I spoke to him recently to let him know about our challenge and he thought it was brilliant, so I will be letting him know how we get on.”

Of the challenge Jen says she’s never tackled anything like it before, and a key part of the challenge will be the mental aspect of it. “Being the wife of a footballer I’m more familiar with how important mental preparation is for any physical challenge. Whilst Andrew is preparing for the new season, I’m preparing for Kilimanjaro, so there is an understanding there.”

The group were recently kitted out for the trek

by Cotswold Outdoor and meet for regular gym Laura Wheater, wife of Bolton defender David, sessions. “It’s a lot of long distance walking. Loads will make up the trio of players wives on the trek. of hill walks and leg-load baring exercises. We’ve “Bolton Wanderers are now backing us thanks to found an altitude chamber in Chorley, Lancashire, Laura,” says Jen. “Leeds have been brilliant and so we’re going to start doing that a couple times a Sheffield United got on board with Jade. The EFL week before we leave for Africa.” are also supporting us. They’ve made Mind their Challenges are nothing new to the Mum of two, main charity and they’ll be putting the Mind logo who also runs a successful travel company called on every EFL club jersey which is fantastic.”

The Luxury Traveller. “I’m often challenged in my Mind is another charity which has a deep personal work especially when it’s the end of season and connection to Jen. “I lost my brother Anthony to I’m getting calls from footballers who haven’t yet suicide, it’s the hardest thing we’ve ever had to deal organised their summer break and need me to sort with as a family. Sadly it’s not uncommon and you everything for them last minute,” she laughs. hear a lot of players struggling with mental health issues. I think it’s great that people like Danny Rose Jen and friends are hoping to raise £250K for the climb in Mid-August. “I will be overwhelmed and so was speaking out about it during the World Cup, proud of everybody if we reach our target. A lot of because it’s not just about raising money but also people who have donated have also messaged with about raising awareness.” their own personal stories. I want to do this for “Men especially need to feel it’s ok to speak out people like that. If what we do helps to save even about mental illness and have a place they can go one life it will be such a wonderful feeling to know where people will understand and offer help and we’ve given something back.” understanding. Too many people still don’t have the things they need and deserve to stay well. And, that’s not good enough.”

“Anthony watched the documentary that Clarke Carlisle did and was so pleased that somebody in the public eye had had the courage to come out and speak about it,” says Jen. “Anthony emailed Clarke to thank him as it rationalised his thoughts and feelings. He got a response almost instantly, and they had a conversation going over a period of time.”

Sadly Anthony’s demons got the better of him and he took his own life in 2013. When she contacted Clarke to inform him of the news, the former player revealed all the many e-mails they’d exchanged.

“We all thought it was lovely. Clarke had been at

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Interview Mark North

United they stand!

United London FC are the only FA affiliated club where the fans pick the team. They’re very much on the up, having won promotion last season, so Luke Nicoli ventured down to Romford to find out more from the club’s chairman Mark North

W

ithout the fans, football is nothing. It’s an old adage we often hear in the game and never is it more appropriate than at United London FC. Yet visit their modest ground at the Frances Bardsley Academy in Romford and you’ll find a following that is largely restricted to family and friends.

Granted, it’s a core support that is steadily growing, following their promotion into the Essex Olympian Division Three, but the club’s real fanbase can actually be found in cyberspace, with numbers that have swelled to over 3,000.

So why would this modest outfit from the East London overspill boast a following that stretches to all four corners of the globe? There’s a simple answer; United London FC puts the power of team selection solely in the hands of its fans. There is no manager, no favouritism from inside the dugout, simply an online vote to determine the side’s starting XI each week.

Formed in 2016, the club is the brainchild of Mark North, a West Ham fan who had his eureka moment sitting in front of the TV one Saturday evening with his wife. “I was watching X Factor, while on the other side was Strictly Come Dancing, and I thought, ‘why are their no voting shows aimed at men?’ This was in 2015 and so I met with Freemantle Media, who produce the X Factor, with my idea, and the response was very positive.

They suggested I set it up as an online offering, so I built a website and spent a modest amount to get the club up and running. From there it just snowballed.”

Mark gave up his job in recruitment and set about arranging player trials at both Hackney Marshes and The Hive, Barnet. The response was emphatic, with 250 players turning up, which was eventually whittled down to 25. Next came a seal of approval

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from the FA and United London FC was officially born. Notably, the club’s crest is a phoenix rising from the ashes, a symbolic gesture which for Mark is every bit as important as the fan engagement aspect of the club.

“We wanted to created a club for released players from academies, so when we spoke to the FA we said here’s a club where the aim is to get players noticed, scouted and signed again,” he added.

“There is so much talent in and around London but you find with the players who do get released after their scholarships, there’s not much support for them from the professional clubs they’ve left.

“A lot do drop out and many become disillusioned, but we’re in a position where we can give them that second chance. Our players also know that they’re not just playing in front of 30 or 40 fans at non-league level either. They are being seen by an audience of more than 3,000 people online that is growing each week and every game they play is filmed, with statistics produced on each and every one of them.

“That mythical bird rising from the ashes is us saying to the players, ‘don’t give up on your dream yet’. There’s always a chance you can rise again and we’re a platform for our players to achieve their dreams. Yes, we want to make progress and climb the divisions ourselves, but if we can help players get back to a good standard of football along the way, then we’ve done our job.”

A game against United London is a unique experience, given the level the team currently plays at; with a TV gantry set up for each match and the 90 minutes filmed in full. From the statistics collated, fans can then select their team for the following week.

“We use Videobserver, which is a software package that provides us with all the data analysis we need,” adds Mark. “They are a Portuguese firm, who provide a similar service for the likes of Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, so we are in good company.

Fans can then log on to our website, view the relevant stats for each player and make their choice, position by position, just like you would with a fantasy football team.”

The squad train every Thursday night under the guidance of Konye Amaechi, a UEFA A licenced coach, but he has no say in the selection of the team. The players, too, have no idea whether they’ll be playing on the Saturday until the team is revealed online at 2pm on a Friday.

“There’s a real feeling of anticipation as we await the team,” Mark smiles. “Once we know the line-up, our internal coaches have the collective responsibility of dealing with the fans’ choices come game day, and while that includes in-game management, such as making substitutions, they can’t change the formation or the starting players.

“That’s the way it will stay too, even if we progress up the football pyramid. It’s about fan engagement; in fact it’s fan empowerment, where our supporters have a real say in the running of their team.”

It certainly looks like a win-win situation all round. The strength of the squad suggests a second successive promotion is a real possibility this season; there are regular prizes awarded to the most successful managers - “our manager of the year last season actually came from Russia,” informs Mark; while a reserve team has also been launched with the

squad size now standing at 35 players.

ethos of being a fan-led club, albeit one whose core support is online.

“We want to go through the leagues and reach the Football League – why not?” North boldly “We see ourselves as unique in that respect but states. “And why not do it without a manager? The we still share the same passion as any other club.

Football League ruling states that you only need to We want to win games and we want to progress name a coach, not a manager, and so as long as that through the leagues. remains the case then we can continue as we are.

“The world is a very different place than it was five “When you look at the success of AFC Wimbledon or ten years ago. Everything is online now, social and FC United of Manchester, they were borne media is massive, and we’re very much a part of out of a disgruntled fanbase and have climbed the that. We’re utilising that tool and have added it to divisions thanks to the passion of their supporters. a football environment. We have a long journey Now, we can’t compare ourselves to them, ahead, but we’re delighted with the strides we’ve especially Wimbledon, who already had a 5,000 made in a short space of time. It’s onwards and fans when they set out, but we share their same upwards for United London FC.”

To get involved visit

www.unitedlondonfc.com The team can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and on Twitter

@UnitedLondonFC

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GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN

Autumn/Winter 2018

giuseppezanotti.com/uk

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The Other Half FASHION • BEAUTY • WEDDINGS • HOLIDAYS • JEWELLERY

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35021610 10. VERSACE Logo Bikini Bottoms £135 35705810 75071090 12. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Velvet Logo Sliders £245 22311903 5 22302140 14. VALENTINO Lycra Swimsuit £375 35438530

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what to wear this summer. Harriett gives us the low down on how to dress in this heat wave whether you are off aboard or staying home this summer.

Giuseppe Zanotti has featured a sneak peek of their new AW2018 collection and Flannels showcase their range for all of your wardrobe needs this AW. I’m very excited to announce two new partnerships with two stunning Hotels. First is the superb Akra hotel in Antayla Turkey, which I had the pleasure to stay for a week with my family. This place is gorgeous, check out my review page 120. Our next hotel collaboration is Eclectic Hotels with a gorgeous collection of hotels in Manchester and Didsbury, be sure not to be disappointed if you are staying in any one of these unique hotels.

As a thank you to our readers we can offer you discount at both Hotels so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to receive your code gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk Hope you all enjoyed watching the World cup as much as I did?

Wasn’t the result we wanted but the team did us proud and put some joy back in our country, well done lads be very proud.

Best wishes

Gina x

Professional Player

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Holiday EIGHT E SSENTIALS TO MAKE HOLIDAY PACKING A BREEZE ...

Whilst you’re stuffing your shoes with bikinis and rolling your dresses to cram as much as possible into your suitcase don’t forget to make room for our key trend pieces. Holiday packing always begins with good intentions but before you know it you’ve packed the whole of your wardrobe.

City breaks are often the hardest to pack for because they usually involve trying to squeeze all your outfits into one carry-on which is why I have combined a list of items you’ll be craving more than your holiday.

If packing is done right you’ll find getting ready from a suitcase easier than getting ready from home, sticking to a capsule wardrobe with pieces you can mix and match is key for a relaxing trip away.

Sliders

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Sliders have been given a high fashion make over and are a must have for your suitcase. They are no longer a functional beach shoe, sliders have made their way into urban life giving your summer dress or shorts a youthful edge. Once unacceptable to be seen anywhere but the beach, sliders became the go-to footwear item for fashion influencers which is a god send in fashion! Finally having a comfortable shoe being on trend. I love these Jimmy Choo sliders that come in a variety of colours including bronze and silver. This is a perfect way to be comfortable but add a sense of class and glamour to your flip flops whether you pair them with your swimsuit on the beach or exploring in the sun.

JIMMY CHOO ‘REY’ METALLISED RUBBER IN TEA ROSE £275.00

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“This is a perfect way to be comfortable but add a sense of class and glamour”

Harriet Byczok is a London based stylist for Red Carpet, Editorial, Advertising and Film.

Previously a freelance assistant Harriet had worked for Vogue Italia, Elle and Vogue Russia.

Her career break came when she was asked to style A-list celebrities. Her name quickly gained notoriety within the fashion and celebrity industries with her clients being featured on numerous best dressed lists. Harriet has gone onto style celebrities for BAFTAS, Golden Globes and the Emmys.

With nine years in the industry Harriet has received worldwide recognition being interviewed with publications such as the telegraph, whowhatwear.com and doing a live interview with the Daily mail.

Harriet has a strong vision for both menswear and womenswear. With the years in the industry and a regular at London Fashion Week she has a wealth of fashion knowledge and an experienced eye for styles that work. With a background in both red carpet and editorials she has an ability to recognise what trends are relevant and the pieces you should invest in that will last seasons.

Essentials

Fashion Holiday Essentials

BY HARRIET BYC ZOK

“This white Christian Louboutin bag is a perfect option to mix and match”

Beach bag Your beach bag is probably the most important purchase for your holiday packing. You need space for magazines, water, sun cream… but also keeping your poolside manner chic. Holidays are about minimal stress when it comes to packing and getting dressed, you need your beach bag to match all your outfits.

This white Christian Louboutin bag is a perfect option to mix and match, Its white but also has a pop of colour to brighten up your holiday wardrobe.

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN CABATA SMALL £1145.00

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Sunglasses Its time to throw away the standard aviator, sunglasses are a fashion staple and picking your latest summer shades are just as important as picking your winter coat during the autumn winter months. With the daylight hours getting longer your sunglasses are not just for UV protection but a never without accessory. SS18 shows featured colourful lenses, crystal embellishments, see through frames and my personal favourite the re-invented classic cat eye. If you

want to invest in a pair that can be worn on holiday and the city these Saint Laurent frames are for you. The tortoise shell gives it a cool and effortless feel that can be worn season after season, matching all your summer pieces.

“The tortoise shell gives it a cool and effortless feel that can be worn season after season”

SAINT LAURENT SL 213 NEW WAVE LILY SUNGLASSES £176.00

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Holiday EIGHT E SSENTIALS TO MAKE HOLIDAY PACKING A BREEZE ...

Hat

Beach cover up

Because nothing says summer more then a straw hat! Even if your not a hat person this summer is definitely time to give it a try. Hats are not only a fashion statement but a much needed purchase to protect you from sun rays. To look super “if you’re elegant I say the bigger the better losing your hat but if you’re losing your hat virginity I love this classic Kurt virginity I love Geiger straw hat.

KURT GEIGER LONDON METALLIC WIDE HAT £69.00

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this classic Kurt Geiger straw hat”

ANYA MAJ SILK ROBE £550.00

Sandals Leave your stilettos at home! Shoes take up a lot of space in your suitcase so you need shoes that are easy to combine with every look. These Giuseppe Zanotti sandals have an ideal heel to achieve height and comfort, perfect for warm evenings of drinking and dining.

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI TARA £530.00

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Nothing beats throw and go which is why you must invest in a beach cover-up.

Whilst packing you need one or two pieces that you can just put on and not think about it. I love this yellow long cover up. Its a statement piece which can be thrown on whilst popping to lunch from the beach or even for the evening with some heels. You want your holiday outfits to be instagrammable so its time to be playful with things you wouldn’t usually wear in the city.

“These Giuseppe Zanotti sandals have an ideal heel to achieve height and comfort”

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Essentials

Fashion Holiday Essentials

BY HARRIET BYC ZOK

Bikini Your summer wardrobe doesn’t need to be full of florals, gingham gives a more sophisticated summery vibe. Last year’s gingham takes on a new lease of life this season which means there’s lots of options available for everyone from dresses, skirts, shirts and even bikinis. This Bardot influenced bikini screams old school glamour and is so on trend. Why not turn your swimsuit into part of your outfit by adding denim shorts to wear from casual day, to the beach straight to the bar.

“A classic black one piece is an obvious choice but a white swimsuit is a great alternative”

LA BELLE OFF THE SHOULDER BIKINI IN BLACK GINGHAM TOP: £55.00 BOTTOMS: £44.00

“a statement piece which can be thrown on whilst popping to lunch from the beach”

Swimsuit

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Choosing a swimsuit is probably the most stressful part of holiday shopping, it fills most of us with dread. There are so many trends and colours to choose from but the most important thing is it must fit you and you need to feel comfortable. Everyone should own a one piece for those sun burn days. A classic black one piece is an obvious choice but a white swimsuit is a great alternative. It is a far more summery colour and will look great next to your tan.

Valentino do a chic swimsuit that covers all the right places for confidence on the beach.

VALENTINO LYCRA SWIMSUIT £375.00

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RETREAT. RELAX. REVITALISE. Discover the Spa at King Street Townhouse

H

idden in the depths of the charming King Street Townhouse, is a city centre oasis and the haven you’ve been dreaming of to indulge in that much needed respite. Let the peace and serenity of The Spa by Saving Grace wash over you for a nourishing, mind and body restoration. With signature Eclectic interiors, soothing atmosphere, and expert therapists, the intimate treatment rooms are a blissful addition to your stay, bringing the perfect combination of relaxation and luxury.

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For the ultimate unwind, take advantage of the sensational packages and gift yourself with a well-deserved pamper. Try the 90 minute ‘Face and Body Sensation’ - focusing on the full body, to include foot and scalp massage, and mini facial - and feel maximum rejuvenation as this treatment allows tension to drift away and uncover a calm, new you.

For those with a fuller itinerary book a 30 minute treatment from the Express Menu and find yourself rebalanced as your stresses melt away sooner.

“ LET THE PEACE AND SERENITY OF THE SPA

BY SAVING GRACE WASH OVER YOU FOR A NOURISHING, MIND AND BODY RESTORATION”

Complete your visit to paradise with a dip in Manchester’s first Infinity Spa Pool, perfectly positioned on the 7th floor of the hotel.

Something’s missing? For added sparkle, let our bar team deliver a crisp cool cocktail to reward your hard morning’s work. While waiting for your drink to arrive, soak up the beautifully evolving Manchester skyline and breath-taking views of the iconic town hall, then clear the mind with an utterly refreshing stop in the steam room. Before heading back to reality, take a moment to lay in the all-important relaxation room for a moments peace and a final detox. Just you, and the view.

DISCOVER MORE:

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STEP CLOSER TO THE WEDDING OF YOUR DREAMS For an unforgettable wedding celebration, Akra offers you a variety of space and concept halls. While offering 9 different options for weddings, we add special value and elegance for this special evening, which you can choose from any of them depending on the number of guests. While you and your guests have a wonderful evening, the staff of Akra will be responsible for the perfect organization of a professional team holiday.

We offer 4 different options in the concept design of the “Banquet Hall Side”, “Banquet Hall Athena”, “Garden” or “By the Pool” for the celebrations that host many destinations in particular. For a more modest but less luxurious wedding, “Laden”, “Palmiye”, “Cedar”, “Penthouse Terrace” or “Asmani” restaurants will open doors for you.

WWW.AKRAHOTELS.COM

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STEP CLOSER TO A BETTER YOU WITH OUR SPA & WELLNESS Conducted by The LifeCo, spa and detox treatments include a range of therapies, including programmes to address daily healthy eating and detox, weight control, energy and immune system, diabetes control, and heart and circulatory health. There are also anti-ageing therapies, anti-stress programmes, and SPA programmes that provide total indulgence!

The AkraFit sports centre and indoor swimming pool is on the S floor of the Hotel. With state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym, programmes include fitness, training, cross-fit, spinning, yoga, swimming, Pilates, and Zumba. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools. AkraFit is open between 06:00 and 22:00.

We offer three-month, six-month and annual membership packages.

WWW.AKRAHOTELS.COM

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” y a t s t n e l l e c “An Ex

Asmani Restaurant A must to visit is the ts or res ering est fin e th of e on the 10th floor off would rate this as on ove which is located ab n. The nt tio we ica m ist tea ph ra so Ak re gance and pu ele I have been to. The al tot d e views an gre de me best 360modating and beyond in accom tdoor terrace has the ou r out tte d be foo a , for nu d azing me off have aske of the sea, with an am my family, I couldn’t is is th ion at loc ct rfe of this world and a pe resort to stay at. ssed. d mi an be m to t roo no t rn de an ur mo ta res My room was very to e th of ws vie take a few hours out athtaking I was lucky enough to s, contemporary with bre nt up e me at com tre n o su e tw th for in To watch visit the Spa and book Mediterranean Sea. et in the evening dy massage and an ns bo su ll e fu th a d ing an be ing st rn fir e th each mo gh not sure why that less. ti-ageing facial, thou an every night was price my youthful age, you of the highest quality was recommended at The hotel facilities are of age mmm... am ste gym, sauna, ll only being 21years ge sti Hu ow g. kn (e. s ard nd sta and s massage was pretty eatments, hairdresser any how the full-on I felt room, spa facilities/tr full 60 minutes and excellent, we stayed awesome it lasted a want n’t did I t etc.). The five pools are fac in ildren were safe ed afterwards ch ax e rel th y so all ol, tot po er all an a rare ch ge. in the sm at all, which for me is beside the sun lounges up ht t ge rig to im sw d an y to pla . a full cleansing mask relax whilst watching The facial consisted of where parents could d n tio op an as ol l renewal mask adde only po followed by a gold cel They also had an adult was r ba ich ils wh kta me coc crè d an ion ol at y po with a luxurious hydr with a superb infinit The mask was taken area offering complete g tin sea h lis sty a t on for 15 minutes. th lef wi h ac be ed types of anti-ageing ed seclud off and then had three luxury. There is a guard ich , ns tai un mo e o my face & neck wh of th serums massaged int with a beautiful view . ing rm ax tfo rel pla ry e ve th h rse ac cou be y amazing and of elt sm whilst it’s not a sand my o it. make up for absorbed int and water more than Once the serum was of ion ished off with a few ect fin sel ian de tic wi a skin the beau The restaurant offers red um. The results were can’t ever get bo drops of hydration ser food each night, you looked radiant to ch sk ere is so mu itely visible, my in fin de with the variety as th ated. ff are really friendly and glowing and felt totally hydr choose from, all the sta r oo Bistro offers ind anding and I highly and polite. The Pabilto This Hotel was outst ws vie sea r pe su couples, and th wi mend it for families, om and outdoor dining rec at gre a . This place has any business trips. and a delicious menu est music lat e th all ys pla ich atmosphere wh screens. and football on the big

I

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WWW.AKRAHOTELS.COM

REDEFINE BRONZING WITH BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS’

WARM DEFINE

ILLUMINATE LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION Inspired by Bobbi Brown’s unique philosophy that bronzing powder is a universal beauty essential for all skin tones, the collection goes beyond the traditional bronzed look and does just what it promises with 3 essential steps

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3 ILLUMINATE

Sweep Bronzing Powders in 7 wide ranging shades over the skin to warm up, color correct and achieve a flawless uniformed complexion throughout the face, neck and chest.

Stay sun-kissed year round with the Illuminating Bronzing Powder, which comes in 4 luminous pinks, corals and browns - there‘s a perfect blush and highlight shade for every skin tone. Each shade is developed to mimic the naturally-flushed look of being in the sun, so you can glow 365 days of the year.

2 DEFINE Add definition and enhance the natural bone structure of the base by using a darker shade than the natural skin tone. The cult favourite Bronzing Powder is formulated with a perfect balance of soft matte red and brown pigments to create the most natural effect and layer seamlessly over foundation.

For added glow on the go, the collection includes a limitededition 3-Pan Shimmer Brick Palette and a versatile Dual-Ended Bronzer/Face Blender Brush the ultimate shimmery, sign-off to complete any beauty look.

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1. BRONZING POWDER SHADES SHADES: GOLDEN LIGHT, MEDIUM, NATURAL, ELVIS DURAN, STONESTREET, DARK, DEEP £30.00 2. ILLUMINATING BRONZING POWDER SHADES: ANTIGUA, MAUI, ARUBA, BALI BROWN, SANTA BARBARA £30.00 3. HIGHLIGHT & GLOW SHIMMER BRICK PALETTE SHADES: ROSE, COPPER DIAMOND, APRICOT £55.00 4. DUAL-ENDED BRONZER/FACE BLENDER BRUSH £38.00

www.bobbibrown.co.uk Follow BOBBI BROWN @BobbibrownUK

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PRIMER

PLUS COLLECTION

Meet your foundation’s new best friend. Bobbi Brown introduces the Primer Plus Collection, the ideal complement to our cult-favourite foundations. Designed to help prep and prime the skin for a smoother, brighter, and perfected finish, these essentials layer seamlessly over skincare and underneath foundation to create a smooth canvas for refined makeup.

1.PRIMER PLUS PROTECTION SPF 50 This sheer, fast-absorbing formula helps smooth the texture of the skin while layering detection-free sun protection under foundation.

This high level of UVA and UVB helps guard against sun damage, and helps prevent future signs of premature aging. The skin is left hydrated, plumped, and ready to be glammed. £24.00

2.PRIMER PLUS HYDRATING 3-IN-1 SETTING SPRAY The final beauty touch to a skin-perfected look: Primer Plus Hydrating 3-in-1 Setting Spray. A spritz of this moisturising mist, which is enriched with vitamins and botanical extracts, helps set and refresh makeup.

Chamomile, Cucumber, Green Tea, and Caffeine help soothe and calm skin, while Panthenol and Vitamin E help nourish and condition.

Also use it as a refreshing spray, ideal for quick pick-meups. £22.00

3.PRIMER PLUS MATTIFIER

4.PRIMER PLUS RADIANCE SPF 35

The skin-perfecting formula acts as a “liquid blotting paper,” visibly blurring the appearance of pores and reducing excess oil without sacrificing hydration. This is thanks to the sebumabsorbing powders, which prevent foundation from slipping and wearing off.

The Moisture Gel Complex, meanwhile, attracts moisture onto the skin and locks it in place. Primer Plus Mattifier leaves the skin with a cool and breathable texture with a soft matte finish. £24.00

The ultimate multi-tasker, Primer Plus Radiance SPF 35 creates a lit-from-within glow-all while brightening, soothing and evening the complexion. The formula’s skin-loving ingredientsCucumber, Apple, Scutellaria Extract, caffeine and licoriceare joined by ultra-fine pearl pigments and protective SPF 35. £24.00

www.bobbibrown.co.uk Follow BOBBI BROWN @BobbibrownUK

5.PRIMER PLUS VITAMIN ENRICHED FACE BASE A Bobbi Brown bestseller a primer plus moisturisation for smooth makeup application (it’s the best of both worlds). Rich in feel, but never greasy, this advanced oil-free formula combines the moisturizing power of Shea Butter with Vitamins B, C and E. Grapefruit and Geranium fragrances leave a light, uplifting scent on skin. With daily use, skin looks and feels its best. £43.00

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PERFECT Pairings.

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1. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Pigalle 100 Pvc Heels £635 23357304 2. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Cabata Shopper Bag £1,265 70091704 3. VALENTINO Rockstud Block Heeled Sandals £620 23329604 4. VALENTINO Twiny Bag £1,895 70409604

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5. SAINT LAURENT Opyum Heeled Pumps £770 23301103 6. SAINT LAURENT Patent Kate Bag £1,280 70472503 7. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Degra Spike High Top Trainers £725 23475706 8. DOLCE AND GABBANA Graffiti Low Top Trainers £649 27568401 9. GUCCI Princetown Fur Loafers £765 23418803 10. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Ruby Mini Bag £795 70053810 11. DOLCE AND GABBANA Graffiti Clutch Bag £775 70092103 12. GUCCI Bloom Dionysus Bag £1,300 70089604

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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AUTUMN

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1. SAINT LAURENT Opium Heeled Boots £1,210 23247203 2. FENDI Logo Wool Cape £1,100 66024605 3. FENDI Logo Backpack £1,600 75842703 4. SAINT LAURENT Embossed Kate Shoulder Bag £1,495 70426399 5. OFF WHITE Over Knit Jumper £759 - 66059001 6. GUCCI Patent Web Mules £540 23004701

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7. GUCCI Fake Logo T Shirt £370 65021201 8. VALENTINO Logo Rockstud Candy Bag £1,982 71541903 9. SAINT LAURENT Military Mini Skirt £859 57415316 10. SAINT LAURENT Fur Parka £2,200 66054316 11. JIMMY CHOO Bea 100 Heels £595 23356930 12. OFF WHITE Off Logo Belt £125 75844613 13. FENDI Taped Logo Joggers - £429 57800303

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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GIRLS AUTUMN EDIT

1. FENDI Girls Monster Eyes Hooded Sweatshirt £375 31217906 2. GUCCI Girls Tiger Logo Sweatshirt £235 61105899 3. GUCCI Girls Butterfly Sweatshirt £250 61104506 4. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Girls Sparkle High Top Trainers £390 09136310 5. GUCCI Children Girls Low Top Ace Glitter Trainers £200 03338311

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DOLCE & GABBANA Girls All The Lovers T Shirt £95 29101306

BURBERRY LONDON Girls Gina Jacket £155 61503006

BURBERRY LONDON Girls Cashmere Scarf £210 71549604

GUCCI Girls Web Cuff Zip Sweatshirt £270 61105918

BURBERRY LONDON Girls Coat £329 29707904

GUCCI Girls Loose Patch Jeans £315 61001618

GUCCI Girls Fake Logo T Shirt £110 61423406

FENDI Girls Felpa Queen Sweatshirt £275 31217803

FENDI Girls Logo Leggings £105 30006240

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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HIGH SUMMER POOLSIDE PERFECTION

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1. ZIMMERMANN Prima Dress £835 65094806 2. VALENTINO Rockstud Double Wedge £560 23104006 3. CHLOE Ce114s Carlina Sunglasses £262 75647290 4. ZIMMERMANN Ruffle Bikini £250 35438704 5. VALENTINO Rockstud Large Shopper Bag - £885 70063303 6. AGENT PROVOCATEUR Lyssandra Swimsuit £195 35453003 7. GUCCI Straw Bee Hat £265 70056710 8. VALENTINO Moonwalk Sliders £445 22322606 Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

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9. VERSACE Triangle Band Bikini Top £190 35021610 10. VERSACE Logo Bikini Bottoms £135 35705810 11. GUCCI Gg0252s Round Frame Sunglasses £390 75071090 12. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Velvet Logo Sliders £245 22311903 13. JIMMY CHOO Logo Contrast Sliders £195 22302140 14. VALENTINO Lycra Swimsuit £375 35438530

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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IMAGES AVAILABLE AT WWW.THOMASSABO.COM

FINE JEWELLERY

THOMASSABO.COM

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LONDON

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ZURICH

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FRANKFURT

•

STUTTGART

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HAMBURG

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MUNICH

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VIENNA

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PA R I S

Bespoke Garden Solutions BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN BEAUTIFUL SPACES

0800 093 7926

info@jhps-gardens.co.uk

www.jhps-gardens.co.uk 131

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S E E N T H E # N E W RO S S O Y E T ?

R O S S O R E S TA U R A N T & B A R Manchester 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BG Book a Table - 0161 832 1400

www.rossorestaurants.com

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The Mercedes-Benz VIP Programme.

Mercedes-Benz of Leeds 155 Gelderd Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS12 6BZ 0113 201 5227

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www.mercedes-benzofleeds.co.uk Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

For more information, please contact our VIP specialist Robert Murray on 0113 201 5227 or robert.murray@stratstone.com

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@proplayermag