Professional Player Issue 18 by Professional Player Magazine

issue 18 • june 2017

professional player

A CUT ABOVE Chelsea Truck Company Showcase their amazing Black Hawk Jeep

Mercedes

PestanaCR7

View their luxurious new range of cars for him and her

The soccer superstar launches a line of boutique hotels

Individual Restaurants Discover their amazing collection of restaurants

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION 1

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Welcome issue 18 • june 2017

professional player

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

A CUT ABOVE Chelsea Truck Company Showcase their amazing Black Hawk Jeep

Mercedes

PestanaCR7

View their luxurious new range of cars for him and her

The soccer superstar launches a line of boutique hotels

Discover their amazing collection of restaurants

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION 1

issue18

Support Manager Maria Redfern maria@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk 07715 653442

Individual Restaurants

n this issue we have our main interview with CR7 and Cristiano Ronaldo. We were invited to CR7 Pestana Hotel in Madeira where we experienced the unique atmosphere of the brand which is opening more Hotels in Lisbon/Madrid and later in the year in New York. The museum that is situated next to the Hotel is a place that has to be seen. Ronaldo is extremely patriotic to his birth place Madeira and indeed when they have had two major disasters there in previous years he has helped to rebuild the town to its unique setting that can be seen today. The airport has now re named to pay tribute to Ronaldo for his work and commitment to the home town and this is something that he is very proud of. We have some exciting major brands that are now working with us Harvey Nichols, Mercedes and Club Individual to name but three. There has been a great deal of working taking place recently to arrange the agreements with these brands. Finally I would like to comment on the Joey Barton situation. I do not think this has been dealt with correctly by any of the football governing bodies. If this was not Joey Barton it would definitely not be the level of charge they have placed against him. We all know Joey has his opinions but it is a free world and he is entitled to that freedom as we all are. However, if he was a lower profile player it would be a fraction of the penalty they have levied on Joey. Where is the PFA when you need them what are the FA and Premier League doing? There are huge double standards here as the governing bodies are quite happy to take millions of pounds in sponsorship from these companies and ensure that the gambling brands are in the faces of everyone that watches football on TV/Tablet/ Phone on line etc. it is saturated. So that is all ok then is it? But if a player places a bet then it’s all wrong? Ok we understand that there has to be some guidance on rules etc of course, but come on this is all very wrong and I hope that Joey does appeal and gets a better hearing for himself. Good luck Joey!

Photography Mark Kirk markykirkphoto@gmail.com 07817 531324 Creative Director Chris Blyth chris.blyth@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk Fashion & Image Consultant Cleo Lacey cleolacey@demi-couture.co.uk Contributors Anthony Bunn, Luke Nicoli, David Fearnhead, Cleo Lacey, ThinkBDW Marky Kirk Photography, Laps Careers, Very First to, Matt Fearnon, 20Five Ltd, Adgenda Media, Cube Marketing, PA Images, Rex Images, Shutterstock, Leo Moynihan, Harvey Nichols, Spotlight Media Group, Jim Dobson 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.

Peter Etherington Professional Player peter@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

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features 14 Millgate Homes

Looking to start build an investment portfolio Millgate Homes build the most desirable of homes, seeking out the very best of locations, creating the highest value of products. Take a look at some of their projects.

29 CR7 Pestana Hotels

Read all about our time at Cristiano Ronaldo’s hotel in Madeira, their amazing rooms and spectacular services. Along with their chain of hotels in Lisbon, Madrid and New York.

38 Very First To

Very First To bring to you the very latest in ‘boys toys’ from the new BMW Titan Concept to the Twilight Express Mizukaze train that runs through Japan.

46 Interview with Matt Green

Professional Player speaks to Matt Green in our exclusive interview, along with his girlfriend Jeri-Marie who has started up some exciting new businesses.

90 Cleo Lacey

Cleo brings to you the summer must haves for the ladies this season, along with the top 5 men’s and women’s bags.

94 The Piano Works

A night out in Chelsea’s ‘hot spot’ The Piano Works is where it’s happening! From dining to live music you’ll be sure to have a great night.

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Interview

The Mighty

Quinn! The legendary former Sunderland, Manchester City, Arsenal and Republic of Ireland striker talks through his illustrious career with Luke Nicoli

PHOTO: GRAHAM CHADWICK / DAILY MAIL /REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Niall, you are remembered for your time at Manchester City and Sunderland but Arsenal were the club that made you, right?

It’s the club where I learnt my trade. You walked up those steps into the famous Marble Halls at Highbury, that old Etonian image, the history, the stadium, and you knew you were playing for something very special. David Rocastle, God bless him, felt the same way and there’s the Arsenal motto often attributed to him, ‘remember who you are, what you are, and who you represent’. That was drilled into all of us coming through at the time: Martin Keown, Tony Adams, Michael Thomas, Rocky... we were brought up the right way, not just on the pitch but off it too. We knew who we were representing, and the weight of expectation that

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came with it, but we all felt good about that, and proud too. We were all boys, but Arsenal helped us become men. You had quite an interesting debut against Liverpool, didn’t you?

it was an amazing day and my only regret was not having my family there to witness it. Did your life change overnight?

On the Tuesday I naively allowed the famous Mirror photographer Monty Fresco to do this mock-up of On the Thursday I was at Euston station ready to me in a Bob Geldof Live Aid-type pose, which was catch the train north to join Port Vale on loan but splashed all over the back page and which had me Arsenal had got a message to the station to tell me diving for under my bedsheets at home! The game not to go because Tony Woodcock had been injured. was also the first on a Saturday to be shown live Paul Mariner then also picked up an injury and I was told not to go out that Friday night. I stayed in, around the world and the following week I had a small sack of fanmail – some of it from behind the got the train from Enfield down to Finsbury Park the next day, and walked to the ground, completely Berlin Wall – I couldn’t believe it. But I still kept a parallel life to my football life; Stringfellows wasn’t unrecognised. I didn’t think for a minute I’d be for me, I kept the same Irish friends, went to the playing but at 2pm Don Howe has walked in and same Irish bars and replied personally to every letter there I am, pinned up on the teamsheet alongside Charlie Nicholas! I went on to score our second, so – well I did until it started to become abusive!

Niall Quinn

What’s your most vivid memory of that cup run?

WE KNEW WHO WE WERE REPRESENTING, AND THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION THAT CAME WITH IT. WE WERE ALL BOYS, BUT ARSENAL HELPED US BECOME MEN”

The semi-final replay against Tottenham, because we saw what it meant to the fans. We lost the first leg 1-0 at Highbury, and George Graham came in afterwards having spoken to his friend Herbie Frogg, who worked for the design label Aquascutum. He was a Spurs fan and was so confident they would get to Wembley that he said the entire Arsenal squad could have a free suit if we made it instead. That was all the incentive we needed; we won the second leg 2-1, then the replay by the same score. So off we went into central London and picked the most expensive suits we could find. Herbie was devastated! Having George Graham as manager was bitter-sweet for you, wasn’t it?

I was afraid for my life when he arrived! I made a great start and played a lot of games in his first season, but he then brought in Alan Smith – who was a great signing – and my career came to a standstill. I was basically used as free-kick fodder in training, and it became quite demoralising. It was easy for him to keep me there because I was earning buttons, but I finally stood up for myself, had the bottle to demand a move, and I went to Manchester City – and it proved to be a life-changing experience. Not just for club, but for country too…

I joined City with nine games of the 1989/90 season remaining and the side in the bottom three; but I scored four goals, and we lost just once to stay up. It was form that earned me a place in Jack Charlton’s [Republic of Ireland] squad for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. I think I scraped in as the 22nd name of 22, given we had forwards like Frank Stapleton, Tony Cascarino, David Kelly, Bernie Slaven and John Aldridge all ahead of me. But I got my chance in the final group game against Holland, scored, and stayed in the team for the next 11 years when fit. You got to play in two cup finals for Arsenal – with Liverpool again on the receiving end in the League Cup final in 1987…

I remember driving up towards the Twin Towers in the coach and you start thinking about finals you’d watched on TV as a kid and now you’re going to be a part of it. We had nearly 100,000 there that day and it all started ominously because Ian Rush scored the opener and Liverpool had never lost a game when that happened. I also remember feeling absolutely flaked out, my legs were like lead, and there were only 20 minutes gone! But I got my second wind, Charlie scored in each half and we won the game. It was a great feeling walking up those steps a winner.

kept believing in me. Given what he had achieved at Everton, he kept saying to me, ‘you’re better than Graeme Sharp, you’ve got so much more to your game’ and he made me feel 8ft 4 rather than 6ft 4! You are quoted as saying you learned your trade at Arsenal but became a footballer as City…

That’s how it was. I played regularly, I scored goals and I was there in my peak years. I went on to have a good year with Peter Reid, scored 22 goals in my first full season and emerged from this player who was training fodder at Arsenal to really kicking on in my career. We went on to finish fifth twice in a row but unfortunately it was overshadowed by Man United’s success. It was at a time when Manchester was buzzing – off the pitch too, with the vibrant music scene; the Happy Mondays, Oasis, the Hacienda... it was a great place to be. What is your favourite City memory?

I scored in four or five derby games; scored and went on to save a penalty when Tony Coton had been sent off against Derby County; and it was just a great feeling to play at Maine Road, especially in front of a full Kippax, but I would have to say scoring on my debut against Chelsea tops the lot. It helped me lay down a marker and I went on to score 20 league goals in 36 games. Great times. You ended your career with Sunderland, winning promotion and leading the side to seventh in the Premier League. You’ve also said you enjoyed your time there more than Arsenal or City. Why was that?

It was a sense of achievement, not with winning trophies, but with making the club big and being part of the group that did that. It was more precious to me because I was coming towards the end of my career and I felt the passion. The passion of their fans is a big thing and to stay with the team through generation to generation is just immense. When I first signed I didn’t understand What was your favourite memory the enormity of what it meant to the people. I from your time with Ireland? bought into that and when I got the people to I was lucky enough to play in World Cups and a believe in me I went on a journey with the fans. European Championship, but it would have to be scoring against England in a European Championship We brought the club into the new era with the Stadium of Light and we filled it out. qualifier at Wembley in 1991. A high ball came in from Paul McGrath and I’ve got in behind the England You scored 71 goals in 222 appearances defence to get a deft touch that’s gone beyond David and set up just as many for Kevin Phillips. Seaman. There’s no better feeling than scoring at The best strike partner of your career? Wembley and against a team that had the likes of Without a doubt. We just hit it off from the Tony Adams, Des Walker, Bryan Robson, Peter moment he came to the club; that big man, little Beardsley, John Barnes and Gary Lineker in it. man combination. He worked off me and was just so prolific in front of goal, winning the European Golden Howard Kendall took you to City, so how much of an influence did he have? Boot in his first season in the Premier League – what an achievement. They were just great days with the Nobody showed as much belief and confidence in me as he did – he really did take my career to the next team playing to our strengths; memories that will last level in the year I had with him. He kept pushing me, a lifetime. A wonderful time in my career.

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Glory Days What will tomorrow bring you as an athlete, a celebrity or a person? What will you do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or find yourself having to do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; next year, next decade? Whatever stage of your life, the chances are that our legal and professional services team can help. We not only provide you with the legal advice you need to succeed, but will stand firmly by your side, every step of the way.

You don’t need one lawyer. You need a team. You, the business

Advice on understanding contracts

You’re not in business. You play football, right?

Let’s look at some of those key questions that are likely to arise as your career progresses:

Not quite. You’re not only in business, you either are a business, or you are about to become one – a business built on not just your footballing skills but also your personality and your image. So like any business, you’re going to need lawyers with experience across a broad range of specialties, one with your long-term best interests at heart. In the first instance, that could be simply negotiating contracts with a long line of interested parties: clubs; agents; sponsors; advertisers; merchandisers; television companies and publishers (maybe you’re only 21 but they already want to ghost write your autobiography!). So let’s start with some free advice – there are a lot of important questions you need to ask before you ever put pen to paper on anything; questions a good lawyer will be able to help you with.

• What are your obligations to your club? • What rights belong to the club and what rights do you still control? E.g. can you become the body of Armani underwear when you’re promoting M&S pants through the club? • Do you have an exclusive contract with one company that stops you endorsing the products of another company (e.g. is there only one shampoo that’s allowed to sort out your dandruff)? • How do you get out of a contract that no longer suits you (e.g. your agent won’t let go and claims to own 15% of you ‘for life’)? A lawyer will be able to help you with issues of dispute resolution before things get litigious and help when it comes to protecting your image rights and other intellectual property matters.

Advice off the pitch Football may be everything to you but you have a life too. Right now you have a good income and everyone wants to be with you. Whether these aspects of your life are happy experiences or not, they all have a serious legal side to them:

Property:

Buying or renting, alone or sharing, for yourself or for your mum – you’ll need a lawyer.

Relationships:

Should you have a pre-nuptial agreement with your fiancée before marrying? If you’re already married, a “post-nup” may be useful, and if you live with someone you may benefit from a cohabitation agreement. If a relationship breaks down a lawyer can help you to regulate any obligations you may have. Lastly, do you have a will? You really should.

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Fun stuff:

That supercar lease-to-ownership plan might be exciting but does it really make sense for your circumstances? Do you truly understand and will you know who to call if the Essex police don’t like you putting it through its paces on the A12? Likewise a lawyer will be able to help you decide on the best way to acquire the toys to match your lifestyle, such as the best way to own or have use of a private jet or boat.

Living and working in the UK (for non-EU nationals):

So you have a visa to work in the UK, but what if you were to lose your job? A lawyer can help with your immigration status and whether or not you’re able to bring family members to the UK to live with you.

Reputation – your life as a public figure:

As soon as you become a celebrity, newspapers and magazines may become inclined to print hurtful and untrue things about you or your loved ones – a lawyer should be your first call. They’ll also help you with what you can and can’t do on social media, complying with club policies, endorsement or sponsorship contracts – and help you avoid tweeting yourself into trouble. At Gordon Dadds LLP we have experts in all these areas of business and life.

Contact: John O’Connell | Partner e: johno’connell@gordondadds.com Anna Coakes | Partner e: annacoakes@gordondadds.com Richard Elliott | Partner e: richardelliott@gordondadds.com t: 0330 333 4571 6 Agar Street, London WC2N 4HN www.gordondadds.com

Who are we? We are the legal and professional services firm of choice for ambitious individuals and organisations. A proactive partner, rather than passive service provider, we combine the skills needed to successfully address complex legal and business issues with the softer human qualities that make working together a pleasure. Our story began back in 1920, when divorce lawyer George “Tim” Gordon founded an office in Piccadilly. Fast-forward almost 100 years and we have evolved to become one of London’s most future-focused law firms with a growing global footprint. Over the last few years we’ve expanded from a highly regarded but modestly sized practice to become one of the UK’s most ambitious full-service firms, with almost 100 lawyers specialising in every major area of law. Perhaps the key point is that although Gordon Dadds has developed in ways our founder could scarcely conceive, in another sense our story is remarkably consistent.

We still prize ambition and respect. We still insist upon excellence in everything we do. And we still offer our clients a uniquely personal service. In short, we build on our past to define our future.

Protecting your hard-earned wealth and reputation What will tomorrow bring you as an athlete, a celebrity or a person? What will you do – or find yourself having to do – next year, next decade? Whatever stage of your life, the chances are that the Gordon Dadds legal and professional services team can help. We not only provide you with the legal advice you need to succeed, but will stand firmly by your side, every step of the way.

John O’Connell | Corporate Partner

Anna Coakes | Private Client Partner

Richard Elliott | Corporate Partner

e: johno’connell@gordondadds.com

e: annacoakes@gordondadds.com

e: richardelliott@gordondadds.com

I specialise in high-value mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and joint ventures for private companies, as well as all manner of commercial transactions. For over twenty years, my particular expertise has been advising on commercial activity in the sports business sector. I deal with the commercial exploitation of brands and rights, including acting on the acquisition and exploitation of sportsrelated commercial rights.

I advise a broad range of wealthy clients, including professional players, entrepreneurs and business professionals on the administration of complex estates and trusts, as well as specialising in wills and inheritance planning and the particular complexities which must be considered when there are multiple assets held in different jurisdictions.

I specialise in company sales and purchases, corporate finance, joint ventures, real estate structuring and finance, and general business affairs with a focus on the aviation and sports sectors. I have extensive experience in advising all participants in the sports industry including clubs and the owners and potential buyers of clubs as well as advising football agents and sportsmen and women. I also regularly advise on the sale/purchase and structuring of high value assets such as executive jets and luxury yachts.

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COVER FEATURE Pestana CR7

“I CANNOT WAIT TO GO TO SLEEP IN MY SUITE AT PESTANA CR7 FUNCHAL IN MY HOMETOWN!” Ronaldo

A cut

above The highly anticipated opening of the first Pestana CR7 hotel in Funchal, Madeira marked the ‘kick off’ of the partnership between Dionísio Pestana and Cristiano Ronaldo. Jim Dobson reports 29

COVER FEATURE Pestana CR7

“THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT MAKES US ALL VERY PROUD” Pestana

egendary Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has invested more than $40 million into a range of hotels in Madeira, Lisbon, Madrid and New York called CR7 after his successful underwear, footwear and fragrance companies. Add the recently titled Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport to his vast holdings as the former Madeira Airport just announced the name change in his honor. The joint venture, which is co-owned by both Ronaldo and Pestana Hotels, will be managed by The Pestana Hotel Group and will be located in four spectacular destinations; Lisbon (in the Historic Downtown), Madrid (on the Gran Vía) Madeira Funchal (fronting the Cruise Harbor) and New York (steps from Times Square). Dionísio Pestana, owner and chairman of Pestana Hotel Group, and Cristiano Ronaldo were both born and raised in Madeira, and their professional relationship is based on years of friendship. The first hotel opens this weekend on the island of Madeira, southwest of Portugal. Lisbon will open in August, with a New York Times NYT -0.30% Square location in 2017, and a Madrid hotel scheduled to open on the cities most famous shopping street in 2019. Despite press reports, he did not buy a hotel in Monte Carlo with Donald Trump and will focus on the New York property opening for next year. Ronaldo is excited about his new hospitality venture and says, “My job is to play football, but life won’t always be like this. I have to dedicate myself to this new project and I have the best team in the world around me. I am young

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“I’M THINKING ABOUT MY FUTURE, AND MY SON AND MY FAMILY” Ronaldo

During your stay, you’ll be able to enjoy the rooftop infinity pool, along with the sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi. Work out at the outdoor gym, use the free Wi-Fi and enjoy your meals at the restaurant. Take in one of the best sunsets on the island from the rooftop bar.

but I feel very fulfilled so this project is exciting for me. I’m thinking about my future, and my son and my family.” “The first hotel will be in Madeira and I want to be at the opening of all of them” he continues, “I’m very happy with Madeira and in Madrid, where I play, so it makes a lot of sense. I’m extremely happy because this is the biggest project in my life and it’s completely different to what I do. We were considering only one hotel originally, so to start with four locations is a big kick-off! It’s like playing for the first time and suddenly scoring lots of goals.” Cristiano Ronaldo’s CR7 brand is the main inspiration behind the four hotels, which will be boutique in style and will appeal to young millennial travelers. While the hotels may not be considered luxury, they are being marketed to an upscale clientele. Also, expect a lot of integration into the design and interiors of each property, with the Ronaldo signature fragrance, a planned furniture CR7 line and also Ronaldo-themed soccer art in the rooms. As the highest paid athlete in the world ($88 million), this 31-year-old superman is quickly becoming a corporate juggernaut.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

In downtown Lisbon, the Pestana CR7 Lisboa Hotel is located near the water and has 82 rooms and 1 Ronaldo CR7 suite. Many of the guest rooms have views over Rua da Prata and Rua do Comercio, but the beautiful rooftop rooms offer marvelous views over the roofs of Lisbon and are the best luxury options. With a modern concept, the hotels D&E Lounge is a multifunctional dining experience. It will offer cultural and traditional Portuguese food including Tapas & Petiscos. At the bar, there will be performing “flair” bartenders and weekly Dj events. Of course, the CR7 Sports Lounge will be the ultimate destination for all televised sporting events.

The Pestana CR7 Funchal Hotel is located directly on the Harbor of Funchal and is adjacent to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Soccer Museum. The hotel has 48 rooms and 1 Ronaldo CR7 Rooftop Suite, with a rooftop swimming pool, a relaxation deck and unique views over Funchal and the harbor. The hotel also includes a Lounge with performing “flair” Bartenders serving vibrant beverages and an open oven restaurant concept for casual fancy food.

“IT HAS BEEN A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR ME TO ENTER A NEW AREA IN WHICH I ALWAYS HAD AN INTEREST AND CURIOSITY” Ronaldo

COVER FEATURE Pestana CR7

My Experience:

Gina

When I arrived I didn’t know what to expect. However I was pleasantly surprised at its cool and sophisticated flair, stunning-viewing balconies and subtle and original details. It is a seamlessly integrated immersive technology experience. Romance and party-friendly rooms, where all the information is at your fingertips and all the fun is a just a step away. With an amazing cruise harbour and bay view, these rooms invite you to stay a bit longer, even if you have no down time planned. All the USB plugs are available to make sure your gadgets are fully charged to make the most of your customised rest. The staff, the bar, the food and the service, everything was superb! The cocktails were somewhat astonishing... Sitting next to the infinity pool sipping cocktails whilst working was a pretty cool experience. Then add the atmosphere and enjoy the best views of Madeira, I highly recommend for whatever your purpose is!

“I’M EXTREMELY HAPPY BECAUSE THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROJECT IN MY LIFE AND IT’S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO WHAT I DO.” Ronaldo

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Born from collaboration between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Pestana Hotel Group, this lifestyle hotel offers contemporary design, making it Funchal’s latest hotspot.

PLAYERS BEWARE ‘2525 WILL MAN STILL BE ALIVE? WILL BOOTS STILL PLAY ON IN THE ICON?’

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G R E AV E S F I N A N C I A L S E RV I C E S LT D Partner Practice of St. James’s PlaceWealth Management

Prior to joining the financial services industry, Ryan enjoyed a successful career as a professional footballer with Hull City and Sheffield United, which saw him play in all four tiers of the English Football League. Since retiring from football, Ryan soon realised that he wanted to help footballers achieve their financial goals. As a Consultant of Greaves Financial Services, a long standing and experienced Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, Ryan and the Greaves Financial Services team pride themselves on providing a first class service. Demonstrating honesty, reliability and a strong commitment to the best interests of his clients, Ryan is passionate about providing trusted financial advice.

For more information please contact:

Ryan France DipPFS M: 07866 554381 T: 0113 2125741 E: ryan.france@sjpp.co.uk W: greavesfinancialservices.co.uk A: Chancellor Court, 21 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EH

The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. H2SJP25715 04/17

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Fashion Trend Report

1. Common Projects Brown suede backpack £835.00 2. Coach Rip and Repair Campus leather backpack £730.00 3. Vivienne Westwood Wimbledon black leather backpack £550.00 4. Saint Laurent Printed black canvas backpack £670.00 5. Alexander McQueen Black skull-jacquard backpack £595.00

D E S I G N E R AT H A R V E Y N I C H O L S

Five to drive

5ive to drive There is a multitude of driving machines currently available, but whatever you might have experienced until now is set to be trumped by some stunning offerings soon to be unveiled. Luxury launches site VeryFirstTo.com scours the globe for the finest luxury creations and, on behalf of Professional Player, identifies the top five driving innovations soon to be launched.

Porsche Mission E The Porsche Mission E is designed to run entirely on electricity. It will have no combustion engine, exhaust system or transmission tunnel and production for the car is already underway. Porsche is making a significant commitment to technology, having invested around €700m in the car. Capable of 155 mph, the car’s system voltage is an impressive 800 V. Charging to 80% within 15 minutes, the vehicle could be one of the most convenient electric sports cars. It isn’t expected on roads till 2020.

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VeryFirstTo.com

Aero-X Hoverbike The Aero-X Hoverbike is designed to carry two people up to a height of 3m (10 ft) above the ground and reach speeds of up to 72 km/h (42 mph). It can run for 75 minutes on a full tank of fuel. Apparently, it will be as easy to ride as a motorcycle and pilots will only need a weekend of training to be able to fly it. Aero-X expects to be delivering the first ever Hoverbikes by mid 2017.

The Aero-X can be adapted for many outdoor uses: surveying, search and rescue, border patrol, disaster relief, ranching and more.

3m 42mph 75mins // above the ground /

// top speed /

// on a full tank of fuel /

Be the first to know at: VeryFirstTo.com

Five to drive

BMW Titan Concept Another bike that is shaping the future albeit in more muscly terms and drawing inspiration from a shark is the BMW Titan concept. Envisioned by Turkish designer, Mehmet Erdem, it will feature, concealed handlebars and a masked front wheel, which further contribute to the design’s futuristic aesthetic. However, despite its beastly appearance, the Titan is also designed to ensure drivers can travel in comfort. The turbo-powered engine connects to the rear tire through an enclosed swing arm. Whilst there isn’t a set production date for the Titan as of yet, it is expected to materialise towards 2018.

Envisioned by Turkish designer, Mehmet Erdem, it will feature, concealed handlebars and a masked front wheel.

five

Twilight Express Mizukaze

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Indulge in style on the rails with a remarkable train experience from Spring/Summer 2017. Twilight Express Mizukaze will journey through the traditional and unspoiled Japanese landscape of West Japan: the rich history and culture of Kyoto, Matsue, Izumo and Miyajima, and the beautiful natural scenery of the Sea of Japan, Mt. Daisen, and the Seto Inland Sea islands. The art deco meets 21st century-style train will be 10 cars long, consisting of a dining car (offering haute cuisine by top-class chefs including Japan’s most Michelin-starred chef, Yoshihiro Murata), a lounge car, six sleeper cars and the two sightseeing cars, which come complete with outdoor viewing platforms on the ends. Mizukaze will have a capacity of 30 passengers.

VeryFirstTo.com

Sea-Doo Spark Trixx From land to sea, introducing the Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX. The jet-ski runs with intelligent throttle control, brake and reverse systems, the most lightweight engine on the market and is capable of 50mph. It has two modes, Sport Mode is perfect for tricks and high speeds, while Touring Mode is ideal for cruising. It will be available from Spring 2017 with bespoke options.

It has two modes, Sport Mode is perfect for tricks and high speeds, while Touring Mode is ideal for cruising

Mizukaze will have a capacity of

30 passengers

Be the first to know at: VeryFirstTo.com

Our premier team Julian Hedley and Pete Hackleton advise a range of sports clients – from individuals through to organisations – providing tax advice that is technically sound, commercial and practical.

Julian advises a range of individuals in the media and entertainment sector, including those in the football business. A highly experienced tax accountant, Julian’s work ranges from one-off transactional matters to long-term, ongoing tax advice. In the past he has worked with some of the world’s most high profile musicians and sports stars. Julian Hedley, Partner T: +44 (0)20 7841 4000 E: julian.hedley@saffery.com

Pete advises a range of individuals and businesses, primarily in the sports and entertainment sector. His major clients include both international and national governing bodies of sport, clubs, major venues, rights holders, other sports businesses and individual sportspeople. Pete regularly speaks at industry conferences about the key taxation issues in sport and is well known as a trusted adviser to major stakeholders across the sports industry, and particularly in football. Pete Hackleton, Partner T: +44 (0)20 7841 4000 E: pete.hackleton@saffery.com

www.saffery.com 42

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Help to achieve your financial goals Saffery Champness is a trusted adviser to private clients, including sports men and women, entrepreneurs and other individuals in the creative industries.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pete looks after all of our tax affairs, with a common sense and easy-going approach so that we are kept upto-date and understand everything that is going on.â&#x20AC;? Premier League player and his father

Our breadth of experience ensures that, as a Saffery Champness client, you are provided with professionals who understand the niche in which you operate. For advice and information on how we could help you to achive your financial goals, please contact either Julian Hedley or Pete Hackleton on T: +44 (0)20 7841 4000.

www.saffery.com 43

Key Currency

A better way to move your money Buying a house, car or boat in Euro’s or Dollars? Need to send money to friends or family overseas? Every time you transfer money abroad with your bank you’ll lose money in hidden fees and a poor exchange rate. Use our trusted service and you’ll be making great currency savings.

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Interview

B Nature oy Matt Green and partner Jeri speak to David Fearnhead about a life well travelled, and how being at one with nature has proven to be the perfect release from the pressures of professional football.

he days of the one club footballer are a thing of the past for most professionals. The fluctuation of a club’s fortunes is so liquid these days that players are often forced by circumstance into the life of a journeyman professional. One such professional is Matt Green, a former England Youth International. Having started his youth career with Bristol City the striker has played for eight different clubs, sometimes making numerous returns to the same club. With every move comes the usual concerns of reorienting into a new club, but often it’s what happens off the field that can be the biggest pressure. A new home, learning the layout of a new city, making new friends. Most people do it once or twice in a lifetime, but for professional footballers there can be a dozen of these big moves in a career. “It is a rollercoaster ride for most footballers,” says Matt. “It’s important to keep your family close, and stay strong as a family unit, because its them who’ll always your best interests at heart. Sometimes when people find out you’re a footballer it can be a nightmare. You ask them to sort you out with a good price and it ends up being a hefty bill, and you have to pay it there and then. Most young footballers have been stung with that a few times. You are better off lying about what you do.” He’s been with his partner Jeri through all the big moves, and says she’s played a major part in helping him settle into a new club. “Good women don’t grow on trees. It makes it a lot easier for the players who are with the missus, because you’ve got that stability at home away from the pitch. There’s that old saying

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and a prolific season to remember he attracted the attention of many clubs. Matt opted for Championship club Birmingham, who signed him on a two-year contract under manager Lee Clarke. “Going to Birmingham was a big move. I’d scored 57 goals in two seasons and was a great asset to any club at that stage. It started well, I scored against Leicester who got promoted to the Premiership that year, and scored against Swansea who the cup holders. I even got called up by Wales, but unfortunately didn’t have any Welsh heritage. Then I got a knee injury and had a few injury setbacks. I was told I wasn’t going to that a woman makes a house a home and it’s true, I have a new contract at Birmingham, having worked believe that.” so hard to get the opportunity. I was 27; Jeri was Released by Bristol City as a schoolboy, he discovered pregnant at the time, unfortunately that’s the reality the Cirencester Academy which offered many lads of football sometimes.” who’d been at professional clubs a second chance. Green returned to Mansfield in May 2015 and made “It’s changed a bit now with the success of people like 70 appearances for them before being made a free Jamie Vardy, but it used to be if you were a non-league agent this summer, but following his experience at footballer. You’d always been seen that way.” Birmingham he maintains a positive outlook on life. Green showed enough promise to be picked up by “It was a massive blow to me [to not get a new Newport County where he made 56 appearances contract at Birmingham] but I just said to myself I before moving on to Cardiff City. Spells at Darlington, want to get back and enjoy my football. I want to earn Oxford United, Torquay and Cheltenham followed, but it was to be Mansfield Town where he would play enough money to be able to look after my family and give us a good life, and have my son watch me play best football. Arriving on loan he netted 14 times from 25 appearances. The Stags then signed him and for a good club. I did that with Mansfield and I was enjoying my football again and scoring regularly,” says he rewarded them with a 40-goal season. Matt, who has over 130 career goals. One of Matt’s most memorable goals in that 40 “I’ll always have a special connection with those goal season came in fourth round of FA cup against fans and the club, but now it’s time to move on and Liverpool. “That has to be up there with my best reach my potential with a new club who’ll value me goals,” he says. for what I can bring them.” With a hattrick of promotions with Torquay, Green says his time out injured at Birmingham has Oxford, and Mansfield now under his belt,

Matt & Jeri Green

FEATURE Matt Green

also taught him a lot about his body. “When you’re sidelined for 15 months you almost become a physio yourself. You learn how to rejuvenate.” An important part of that is time out. A keen fisherman, he describes it as close to meditation. “It’s man versus beast. You can learn a lot by fishing. It’s a skilled sport, and baiting up can be very technical. It requires a lot of precision. It teaches patience too. People think all you’ve got to do is stick a rod and they’ll bite, but the big fish have been caught a few times and they’re a little wiser. It’s a real adrenaline rush when you’re reeling in a big one and you’re hearts going like the races.” “It’s also great to get out into a different environment and be one with nature, sitting out under the stars with a nice fire going. It’s a time when I can relax and switch off from football.”

Jeri Supporting Matt through moving clubs has given partner Jeri a good insight into the problems facing professional footballers and their partners. She’s taken all that accumulated knowledge and created a membership card with many perks and discounts available.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE, AND STAY STRONG AS A FAMILY UNIT”

Membership provides access to a website where players’ wives and girlfriends can meet and share local knowledge. Whether it’s the location of the best schools, the best local shops, or where’s best to go and eat. It’s all accessible through a secure site which already has members from every part of the country with plans to expand overseas. Jeri is also a founder of Pure-Col Sport selling collagen-based products which aid footballers with recovery and repair.

Goals

beyond

goals

How one footballer is tackling the issues of retirement for sports professionals A career in professional sport may seem a dream come true for many, but the question of what comes next is a very real concern. Sports careers are notoriously short, retirement coming at an early age or forced through injury, and trying to find something else to replace the intensity and thrill of sport is an enormous challenge. 48

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t is exactly that fear which has driven footballer Robbie Simpson to start up a recruitment platform for sports professionals and elite athletes: Life After Professional Sport (LAPS). Having faced the fear of unexpected retirement himself during a period of contract uncertainty, he knows first-hand the issues facing sports people at all stages of their careers.

“I wanted to provide a service that’s genuinely helpful to people planning ahead or going through that transition,” says Simpson. “LAPS has loads of advice about looking for new careers and applying for jobs, and masses of information about training courses and qualifications that will suit sports people. The job adverts are a big part of it, of course, but we wanted to offer something with even more value.” The issues facing ex-sports professionals have been made more public in recent years thanks to the great work of people like Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, but the statistics make for shocking reading. Taking football as just one example, the chances of clinical depression after retirement rocket by 40%. 33% are reported to be divorced within a year of retirement, and as many as 40% will face bankruptcy within five years. The picture is similarly bleak in other top level sports as well: after such a highly dedicated, intense lifestyle, the fallout of retirement is often just too difficult

to manage. As Simpson says, “All too often athletes retiring from sport suffer a loss of identity and purpose. After so long performing at the very top, anything else seems dull by comparison, and they’re just not prepared for it. I wanted to do something to help.”

Sports people have so many qualities that are a huge advantage in business Professional bodies like the PFA do provide support for players approaching retirement but there’s more that can be done. “There are thousands of elite athletes in all types of sport,” says Simpson. “Most of them retire really young. They have years and years of work potential in front of them – it’s all about preparing for that transition, and helping people to get ahead with the right training and qualifications. Sports people have so many qualities that are a huge advantage in business, but I think sometimes they sell themselves short.”

A popular feature of LAPS is the series of in-depth interviews with other sports pro’s who have already made the transition into new careers, including the likes of Dion Dublin, Jack Russell and Sophie

Christiansen to name just a few. “It’s amazing what people have gone on to do after sport,” says Simpson. “We’ve talked to everyone from artists to alligator keepers, bankers to jewellers.” It seems the sky really is the limit for life after sport – as long as you know where to get a helping hand.

STAR QUALITY LAPS has been attracting support and recognition from a lot of business people, including Sir Richard Branson, who recently endorsed the work of LAPS on his blog. He gave his own top 10 reasons why athletes are such a great proposition for employers, saying sports professionals are: • Goal driven and achievement oriented • Able to learn from failure, quickly • Always developing new skills • Good at taking direction • Skilled at working well with partners • Resilient • Strong communicators • Good time managers • Full of grit • Aware of what it’s like to be part of a team

Interview

Welcoming Matt With 644 professional games and 49 caps over a superb 15 year period, Matt Holland was one of the most consistent performers around. Here he talks to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about his early days, his career in football, and a burgeoning media career after retiring from playing.

You grew up in Bury – what were you like as a lad?

I actually went to the same school as the Neville brothers. I wasn’t too bad academically but sport and football in particular was my passion. My dad played to a decent non-league standard and my mum was pretty sporty too, playing netball and rounders. As I moved south with my dad’s job at the age of 9 I haven’t kept in touch with anyone from junior school. How did you get into football and how and where were you spotted?

I was always playing football and went to watch my dad play every week from about the age of 3. I was first spotted playing representative football for my district I seem to remember. My dad got a job in London so I moved south at the age of 9 hence why Arsenal spotted me as a youngster! Is it correct that when Arsenal released you they said that you were too small, and who were your heroes as a youngster?

Yes they did, but I think it was a gentle way of letting me down! I was a big Man United fan and Bryan Robson was my big hero. After that, the likes of Paul Ince and Roy Keane were also big influences on me. You decided to leave West Ham for a smaller club in a lower league. Glad you made the move?

season and beating Inter Milan at Portman Road – Now on to what you’ve done since hanging your all amazing memories. Not sure which order I’d put boots up. You finished your playing career at Charlton – did you consciously not want to play them in though! in the lower leagues at the end of your career?

I think every player has one club that is simply right for them during their career – was Ipswich yours?

To be honest I would have been happy to continue playing down the leagues but didn’t get an offer I felt I certainly felt at home from the minute I arrived was right for me. I was starting to do more and more at the club. I had a really good relationship with in the media towards the end of my career and it the fans and was really proud to pick up the Player just so happened that my options were better in that of the Year Award in my first and last seasons at direction. The majority of my work right now though the club. is with Talksport and the Premier League. You famously turned Aston Villa down, showing real loyalty to Ipswich...

I had an existing four year deal at Ipswich, and Aston Villa only offered me a three year contract. The money in the third year would have gone down considerably as well because I would have turned 30. I just felt that they weren’t showing me any sort of commitment to come and sign. Graham Taylor was the manager and he was brilliant to deal with but I think his hands were tied. You were rightly well known for a superb disciplinary record – playing in midfield, how did you manager this?

Some would say I didn’t like to tackle but I always felt I put myself about. I must have just timed my It was important for me at the age of 20 to be tackles well! I also made a point of getting on with playing first team football, so taking a step back the refs so maybe that played in my favour! was the best option for me. I grew up a lot mentally and physically during my time at Bournemouth. It You also were loved by Charlton fans is a great club and still have lots of friends in the – are they a London version of Ipswich? area and at the club. I then went to Ipswich and had Yes, they are very similar clubs with a real family a great time there. feel. I actually spent six years at Charlton -the same length of time that I was at Ipswich and I really Tell us some of your bets memories of your time at Portman Road... enjoyed my time at the club. I’m really hoping that Winning promotion at Wembley via the play offs, Karl Robinson can get them back up the leagues finishing 5th in the Premier League the following again.

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Had you made any plans for your retirement either career/monetary when you were in full throes as a player?

You always think it will last forever, but sadly it doesn’t. To be honest my wife My wife (Paula, and they have two sons - Jacob and Sam) was very good at looking after the financial side of things. It meant that I could just concentrate on playing football. As a player, I wanted to keep my options open. I did my B licence which I enjoyed but I have fallen into the media side of things. I’m still involved in the game and nothing beats going to live game every Saturday. I still get a real buzz from it. How did you get into it media work?

I was asked to do a few commentaries in my late 20’s/early 30’s and continued to do the odd one until I retired. Once I was finished as a player I was asked to do a lot more - for which I will always be grateful. Why did you not become a coach/manager?

No real reason – its just the way the path has gone for me. People still ask me if its something I’m still interested in and whilst I would never say never, I think its unlikely.

Matt Holland

Should current players do more to learn from the media and watching more football and analysing it?

THE HARDEST WORK OF THE WEEK IS THE PREP WORK I HAVE TO DO WATCHING AND READING UP ON THE LATEST NEWS AND DOING ALL THE STATS AND ANALYSIS”

I think media training should be mandatory at football clubs. In terms of the analysis I think players are more aware now as there is much more done on it on television. Explain for us an ‘average’ week for you….

I’m guaranteed to be working three days a week although it is often more. Thursday, I do a show on Premier League TV with Phil Neville previewing the weekend’s games. I host a radio show on Talksport on Friday evenings doing something similar with Danny Gabbidon, and then on a Saturday I co-commentate a Premier League game. To be honest, the hardest work of the week is the prep work I have to do watching and reading up on the latest news and doing all the stats and analysis for the shows I do. Your broadcasting style is very warm and nonconfrontational – is this how you are in everyday life?

I’d like to think so although my wife would probably argue against that! I just try to be myself when I’m on air. I think people see through you if you’re trying to be controversial for the sake of it. I hope I say things as I see them. You are going to upset people from time to time as that’s the nature of the job, but I try to be as fair as possible. I’ve been on the other side of the criticism so I know what its like. What’s next for you?

I honestly don’t know. I take each season as it comes and just hope that next year I will still be working in the game I love and still watching and talking about football.

Matt Holland is a patron of Inspire Suffolk, a charity working to inspire and motivate young people and adults in Suffolk through education, sport and health programmes. Their website is at www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk

Henri Saha

HOW TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE AND BECOME A FEARLESS PLAYER When you’re confident the game feels easy, everything you try just seems to work; tricks, skills, passes, shots, even bounces, deflections and ref decisions seem to go your way! And when you’re not? Absolutely nothing goes right and you end up in a downward spiral: poor performance leading to low confidence leading to more poor performance. Confidence is the BIGGEST PREDICTOR of performance out there.

Feeling good?

You’re more likely to play well, more likely to take risks and bounce back quickly after mistakes.

Not feeling good?

Guess what? You’ll be nervous, you’ll make silly mistakes and you won’t be happy with your performance.

The best thing about confidence is that you CAN control it, you CAN build it and you CAN get it back if you ever lose it.

How can I get my confidence back? 1. Use video Get highlights of your best performances put onto disk or USB drive from the video analysis department so that you can watch them on demand -check YouTube-chances are someone has already made you a highlight video!

2. Always focus on what you do well and have a positive mindset

When things aren’t going great we often focus on the negatives, the chances we missed, the times we lost the ball, the mistakes we need to cut out. After a game/training session spend 10 minutes thinking: ‘what did I do really well today? What can I be really happy with?’ Remind yourself of how you got to where There will always be positives, even if you you are today, remind yourself of your miss a chance, think positively about your successes, your great performances. What are your strengths as a player? What are you movement to get there in the first place, if you hit a bad pass, think positively about it good at? being the right decision etc. There is always a positive spin you can put on things. Video will really help here.

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3. Accept mistakes and learn from them Everyone makes them, it’s how you react after that really counts and what you can learn from them. Don’t be too upset when you make a mistake, work harder to make up for it and work hard to make up for the mistakes of your team mates. After a game/training session spend 10 minutes thinking: ‘what can I learn from the mistakes I made today? How can I be better tomorrow?’ Guess what? Video will really help again here. I’m a massive fan of using video wherever possible.

Sport & Exercise Psychology

Do you sometimes struggle to play your BEST in the big games or when the pressure is on? Is there a better play inside of you, desperate to get out? Are you ready to take your performance to the NEXT LEVEL? If you had the confidence of Christiano Ronaldo, would YOU be playing at a higher level and earning more? If the answer is YES, email info@henrisaha.com to get a FREE ‘NEXT LEVEL PERFORMANCE’ coaching session today over Skype/ FaceTime/in person.

You will learn: How to get the mindset of a champion. How to play at your very best level more consistently in training and matches. How to become a fearless athlete and take your performance to the next level.

What my clients say: “I reacted to mistakes by shutting off and blaming myself... it began ruining my confidence in everything... I have regained my confidence, not just in football but in every day life.”

“The best result I have got from it would have to be gaining more confidence and stepping towards being a more positive player.”

“Henri has found numerous was to coach the development of my mindset & in turn improve my motivation & performance.”

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How can working on Psychology help YOU? Planning

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Henri Saha is a specialist in helping to take players and coaches to the next level in their performance and reach their true potential.

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If you want your home to look the best it can, then using professional tradesmen who work to the highest standard ensures your home has that ‘wow factor’. Providing a free consultation service, offering advice on paint finishes and colours, we can quote on any internal or external project. The excellent feedback that we continue to receive is not just down to our meticulous manner and exceptional finish but also making sure that we look after our clients, treating you and your property with respect and ultimately producing the home that you desire.

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Interview

Other side of the line... Ex-Premier League star Jason Euell has helped 15 players break into the Charlton Athletic first-team since hanging up his boots for a coaching role in the Addicks’ academy. He told Luke Nicoli about the secret behind his and the club’s success. Jason, as a former player, was a move into coaching something you’d always anticipated doing?

I always wanted to stay in the game and coaching was the most viable option for me. When I was at Southampton I started to look into it more seriously but it was during my second spell at Charlton [in 2011/12] that I started my Level 3 UEFA B Licence. When I came to the end of my playing contract that season, Paul Hart [former Charlton academy director] asked if I’d like to take over the U15s and U16s at the club. I had a decision to make; did I continue playing for two or three more years, or take the plunge and start my coaching career? It was a decision that, in hindsight, was the correct thing to do.

You top scored in the Premier League for Charlton for three consecutive seasons, and played for Wimbledon, Middlesbrough and Blackpool at the highest level, so has coaching replaced that buzz of playing?

football and the world’s about. I’m now working with the U23s, young professionals, but they’re only in the building for three hours a day so what are they doing with the rest of their time? At Charlton, we see it as our responsibility to make them good people as well as good players, something that will stand them in good stead in their future lives, whether they succeed at the club or not. It sounds like you need to be more than a coach to young players?

You have to be a role model, a dad, brother, friend, best friend and uncle, as well as a coach – you have to cut up yourself up into all those personas. Every individual is going to be going through different things at different stages, and you need to be able to relate to them all. Some need more talking to than others, some are more professional than others, but the ultimate aim is always the same: to get them into the first-team at the club. To have coached 15 players into the first-team is phenomenal. What is your secret?

I wouldn’t for one minute say it’s simply down to me; we have a fantastic youth structure in place and I’m the one now with the U23s who has to get them over the line. Some clubs will say winning is not important in their young players’ development, but we see it as winning and development going hand in hand. Players will develop by winning games and losing games – where they will hopefully learn from their mistakes – but if we can breed that winning mentality it makes it easier if they break into the first team as that’s what football is all about at that Did it help given you’d just packed up playing? level – winning games. The group I had at U16 level It was certainly an easier transition as I went from are now second-year pros with me, and won the You came through with the Crazy Gang at playing to then returning for pre-season as a coach. league and national cup in their youth team days and Wimbledon, but have the younger generation When I first got the job, Steve Avory [Charlton have now retained the U23 league after last year’s changed since then? academy manager] and Paul Hart introduced me success - that’s four years in a row! They’ve all got [laughs] Growing up at Wimbledon was the school of to the U16 players and there was a ‘yes!’ from the into a habit of winning; they have that mentality, hard knocks, but it made me the player I was and the boys as they had known me as a player the previous and it’s helped a number of them make that step-up season. They didn’t necessarily know me from my first person I am today. When I tell stories to the boys now to the first-team. We’ve got a first-team manager of how things were back then, they can’t believe it. spell at the club but teenagers are never too far from [Karl Robinson] who likes to develop homegrown Things have changed these past 20 years and for me YouTube, so they’d go away, do a bit of research on players, and has a fantastic record of doing that, and now, it’s about getting the balance right with regards so we always say to any intake, whatever the age, me and would start commenting on goals I’d scored against Arsenal and Chelsea, for example. They could to how you speak and approach the young players. I that there’s generally a pathway into our first-team. feel fortunate that I have a lot of the old in me, and a therefore identify with me, which was important. lot of the new, and that is helping me as a coach. One of your former protégés, Ademola That must also be an advantage when it comes to the training pitch…

It helps that I’ve played at the highest level as the lads know what they’re getting from me is 100 per cent genuine – at the end of the day, you can’t kid a kidder. When you’re on your coaching courses, they tell you to take part in your demos as much as possible as it’s a good way of learning, so I get involved on the pitch whenever I can, where I can also get a better understanding of what they’re doing and thinking and vice-versa.

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I missed it initially; working hard all week in training, then putting it all into practice on a Saturday – where you had that buzz of playing in front of big crowds and scoring goals too. However, after three to six months working with the U16s here, I got that buzz back, and it came from watching the lads getting their rewards on a match day, having executed what we’d worked on throughout the week in training. I get up for games as much as I did when I was a player, but I’m getting my buzz from the dugout now.

So would you say the players are more molly-coddled now?

The football takes care of itself, but what you are dealing with more on a day-to-day basis is the mental side of the game, and how you need to speak and approach young players to get the best out of them. You need to put a protective arm round them, but given where I’ve come from, I will also hand out a rollicking if I deem it necessary. In my opinion, you have to give them a dose of realism of what

Lookman, has moved for big money to Everton. Have you been surprised by his success?

He didn’t come into the building until 2014 but he had the right attitude. People see his flicks, tricks and attacking play, but he also has a tremendous work ethic and is a quiet, humble lad who is liked by all. If there’s a ball anywhere near him, he just wants to play and there were times when I was with the U23s and he was coming out after a recovery session with the first-team and was tapping me on the shoulder wanting to do two-touch. He just loves

Jason Euell

the game and gets very emotional if he loses and is very hard on himself if he makes mistakes. It was a dream to see him score on his Everton debut against Manchester City, and it’s only a matter of time before he lights up the Premier League. Finally, what does the future hold for you? Are you happy developing players or do you want to go higher?

The aim is to become a manager or a head coach one day. You want to play as high as you can, and I managed to do that, so coaching is no different for me. I started with the U15s and U16s, now I’m with the U23s. I’ve also had first-team exposure, and I’m taking my Pro Licence now, so my aim is to continue getting as much experience as I can, both on and off the pitch, which will hopefully stand me in good stead in the future.

PHOTO: CAFC

Conveyor belt of talent: The Charlton players who Jason has coached into the first-team: Aaron Barnes, Joe Aribo, Ezri Konsa, Brandon Hanlan, Josh Umerah, Regan Charles-Cook, Ademola Lookman, Mikhail Kennedy, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Karlan AhearneGrant, Dillon Phillips, Ollie Muldoon, Harry Lennon, Diego Poyet & Morgan Fox.

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Mercedes-Benz range: urban 16.2(17.4)72.4(3.9), extra urban 23.9(11.8)-88.3(3.2), combined 20.5(13.8)-134.5(2.1). CO2 emissions 322-48 g/km. Official EUregulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 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.

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Interview Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor & Darren Powell

Coaching

in America As stated in previous issues of Professional Player, North America is becoming a real hotbed of football. Crowds are huge, the USA national side (both men’s and women’s) are becoming real players on the world stage, and with a number of high profile players plying their trade in the MLS in recent times (the likes of Beckham, Gerrard, Pirlo, Villa, Henry, Keane etc…) it’s probably the fastest-growing footballing hotspot in the world. Anthony Bunn spoke to three coaches who are originally from this side of the Atlantic, who are now plying their trade in North America.

ll three had very different routes into coaching... Pulis knew from his playing days he was going to be a coach and was an avid student of the game, whilst Darren Powell’s route in was a little different... From an early age spent watching his father play and coach in the Notts Alliance league, to then going to America at a relatively young age where he developed his coaching through the college system. James O’Connor was a combative midfielder for a number of teams and gained all of the UEFA qualifications: Pro, A,B and C Licenses, and also a Certificate in Applied Management.

that we want to clip to show the players in the video debrief the following day. We would also clip parts for certain individual players to go through with them, too. We would then plan our week’s training based upon certain things we needed to improve on or the type of opponent we would be facing next. We then train every day leading up to the next game. I usually arrive in the office around 7am, take the training session in the morning then the afternoons are How does training differ in the States to back in the UK? spent in the office going through video of upcoming AP: A lot of sessions that I deliver have been taken opponents, video with individual players, and from coaches I’ve worked under in the past, then making sure everything is organised and planned maybe adjusted slightly. So the sessions are very ahead for the following day. similar to what would be put on back in England. So folks, describe your coaching JO’C: To be perfectly honest, with Louisville City One thing we are mindful of is the weather. We and leadership styles... it is very similar here when it’s compared to my expect our sessions to be very intense, and in AP: I would say I have a mixture of styles, and in my experiences before, which have largely been in the order for that to happen especially in the middle opinion the days of being completely one way or the of Summer when the temperatures can reach close other are gone. The modern day player is different to 100 degrees, we have to shorten the duration to how they were 10-15 years ago. You need to slightly otherwise the level of quality and intensity understand the personality of the player before you decide which way is best to manage him. Something I we look for are impossible to reach. take great pride in is being honest with the players - as A typical week starting with gameday. Then the day well as consistent, we expect high standards on and after a game the players that started would be in off the field and they are reinforced on a daily basis. for a recovery session, the players that didn’t start JO’C: It’s a mixture really, and it depends totally on the would do a high-load Football Conditioning session. The following day the players would be off, however circumstance and the players involved. We all know that different players react in different ways at different myself and my assistant would watch the previous times, so it’s all about delivering your message in a way game and start selecting certain parts of the game

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that gives you the best chance of success. DP: I believe in team leadership, where staff and players are held accountable for what they are responsible for. I like to think I am a combination of styles based on the situations that arise and the audience that I am talking to. I believe that all players need to have a good work ethic, high standards, and ambition – and they will see that as a coaching team, we always try to lead by example.

ANTHONY PULIS PHOTOS: MARK THORSTENSON OF ORLANDO CITY SC DARREN POWELL PHOTOS: DARREN ABATE/SAN ANTONIO FC.

James

O’Connor

JAMES O’CONNOR PHOTO: EM DASH PHOTOGRAPHY

Dublin-born James O’Connor was a combative, energetic central midfielder who played in the UK for the likes of Stoke City, West Brom, Sheffield Wednesday, and Burnley before heading over to America to finish his playing career with Orlando City. With well over 500 competitive games under his belt, James is now the Head Coach of Louisville City FC who have finished second in the USL Eastern Conference for the past two seasons.

After moving from the UK to play for Orlando City in 2012, Anthony Pulis is now making waves as the Head Coach of Orlando City B. The son of West Brom manager Tony, Anthony is hoping to lead his sider to a second consecutive playoff berth in this, the club’s second United Soccer League season.

Anthony

Pulis Darren Powell moved across to the States from

Darren

Powell

Nottingham in 1991. He is now the Head Coach/ Technical Director of San Antonio FC who play in the Western Conference of the USL. Powell has a wealth of coaching experience and is highly thought of in the States, highlighted by his sterling work as the Director of Orlando’s Pro Academy.

Interview

more growth in the league, and over the long term America will most likely be a country competing well at World Cups. DP: The game has grown in my time here, but the past five years has shown rapid growth, with teams like Orlando and Atlanta joining the MLS, with big fan bases – it’s exciting to see. The USL has expanded to 30 plus teams and with MLS II teams playing in the league the young players coming through have a pathway from academy to first team now. I am sure the quality of the players coming through will increase, and so help the quality of professional soccer in this country. PHOTO: LOUISVILLE CITY FC

UK. I always like the sessions we host to be high intensity ones. I arrive at the training ground for around 7:30am; we train the players, then the afternoon is spent doing either media work or planning on how to beat our next opponents. DP: I have been here over 25 years now and I am sure training has changed from how we did it in the early nineties. Our training is well planned, and based on what our coaching team thinks the best style of play is for the players we have available. We will then prepare our team in that manner in preparation for the weekend’s game throughout the week. Monday is meeting day with all the technical staff, upper management, PR, Academy Director and Director of Ops - typically looking back and then looking forward to improving our club as we grow on a weekly basis. We train each morning, then prepare training for the next day. We also do video work with players, and do some scouting of the opposition each day, as well. One or two evenings a week I will be out coaching at the academy. We currently have U12’s, but expand next year to U14, U13 and U12 as full-time teams. We want to set the culture right from day one, and it is exciting to watch the young players improving.

Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor & Darren Powell

Football in America really is growing – how do you see the sport developing in the short and longer term?

AP: Football has grown immensely in the five years I’ve been here. I can only see it growing further with the introduction of more high quality well-run clubs in both MLS and USL. With more money being pumped into youth development in MLS academies you’ll see better quality players coming through which should eventually enable the national team to compete for honours in the major tournaments. JO’C: I think that over the short term you will see

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And Anthony, how big a help has your father been, as he’s such a prominent and respected figure in?

AP: Dad’s been a huge help. To have someone as experienced and successful as he is and not to tap into that knowledge would be silly. We speak virtually every day on the phone and he’s always there for advice. That’s not to say we don’t disagree on certain things from time to time and I’m certainly my own man when it comes to my ideas and beliefs on the game, but a lot of the values I have and the way I operate on a daily basis have come from him. What’s the lifestyle like over there? Try not to make everyone too jealous please!

AP: The lifestyle here is fantastic! I have a wife and two young children who love living here as there is so much for them to do. With this job it’s difficult for me to fully enjoy and experience it all though! JO’C: We have settled in brilliantly here, and have now been here for five years. It is a very family orientated culture, which suits us well as we have two kids.

Is the travelling in the US for matches and the time differences a bit of a pain?

AP: Dealing with the travel here is a huge challenge. The stress that it puts on the players bodies is something that cannot be taken lightly and any advantage we can get whether it be compression socks, exit row seats with more leg room, or pool recovery sessions on arrival we try to take. JO’C: I personally think it is the biggest challenge, as the country is so big. It is not until you come here that you realize just how big it is! DP: We travel very well as a team. It is challenge, but one we plan for and try to make it as efficient as possible - but the distances are pretty big, for sure! But we get to go to some interesting cities and get a small taste of those as well.

DP: There have been so many influences in my coaching career, and I learned from an early age to learn from all the people I would work with. Fortunately, I have been able to be around a lot of very good coaches and people, and I like to think they have all helped me develop me as a coach. And my immediate family has always supported me on every step of the journey.

What are the main things that you are responsible for in your role eg. transfers, training, selection, recruitment... etc?

AP: I’m heavily involved in the recruitment of players for OCB: I run all the training sessions and am responsible for team selection unless a player is coming across on loan from our MLS team and I get told that he has to play. JO’C: I’m in charge of everything to do with the football side here. It works well for us, as I know exactly what we are looking for in each position. DP: SAFC is only in its second year of existence, and last year we had about six weeks to construct our roster. So, currently, responsible for all of the above.

DP: The lifestyle is great. Having lived in a few different places in the USA I can say that all the locations are different and unique in their own way. You have to work hard, but with the weather and the culture you find time to enjoy the different parts of the country - from beaches to the mountains... What are your personal career hopes and ambitions?

AP: To be the best I can be and to work at the highest level possible. JO’C: Simple. To be as successful as possible and to reach the highest level I can! DP: Tough question. I would like to remain in the game for many years to come. I want to see some of our players come through our academy to represent SAFC in the MLS, in front of our fans in a sold out stadium - and of course, win! And finally, which three things do you miss most about the UK?

Who have been the biggest influences in your development as a coach so far?

AP: Family, Sky Sports, and my mum’s Sunday roast!

JO’C: All of my ex-managers have played a role, plus any coaches who I have watched or trained under or with have also played a role - as I am a student of the game. I’m always taking notes, to help me get better!

DP: My family, Match of the Day, and chocolate/crisps.

JO’C: Sky Sports News, Cadbury’s chocolate, my friends/family.

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Academies

Swansea Presentation Day

The Professional Player team recently went along to Swansea AFC for an afternoon of presentations for the next generation of Professionals with our partners St James Wealth Management, GordonDadds Sports Lawyers and Sports Insure.

ecause of our passion for ensuring that young footballers get the very best of advice when it comes to finances, legal advice and insurance we only work with Professional companies. These are carefully chosen by PP to work within our prestigious brand and ensure that they give only the relevant advice to the young professionals.

On the drive from our hotel to the Academy we drove past the spectacular Liberty Stadium, home to Swansea FC where we hope to see many of the young boys playing for the 1st team one day. Built on the site of the former Morfa Athletics

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Stadium and playing fields, the 20,520 seat stadium has become one of the foremost sporting venues in the country. As well as two hugely successful sporting teams, they now regularly hold International sporting fixtures, numerous sell out concerts and provide the home to thousands of conferences and events every single year. When we arrived at the academy the new building looked superb and the staff were all very accommodating at facilitating us all to set up ready for the presentations. There was an air of success and stability within the Academy reflecting that the club owners see this as the future if Swansea city FC.

Swansea City AFC

“With 80% of players now from foreign shores in the Premier League it can be difficult to find a club/contract within an academy”

Smiles from PP partners

During the presentation, the boys were totally engaged, asking questions where necessary and all taking in the potential pitfalls that can confront them in years to come. PP objectives are to give them the advice to keep with them for the future. Football can be a very insecure industry with many players ending up leaving the profession very early on in their lives. Many players fall out of love with football because of injury, lack of success or indeed not being able to find a club. With 80% of players now from foreign shores in the Premier League it can be difficult to find a club/contract within an academy and players often find their career at another

Swansea FC U23 Facts: » Its only our second season as a Category 1 academy » It’s our fourth season at Landore » This year the U23s have been promoted to Division 1 of the Premier League, 2 as champions of Division 2 » Our U23 team was also the only U23 academy side to make the 1/4 finals of the Chekatrade Trophy » We also made the semi-final of the International Cup losing 1-0 to Porto » We are currently in the semi-final of the Premier League Cup » Due to play Portsmouth on May 2nd

club after leaving the place where they have spent the former years of their lives. PP recently spoke to a young player who was 18 years of age and had been at the club academy for 11 years. He was released and found it really tough to accept that the club he loved didn’t want him anymore. It’s a cruel industry however players must come to terms with this as a possibility at some stage.

Professional Player continue to impart the very best advice to young professionals. If you want your club to benefit from this Free of Charge service then contact: gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk.

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

New signings Cesc Fabreg as Tuesday night we welcomed our gorgeous boy, Leonardo Fàbr egas Semaan to the world. A spec ial Thank You to @danie llasemaan my love, for everything you have given me and being the bravest wom en on earth. I love you so much. Both mummy and ba by are doing amazing .

#CaptainLeaderLegend Frank Lampard The last man standing of an incredible era for @chelseafc. What a pleasure to play with the greatest defender in the @ premierleague history. In fact, I’d put him up with any defender in world football of any era. He led the club both on and off the pitch from the moment he made his debut. He set standards for everyone, whether it was demanding excellence in training, fighting for every win or respecting how fortunate we were to play for such a great club. He was, and is, a legend, not just for his talent but just as much for his desire to get the best out of himself and others around him. That’s what made him the most successful captain in the club’s history. Off the pitch a great friend to not just me but so many at the club and outside of it.

Daryl Janmaa t We joyfully welc ome Gizi Janmaat!

Hanging with heroes

Bradley Wrig ht-Phillips The hardest th ing I’ve ever do ne but I pulled through, couldn’t have done it without my wife by my side #babyrae ps Leanne’s do ing great and so is the baby Reply Retwee t Favourite More

Diego Costa Great afternoon today being interviewed by the amazing star Thierry Henry.

Fanning the flames

Asmir Begovic Absolute privilege to have played with the Premier League’s best ever defender for the past 2 seasons. Fantastic captain and team mate. Wish you and your family all the best for the future and hopefully finish this season in a fitting way! #captainleaderlegend #jt Danny Simpson Pleasure to meet and speak to the legend @Oficial_RC3 this morning

Marc Bartra Great to meet Steffi today!!!! It’s been a worthy quest and a real pleasure! Thanks everybody! Zlatan Ibrahimovic The person who changed my game Fabio Capello Reply Retweet Favourite More

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Chris Smalling Just what we needed, 3 points before the int. break ...shout out the fan in the middle just casually assisting with celebrations #MUFC

Piers Morgan If Spurs win the League & Wenger signs a new contract, I will have to leave the country.

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Dog gone crazy Broken not beaten Off-field antics Casey Stoney MBE The downside of being a defender

Heather O’Reilly My first trip to @ NandosUK with my @ArsenalLadies teammates

Lucy Bronze Anyone know where to get dog mats for windowsills??

Alexis Sanchez

Loris Karius Sushi time Have a nice evening guys! #dinner #LK1

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It’s a funny old game Ronald Koeman Today we visit Seamus Coleman and his Family! Looking strong and positive

Karen Carney Love it when you are browsing in a shop and you get asked “excuse me do you work here” lol #awks

Jack Wilshere I know what it takes, and I will do what ever it takes

Nacho Monreal Nice evening at tonights private exhibition at the Maddox gallery with Bradley Theodore

Vogue! Strike a pose

Melissa Elizabeth When you go cinema and the geezer next to you, thinks it’s ok to make as much loud as possible: rustling and slopping his chops.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Siobhan Chamberlain That moment when you delay the team photo because your glove gets stuck in the anthem jacket! #Lionesses

Memphis Depay Shirt off.... Lyon mode ON #TeamOL @OL

Héctor Bellerín No clouds in my mind

Eniola Aluko So lucky to be in a team & environment that is human with the character to embrace the highs of lows of our journey, not sugarcoat it.

Basti Schweinsteiger Watched our first NHL playoffs game last night. It was a great experience and good luck for Game 2 on Saturday, @NHLBlackhawks! @anaivanovic Reply Retweet Favourite

For updates on the world of football and our exclusive partnerships, follow us: Twitter: @proplayermag Facebook: facebook.com/theprofessionalplay er Instagram: @proplayermag More

Interview

PHOTO: COLORSPORT/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

BANKS: THE NUMBER ONE NUMBER 1 In an age where terms like legend are thrown around like confetti, where Gordon Banks OBE is concerned – the term possibly doesn’t do him justice. He spoke to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about his early days, the World Cup, that save, and the role of the goalkeeper in modern day football.

t’s a grey, late morning, and I’m at the reception of a hotel not too far off the M6 in North Staffordshire. The foyer area is bustling, with business people on their mobiles, laptops, or chatting over a coffee in the restaurant. I look down the adjacent corridor and there’s a sign on the wall bearing the words “The Gordon Banks Suite’. If I didn’t know the esteem and respect that Gordon Banks was ever held in, I do now. And then he appears….the great man himself. A man widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper that has ever set foot on the planet. We shake hands, sit down, grab a drink, and start chatting about his amazing career. Gordon Banks found his love for goalkeeping after taking his turn in goal in matches played in local parks and streets. He also played in school and local teams. But at the age of 15, his famous hands were charged with shovelling coal into a bag to be placed on wagons, and then help to deliver them to cellars in various Sheffield streets. As the legend puts it himself, “we got paid next to nothing but we had to bring money into our house.” But it was after doing some overtime at work one Saturday morning when fortune struck, and Gordon Banks was set on his way to glory and fame.

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“I remember it well, the day I missed the bus ha, ha”, states the genial legend, with a huge smile on his face, before adding, “I got a job on a building site as an apprentice bricklayer. If I worked on Saturdays I’d run home, get washed and changed, and get the bus or tram into town. I’m a Sheffield lad, and used to go watch United and Wednesday when they were at home. It didn’t matter which one, I just loved the sound of the crowd, and all the sights, sounds and smells of a game.” But whilst Banks was rarely late for collecting shots and crosses, this particular Saturday his poor timing turned into a day he’d never forget... “Yes, the day I missed the bus... I then went to watch my local team on the rec. I was leaning on the fence and one bloke came over to me and said to me ‘Didn’t you used to play in goal? Our goalie has not turned up!’ So, I rushed home, got my boots and stuff... after game they asked me to play regularly for them.” Soon, Banks was spotted by Chesterfield FC who asked him to play for their youth team. Whilst still working on building sites, Banks trained twice a week and played at weekends and made a big enough impression to be signed on.

Banks made a superb impression during the 195859 season, and was soon sold to Leicester City in the top flight, where he would eventually make almost 300 appearances, win the League Cup, and most famously be a huge part of England’s World Cup winning side in 1966. “Playing for my country was the ultimate accolade and every single cap meant everything to me. And to win the World Cup, wow! What a time that was. I still get goosebumps when someone talks about it, and I’ll never get tired of reliving it. The whole country... just one big party – although it was a shame that the FA didn’t really put one on for us after the final, ha, ha!” But four years later, England were to suffer the heartache of World Cup elimination in Mexico, and yet again Banks grabbed some of the main headlines from that tournament for contrasting reasons. I asked him if that 1970 team was possibly better than the 1966 one... “Possibly, but history states we won it in 1966, so it’s hard to argue that wasn’t our greatest ever team. But we had two great teams back then. Superb players, and we played in some PHOTO: ATGIMAGES / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Gordon Banks

amazing matches. It’s often said by Brazilian players (who eventually won the trophy) that the day they beat us 1-0 was the day they won the trophy, not the final.” The Brazil game; so often referred to as one of the great World Cup games and one which saw Banks’ reputation rise even further, thanks to what many refer to as the greatest save of all time from what many experts feel is the greatest player of all time, Pelé. “Pelé was a great player, a truly great player, and everyone who wants to talk football talks about that save. It was the way that Pele headed it: a punched header, so precise...” It’s a clip that has been seen by countless millions of fans: The attack was started by Carlos Alberto who passed it to the lightening quick Jairzinho... the cross was deep and true, and Pelé connected perfectly with his head towards the bottom left hand corner of the England goal. Indeed, it was stated later that Pelé immediately shouted “Gol!” just after he headed the ball. “The pitch played a huge part in making that a better save than many thought at the time. I never stood on my line much, and I was three yards off the line. The pitch was like concrete. The ball bounced all over the place, and I think this is what made it a harder save than it possibly would have been on a lush, grassy pitch. We played at midday, it was over 100 degrees, sweltering. Balls travelled like missiles when they were hit or headed. When he headed it, it was going to bounce a yard or so inside the post which was going to be hard for me, and also I needed anticipate how high it would bounce off the pitch. (Gordon mimics the save in front of me now, at a table in Staffordshire! Unbelievably surreal) So, I got the top of my hand to it, and I honestly thought it was a goal, I really did. By now, my body was hitting the hard ground, and the momentum saw my head turn and I glimpsed that the ball had gone over the crossbar and behind the goal. I won’t tell you what I called myself – it did have the word ‘lucky’ in though, ha ha! Bobby Moore then came over and with a big smile on his face said something like “Banksy, try to get a hold of those, for Christ’s sake!”, ha, ha!! Unfortunately, in a game that swung from end to end, Brazil managed to grab the only goal of the game. Later in the tournament, Banks was once again the centre of attention, but this time before England’s last eight game against West Germany, where the keeper was forced to miss the game due to being violently sick. “It was amazing. We all ate the same food, drank the same drinks, at the same time, together, every day. And yet I was the one who was violently sick and had absolutely terrible diarrhoea. There was no way I could have played. No chance at all. I do wonder why it was just me who was that violently sick. I couldn’t believe we’d lost when I was told” So, back to that Brazil game: was that Gordon Banks’ best ever save?

“That’s a tough one, and everyone has different opinions. Two I made for Stoke City were probably better, or certainly more important, as they became so valuable to the team later on. The first one is the save after Mickey Bernard’s back pass in the League Cup Final– as it helped us win the cup, that makes it a really special one. And then there’s the one from Geoff Hurst’s penalty in the semi final of the same cup... Stoke City entered 1972 without a single trophy in their long history. They faced West Ham in a two legged League Cup semi final... .and in extratime of the second leg with The Hammers, Banks saved Geoff Hurst’s powerful spot-kick to keep The Potters in the competition. It’s a save that has gone down in Potteries folklore. “I obviously know Geoff well, and he says that my save from his penalty was better than the save off Pele. He rarely missed penalties and he was a great striker of a ball. He started his run up from outside the area and I knew he was going to put it to my right if anything as from his body position I knew he couldn’t rotate and put it to my left. He just absolutely walloped it, just right of centre. I looked up, and I’d pushed it over the bar. Then all I knew I was screaming at our players to stop jumping on me and start marking their players for the corner!” Banks had joined Stoke in 1967, and to this day the 1972 League Cup remains the clubs’ only major trophy win, and he still lives in the area. But disaster struck on 22nd October 1972, when Gordon Banks’ car ended up in a ditch after a collision on his way back from having treatment at the Victoria Ground. He lost the sight in his right eye, and his professional career in England was cut heartbreakingly short, despite showing incredible bravery to play games in America and Ireland afterwards. I asked Gordon what he thought about football in 2017, and would he like to be playing in the Premier League or was he more than happy with the career he had. “Not a chance would I swap what I did to have all the riches that you get in football in this day and age. Never. Absolutely no way! It’s a different game now anyway, and one I don’t like anywhere near as much as when I played. Memories are worth so much more than money. I won the World Cup, the League Cup, and played for some great clubs, met some great people, and travelled the world. Goalkeepers have been at the centre of footballing debate for some time now, and so I asked the legendary keeper what he made of the current roles of a goalkeeper compared to what was asked of him in the 60’s and 70’s.

“It’s changed a lot. Take the balls... I don’t like how much these new balls swerve! Would I have made that save in Mexico with a modern ball? Ha, ha. I’d do my best! I’ve seen Asmir Begovic score with those new footballs – crikey, I struggled to get those old heavy balls out of my own area!” Nowdays, it seems it’s about what goalkeepers can do with their feet as much as their hands, but that’s wrong. Goalkeeping is a massively unique position, and whilst the game has changed and the role of the goalkeeper has evolved, there is still a good reason why goalkeepers wear gloves. Although saying that, if the weather isn’t red hot it seems that most of the outfield players do nowadays, too. Ha, ha! One of main strengths was my positioning. Yes, that was a major one of mine. I only dived when I really needed to. But I watch some goalkeepers nowadays and they seem to dive for the sake of it, for the cameras. Also, for me, modern goalkeepers don’t seem to communicate with their back four. Jack Butland does it, but I’d always be shouting at the lads in front of me if players were unmarked or to make them more aware.” So, to Jack Butland. What are Gordon’s thoughts on the current Stoke City number one, and someone who he has met a few times... “Jack’s a cracking goalkeeper, and it’s lovely that he said he’s in awe of me even though he’s too young to have ever seen me play. He’s a lovely lad with a great attitude, and he’ll go all the way, make no mistake about that. He’s got it all. I’ve spoken to Jack about goalkeeping, but it’s not about technical stuff – just talking about keep training hard and keep being positive. Jack will come back from the injury he had really well, I’m sure of that. He does the right things, he has a great attitude, he’s a great lad. He’ll be fine!” Whilst being a huge Jack Butland fan, Banks also waxed lyrical about Kasper Schmeichel as a goalkeeper he has plenty of time for: “Yes, he earns his teams points and I’m amazed another club hasn’t come in for him.” Before we leave, we talk about zonal marking and setting up a defence. It’s once again hugely surreal to see one of the greats of the game discuss this whilst using cutlery and glasses as defenders and attackers, and I asked myself why more clubs never tapped into the mindset, experiences, and knowledge of Gordon Banks. Just before we leave, I ask Gordon if he has any regrets from his time in the game? “Oh, no. To have a career like I’ve had, and the experiences I’ve had – no, no regrets. No amount of money would ever take the place of what’s inside my head.”

Gordon Banks is a gentleman and a legend. As you may know, he’s not been particularly well recently, and I’m immensely grateful that he gave up his time to speak to me for Professional Player. Gordon is backing the UNITED AGAINST DEMENTIA campaign (www.alzheimers.org.uk) launched by the Alzheimer’s Society. This is especially poignant as three of his World Cup winning team mates are now living with the condition.

Partner Saffery Champness

The overseas tax traps As the season draws to a close, and the summer draws near, with the increasing popularity of overseas pre-and post-season tours, Julian Hedley and Pete Hackleton of Saffery Champness highlight a number of situations where activities overseas may result in tax consequences back in the UK.

For clubs: Loaning players overseas:

For clubs: Overseas image rights companies: Often when players are UK resident but non-UK domiciled (usually where they have moved to the UK from overseas), they may have both a UK and non-UK image rights company. Payments to a non-UK company may be challenged by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as taxable on the player personally, as ‘UK source’ payments (from a UK club). Again, such challenges can result in the player being aggressively pursued by the taxman for significant overdue tax, which can be very unsettling. We are currently working with clubs on establishing a non-UK commercial entity to receive commercial income from overseas sponsors, pay the players’ overseas image rights companies, and remit the remaining income to the club in the UK.

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It will be important to ensure that the arrangements with the lending club are clear on who pays the player, and who is responsible for social security costs and administering payroll taxes. Often, the player may be left out of pocket, so it is important to ensure that contractually the lending club picks up any additional costs where possible. The club should also make the player aware that they will have local tax filing obligations; threatening letters and penalties down the line are likely to unsettle the player.

For clubs: Overseas friendlies: Increasingly, clubs are taking part in pre or post-season tours to a range of different countries. Unfortunately, footballers fall within the definition of “non-resident sportspeople” who will “perform” in other territories. European countries typically do not seek to collect the tax (as this would create enormous administrative issues each season in relation to Champions League and Europa League matches). Certain countries however – particularly the US and Australia – seek to ensure that the club registers for withholdings, and collecting the tax (and completing returns) on behalf of players.

For players: Playing matches overseas: As noted below, players playing in pre- and post-season tours may have tax withheld in other countries to satisfy local tax obligations. They should receive tax relief against their UK tax liabilities for these payments, but only to the extent that the relief is claimed in their UK tax returns and restrictions may apply to the tax relief available. Players may also receive payments (appearance fees, bonuses etc) for national team games. Where the players are resident but non-domiciled in the UK, this income may not be taxable in the UK as long as it is not actually remitted (brought into) the UK. For UK resident but non-domiciled players there is one opportunity to save tax; for the first three tax years in the UK they can claim overseas workday relief (OWR). This applies where the club pay an overseas bank account in relation to non-UK duties (European games, overseas tours etc); such income would then not be taxed in the UK, as long as it is not brought into the UK.

For players: Overseas image rights companies: As set out above, HMRC is currently seeking to challenge overseas image rights companies, especially where a significant proportion of total image rights payments are made to an offshore company (anything in excess of 50% of the total image rights payments). It may give players peace of minds to have their image rights structure reviewed to ensure it is structured properly, in case of challenge from the tax man.

For players: Going on loan overseas: Players moving overseas for six months to a year will need to file a tax return in the country in which they are playing. They will also continue to be UK taxpayers, and need to file a UK tax return claiming relief for any overseas tax suffered. For UK resident but nondomiciled players, they may be able to make a remittance basis claim. Failure to file relevant returns and pay local tax can result in significant penalties.

For players: Owning property overseas: Where players own overseas property and rent it out, they should be including the overseas property income (as well as related expenses) on their UK tax return. Equally however, the player may have local tax return filing (and tax payment obligations) in the territory in which the property is located. For players who own UK property and move overseas, they should be aware that UK nonresident capital gains tax (NRCGT) is now due when the property is disposed of after the individual has left the UK.

Contact: Saffery Champness represents a significant number of players, in football and across a range of sports. If you have any queries in relation to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us. Julian Hedley: Call +44 (0)20 4841 4242 email: julian.hedley@saffery.com Pete Hackleton: Call +44 (0)20 4841 4034 email: pete.hackleton@saffery.com

Interview

Little Rascals Foundation n the grand scheme of things being paid to play football is a relatively short career. If you’re lucky with injuries and you look after your body you may still get to play into your late 30’s but what do you do after? Coaching? Media? It is certainly something you should start to think about prior to that inevitable day when you “hang up your boots”. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Welsh International Dave Edwards has taken another route and on the 1st April, he and lifelong friend Ben Wootton launched their new charity – the Little Rascals Foundation. The charity aims to support children with disabilities and was an idea the pair had many years ago. Dave explains more “Having a charity that helps and supports these young people and their families is something myself and Ben have talked about for many years. Last year we decided to progress with our plans and it’s all taken off from there. We met with Spotlight Media Group who helped us with the charity application, website creation and all associated branding. We had our launch night recently and it was a fantastic event which raised over £12,000. What we can do with this money is amazing but this is just the start!”

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Dave and his wife Emma enjoying the charity launch event

The launch night was indeed a great night. Over 300 people attended and the event was hosted by TV sports presenter Jacqui Oatley. Auction prizes were kindly donated by Gareth Bale, Joe Hart and of course Dave himself! The foundation organises and get involved in many different fundraising events to raise much needed funds to support their beneficiaries. “With myself still playing football full-time I am limited with what I can do but Ben has dedicated a lot of time and effort and we are now beginning to see the rewards. When I retire from playing I will devote more time and I think the opportunities we can create

Dave and Ben with event host Jacqui Oatley

for young people and their families are endless”. The Foundation organise their own entertaining and interactive fundraising events and try to involve the local community wherever possible. The events they organise include festivals, sporting events, dinners and balls and they take their soft play and sensory equipment to other events where they can run fun and engaging sessions for children. Dave and Ben already own the Little Rascals indoor soft play centre in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and each week they have exclusive sessions for the children their charity supports.

Little Rascals Foundation

Meet one of our heroes

These courses will be interactive and engaging for the children and will support them to be active, whilst doing things that they enjoy. We will have clear plans in place to ensure that these courses are person centred and suit each child’s individual needs. These activities will include sensory play sessions, soft play obstacle courses, Lego building, planned and interactive arts and crafts sessions and sports and games activities.

Charity trustees Kim Dillow and Kim Wootton with Kicca the Kangaroo and George Price

“We offer specific times of the week when we are open just for disabled children and it’s fantastic as they can enjoy the facilities that the play centre has to offer in a safe environment without the large crowds and noises that can cause some children with disabilities anxiety. These sessions also give the family members a chance to socialise with each other, whilst watching their children have fun. As a charity, we would eventually like to expand these sessions and have plans to open a play centre exclusively for children with disabilities, so they could enjoy the facilities on a more regular basis.” Despite being so busy the team just want to do more “If you are a parent, carer or organisation that support children with disabilities and you think you may benefit from our foundation, please contact us and we can discuss your needs further.” So what next? They are in the process of setting up another service, which will be an after school and holiday course for children with disabilities.

Ethan Wheeler is non-verbal, has cerebral palsy, short bowel syndrome, hyper portal tension, has had four cardiac arrests and spent the first 18 months of his life in Alder Hey Hospital. Ethan was born at 30 weeks weighing just 3lb 10oz by crash section with endless life threatening and life limiting conditions. He has to be fed intravenously and all of his meds are administered this way too. Ethan has to deal with a lot. He is confined to his cot for 14 hours whilst on his TPN but he’s a very brave boy and has proven to be a little fighter. Thankfully for Ethan and his family, he lives in his own special bubble and that special bubble is the most wonderful and happy place. Little Rascals Foundation is working closely with Ethans family and Dave discussed just how they have been helping. “We have been fundraising for Ethan to help him and his family share fun times and make special memories. We have purchased a special needs bespoke travel bed which will enable the family to have much needed holidays. We are also currently fundraising for sensory equipment for his bedroom and specialist garden play equipment which will enable him to experience so much more from the outdoor environment that most children take for granted.” Ethan’s Mum, Mel, was effusive in her praise for all the charity has done for her son “Ethan has life limiting and life threatening illnesses. It’s just about making memories as a family. Thank you is not enough; words cannot describe how amazingly grateful we are to Little Rascals Foundation”.

www.littlerascalsfoundation.com Trustees – Dave Edwards, childhood friend Ben Wootton & their Mum’s

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Interview

Playing for Mourinho…

Catching the eye… We won the Championship in 2005/06 and I caught the eye as a goalscoring midfielder. Up until my late youth team days I was very much a holding midfielder, but I had a good engine and my coach at Arsenal, Neil Banfield, said I should get up the pitch and score more goals as I could also get back if it didn’t come off. It certainly gives you more of a gloss if you score goals as a midfielder, and one season it seemed like every home game I was getting the man of the match award. After one season of Premier League football I had a number of clubs after me, and I moved on, but the four-and-a-half years at Reading were consistently the best I’ve played in my career.

PHOTO: COLORSPORT/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Steve Sidwell opens up his scrapbook and invites Luke Nicoli to take look back at his career…

PHOTO: MATT BARON/BEI/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Although I started at Arsenal, winning the FA Youth Cup twice, Reading were the club that put me on the map. I went there in 2003, signing for Alan Pardew, but he left that summer for West Ham. Steve Coppell came in and was fantastic for me. I’d worked with him twice before [on loan from Arsenal at Brighton and Brentford] so I knew what to expect. There wasn’t that ‘tip toeing’ effect you have with a new manager, not knowing what’s going to be right and wrong. I knew what he wanted from me and what I was going to expect from him, and we also had a lot of experienced pros who took me under their wing as well.

PHOTO: COLORSPORT/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Reading between the lines…

My life in pictures

PHOTO: KIERAN GALVIN/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

I joined Chelsea in the summer of 2007 and although I knew my chances might be more limited, I could never turn the opportunity down to play for Jose Mourinho and immerse myself in that quality of squad. I remember sitting down with my family and agent and saying I would rather give it a go and it not work out than not do it at all. I didn’t want to say to my kids, ‘daddy could have played for Chelsea’ and having that regret. The first phone call was with Mourinho; he called me at home and said, ‘What do you want to get out of your career?’ I said, ‘I want to win trophies, have a good career and obviously look after my family.’ He said, ‘Well you sign for Chelsea, easy.’ The next week he invited me, my missus and agent round to his house and I was blown away. Personally, it took me six months to find my feet because it was light years ahead of what I’d been used to at Reading. On my first day we flew to LA; we met at Cobham and then on to Heathrow. It was brilliant; here I was with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Andrei Shevchenko, Michael Ballack… from watching them on TV I’m now talking to them on an even keel. Brilliant. They were all top drawer with me, really good: the boss, players, the staff, and I still talk to a lot of them now. The year I had there gave me a taste of being with winners.

Steve Sidwell

Back to the Smoke…

Villa thriller?

PHOTO: PROSPORTS/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Unfortunately it was one of those rare seasons where Chelsea won nothing and when Phil Scolari came in that next summer I had an option to stay. But Aston Villa came in for me and what was presented – where they wanted to take the club, the money they were going to spend, the players they were bringing in – I was really excited. On paper, I would be playing so it was a no brainer to join but it just never worked out for me – sometimes you get clubs where it happens that way. I struggled a bit personally, too, with my second son Rocco falling ill with meningitis, so my wife was down south and I was travelling back and forth. I didn’t click with [manager] Martin O’Neill either. There were things said and done that are not really me at all and we just clashed. It’s a shame because I really enjoyed my time there.

PHOTO: ANDY HOOPER / ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

I was commuting from London to Birmingham so when Fulham came knocking [in January 2011], it was a dream come true. I went from driving 140 miles a day to just 12; dropping the kids off at school and then going training – and being happy off the pitch certainly benefits you on it. As I mentioned, when I was at Reading I was playing consistently well over a long period, but I wasn’t the complete player, whereas at Fulham I was playing at times at the top of my game and doing well against some of the best players in the world. Mark Hughes was the manager when I first went there and I was straight in the team. We were very good that year, finishing eighth, but then Sparky left and Martin Jol took over. That first year under him I needed a hernia operation in the November but that second full season was when I was at the peak of my powers – the best I’ve ever played.

A lack of Spark… When Fulham were relegated [in 2014], I wanted to stay but they couldn’t give me the length of contract I wanted, so the Sparky link took me to Stoke. They were trying to move in a new direction by changing their style of play, but it was just never meant to be. I’d come on as sub at 0-0, end up making a mistake and we’d lose. That seemed to happen to me so many times and it’s not like me because managers always say, ‘You can always rely on Siddy, he’s as good as gold’. He [Hughes] lost a bit of faith in me although it was probably the most professional I’d been in my entire career. I was training really, really hard and giving 110 per cent. When I did get another chance I was man of the match in all three games against Tottenham, Burnley and West Ham. We then went to Liverpool and I was on the end of a tackle from Rickie Lambert which resulted in a knee injury and I was out for six weeks. I never got back in again.

Soaring with the Seagulls. I’ve just finished my second season with Brighton under Chris Hughton, and to win promotion to the Premier League has been such a tremendous achievement from the lads. I’ve loved every minute of it, in a squad where the team spirit is second to none. Off the pitch I’ve done my B licence and I’m starting my A this summer, so I’m ticking all the right boxes. Everyone I’ve spoken to who’s left the game has said to do your badges while you’re playing because you’ve got all your resources at hand. My son’s at Fulham in the academy and I wouldn’t mind working with kids at that age group, helping them to develop. I’ve also started branching out into the media, appearing as a studio guest on Sky Sports News, so that’s another avenue open to me, but I’d still like to think I’ve got a few years left as a player before I have to make that next move.

Interview

Family Fortunes Serena and Venus aren’t having it all their own way in the world of sporting relatives named Williams anymore! Joe and Paige Williams are proud Scousers, great friends – despite being from opposite supporting sides of the city – professional footballers, and cousins. Just three months separate the pair, but both are on their way to forging successful careers in the game: Paige plays for Birmingham City Ladies who recently got to the final of the SSE Cup, whilst Joe is at Everton and tipped for great things at Goodison Park. They spoke to Anthony Bunn about growing up and playing in the park together, going through the youth system at Everton, coming back from injuries, the future, and road trips to Italy!

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Joe & Paige Williams

nly three months and several miles separate Joe and Paige Williams, with Paige growing up in Knotty Ash, (“where Ken Dodd used to live when I was a kid”) whilst Joe’s family were based in Huyton. But there was also a football supporting divide too, with Paige favouring the reds, whilst Joe firmly nailed his blue credentials to the mast from an early age. So, did the pair of them and their families spend much time together when they were youngsters? “Yeah, from about the age of around six or seven, if I remember right”, Paige, before Joe intervenes by adding, “In fairness, she was a better player than me at the age!” It’s obvious from the off that the pair are on similar wavelength. Both footballmad from an early age, and both playing for Mags Rangers in local, grass roots football, the pair constantly (and cheekily) interrupt each other when answering my questions, and hark back to days in Springfield Park playing football together. We’re sat upstairs at Finch Farm, Everton’s impressive training ground, based not too far away from the airport. And the urge to travel was evident in the early stages of Paige’s career. After coming through the youth system and then getting into the ladies’ first team at Everton, she was faced with a year away from the game because of an ACL injury. Admitting herself that she “loves new challenges, and being out of my comfort zone”, Paige soon made the decision to play her football abroad. Whilst that is a challenge enough in itself for a relatively young person/footballer, her one method of transport to eventual destination Italy was a little strange in this day and age. “Why did I leave Everton? I wanted to develop my game and knew that I was always going to go abroad at some stage of my career. So, I knew Brescia were looking for a defender, and I was trialling for a week - and so I packed my car up and drove there!” Paige and Joe chuckled as I reminded the left-sided Birmingham City player that there are certain things called airplanes available - rather than driving

for seventeen hours, through England, France, Switzerland and Italy in a Fiat 500 - but as Paige remarked, “it was like a mini holiday, and it was great!” I asked Paige, Just how difficult was it for her to deal with a new lifestyle, club, and way of playing the game? “It was hard, but exciting. No-one spoke English there. Thinking back now, I ask myself how did I do it? But I’m so glad I did, as it brought me on confidence-wise and socially. I was a full time professional – working every day. One massive positive was me being close to Lake Garda, so I’d have an ice bath in the lake after training, ha, ha!” With an emphasis on tactical awareness and positioning, the years spent with Brescia and then Verona have played a huge part in Paige’s development, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her playing oversees again, but as she notes, “It was a great decision to come to Birmingham City. We were gutted to lose the cup final to Man City, but we’re given real freedom to play, and I’m enjoying it so much. We can compete with the top teams, we possibly just need a little consistency, like all successful teams.” With both players successfully coming through The Toffees’ ranks, how hard was it as youngsters to focus on their training at such a relatively early age? “Obviously, you have to make sacrifices”, comments Joe, before adding, “but that’s just how it is. My mum and dad ran me everywhere that I needed to go to. Yes, I missed out on a few things with my mates, but most of the time it simply meant I did them at a later time or date. It’s just how it is. I’m at a great club: My club. Everton are well known for giving young players an opportunity, and I’m just focusing on pre-season and next season now”. Paige takes it up and adds, “We’d both train two or three nights a week and would probably have a match at the weekend. It might be slightly different for girls though, as it’s probably easier to progress as the pool of players is much smaller. But saying that, girls are socially a little different at that developmental age, so it meant I did things differently to my mates.” Joe and Paige Williams are bundles of

energy, and give a fascinating insight into the world of men’s and women’s professional football. Smiles and laughs are never far away from their lips whilst talking to me, and yet both see the next twelve months or so as a really key time in their development. Both of them have suffered from spells on the treatment table during their relatively young professional careers. Just how difficult is it at a young age to deal with an injury mentally as well as physically? Paige nods as Joe answers candidly, “I agree, mentally it’s hard – I did my knee and then my ankle soon after I returned back to fitness. Its boredom more than anything, especially the first few weeks when you’re on crutches or you’re in the gym and everyone else is getting their boots on to go out and train. You do think ‘why me?’ when you have an injury, come back and get another one, but it does make you mentally stronger.”

ONE MASSIVE POSITIVE WAS ME BEING TWENTY MINUTES FROM LAKE GARDA, SO I’D HAVE AN ICE BATH IN THE LAKE AFTER TRAINING” Paige

So, expect great things from Joe and Paige Williams in 2017/18: After all, Joe was the first Everton player to win both the Under 18 and Under 21 Player of the Season awards since a certain Wayne Rooney (“being an Evertonian, it makes me so proud to do well for the club”), whilst Paige’s performances have earned her rave reviews and hopefully the chance to gain full England honours for the senior side soon (“I’m looking towards the World Cup in 2019 as something that I need to be targeting”). Two Williams’. One aim: success; Do not bet against it.

Interview

Morgan’s Run Think of some of the great footballing comebacks in recent years, and you’ll probably come up with the likes of Barcelona’s amazing game at Camp Nou against PSG in the Champions League this season; Carlisle goalkeeper Jimmy Glass’ late, late goal; or Liverpool coming from three goals down in Istanbul in 2005. But the Scottish Championship saw an amazing Houdini act by St Mirren last season. And Anthony Bunn spoke to Lewis Morgan about how The Buddies came back from the very brink, to secure safety.

ewis Morgan is seen as one of the up-and-coming young stars of Scottish football. After leaving his boyhood idols Rangers as a sixteen year old in pursuit of first team football, the 20 year old wide player is making a real name for himself, and this was further enhanced this season with some sparkling performances as St Mirren performed miracles to escape relegation from the Scottish Championship. How big an escape was it? • At one stage St Mirren were nineteen points behind relegation rivals Raith Rovers, who they eventually finished above. • In early October, St Mirren propped up the table on just four points • They were bottom of the table for 26 of the 36 games! • ...and they were still bottom of the league on 8th April. • St Mirren actually finished 7th after gaining a 1-1 draw away at champions Hibernian on the final day of the season. So, what does Morgan remember of that emotional last day of the season at Easter Road? “It was surreal. The game was a sell-out, as Hibs were due to get the trophy after the game and the St Mirren fans turned out in force, as they had done all season - we sold out our full ticket allocation”, he states, before adding, “We got to half

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time at 0-0, and had heard Raith were down to 10 men but had managed to go 1-0 up, so we knew we needed a point. At the start of the second half we conceded a goal, but we were able to bounce back, as we had done several times before last season, and Rory Loy equalised for us.” Morgan and his team mates were also aware during the game that something big had happened in the Ayr v Raith games, as the large travelling St Mirren faithful had erupted in celebration. “We all thought it meant that Ayr had equalised against Raith - but we only found out after the game that they had cheered a penalty that Ayr had won, only for them to miss it!” But false hope aside, St Mirren clung on to their priceless point, ensuring wild celebrations at the final whistle, as fans and players were as one celebrating an amazing escape. I asked Morgan what he put The Buddies’ monumental achievement down to. Without being cocky or flippant, it seems that he always had faith that his club would escape the dreaded drop. “At times the table made for tough reading with the position we were in. But I can honestly say I never thought we’d be relegated. At one stage, Raith Rovers were 19 points ahead of us and yet we finished above them, so I knew the squad was always capable.” Morgan also paid homage to the job done by

manager Jack Ross, who took over the hot seat at St Mirren in October last year, with the club sat firmly at the bottom of the table. “We had a change of manager early on and although results didn’t change, our performances improved. The board were able to back the manager in making a complete overhaul of the squad in January with ten players coming in and ten going out, and it was a risk that paid off - the new manager has been brilliant for the club. During the latter stages of the season, St Mirren had to show title winning form just to even put them in contention of staying up! Key victories came at local rivals Greenock Morton, “I was gutted to miss the 4-1 win through an injury, but was obviously delighted with the result. That was another big statement that we made, as at the point we were the form team in the league”, they hammered Ayr United 6-2, and beat Raith Rovers 5-0 in their final home game of the season. A huge result. As the player states, when points are needed at either end of the table, it’s vital to beat those teams you are in direct competition with. “I agree. I think the fact that we were able to convincingly beat the teams that were around us really helped with survival, but saying that, the most important result of the season was the draw at Easter Road on the final day. We knew a point would see us safe, but going away to the champions on the last day is as hard as it gets, but we knew we

GOING AWAY TO THE CHAMPIONS ON THE LAST DAY IS AS HARD AS IT GETS, BUT WE KNEW WE COULD GET A RESULT”

could get a result. Thankfully we did.” Lewis Morgan had an excellent early schooling in the game. Growing up in Paisley, he was at the First Touch Football Academy, who were responsible at the time for producing many players that went on to get moves to professional clubs, before he was scouted by both Rangers and Celtic at the age of eight. He chose to join the youth set up at his beloved Rangers, where he trained at Murray Park throughout the age groups, which the player states was “at the time, the outstanding football training facility in the country”. But he fully understood that moving to St Mirren would improve his chances of getting on the pathway to first team football and Morgan made his senior debut in a 2-1 defeat to Celtic when he was just 17 years old. The player remembers “coming on to play against Virgil Van Dijk, and I couldn’t believe the size of him! At that point I was still quite slight, and it must have looked a little silly when I was stood next to him that day!” Pace and directness are key attributes in Lewis Morgan’s armoury, and it’s no surprise he grew up idolising Thierry Henry. So, what kind of wide player is Lewis Morgan? It seems he’s one of those crowd favourites and possibly a little bit of a throwback – a wide player whose main intention is to be as direct as possible. “I suppose I’m probably slightly different from what the modern wide player is like, where they tend to drift inside the pitch. Yes, my main

strength is my pace and directness, I love one-vone situations, and from a young age I developed my weaker foot to the point where I felt equally as comfortable on either side, which allows me to go inside or outside when running at full backs. I’d say I’m a winger, but I like to make runs inside to get the ball if I see that the opportunity is there. I’ve played all across the front three and behind the striker too, so I’m quite versatile. But I feel that I’m best suited playing as a winger.”

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Lewis Morgan

to play for my country. We drew the game 0-0 with Estonia, but it was a good team performance and there were a lot of positives to take from the game. Getting Man of the Match topped off a great night for me, and now I’m looking forward to the qualifiers.” Known to be a quiet, unassuming, fully committed professional off the pitch, Morgan prefers going to the gym and spending time with his girlfriend Heather to the bright lights and trappings of the

International recognition has been attained too, after an excellent season in which Morgan was a key component in helping The Buddies avoid the drop. He made his debut for Scotland U21s against Estonia, which surely must have been a great moment for the player?

sport, and as he admits himself, “I’m more chilled out than most.” And as for the future? “Well, my aim is to play at the top level of football, and I’m confident in my ability that I’ll get to where I want to be. As long as I’m enjoying my football “Yes, my under 21 call up came on the back of the somewhere I’ll be happy, but I’m hoping to be a full team starting to get results and I was so honoured international player one day.”

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

otherlives! half HOW THE

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ell it looks like summer is approaching faster than we think with the longer days and warmer afternoons. I’m sure you all have your summer holidays booked and you’re starting to make sure you have all your summer essentials to take away with you after the rush of the Easter holidays. From summer weddings to family holidays by the beach we have everything covered in this half of the magazine to ensure that you will have everything you need and know all the top places to go this summer. Our stylist Cleo has put together the Top 5 Bags along with her Summer Must-Haves for SS17, suitable for all occasions throughout summer to ensure that you look your best all season, from Gucci to Gianvito Rossi you will stand out at any summer soiree with Cleo’s advice, which takes me onto The Piano works, a fabulous night in London which has been featured on the hit reality TV show Made In Chelsea… Incredible live bands, flowing cocktails and exquisite food you must read our write up by Melanie Faldo for our favorite place to dine in London. Along with eating out and relaxing on the beach we are sure that it is now officially wedding season, so if you were lucky enough to have a proposal early this year we have Emma Marigold who can help you to plan every little detail of your wedding and we can’t recommend her enough after making Jessica Ennis-Hills wedding look like something from the movies. We have also worked very closely with Harvey Nichols in this Issue, to bring you all the latest styles in fashion for the whole family.

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We hope you enjoy reading and be sure to follow us on Instagram @proplayermag or drop us a tweet. Best wishes

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Professional Player

Fashion Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Summer essentials

This is your easy guide to a capsule wardrobe for summer holiday essentials. They are not necessarily on-trend pieces but provide a basic foundation for your spring wardrobe. Yaou will need to decide on which pieces to add to your wardrobe depending upon your own lifestyle needs, but these are items you may simply want to consider.

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You can use this summer checklist to build a strong foundation of timeless pieces that can be paired with so much already in your wardrobe creating lots of outfits. I’ve selected my top 8 pieces that will get you through every rendezvous, cocktail hour and beach trip! When the summer arrives, make sure you’re ready with these can’t live without essentials:

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Summer Dress Short, midi or Maxi, the decision is yours. Even if you’re not a dress person, summer is definitely the time to showcase the best the shops have to offer. From casual day time, to the beach, to the bar. They’ll be a style right for the occasion. Much easier to wear then separate pieces, just throw one on with either flat sandals or wedges, a little denim or leather jacket if needed and you’re good to go!

White Jeans

Nothing makes a crisp statement more than a pair of white jeans. They pair well with literally everything from neutrals to pastels to brights. I can’t imagine my summer wardrobe without them! The most important thing is to find a pair that fits well and the material is thick enough that you can’t see through it. I always advise my clients to invest in white jeans as you need the quality, brands I love are Paige and J Brand.

Summer Trend Report

Good quality black and white T-shirt

Wedge Sandals

If you’re only going to have one pair make it a neutral tone, they are a fab way to achieve height with comfort and perfect for outdoor events such as weddings, Summer BBQ’s or festivals. Steve Maddens and Jimmy Choo always provide a good choice.

This probably goes without saying but investing in a few quality t-shirts that you can wear alone with jeans, shorts or with a great accessory or layer under your jackets is crucial. I personally prefer a V or scoop neck line as it is always more flattering than a crew or boat neck style. My favourite brands are American Vintage and LNA.

LUCITA ESPADRILLE WEDGE SANDLES SOPHIE WEBSTER £410 HARVEY NICHOLS MANCHESTER

4 EMBROIDERED DENIM JACKET GUCCI £1,610 HARVEY NICHOLS MANCHESTER

A denim jacket is a great staple to have in your wardrobe all year round but is the perfect layering piece for spring. I love how it looks layered over a dress or skirt to make it look a little more edgy. It also looks great with a basic white t-shirt and white jeans. They need not cost the earth and can be picked up for less than £50 in Topshop.

Sunglasses

Because nothing says summer more than a great pair of sunglasses! They make a fab fashion statement plus they protect your eyes. You may have ready my previous article in the last issue which covered everything to do with the different styles and choosing the right frame for your face shape. If not my top tip would be to go for an aviator style, always on trend and suits many face shapes. Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham and Dior are my go to.

Beach Bag

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Denim Jacket

CLASSIC VICTORIA 18KT GOL-PLATED VICTORIA BECKHAM £625

My personal go to is the Louis Vuitton Never Full, perfect for traveling with on the plane which then doubles as a beach bag when you arrive at your destination. I also love the personalised bags from Rae Feather. Chanel offers complete luxury but scares me the thought of destroying it with sand and sun cream!

Swimwear

You are never more exposed than when you are on holiday. My ultimate tip for your well-earned and much needed fix of sunshine is to invest in some decent swimwear and flattering cover ups. A well-cut swimsuit can make you look as though you have shed pounds and work wonders at helping you to look and feel at you’re best. Be sure to try your swimwear on before you buy, so you know what it looks like on you. If you need to go up a size compared to what you wear in regular clothing, do not despair! Swimwear tends to be cut smaller and fit tighter. Panic over. Your swimwear should flatter your exact body shape and accentuate your positive features as this will naturally detract from the negative areas you don’t like. Most people feel insecure about at least one part of their body. Those insecurities can definitely amplify when the bathing suit season arrives. We can’t change Mother Nature but we certainly can disguise her!

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Fashion Trend Report

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Diptyque and the fashion designer Olympia Le-Tan, renowned for her spirit and her passion for the colour rose, bring you the secrets of the enigmatic ladies purse in this limited edition collection. Rosaviola – a harmonious blend of roses and violets. Rose, a similar characteristic to the fabric created by Olympia LeTan’s, responds to the harmony built around the eponymous flower. Viola, echoing the violet flower, when amused, comes to powder and remove its partner, and sees itself set with the cosmetic touch of lipstick.

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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Charlotte Tilbury’s secret is out - over the past 20 years Charlotte has been mixing her own age-defying skincare formula, known in the industry as Charlotte’s Magic Cream. It’s a secret mix of patented anti-age ingredients, a hyaluronic acid booster plus floral extracts that lift and transform tired skin in an instant. It stimulates collagen production and cell energy to reduce the appearance of wrinkles whilst smoothing the skin.

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Interview Alan Lorrimer

ALAN LORRIMER GETS THE PARTY STARTED AT

THE PIANO WORKS Imagine a nightclub where the playlist is personal. Not only that, the music is live. At a time when, UK nightclub attendance has dropped by 34 million in the last five years and revenues have suffered a 21% decline, Alan Lorrimer is welcoming a growing number of customers through the doors of his latest venture, The Piano Works. pianoworks.bar 94

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MUSIC The Piano Works

he Piano Works has been described as ‘the hottest live music venue in London’ by the Express newspaper and included in the Evening Standard’s top London bars. Situated in Farringdon, in the heart of London, it offers great food, fabulous cocktails, non-threatening on-the-door security and stylish décor. Song requests are written on the specially printed napkins, enabling guests to hear their favourite music all night and as a result the venue is attracting club-goers, many of them women aged 24 -35 with spending power who, after a hard day’s work, want something more and certainly better, safer and more fun - from a night out as well as some fabulous cocktails. Alan’s experience in having successfully launched and run more than 19 new start up bar and restaurant concepts, including the oriental themed Tiger Lil’s, the dedicated blues live music venue, Charlotte St. Blues and Guanabara, the most successful Brazilian live music venue outside of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, has given him unique insight into what an audience really want. At The Piano Works there is plenty of seating space, admission charges are reasonable and the drinks are price matched with comparable London bars. Alan says: “I am often asked what it’s like to be in the restaurant business to which I say, I am not in the restaurant business, I am in the fashion business hoping to predict the next trend. Getting the formula right at The Piano Works has been exactly that.” “In so many music venues” he says, “The club goers don’t like what they have to listen to. It’s not their kind of music and the inconsistency puts them

AT THE PIANO WORKS, THE MUSICIANS ONLY PLAY SONGS THAT ARE REQUESTED BY THE AUDIENCE.”

off. At The Piano Works, there are two pianists/vocalists as well as four accompanying musicians, and they only play songs that are requested by the audience. We also run an Emerging Talent night on Tuesdays twice a month to provide unsigned artists with a venue to showcase their talent and give them a pathway into the music industry. Emerging artists need more help than ever before. Not only because of the huge number of closures of clubs and live music venues in the UK over recent years, but also because it’s so difficult for musicians to earn a consistent income.” “And artists need to be seen live to be really appreciated. This allows them to truly develop a relationship with their audience and meet people from the industry. We have built a platform that enables this to happen.” Piano Works have also introduced Saturday Brunches so it’s now possible to party all day and night at the weekend. Tables are available from midday until 4pm every Saturday, offering traditional ‘with a twist’ brunch options such as Eggs Benedict with a Marmite hollandaise, full English or a light alternative. Plus 2 hours of bottomless Prosecco or unlimited Bloody Marys to choose from and entertainment from the band to follow.

As if all this were not enough to make Piano Works the destination du jour, there is yet however, another dimension its welcoming embrace - the party can hit the road with Piano Works on Tour. How genius is that? The very best in atmosphere, musicianship and accessibility, deliverable upon request – something of a unique concept for the capital which has everything. In keeping with the signature format, Piano Works on Tour now hires out its musicians, sound desk and sound engineer along with the full event staff and management - and even the napkins for the song requests, for weddings, parties and festivals. Two pianists, a drummer, a horn player, a guitarist and bass player perform non-stop for three hours, allowing the audience to decide the playlist. Piano Works on Tour aims to accommodate any budget and can simply provide the music or deliver an entire event, offering optional extras such as P.A. systems, stages, lighting, marquees, directional signage, fancy cocktail bars (supplying its famed cocktails), catering and even portable loos. Every night of the week the Piano Works creates unforgettable evenings in the heart of Farringdon, and now with the creation of Piano Works on Tour, those unforgettable evenings can be replicated anytime, anywhere.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE BAND PERFORM CONTACT ALEX@PIANOWORKS.BAR

Interview

A better future “Mum’s story was so public, whereas mine was something I dealt with very much on my own”

The devastating loss of her mother and her own battles postsurgery led to one daughter of a football great to discover her own path to a healthy future, writes

David Fearnhead

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he loss of her mother in 2009 had a profound effect on Rheagan Hendry. Denise Hendry was just 43 when she died. The result of a seven-year battle with illness following a liposuction operation that went horrifically wrong. To those who knew Denise, it was massive shock. The wife of professional footballer Colin, who’d won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995 and captained Scotland, was not most people’s idea of the typical footballers wife. She’d married Colin before the boom time, and remained down to earth. A friendly and humble mother of four, who’d become conscious of her body and made a fateful decision.

“Liposuction wasn’t really known over here but it was very popular in America,” says Rheagan. “She’d done her research and she went to clinic that was very popular... sadly it wasn’t all that it seemed.” In a cruel twist of fate, Rheagan would endure her own battle with illness following surgery a few years later. “The surgery I had was due to a condition called endometriosis. It infected my appendix and I was rushed into surgery where I was left in a severely poorly state. Obviously I was completely terrified after what we’d been through with losing Mum. Mum’s story was so public, whereas mine was something I dealt with very much on my own.”

Rheagan Hendry

“The condition is something I’ve had since I was 17, and I was told I would never have kids. Since having my girls, I know how important it is to look after myself and teach them how to do that also. Feeling good is just as important as looking good.” “I spent three months in and out of hospital and was operated on four times. I was left really sick. It affected my life quite badly for two years. I struggled with it. I was left with a horrific scar on my stomach. It was just one thing after another. It was only then that I came across the product that I used now.” Rheagan says using Forever Living sports and weight management products changed her whole thinking, lifestyle and outlook on life. “It wasn’t just on a physiological level but also on a psychological level too. And that’s the side I suffered with the most. I’m currently on their

F15 fitness and nutrition programme with an opportunity. I had a baby at the start of the year, amazing bootcamp with Hello Fit in Lytham. Lise my second daughter, and It’s been nice to work my & Rich are fantastic support in my exercise regime business around the girls.” too which I’m a week into with incredible results!” The company have been active in the UK since Such is her faith in the products and their effect 1993 along with 160 countries worldwide. Though on her own life she’s now not just a customer but for Rheagan it was something very close to home an ambassador. Selling the that first brought the product product herself through into her life. “Funnily enough “Using these products my mother actually used the her own business. Forever Living was literally turned my products and had a good response to them. When I was first founded almost 40 years reintroduced to them, I suddenly health around.” ago in 1978. Their products remembered seeing them in the are based on natural fridge at home. It kind of came ingredients back around to me at just the right time.” known for their healing properties such as aloe vera and beehive Rheagan also says it’s her own personal products. “Everything contains aloe testimonial and her belief in the product that had vera, and what makes it different is we encouraged her to go out and spread the word to own 86% of the world’s aloe vera. We others who might find themselves in a similar also own a patented stabilisation situation to how she was feeling. process. What that means is the “If I can show people there is another way to look effective ingredients in the bottles good and feel good, I will 100% do that. I understand are exactly the same as in the plant. how people can feel about their body image and There is no dilution.” why they resort to surgery. I also know the dangers The company’s founder Rex Maughan is still actively of that. I’ve lost someone through the risks of involved in the company at the young age of 94. surgery. I’ve also had to rebuild my own health. I was “He realised he wanted to create an opportunity for very body conscious and depressed about it. I was people to take control over their own lifestyle, and traumatised after my surgery. It brought everything provide them with a flexible extra income. Some of back that had happened with my mum. It was a the people I’ve met have built incredible businesses on very scary time and I didn’t know where it would the strength of the products, and there is a two-year end. Using these products literally turned my health waiting list just to harvest the aloe vera from where around. We were told we might have trouble having it’s grown in the Dominican Republic, Texas, and a second child, and we’ve recently had a beautiful Phoenix, Arizona – where it first started.” and healthy girl. I believe by choosing these products I am where I am today.” “The company’s ethics and morals sit well with me. It resonated with me and the way I was brought up by my parents. It’s a family run business. It’s something that definitely came through

For more information call 07495325562 or email rheaganhendry@live.co.uk

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Choosing Your

Wedding Planner ou’re getting married – congratulations! It’s a really special time, and now there’s a really special day to plan. You and your partner want your wedding to be – what, exactly? Incredibly elegant? Super cool? Luxuriously gorgeous? Whatever your style as a couple, we know you’re all about perfection. You want your wedding to be flawless and unique from start to finish. You know you need a wedding planner, but you’re drawing a blank on the right person for the job. So here’s our advice about making that tricky choice: you need your wedding planner to absolutely love what they do, be as focused, as passionate, as all-out brilliant at creating and planning weddings – as a talented football pro is at playing the beautiful game. So it’s not really a tricky choice after all. The wedding planner you need is Emma Marygold. Emma has been personally masterminding some of the nation’s most exquisite and high-profile weddings for fifteen years. Her discretion, artistic ability and organisational skills are highly priced by her clients, and her business is founded on personal recommendations. We think Emma Marygold is the best in the business. But don’t take our word for it - just ask

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Olympic Gold-winning heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. Jessica adored every second of the wedding Emma Marygold created for her and her husband Andy: “Emma was absolutely amazing. From the first day we met her we knew she was going to help us create the most incredible wedding day. She was there every step of the way and nothing was too big or too small. She made our vision a reality and with some gorgeous surprises along the way as well. Emma helped us make sure that our day was private and personal just as we had wanted and achieved this in a very discrete and well thoughtthrough fashion. Emma took away all of the stress, especially in the final few days before our wedding so we were able to enjoy every single bit of the lead up and the day itself knowing that Emma was on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly.” So what’s the very best thing about a Marygold wedding? Some clients love the way she styles her venues – from the chicest of exclusive hotels to breathtaking marquees, no two weddings are ever the same. Some super-busy clients love the way they tell Emma they’re getting married, give her the date and let her sort out the rest. Some are impressed by Emma’s amazing network of contacts;

others recall her tight-knit and hugely effective on-the-day team, with Emma at the helm directing operations with unflappable skill. Some remember the tiny signature surprises that speak volumes about Marygold’s attention to detail: think crystalstudded cases of tissues, hand-embroidered with the words ‘tears of joy’ and placed just so beside Grandma’s place setting. But our favourite bit of the Marygold service is this: Emma only ever takes on one wedding at a time. She is yours, and yours alone, from start to finish. You want to speak to Emma? You get straight through. No PA. No answering service. Just Emma Marygold, right there, on the phone, jumping in her Merc and driving over to meet you

A Peek into the World of a Marygold Wedding The Vision

“Emma was absolutely amazing. From the first day we met her we knew she was going to help us create the most incredible wedding day” Emma with Jessica & Andy

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

“Anything you’ve seen and loved – a particular flower, a special place, even your perfect wedding gown – can spark the look of your wedding,” says Emma. “When I meet new clients, we begin the exciting process of creating the visuals.”

The Venue “Making a final decision on your venue can seem daunting – but my expertise means I can see past things that may be clouding your vision,” says Emma. Fifteen years of planning elegant weddings at luxury venues and in bespoke marquees also means Emma is a highly experienced negotiator.

The Suppliers Emma’s address book is packed with the finest florists, photographers, prop designers, catering companies and sommeliers. “My job isn’t just to create wonderful weddings but also to constantly come up with new ways of doing things – fresh and unique styling, surprising locations and new wedding experiences,” she says. “Often a couple will introduce me to a new supplier, leading to fantastic collaborations.” at the drop of a hat to talk about her favorite subject: your wedding. So if you’re getting married, you really should call Emma Marygold. Then you can relax – she’ll make sure your wedding day is the best day of your and your partner’s life.

The Flow “Getting the celebrations to flow seamlessly is often a source of worry for couples – one which I can happily eliminate,” says Emma. “Some of my clients come to me when they realise they need someone to coordinate and manage not just the style of the day, but also the logistics. You can really relax and enjoy your wedding when you know you have someone managing it all.”

The Production Contact Emma Marygold at: 07801 848485 emma@marygoldweddings.com marygoldweddings.com

“Thinking of the whole day and creating something which works as a complete, coherent and gorgeous event, with a style and vision that runs throughout, is essential” says Emma. “Wedding planning is a combination of exquisite aesthetics and flawless logistics – the two things I do best!”

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Vintage Collection APM Monaco presents collection Vintage featuring romantic and delicate designs. With jewels in pink and grey silver zirconia stones for a modern & timeless look.

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DENIM Collection APM Monaco introduces collection Denim giving you a minimalistic edge with the collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clean, bold and simple lines. A perfect way to bring some fun to this spring season.

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Professional Player Issue 18

Articles inside

Throwing back to Issue 18 with Mr Cristiano Ronaldo himself