How to buy a football business
What type of person do you need to be if you’re thinking about buying a football business? Do you need to have the skills of Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo, or are you better placed if you’re more of a Mourinho? In fact, wouldn’t you need a little of the Alan Sugar in you too, as buying a football business will tap into more of your commercial nous than your ability to nutmeg an opponent?
There’s no shortage of sports coaching businesses for sale across the UK. And, in the last decade-or-so, the franchise world has seen an increase in the availability of football franchises to buy. These businesses tap into the after-school, school holiday and weekend time slots when busy parents love the ability to offload their offspring. But it’s not just an alternative childcare solution; buying a football business means you’ll need to coach skills to a regulated standard, and all in a safe and secure environment.
If you’re heavily involved in the coaching aspect of your business, then you’ll need some qualifications to back you up. The FA (Football Association) puts on plenty of courses around the country, and is the first place to look to bag your coaching badges. Anyone who works with children, of course, also needs the relevant Criminal Record Checks to be up-to-date as well as First Aid qualifications as required.
When buying a football business, the classes and schedules will already be in place. But is there room for growth in the area, or are there any threats to the business, such as dwindling memberships or schedule clashes at existing venues? If you’re starting a football franchise or sports coaching business from scratch, then you need to work out when and where you will hold your sessions. Schools or sports centres would be the obvious choice, but check what classes are already committed to those venues.
Buying a football business means you’re at the whim of term-times and holiday clubs too. There will be times of the year that you will be at your busiest, and also times of the week that you’ll have to commit yourself to. A football or sports coaching business isn’t a nine-to-five role, so you’ll need to be prepared to work outside of those parameters.
It goes without saying, too, that when buying a football business – or when starting a football franchise – you need to be a good communicator who can also engage with children. Like any teacher, a huge responsibility rests on your shoulders, so make sure it’s something you really want to do. There will be challenging students, possibly pushy parents, as well as all the administrative and management duties that any business owner has to endure. The benefits should far outweigh the burdens, though. And just imagine what a feeling it will be to coach the next generation of football stars.
