We are very happy to announce client Ben Beresford has signed a long term professional contract with Birmingham City Football Club. Ben completed a successful scholarship program with the blues at the end of last season (22/23) as the Under 18's top goal scorer.

Training regularly with the 1st team and making Under 21's appearances along the way, Ben now has the new season ahead of him and new targets to aim for.

​We would like to congratulate Ben and his family on the journey so far, and to the future ahead of us.

​Congratulations Ben!

We are happy to announce client Charlie Hickingbottom has signed a professional contract with Barnsley Football Club. The Under 18's captain completed his scholarship last season 22/23 on a record season by winning the league with games in hand. Charlie led by example throughout his scholarship and now has his full focus on the season ahead.

Congratulations to Charlie and his family, the journey continues together! 

We are very happy to announce client Laken Torres has signed a professional contract at Watford Football Club. Laken is a athletic striker with a prolific goalscoring record. The former Chesterfield player showed outstanding professional qualities that highlighted him to a number of Premier League and Championship clubs.

After a successful short trial period with Watford his decision was made. We would like to congratulate Laken on his journey so far. The future is extremely bright.

We are pleased to announce client Louie Turner has signed his first professional contract with Mansfield Town Football Club. Louie joined the Stags at aged 16 from neighbouring club Notts County. Since joining Mansfield Town Louie has completed his scholarship, he has had successful first team loan spells, and he's also gained first team experience under manager Nigel Clough.

​We would like to congratulate Louie on his development so far, we are also very excited to see what season 23/24 install.

We are very pleased to welcome Wigan Athletic player Cole Simms to Route One Sports Management. Cole (16) is a prolific goal scorer with a proven goal scoring record at academy level. Cole has always been a key player during his academy career. Since rejoining the Latics 4 years ago from Manchester United, he as consistently been his teams top goal scorer.

His goalscoring tally has always resulted in double figures. So far this season and with 16 goals from just 23 matches and double figures for assists, Cole is a force to be reckoned with for Wigan Athletic.

With his eyes on the future, Cole has recently secured and signed a scholarship with the Latics for the next 2 years. We are pleased and very proud to represent Cole, and to be part of his journey as we transition into the next phase of his development and journey.

​Welcome to Route One Sports Management Cole!

We are delighted to announce The French Touche as our latest company partnership. The French Touche are an Elite Player Development and Mentoring Company that will be providing Route One Sports Management clients with off-season training sessions.

The French Touche have a proven track record for developing elite football players and helping them to take the next level in their professional careers. We are very excited to have The French Touche onboard.

Website: www.thefrenchtouch.com
Instagram: @thefrenchtouche_

We would like to officially welcome our client and Barnsley player Charlie Hickingbottom to Route one Sports Management.

Since joining the South Yorkshire club from Derby County, Charlie has quickly become the under 18's talisman, while dominating the center midfield position. His box to box style of play and his no-nonsense approach to dictating play are just a number of the reasons why he has played every minute of the season so far for the tykes.

Whilst always maintaining a composed head, Charlie shows versatility and professionalism by slotting into the heart of the defence, as a central defender, for both the under 18's and regularly in the under 23's.

We are very excited to start working with Charlie throughout his scholarship and into his professional career. The future is looking extremely bright for both Charlie and Barnsley Football Club.

Welcome, Charlie Hickingbottom.

Route One Sports Management would like to welcome Henry Curtis of Hull City Football Club. Henry is currently a second-year scholar with the East Yorkshire club where he has been from the age of 12.

The athletic Left Back has a turn of pace which helps him to glide past opposing players and into attacking positions around the pitch. Naturally left-footed and with an eye for goal, Henry can score from distance and from set-pieces. With an average goal tally of 10 (plus goals) per season, Henry is a definite threat in the final third. Overall he is a robust defender with an extremely bright future ahead of him.

We are very excited to work with Henry and be a part of his journey into the professional phase of his career.

We are very pleased to announce our client Kain Ryan has completed a transfer from Championship Club Derby County to Premier League Club Brighton and Hove Albion. Kain joins the seagulls on a long term contract.

​Kain joined Derby County's Category One Academy at 11 years of age. After just 4 years with the Rams the player was offered a 2 year scholarship (one year early). In the same season Kain was invited to his first U15 England Camp. The following season he made his international debut for England v USA in a 4-1 win. Since then Kain has been attracting the attention of numerous Premier League Clubs.

​Now officially a Brighton and Hove Albion player, Kain is looking forward to his new chapter and the season ahead. He would also like to thank Derby County and the academy staff for their support during his time there.

We are very excited to welcome Kyrell Wheatley to Route One Sports Management. The Lincoln City player joins us on a 2 year representation contract until 2023. ​Kyrell is an attacking midfielder with a great energy and fantastic feet to match.

From everyone here, welcome to Route One Sports Management Kyrell.

​We are pleased to announce our client William Grewal-Pollard has signed a 1 year professional contract with Derby County Football Club. William has been with the Rams from the age of 8, and made his way through the ranks of the Derby County academy system.

After a very successful 2 year scholarship, William was offered a professional contract towards the end of the season 20/21. With some outstanding performances to his name William was called up to the U23's squad where he carried on his rich reign of excellent form. Playing back to back fixtures against Manchester United and scoring a fantastic header against high flying Blackburn Rovers. William is now fully focused on the new season and challenge ahead of him.

Congratulations to our client Daniel Moore who has signed his first professional contract with Burton Albion Football Club. After enjoying last season 20/21 on trial with the Brewers, when he impressed the academy staff and the first coaching staff enough to offer him a one year deal. Everyone at Route One Sports Management are very excited to see Daniels development into the professional game.

Shaquille Wynter - Coles is a creative player with speed and the technical ability to change a game. He can play as a Striker (number 9) and as a Winger. Predominantly right footed the player started his youth career at the age of 13 with Swansea City Football Club, where he spent 6 years.

​Originally signed as a Winger, Shaquille quickly learned how to impact the game and add goals to his tally. Before long his position changed to striker and from there on wards he was regular in the higher age groups where cemented his place in the Swansea City U23's (at age of 16).

William Grewal - Pollard is a modern day Left Back with the versatility to also play Left Center Back and Left Wing Back. Predominantly left footed the athletic defender uses both feet comfortably and certainly knows how to add goals to his game and value to his team.

​William joined Derby County Football Club at the early age 8 years, now in his 10th season with the rams, he is currently the clubs first choice U18's left back. With clean sheets and some stunning goals to his name, the player is understandably attracting the attention from other clubs around the UK.

Earlier this season (20/21) the player signed a 2 year representation contract with Route One Sports Management that seen the start of a promising partnership until late 2022. Everyone is excited to work with William and to see where his journey takes him during this time.

Route One Sports management are very excited to welcome the Cheltenham Town Goalkeeper Jake Parsisson,on a 2 year representation contract. Jake is currently a first year scholar with the Gloucestershire League Two club.

The former Everton Academy shot stopper is currently flying high with some excellent standout performances to his name. Before excepting the offer of joining Cheltenham Town, Jake attracted the eye of a large number of Championship clubs, in London, the Midlands, and throughout the North West, as well as our very own recruitment team.

Earlier this year we welcomed Jake to the Route One Sports Management team. Everyone is looking forward to working with him at the beginning of his scholarship journey and throughout his professional career.
​Welcome to the team Jake!

Rhys Hilton is an exciting forward with an injection of pace and has skill in abundance. The former Birmingham City player made his way through the academy ranks and completed his scholarship with flying colours. Rhys went on to earn a very successful professional contract with the Blues.

During the 2019/20 season the player completed his first professional contract and gained valuable football league experience. This included a successful loan spell with Redditch United in the Southern League Premier Division. After completing his contract the player is now looking for new opportunities throughout the PL2 (U23) or throughout The National League.

In September 2020, we successfully welcomed Rhys to the Route One Sports Management team. With the world of football at his feet, we are looking forward to working with the player for the next 2 years of his professional career. From everyone at the team welcome Rhys Hilton!

​Amarie Brown is an attacking midfield player that carries an abundance of style and potential with him at all times. The talented teenager is still only 17 years of age and has the world of football at his feet.

The former Birmingham City academy player and Wolverhampton Wanderers scholar is currently attracting (a lot) of attention from clubs in the Premier League, the Championship, League One and throughout the rest of the UK.

Everyone at Route One Sports Management are extremely excited to welcome Amarie to the team and look forward to working with him during his current 2 year of his representation contract with us.

Amarie is currently (a free agent) and available to trial and has no compensation attached to him. If you require any further information about the player please contact us by email:
info@routeonesportsmanagement.com 

We are very pleased to welcome Adam Clark to the team. Adam is a left footed versatile player who can play and adapt to many positions. At the age of 14 the player signed to Leicester City Football Club.

​We are very excited that Adam has chosen Route One Sports Management to represent him on a 2 year represent contract. Welcome to the team Adam Clark!

We very pleased to welcome Harvey Coulson to the Route One Sports Management team. Harvey is a strong and athletic versatile central defender who can also play left back.

Harvey is currently a free agent and available to trial with view of securing a scholarship with a professional club. For further information please contact us by email: info@routeonesportsmanagement.com 

We are extremely pleased to announce the new signing of Derby County defender Kain Ryan. The player has signed a 2 year representation contract with Route One Sports Management.

We are very proud and excited to announce the signing of Lincoln City Football Club striker Billy Brooks.

Route One Sports Management are very proud to announce the new signing Jenson Cooper of Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

​​Everyone at Route One Sports Management can not wait to start to work with Jenson and see him progress through his scholarship and into his professional career and beyond.

Route One Sports Management are pleased to announce the partnership with Steven Rimmer Nutrition. With Steven on board, our clients are in great hands if they require access to his exclusive treatments to help prevent injury and enhance performances on the pitch.

Highly respected throughout the world of sports science and sports nutrition, his track record is second none. He works closely with professional football players who apply their trade in the Premier League, the English Football League and the Scottish Premier League.

Steven delivers an evidence and practice-based approach to performance nutrition. As a highly qualified performance nutritionist with a strong work ethic and experience in professional sport Steven is well versed in the culture and lifestyles of the athletes he works with.

With access to elite standard sports performance and body composition testing, clinical services using both a mobile performance testing lab and body composition testing at the University of Derby and Birmingham City University Steven is able to fully monitor his client's performance and achievement of nutrition goals against his tailored performance nutrition plans.

Steven's sports-specific nutrition solutions are tailored to each individual’s unique requirements starting by profiling the athletes performance to turn weaknesses into strengths.

Useful Links
Website: http://www.stevenrimmernutrition.com
Twitter: @stvenrimmer15
Instagram: @sprscience
Facebook: Steven Rimmer

During these uncertain times it's so important that we take a serious look at the bigger picture. Staying safe, keeping our families healthy, and taking one day at a time. Social distancing is imperative and so are government health and safety guidelines. So far COVID 19 has and is still having a detrimental affect on the world's population. It's slowly but surely worked its way through most continents on planet earth. This invisible disease also known as The Coronavirus has turned our world upside, and i'm pretty sure our generation will never be the same again.

Unfortunately, their will be businesses that we will never see again and some cases football clubs. So, one of big questions is, how is COVID 19 affecting football? The long and short of it is, we dont really know until the coronavirus is no longer active. But for now, its had a major impact on the world sport and football in general. So far some of the major sporting tournaments have been canceled these include Euro 2020, The Olympics,  World Darts, Formula 1, The Grand National, Crickets T20 to name but a few. Its cost the world of sport billions of pounds and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

So where do we go from here and how do we get back to normal?

The impact is going to be catastrophic and will affect the Premier League, The Championship, League One, League Two and the National League, it will also have a filter through and have a major impact the UK Grassroot Football. The one major effect will be finance or should i say a lack of it. Even the biggest club in the world can't stay self sufficient for long periods of time and at some point major cuts will have to be made. This will include staff being released from their contracts and players wages being sliced by two thirds?

The Premier League has by far the largest wage bill in world football. The games are watched worldwide, with many TV companies and franchises paying into the league. Not only that, each club has its very own multi-million pound sponsorship deals. These will include kit deals ground ownership and TV rights from SKY Sports, BT Sports and now the Amazon Prime. With no football being played, these TV companies won't be paying their £200k per match to the each home team. It also means people that the viewers at home are slowly starting to cancelling the subscription fees to said TV companies, and so the knock on effect starts.

The Championship has a large number of Ex Premier League stars playing in it week in week out. It also has an array of upcoming talent on loan from a wide range of bigger european clubs from Spain, France and Germany. These may be Academy products with great futures ahead of them that need game time or first team football experience. Unfortunately, these players dont come cheap. The weekly wage of the average championship football player is around £23k a week or a lot higher for those Ex Premier League stars. The bigger the club the bigger the wage bill and if the club shop isn't open (due to COVID 19) how are fans going to buy the clubs star strikers shirt?

League One and Two rely strongly on gates receipts, this means their turnstiles have to be open to their fans. Most clubs are family oriented which means family days out collecting points (home and away) and most of all memories for the whole family to share. With no football being played, fans can't buy tickets, merchandise or food. With this in mind, most of the local businesses around the ground will also lose out from the visiting home and away fans.

The National League is very similar to League One and League Two but with less financial security.  The clubs in this league are classed as part time. This includes players as well as staff, so promotion to the EFL is classed as the promised land. This means these clubs can have a sustainable youth academy that can help feed the first team for many years to come. Gaining promotion out of National League will help create full-time employment and help change the lives of everyone employed by the club. However, with no football being played this just can not happen.

Grassroot Football will be majorly impacted on for years to come. What most people dont realise is, the average grassroot club is self sufficient when it comes to making money and staying afloat. One of the most common ways for a grassroots club to make money for kit, club tracksuits, and equipment etc, is to host its own local summer football tournament. This can include many other grassroot clubs paying a fee to play, sales from BBQ's, drinks, raffles, and even inflatable rides. The average tournament can make a club between £2000 - £5000 each. Which is a huge injection of funds to start the season off. However, these kind of events certainly can not go ahead while COVID 19 is active. So in years to come and with fewer grassroots clubs around than usual, academy scouts won't be able scout players to bring into professional clubs. Professional clubs won't be able to develop these players into first team players? or they might, but a lot less players coming through the professional ranks. And let's not even mention not winning a world cup since 1966.

So, to put all of the above points into perspective and believe me this article is only just scratching the surface with points of how COVID 19 is affecting football in the UK and around the world. Let's all stay safe and healthy so our beautiful game can be played and enjoyed yet again from Grassroots all the way upto the English Premier League and beyond. 

One of the first things a scholar or new professional football player will usually ask themselves is do i need a football agent? It's a very common question and can be explained relatively easily. Some say that behind every successful professional footballer is a football agent who is just as prolific in their own field as them. That's why some ex-professionals go on to be just as good intermediaries as they were when they played the game professionally.

So, when it comes down to the big question of "do i need a football agent" the answer can be as simple as no, but this obviously depends on who you ask? This is very true, as not every footballer needs an agent to complete a successful full season or even complete a transfer from club to club. However, if you ask any successful footballer would you have been able to be as successful without your football agent they'd more than likely say they couldn't have done it without them. That is as long as they had a good hard working agent that worked just as hard (if not harder) than them.

​Over the years you hear of horror stories where top professional footballers have missed out on a top multi-million pound sponsorship deal by a leading sports brand, this is because they didn't have the correct agent or even worse they didn't have an agent at all. But instead, the big life changing deal went to the next best player at a different club. It's at this point that having the right agent can make the world of difference.

Having a good UK football agent with an excellent list of contacts and having their finger on the pulse can help catapult a professional footballer's career straight into the premier league. With hard work on and off the pitch, a successful team of player and agent can be an unbeatable partnership.