It’s not just about the 22 players on the pitch

[Colorado Gull]

As I said on a different thread my article on careers in football was in the programme today. If you gave it a read I hope you enjoyed it, but here is the full article of 700 words.

It’s not just about the 22 players on the pitch

Football is a global business. It’s not just a game anymore, it’s much more important than that. I’m not just quoting Bill Shankly’s famous quote, football is a lot more than those 22 players on the pitch. The amount of people and jobs that are needed to run a football club, is really quite outstanding. This article is all about opening your eyes to the fact that there are people behind the scenes, that make it all happen not just the players.

Managers/Coaches
Starting off with a well known job role in the football business; the manager, assistant manager , head coaches, fitness coaches, technical development coach etc. They determine which players play and in a certain formation. It is their job to make sure the players are fit and ready, developing and even learning new skills in training.

The Backroom staff
The backroom staff include; head physiotherapist, chief scout, youth team setup, centre of excellence and performance analysis. These jobs are exceptionally important because they are all involved with the team to the football club in the community . This is a good way to publicise the club.

Commercial
This side of the football business, is one of the most important in terms of income. It’s the arm of the football club that generates the secondary income by advertisement and sponsors. Sponsors of the ground, stands, shirts, players and advertising boards around the ground, programme advertising, match day and match ball sponsors etc. Another aspect to the Commercial part of football is the corporate hospitality side. This where people can watch the game, have a meal and really make a day of it, rather than just the 90 minutes. It’s also open for weddings and other special occasions.

Off the pitch
These jobs include; Directors, General manager, Secretary, ticket office, receptionist, club shop etc. The Directors are the main share holders and are the club. The general manager is responsible for the daily running of the club and oversees many problems. The receptionists are the first person fans and members of the public contact, they are very important to give the club a good name. The club shop and ticket office and are integral parts of the club, generating income.

On the pitch
The careers that are involved on the pitch are vital for match days. The groundsman makes sure that the turf is always in great condition, not just on a match day, but a full time job looking after the pitch. The stewards, make sure that the fans are safe at the game and entering and leaving the ground. Other jobs include; match day announcers giving information to the fans during the time at the ground, gate staff, 50/50 ticket sellers etc.

Journalists/Bloggers
Journalists and bloggers can be involved directly with a club by compiling the programme and publishing information on the website, for example math reports. They can also indirectly earn an income from a football club by writing about them, they are a life blood of a sports journalist.

Kit managers and cleaners
Without the kit managers, the players and staff would have no kit to wear. The strip represents the club itself so it is fundamental that a club have kit managers. When the fans, players and staff go home from a successful (or sometimes not so successful) match day, the ground and facilities are in very hefty state. The cleaners do a terrific job to get the ground back to normal, professional pristine condition.

Even this list is not exhaustive! Chefs, waiters and waitresses, bar staff, programme sellers, fast food operatives are all important for running a football club. You may be able to name some more, but I hope it’s made you think about the important people that are involved in football, who don’t get limelight, but whom without would make the match day experience impossible.

Oops, forgot the match day officials, what a sterling job they do.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Good stuff there Danny, clubs like Portsmouth who sack their so called 'menial' staff without paying them just because the 11 on the pitch paid millions to kick a bag of wind into a net can't do their jobs properly and then get away with it are an example of how fragile employment is within the football industry. It makes you realise just how much these people keep the clubs functioning on a daily basis for little or no reward or glory. The catering sellers, the programme sellers, ticket sellers, club shop employees, administrators, the list is endless.

[Colorado Gull]

Thank you Andy!

[AustrianAndyGull]

[oxgull]

Well done Danny! Good article

[Dutchgull]

I'm a 50/50 seller!! I try to do my bit !

[Colorado Gull]

Thank you Oxgull!

[AustrianAndyGull]

I'm a 50/50 seller!! I try to do my bit !

I've often wondered how these half time lotto things work Dutch, i presume the club takes a fixed percentage of all sales and a percentage goes to the winner. Also how many tickets do you reckon you sell on an average matchday?

[RussianGull]

I've often wondered how these half time lotto things work Dutch, i presume the club takes a fixed percentage of all sales and a percentage goes to the winner. Also how many tickets do you reckon you sell on an average matchday?

That has to be a wind up, surely..

[AustrianAndyGull]

No, perfectly reasonable question.

[RussianGull]

It's called the 50/50! 50% to the club, 50% to the winner.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Oh, i missed that bit :Oops:

[AustrianAndyGull]

How much do we generally make from this then per game?

[Dutchgull]

Basically Andy the tickets area £1 so half goes to the club for the clubs youth development and the other half goes in prize money. I usually sell at least 100 tickets per game. Its unpaid but I do get to see the game for free. I try to sell as many as I can then at least I feel as if I have done my bit to help the club and justify my free entrance to the game.
Average prize money is £200 - £250 per game depending on that games attendance.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Forgive me Dutch, Russiangull has just highlighted my struggle with the obvious but if you sell 100 tickets at £1 a pop then how can the prize money be as much as £250? I'm not being funny Dutch so don't think that, also , no fault of your own and i'm sure you do a great job selling as many as you can but are the Torquay public REALLY that tight meaning you only sell 100 out of crowds of 2000 plus? I know money is tight but it's only an extra quid and i'm quite disappointed in fans for that. I bought one last time i was down and obviously true to form i lost. I'd buy one each game if i was local.

Cheers anyway Dutch