MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE YOU CAN TRUST
MEET THE TEAM
From your first scholarship talks to your last Pro contract and into your career beyond, you and your family need management, support and guidance that you can trust.
Our team have years of experience in the industry – on the pitch as ex-Pros themselves and off, as registered football agents with decades of expertise, and Club Academy and Elite coaches devoted to the development of youth players.
Our registered intermediaries are approved by The Football Association to work with minors.
RICHARD CRESSWELL
DIRECTOR & FA REGISTERED INTERMEDIARY
A forward-thinking and innovative football professional, Richard’s 25-year career in the game has covered all bases – from player to coach; executive to intermediary, making him uniquely placed to help our clients become the best they can be.
ANDY GRAY
DIRECTOR & FA REGISTERED INTERMEDIARY
An experienced ex-professional footballer and qualified youth academy coach, Andy’s lifetime of Industry contacts and knowledge mean he knows first-hand exactly how a promising youth becomes a successful professional.
JACK TURNBULL
HEAD OF RECRUITMENT
A former Leeds United scholar, US student athlete and Sports Business Management graduate, we’re delighted Jack has joined the Blue Sky Sports team…
SIMON CLIFFORD
EXPERT ELITE PERFORMANCE COACH
One of the most highly regarded one-to-one coaches in the game, Simon has worked with some of British football’s best young talents – including Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Micah Richards and Adam Lallana – as well as some of British Film’s brightest stars, coaching and choreographing scenes for Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra in “Bend it Like Beckham”, Michael Sheen and Stephen Graham in “The Damned United” and most recently working on Netflix’s “The English Game”.
Today, Simon works with youth footballers across the UK and, we’re delighted to say, exclusively with our Blue Sky Sports clients, teaching his pioneering techniques in bespoke one-to-one sessions that cover all aspects of performance coaching.
ANDY GRAY
Director & FA Registered Intermediary
An experienced ex-professional footballer with close to 500 league appearances and a qualified youth academy coach, Andy’s lifetime of Industry contacts and knowledge mean he knows first-hand exactly what makes a promising youth become a successful professional.
His eye for potential is second to none, and his personable, trustworthy and relatable nature has seen him go head to head and win against the big Agencies, mainly based on the strength of the relationships he forms with both Players and Parents.
He combines these traits with a sharp mind and plenty of commercial savvy, which he brings to bear with great effect in transfer and contract negotiations.
RICHARD CRESSWELL
Director & FA Registered Intermediary
A forward-thinking and innovative football professional, Richard’s 25-year career in the game has covered all bases – from player to coach; executive to intermediary.
With a playing career that saw him play at all league levels and holding his UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification available, Richard has experienced every aspect of a player’s journey. His unique set of skills will offer a truly rounded service to our clients.
But crucially for us here at Blue Sky Sports, what underpins his unrivalled experience is a genuine passion for developing all the characteristics of the player and the person – a true focus on helping our clients become the best they can be.
SIMON CLIFFORD
Expert Elite Performance Coach
Simon Clifford is well known for his cutting edge and – crucially – hugely effective methods.
The founder of the vastly successful SOCATOTS and Brazilian Football Schools franchises, his experience in youth and professional football spans more than four decades. In that time, he has also worked with some of British Film’s brightest stars, coaching and choreographing football scenes for Keira Knightley and Parminda Nagra (Bend it Like Beckham), Michael Sheen and Stephen Graham (The Damned United) and most recently working on Netflix’s The English Game.
After graduating from University, Simon travelled to South America where he saw how young players in Brazil developed their incredible skills.
Passionate about the potential to transform the coaching of skills to youth footballers here in the UK, on his return Simon spent the next few years pioneering the introduction of futsal. His Brazilian Soccer School was the first of its kind, and grew to more than 300 schools over every continent, with similar success then coming from the second franchise, SOCATOTS.
“He is simply the best one-on-one coach that I have seen in any sport, in any country of the world.”
Sir Clive Woodward
Simon has worked with some of British football’s best young talents – including Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Micah Richards and Adam Lallana – helping them on their journey into professional football and as they established themselves among the elite in the game.
Today, he continues his one-to-one work with youth footballers across the UK and, we’re delighted to say, exclusively with our Blue Sky Sports clients.
With his vast experience at different levels of the game, his work with elite youth footballers and unique experience in the industry, Simon is able to help guide and mentor our clients at the very highest level.
JACK TURNBULL
Head of Recruitment
A former Leeds United scholar, US student athlete and Sports Business Management graduate, Jack has built a fantastic reputation in player recruitment.
We’re delighted he’s joined the team, bringing with him bags of expertise at International, Premier League and EFL level, as well as a strong drive and a keen eye for talent.