Interview with Bryan Robson OBE - GROUNDS FOR HOPE

“Captain Marvel’s Passion for Grassroots Football Development Through Non-League Clubs”

Yes, the rumours are true - former England and Manchester United captain and current Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has officially revealed that he has become closely involved in the development of non-league football. 

Robson - whose playing career spanned 90 international caps as well as an array of honours gained during his illustrious time at Old Trafford – has teamed up with Burscough FC chairman Chris Lloyd to establish Robson Lloyd, a group of experts with an exciting and innovative remit to redevelop non-league grounds across the UK.

Here, in an exclusive interview for the Non-League Paper, Robson explains his commitment to grass roots football and how Robson Lloyd’s pioneering plans could revolutionise the non-league game.

What made you get involved with the development of Non-League Clubs?

I was introduced to Chairman of Burscough FC Chris Lloyd through a good friend of mine - Len Cantello - to look at a proposed grassroots football development plan for Burscough FC. Len knew I had a strong desire to be involved with football development and this was a great way for me to put something back into the game at grass roots level.

So what is Robson Lloyd offering Non-League Clubs?

Basically, if a club in the UK is thinking of relocating or redeveloping its current ground or facilities then we have put together a team of specialists that aim to get the maximum benefit for that particular club.

Through our experience, ability and professional contacts both within and outside of the football market we can deliver quality new facilities and help clubs set up new Community Sports Academies which we ensure will be sustainable in the future.

Is it your intention to set up a Bryan Robson Football Academy?

Our intention is to set up a Community Sports Academy for all children of all abilities aged between 5 and 16 at each development, which will be run by a UEFA ‘A’ licenced coach. This will hopefully run in conjunction with the FA’s Long Term Player Development Programme, where children will benefit from mini-leagues and competitions and will also be able to take advantage of classroom sessions which will serve to build children’s awareness of their health through diet, sport and lifestyle teaching. The link between sport and education is a very important one as far as we’re concerned and could have a huge impact on the lives of those children who participate.

What do you hope to achieve from your Community Academy?

During my career I have experienced many academies and types of coaching but they have never influenced my own ideas on how I think coaching should be approached. The Middlesbrough FC academy proves that, with the right set-up and coaching, kids can have huge success.  Some prime examples of this are Stuart Downing who has played for England, Andrew Davis who has played at England youth level and for Middlesbrough’s first team and Stuart Parnaby who has played for England under 21s and the Middlesbrough FC first team.

You’re quite passionate about Academies, aren’t you…

I am. The thought of bringing a community together really excites me.  It will take kids away from the street and give them something to be proud of, and this will not only be a boost to the non-league clubs but also to the surrounding area as a whole. 

Who does your Robson Lloyd team comprise?

Firstly there is Chairman of Burscough FC Chris Lloyd, who most of your readers will be familiar with and who has probably been featured in this paper more than I have!  As a Chairman, Chris has a full understanding of how a non-league club operates from the board room to the playing side and has a complete understanding of the workings of a non-league football club.  This is obviously invaluable when we’re dealing with other clubs.

Nick Killeen is Project Manager for the Burscough Football Club development.  He has over 25 years experience in the property and construction industry and specialises in putting together complex community planning applications with local authorities nationwide. Nick will assist your club by exploring all the various avenues of potential funding via grants, educational and regeneration opportunities, plus addressing any local government, land, contract, property and construction issues.

Ron Wood is the former retail entrepreneur who has built up the largely successful Birthdays greeting card shop chain before selling out to the institutional investors in the late 1990’s. Ron has extensive retail and property development experience which hopefully clubs can benefit from in maximizing their potential from their existing grounds and relocation sites, looking at asset value and income generation. Ron has always found time to give support to local football teams of all levels.

And finally, ex-West Bromwich and Bolton Wanderers footballer Len Cantello plays a significant role in assisting me with Grassroots Football Development Plans for the numerous clubs we are involved with.

The Robson Lloyd team works closely with a number of carefully selected working partners throughout the country to assist with the delivery of these community developments.

What schemes are you currently involved with?

Currently we are dealing with over 30 clubs up and down the country. Our flagship project is at Burscough FC - which has been recently promoted to the Blue Square North League - and plans there involve a new £4.3 million stadium and community pitches. The approach was to sell the old ground for re-development in order to provide land for homes, and this has made it possible for the new community facilities to be developed on a 20-acre site just 200 yards away from its current Victoria Park home.

The main stadium will have a 500-seater stand, incorporating dressing rooms, offices, a community meeting room, community changing rooms, four executive/hospitality boxes overlooking the grounds and match day catering facilities. There will be covered terracing round all the ground to meet full conference grading requirements. Extra facilities include a community room and class room for sports-orientated educational purpose. The site will also house six junior and two additional full size grass pitches as well as a modern third generation floodlight artificial pitch and a netball court.

We hear you’re hoping to secure some sponsorship for your future plans and developments…

That’s right.  We’re currently working with a sports marketing agency based in Manchester called Fuse SPORT who are assisting us with identifying potential sponsors who may wish to endorse and lend their support to what we think is a truly innovative and groundbreaking venture.  Robson Lloyd is aiming to be at the heart of grass roots football in this country and I think this may appeal to brands who are looking to associate themselves with such a worthy and high-profile initiative.

How does your work with Robson Lloyd fit with your role as Sheffield United manager?

I am really enjoying my role as manager of Sheffield United and the opportunity to be involved with our highly respected youth academy which you might have read about recently. As a director of Robson Lloyd I remain fully committed in developing this business over the next 10 years, which will be an exciting opportunity for both football and all other sports in this country.

What does your friend Sir Trevor Brooking think of your involvement with Non-League Football?

Sir Trevor and his team are fully aware of my enthusiasm and commitment for trying to help non-league football clubs to develop new quality facilities which puts those clubs at the heart of their communities. Sir Trevor has written many articles on the development of grass roots football and I’m as passionate as him about the long-term benefits that a successful grass roots policy would offer the game as a whole, particularly with regard to the England national team.

What do you think of the departure of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea?

No comment!

OK, so what do you think of the Non-League paper then?

The paper boy is finding his round much harder now that this has been added to my pile of Sunday papers!  Since establishing Robson Lloyd I now find myself looking out for the all the results and fixtures for those 30 clubs with whom we currently have some kind of involvement.  One thing is for sure; there’s so much enthusiasm and professionalism in the game at this level and I’m both delighted and excited that I’m able to be part of it.