Youth football continues to grow in popularity in England. As more children start playing the sport, so more football coaches are needed to deliver fun training sessions in safe environments. There has never been a better time to get into the football coaching business and become a franchise owners. 

We Make Footballers are at the vanguard of football coaching. As the biggest provider of football training for children aged between 4 and 12, we have over 4,700 children attending our weekly sessions across the country. By the end of 2022, we aim to have 50 franchises operating nationwide and one internationally. This will build on the 140 per cent growth we experienced last year.

To continue the expansion of the We Make Footballers brand, we require new franchise owners to join us. We need people who are passionate about football and want to share that passion with the next generation and who are motivated to succeed. 

You might be looking to give something back to the local community, become your boss or see franchising as a way into working in football full time.

Whatever your reasons for considering launching your football coaching franchise, We Make Footballers can help you achieve your dreams. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Here are four of our current franchise owners offering their top tips, advice and explaining why investing in a football franchise is a pursuit worth undertaking.

What does owning a franchise mean?

When you own a franchise, you pay a fee for the right to operate a business under the name of an already-established company. You benefit from their brand, existing structure and their management, who will offer you advice and guidance on making a success of your business.

What does a franchise owner do day-to-day?

That entirely depends on the franchise owner and the size of their business. For some, running a franchise will be their full-time job and provide most of their income. Others will mix running their franchise with another occupation, dedicating a certain number of hours per week to working and growing their business.

Amongst our We Make Footballer franchise owners, we have those who have expanded to take on several territories for whom football coaching is now their full-time job. Some franchise owners hold other positions in football, mixing their franchise with coaching or scouting for professional clubs’ academies.   

And then some work in industries removed from football. We have firemen, city workers and teachers who combine their day jobs with running We Make Footballers franchises one night a week or at weekends. Doing so is challenging but the rewards which come from coaching and improving the next generation of footballers make it all worth it.

Top tips on owning a franchise from some of our youth football coaches

By becoming the owner of a We Make Footballers franchise, you are attaching your football coaching business to the most successful and recognisable brand in the market.

You receive support from a dedicated Franchise Support Manager. Our systems and software give every business owner the processes in place that they need to launch and operate a successful franchise.

We help new coaches become fully qualified via their FA Coaching Badges. Our in-house We Make Footballers qualifications enable experienced coaches to broaden their knowledge base to become the best that they can be.

Like we said earlier though, don’t take our word for it. Instead, meet some of our existing franchise owners, who you could join as part of the We Make Footballers family as we expand into new locations. Here are their best pieces of advice about the business of football coaching.

Marcelo – We Make Footballers Chiswick

Marcelo has been with We Make Footballers for five years, initially as an academy manager before taking on his franchise. He now runs two academies, welcoming over 250 children with training taking place four nights a week. 

One of the biggest barriers to a person taking on a franchise is a fear of the admin side should they not be business-minded. Marcelo had to overcome that concern himself, and he subsequently encourages football-focussed individuals with worries about becoming a business owner and everything that entails not to let it put them off franchising.

“I have a really good knowledge of football but what I appreciate is the business support I get from We Make Footballers head office. Setting up the franchise was daunting at first. The help of We Make Footballers made it simple and stress-free. I would strongly recommend any football coaches looking to start their own business speak to We Make Footballers.”

Dave – We Make Footballers Essex

Prior to launching his, We Make Footballers Essex franchise in 2018, Dave worked full time in the television and advertising industry whilst coaching football in his spare time. When deciding to swap his media career to move into football, he looked at different ways to enter the sport.

What made Dave settle on We Make Footballers was our approach to football. He believes that for the best chance of success in football franchising, you must work with a company that shares similar beliefs to yourself about how the game should be played.

“There were a lot of companies out there but We Make Footballers were the ones whose philosophy and ethos most closely matched mine in regards to player development, what a future player should look like and what they should experience when they come to a football coaching session.”

Simon – We Make Footballers Carshalton & Coulsdon

 

We Make Footballers Carshalton and Coulsdon franchise owner Simon is a busy man. He works 48 hours a week in the fire service and runs eight football coaching classes and scouts for Crystal Palace.

His advice for those considering a football franchise business but who worry they do not have the time? With good organisation, time management and the help of a strong support team from the franchiser, anything is possible.

“My sessions run Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. Monday and Tuesday I like to get my admin out of the way. If I get the bog work done early in the week, the rest of the week I can then do whatever comes in.”

“I fit in my franchise around my job in the fire brigade. Having the support of the We Make Footballers sales team helps me do that by following up on leads and trialists. Their help frees up a lot of my time, which is very valuable.”

Russell – We Make Footballers Milton Keynes

IT specialist Russell commutes to London four days a week to work in the city. On a Wednesday, he ditches his suit for a We Make Footballers tracksuit, carrying out the admin side of his football business during the day before coaching children in Milton Keynes in the evening.

His advice to those considering a football franchise opportunity is twofold – prepare to benefit from learning new skills. And then prepare to find what you do very rewarding.

“Even though I worked in IT for 30-odd years, I have always shied away from social media. It is nothing I have been involved with or got interested in. Since starting We Make Footballers Milton Keynes, I have had to start learning how to use Facebook and Instagram and now I can engage people on that platform thanks to the support of the head office.”

As for the feeling that being a We Make Footballers franchise owner can bring? “When you see somebody do a stepover, a Cruyff turn or some kind of skill we have been practising in some of the earlier drills, that makes me feel good. You feel as though you have made a difference.”

Is being a franchise owner worth it?

What is common amongst the four We Make Footballers franchise owners we spoke to for their advice is that all had questions and doubts before they took the plunge in setting up their own football coaching business. 

Marcelo wondered if he could cope with the business side of things. It took Dave a while to find a company where he felt like he would fit. Simon was unsure if he had enough time alongside his full-time career to fit in being a franchise owner. Russell needed to learn new skills.

All four are now successful franchise owners, making a living out of football with plans to expand their businesses and move into the sport full-time in the future – if they have not already done so. They feel rewarded in every football training session they run and are making a difference to children in their local area.

Ask any of them if being a franchise owner is worth it, and you would get an unequivocal answer – yes. To find out more about joining them as We Make Footballers franchisees, then please see the We Make Footballers franchise website. 

Alternatively, you can book a discovery call to discuss your options.