A new business has been launched in Burnley with experience from the highest levels of football.
Sensible Soccer Limited, has been born out of a partnership between two football professionals and two local businessmen with a love of the game; Mike Phelan (ex- Manchester United coach and professional player ), David Horrocks (Sport Performance consultant and Coach) and Damian Greenwood and Morgan Rothwell (of D&M Creative – marketing and branding experts).
The new firm, which sells an exciting range of products and services for anyone interested in football, held its launch event at Burnley’s Business First business centre in September, which attracted some of the North’s top footballing talent from on and off the pitch.
As well as being able to get hands on with the Sensible Soccer range of products, guests also got the opportunity to try out Sensible Soccer’s exclusive Virtual Reality football application.
The innovation in VR, which allows players to train in a virtual environment, has been generating global interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs and has the potential to reduce time away from the game with injury as players can keep up their training even from the hospital bed.
See the technology in action on the BBC’s Click technology show by clicking this link
Sensible Soccer already has distribution agreements in place with a provider of virtual reality for professional football players and clubs and a high-quality manufacturer of goals and football training equipment.
Future plans include a ‘Serious Soccer’ area on the website that will allow members to access unique industry specific educational material developed by Mike Phelan and Dave Horrocks, to enhance continual professional development within the game at both grassroots levels upwards.
Founder Morgan Rothwell said:
“Mike has won everything in club football as player, coach and assistant manager at Domestic, European and World levels. He has coached youth, senior and emerging talent and spent 4 years as Assistant Manager to the most successful manager professional football has ever seen, Sir Alex Ferguson.”
“David is a leading academic and is the world’s only published scientific author to have researched to PhD level the practices and protocols of Manchester United Football Club. Alongside this Dave has worked as a consultant in professional football at all levels and delivers educational content on The UEFA pro Licence.”
He continued:
“Damian and I are really looking forward to developing the business alongside such talented professionals as Mike and David. We’re looking forward to providing not only football equipment, but the advice, guidance and skills that their experience brings. Something no one else in the market is currently offering.”
In addition, the Mike Phelan Foundation will be launched next year to provide support for community groups and projects.