Similar to every pre-teenage boy, I grew up idolising the greats of modern football; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale to name but three. 

 

Despite never being God's gift to the beautiful game, I became, as one could say, obsessed with the sport, and it became almost my sole passion. I learned all the team names, their players, their crests and nicknames, and I was intoxicated by it all. 

 

I had always been a good writer, linguistics and fluidity came easily to me,

and I realised: I love football, but I'm not good enough to make it professionally, so why not write about it instead?

 

And so, my career pathway was settled. I was only about 12. 

 

Good GCSE grades, difficult yet engaging A-Levels and a ridiculous amount of national work experience have given me the important foundations to pursue my dream career, and that's all I want to do...

 

...to get more and more people hooked on the world's most popular sport.

 

- Oli Gent