Garth Crooks urges young players to prepare for a second career

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker, Garth Crooks OBE, has been reflecting on the importance of education for young players who are forced to leave the game early.

While he was still playing, Garth secured a degree in social science and politics before going on to complete a postgraduate diploma in sports law. After retiring from the game in 1990, he went on to forge a highly successful career in broadcasting with BBC Sport. 

Garth told The Players Foundation website: ‘I just wanted to prepare myself for the years after football, and I can’t stress enough the importance to young players who suddenly find themselves at 18 and 19 where the game has said ‘we don’t think this is for you.’

Garth is a long-serving trustee at the Foundation, which this month launched a new Student Living Expense Grant aimed at supporting former professional footballers and scholars who are making the move into full-time university education. 

Garth believes that the Foundation, as an independent charity, plays a crucial role in nurturing the futures of former scholars: ‘We’re not just here for experienced former players but for young players who find themselves suddenly out of the game.’

The harsh reality of academy football means that under one per cent of those who play within the youth development system will end up earning a full-time living from the game.

Garth concluded: ‘I’ve seen lads walking out of football clubs not knowing what to do. The fact is they’ve got so much talent and ability – it’s not just about football, there’s a huge world waiting for them. The Foundation is here to help fuel their aspirations and to support them in kickstarting their careers.’

The application window for the Student Living Expense Grant is open until October 31^st.

You can apply here – theplayersfoundation.org/student-living-expense-grant-application/