Welcome back to the "Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast" (or "Sutton Podcast" for short). In today's episode, we're diving deep behind the amber curtain with Matthew Disley, Sutton United's Commercial Manager, to explore his role, journey, and his strategic vision for the club’s commercial operations.
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Sutton Podcast in association with Lucky Star Gin. I'm your host, Mike, and today we're excited to introduce Matthew Disley. We'll be covering Matthew's role, his story so far, and his hopes for his impact at Sutton United. Let's dive right into it!
Key Discussion Points
Here's a quick overview of what we'll be covering in this blog post:
Matthew's journey from fitness and health industry to commercial management
The challenges and opportunities faced in the commercial realm of Sutton United
Insights into the club's commercial strategies and goals
Community engagement and how fans can contribute to the club's success
Personal anecdotes and future aspirations
Matthew's Journey: From Fitness to Football
Matthew's path to Sutton United is both interesting and diverse. He started his professional journey in the fitness and health industry, working as a fitness duty manager and personal trainer. An ACL injury led him to transition into back-office roles where he discovered a passion for sales and marketing. His big break came when he became a commercial site manager at Go Ape, which led to a role at Grimsby Town as their commercial manager. Here, he found his niche in football commercial management.
“The amount of change I could make to the club, you know, the amount of change I could bring in to help... it didn’t bother me too much what league they were in, as long as there was potential”
Challenges at Sutton United
When Matthew joined Sutton United, the club was facing the daunting prospect of relegation. Despite the uncertainty, he saw the potential for significant positive change and decided to take the plunge. One of the initial challenges was fixing basic operational issues, but his primary focus was on renewals and outreach.
“My job is to bring money into the football club. It's a really broad statement because it varies from advertising boards, matchday sponsors, ball sponsors, the pouring rights... it’s a wide spectrum,”
Main Highlight Analysis: Professionalism and Contractual Security
Matthew emphasizes the importance of professionalism in securing the club's future. His aim is to create a solid operational foundation through clear contracts and processes.
“Shoring things up a bit, being a bit more professional... it's not quite as bad as contracts written on the back of a fag packet, but just having an email trail and proper contracts helps protect both the sponsor and the club.”
This meticulous approach ensures that both current and prospective sponsors have confidence in their investments, which is crucial for long-term success.
Additional Insights and Predictions
Matthew is clear that his role is not just about improving immediate revenues but also about setting the club up for sustainable growth. He highlights a hybrid approach of targeting both local and national sponsors.
“Player sponsors are local companies. When we’re talking nationals, it’s a different ball game. They want to see their ROI, their return on investment.”
Exciting Partnerships
Matthew shared an exciting development: potential collaboration with Chessington, which aligns perfectly with Sutton United’s family-friendly image.
“Me and Jack went to visit Chessington. We’re talking with them, and I’ve put across a proposal. Hopefully, that comes off!”
Upcoming Goals for Sutton United
Matthew has ambitious plans for Sutton United’s commercial future. He envisions national sponsorship deals and digital advancements like LED boards in the stadium. These changes aim to elevate Sutton United’s commercial stature in the football community.
“In five years, I’d love to see LED boards. How realistic that is, we don’t know. We'll take it a step at a time.”
Community Engagement and How Fans Can Help
Matthew acknowledges the critical role fans play in the club’s success. Engagement isn’t just about attending games; it extends to interacting on social media, spreading the word, and even introducing potential sponsors.
“If anybody knows they work for businesses, speak to your employers, see if they’re interested in sponsoring. Come to the games, drink the beer, buy a programme. Nothing is too small.”
Personal Connection: The Royal Marsden Visit
A poignant moment in the podcast was Matthew recounting his visit to the Royal Marsden hospital, emphasizing his personal connection to the cause and his upcoming marathon run to raise funds.
“I couldn’t hack it. And even now talking about it, I can feel myself welling up. It was so heartbreaking but so heartwarming at the same time.”
Calls to Action
We encourage you to participate and support Sutton United in various ways:
Attend games and bring friends or family
Engage with the club on social media
Consider sponsorship opportunities, whether you’re a business owner or know someone who is
Your involvement directly contributes to the club’s growth and success.
Conclusion
This episode offers a rich blend of professional insights and personal stories, making it a must-listen for anyone invested in Sutton United's future. Matthew Disley’s strategic vision and dedication are sure to drive significant positive change. Thank you for joining us in this episode of "Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast". Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more updates. Special thanks to our sponsors Lucky Star Gin and, of course, to Matthew for his time.
Take care, and we’ll catch you in the next episode. Cheers!
Stay Connected with Sutton United & Sutton Podcast
Join our community on social media for the latest updates, exclusive content, and engaging conversations. Don't miss out on the Sutton Podcast for in-depth match analysis, player interviews, and more!
Bookmark our one stop page for all updates
Follow Us:
Listen to the Sutton Podcast: Catch our latest episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other platforms.
Contact: If you have any questions, feedback or comments please reach out on any of the socials with @suttonpodcast
Share this post