With a promising career in football cut short through injury, Fergus Bell explains why his fellows players should plan for a life after the game.

Read, read, and read

Whether that may be reading about the latest Crypto-Currency spike, or the ramifications of Brexit on your sector, go against the wrongfully construed stereotype that all sportsman have their head in the sand when it comes to current affairs.

As an ex-footballer, the biggest secret weapon I have utilised in meeting rooms and seminar halls is the ability to surprise people that I didn’t conform to their misconceptions about what being a footballer is all about. Being up to date with your sector and further afield shows an interest in bettering yourself whilst also having the tools to argue and articulate in the face of negotiation or disagreement.

Pick a winner

I firmly believe that beyond your spouse, the biggest decision of your post sporting life is finding your perfect business partner. For me, someone with experience and education in areas that you may not have is crucial, a Ying and Yang situation. Ultimately, it’s crucial to find someone who you can trust to pick up the pieces when you are not around.

A decision not to be taken lightly and certainly one whereby I would keep direct friends out of the equation, but ultimately this may be the person you see and speak to every day for the next 20 years of your life. The difference in personalities, experience and education will make it far easier to split the business roles from day one without both inefficiently tackling the same issues.