Students at Coulsdon College were treated to a motivational speech from guest speaker, Football Entrepreneur and businessman, David Dein this week. Former Chairman of Arsenal FC and Vice-Chairman of the Football Association, David is credited with bringing Arsene Wenger to Aresenal in 1996 and during his reign as Chairman the team won an impressive total of 18 trophies.
Students from across the college learnt about how the Premier League was formed in 1992 when this big 5 UK teams of the time joined together; Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton. David explained how, since then, the Premier League has grown to be “a success story beyond all expectations,” generating nearly £3 billion from TV, associated commercial, sponsorship and entrance fees. “Everybody wants a part of it,” he explained “with even sovereign states now investing in football clubs.” He went on to talk about how the income is split between the clubs and how expenditure is being monitored and controlled through, amongst other things, a cap on salaries.
He talked to students about the qualities required to be successful, having vision and a goal, hard work and courage, and encouraged them to follow the advice of Arsene Wenger who no matter how successful, always strove to do even better year on year.
Ryan Gordon 17, Business, Law and Sports student and Coulsdon College’s Football Captain said, “It was really interesting to hear about David’s current campaigns to introduce independent timekeeping to the game, like in other sports such as boxing and basketball. I agree that it’s a flaw in the game that refs are still responsible for time keeping. He’s also keen on the extension of goal line technology to help with penalties and off-side.”
David, who declared the students, who packed into The Bonsier Theatre, to be a “bright bunch” and rewarded them with football DVDs, for answering his challenging questions about the game “It was a pleasure to attend the college and to be challenged by enthusiastic and well-disciplined students. They certainly know their football.”
David’s attendance at the College was organised through the “Speakers for Schools Scheme, a charity providing state schools with talks from inspiring, industry-leading figures.
