Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Make money from football
Hanna Duggal
19th Jul 2018
You don’t have to know what a pony is to make an extra £25 from football ventures. Following England’s success at the World Cup this year football mania has immersed the nation. And, while they didn’t bring it home this time, you could still bring home some cash by following our guide to football-related ways to make money.
- Teach children football
- Make money as a referee
- Set up a big screen in your garden
- Matched Betting
- Make football related items to sell
- Sell vintage memorabilia
Teach children football
Whether your affinity to work with children is sky high or you’ve got a burning passion for football, teaching kids how to play is a positive way to make some money.
How do I do it?
While some local clubs don’t require a plethora of experience, if you have previously coached or assisted in physical education studies it could go a long way when it comes to finding football teaching roles. However, your first port of call is your local football clubs to find out what positions they have. Often, there are roles advertised for Assistant Football Coaches and part-time posts. Franchises such as Kiddikicks, based in Hyde Park, London, are always on the lookout for new team members. Teaching football is great part-time work for sports, childcare, and teaching students.
What else do I need to think about?
Some clubs will require you to have a Football Association Level 1 (or higher) qualification in order to teach. You will need to have a full DBS check. Some clubs might ask for a completed Children’s First Aid course, and a certificate in Safeguarding Children.
How much could I make?
Expect to make in the region of £7-25 an hour, depending on experience and location. Many of the roles posted by clubs are also part-time, so keep this in mind.
Make money as a referee
Perhaps you sometimes find yourself shouting at the TV set during a football match, well specifically you’re shouting at the ref ‘it’s clearly a foul!’ Why not put those fair judgement skills to the test? If you think you possess the nimbleness of a referee you could be better-off on a football pitch.
How do I do it?
Get yourself onto the FA website where you can find a host of information about how to become a referee. You will need to complete a Basic Referee’s Course with your local football association. You can find the details of your local football association here. Make yourself aware of the Laws of the Game, which you can found on the FA website. There are nine levels in refereeing, which you can work your way through all the way to Level 1.
What else do I need to think about?
You must be 14 years old or over and be a resident of England. You will also need to have a good level of fitness.
How much could I make?
As you progress through each level you will get paid more. Each league pays differently depending on the duration of a football game and your experience. Referees at an amateur level can earn between £20-40 a match, while Premier League referees make up to £70,000 a year!
Find out more about being a referee here.
Set up a big screen in your garden
Other ways to make money from football without perquisite qualifications include setting up a big screen in your garden and charging locals to watch a big game, such as the World Cup final, or even subscription-only games.
How do I do it?
If you’re lucky enough to have a fair-sized garden space you could invest in a projector screen and set it up to stream live matches. With average TV sports subscription packages costing around £28, many people miss out on unaffordable big matches. A great way to make money is to charge people to watch subscription-only games. You could charge locals an entrance fee and even sell your own drinks. Take some inspiration from garden pubs, hire some benches, and advertise your screening.
What else do I need to think about?
While you don’t need a license to sell alcohol on your property; you might want to consider noise levels with rowdy attendees enjoying the footie and booze.
How much money could I make?
You can set you own entrance fee price; however, keep in mind that if it’s cheaper to watch a game at the pub most people will.
Matched betting – Make guaranteed money betting on football
If you like the idea of betting on a match without the idea of losing, matched betting is a good way to make money from football the classic way.
How do I do it?
Matched betting guarantees you a profit when you take advantage of free bet promotions offered at many bookies. Matched betting involves you betting on a particular result occurring as well as it not occurring. The first step is to sign up to a Matched Betting service like Heads&Heads, which will help you find the free bets available and which ones to go for. After your first bet you will receive your free bet from the bookmaker. Bet using your free bet and also lay the bet.
What else do I need to think about?
Although matched betting doesn’t involve the risk of normal betting, you should familiarise yourself with the theory of matched betting to make the most profit. Also, check the terms and conditions of a free bet.
How much could I make?
For matched bets, you will make 95% profit of the free bet and 75% profit, where the stake is not returned.
Find out more about making money from Matched Betting.
Make football-related items
Applying your creative genius to football could earn you some money. Selling football-related items such as hand-drawn portraits of players is a great way to show-off a hidden talent. Alternatively, you could design and make your very own football prints.
How do I do it?
Whether you’re good at drawing or better at designing, the best place to begin is to get making. If you’re a good photographer taking photographs of your local ground and framing the prints to sell to your local football shop is just one of many ways you could earn some money. Get in touch with your local football club and ask them if they are willing to sell your items. Alternatively, you could sell it on websites such as eBay and Etsy.
What else do I need to think about?
If you’re selling anything with the official club badge on it double check you’ve got permission to sell. If you’ve listed items on websites such as Etsy keep in mind the selling fees.
How much could I make?
It really does depend on what you’re selling! However, a unique item can always be priced up.
Sell vintage memorabilia
Most of us might hang on to old signed shirts and autographs; on the other hand, you could be in the middle of a spring clean. If you’ve got vintage memorabilia selling it online could get you heaps of cash.
How do I do it?
This is pretty simple! If you’ve got any old memorabilia lying around, such as signed shirts or vintage photographs get them framed and list your item on sites such as eBay.
What else do I need to think about?
If you’ve bought your memorabilia off someone else and are looking to resell make sure it’s a well-founded item, and gather all the information you can about it.
How much could I make?
If you’re selling a 1966 signed England world cup t-shirt, expect to make a lot of money! If you’re selling something a bit more recent expect less. What we’re trying to say is that it varies. To know you’re selling your memorabilia for the right price get it valued by an expert, such as those at Sotheby’s. You can always set a bidding price on sites such as eBay.
Find out more about selling collectibles here.
The football market is huge and there are simple ways to break into it. If it’s easy cash you’re after selling memorabilia or hosting a live match screening won’t be amiss. However, if you have a burning passion to be part of the game, consider refereeing or coaching.
Some great ideas if you love football.