Central Start Client Story: Encore Football
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Mark Longman founded Encore Football on 6th January 2022 with the aim of making elite-level sports technology accessible to grassroots football players. As a one-person operation, Mark has already made significant progress, giving players access to tools that are typically reserved for professionals.
The inspiration behind Encore Football came from Mark’s unique blend of passions and experience. A lifelong football enthusiast, he wanted to combine his love for the game with his professional background in supporting vulnerable communities. This combination of purpose and passion became the foundation of a business focused on accessibility and empowerment.
Wenta's Support
In the early days of setting up Encore Football, Mark’s business coach introduced him to Wenta, an organisation known for providing free support to small businesses. “My business coach had signposted me to Wenta, advising that they provide free support for small businesses,” Mark recalls. “I contacted them on numerous occasions in the early days of business set-up.”
Wenta provided Mark with one-to-one sessions that were instrumental in laying the groundwork for Encore Football. “They helped me with the fundamentals to get started – things like websites, bank accounts and accounting. Once the business was more established, they provided fantastic support for preparing pitch decks and funding applications,” he explains. Additionally, their webinars offered insights that were critical to growing the business further.
Securing Funding for Growth
One key moment for Encore Football was successfully applying for a grant, provided through the Central Bedfordshire Grant Fund, that allowed Mark to purchase new equipment. Although the application process required effort, Mark felt supported every step of the way. “Wenta made the application as easy as they could,” he notes. “Their one-to-one support and experience were invaluable during the process.”
The grant enabled Mark to trial the new equipment in schools and summer camps. These trials gave young players the opportunity to experience advanced sports technology, enhancing their sessions and laying the foundation for what Encore Football could offer in the future.
Mark’s long-term vision for Encore Football is to create a dedicated hub equipped with state-of-the-art sports technology. Explaining his vision, Mark shares, “Following a successful funding application, I was able to purchase new equipment. My ultimate goal is to have a hub which houses several pieces of equipment where people can use them just for fun, or for specific performance measures.”
It is an ambitious plan, but one that perfectly reflects Mark’s passion for making high-quality sports tools accessible to everyone.
Encore Football’s journey highlights the importance of combining passion with expert guidance. Wenta’s support has been crucial in helping Mark turn his vision into a reality, from laying the foundations of his business to securing the funding needed to grow.
For small businesses seeking similar help, Wenta offers valuable resources and personalised advice to empower entrepreneurs and help them achieve their goals.
