A former Premier League footballer whose career was cut short by injury has landed back in the top flight, thanks to De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Geraint Price had to rethink his ambitions when he could no longer play professionally for Portsmouth FC, but is now well on his way to achieving his new career goal after studying for an MSc in Finance and Investment.
The 24-year-old graduates with Distinction in January 2016 and is working at Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) in a role that combines his passion for sport and business.
He said the knowledge he gained from his master’s, along with CV-enhancing extra-curricular activities, have set him up for a career he hopes will mirror the Foxes’ success in the Premier League this season.
“I couldn’t be at the club at a better time,” said Geraint, who is a Community Engagement Coach for the club’s charitable arm, the Community Trust.
Geraint originally came to DMU to study for a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Economics, graduating with a first. He said: “Sport was always on my mind, so I chose an undergraduate degree that was quite broad so I could branch out later.
“During my time at DMU, I realised I was interested in accounts and finance, which I did for my master’s.”
In addition to his studies, Geraint took advantage of the footballing opportunities available at DMU, and was first team manager during his second and third years. This brought him to the attention of his future employer.
He said: “LCFC came to do a session with us and asked about casual coaches. They were impressed with me and asked me to do a trial session. I started part-time doing bits and pieces and now I’m full-time and working on six projects.”
His proudest moment to date is completing his own project – the Premier League Enterprise Challenge. This involved working with teams of Year 9 schoolchildren to come up with ways to encourage fans to spend longer at the stadium on match days, culminating in a Dragons’ Den-style event.
Although his job is more sports-based, Geraint’s business knowledge is proving useful, and his eventual goal is to work in the finance department of LCFC or another sports club.
He said: “My undergraduate degree was valuable, especially the generic business modules such as contemporary management, and I gained a lot from my master’s. It went into lots of depth about how companies work and it may mean I am exempt from some exams needed to pursue my career.”
Despite being in a different league now, Geraint misses playing football at DMU. He said: “The football society was a massive part of my life. I made so many good friends.
“The highlight was winning the Varsity football at King Power Stadium. We were 1-0 down until the last minute and then scored two goals.”
He would encourage anyone studying at DMU to join a society. “You get so much out of it,” he said.
Geraint also recommends volunteering, having won a DMU Square Mile Leadership Award for coaching an under-16s football team. Plus, he was the University FA Football Activator within the Students’ Union, setting up a five-a-side league to increase participation in the sport.
“There’s no doubt my extra-curricular activities boosted my career prospects,” he added.
Posted on Wednesday 20 January 2016