As my career came to an end I did look at moving into football coaching at one point, but then I was approached by a good friend who encouraged me to get involved in the accountancy teaching profession. I jumped at the chance! Based on his experience and reputation within the profession it seemed too good an opportunity – even though I don’t have an accountancy background.

I’m really enjoying being involved in helping run the business; Richard is a great lecturer and a very intelligent guy and it’s something that I’ve been able to get stuck into. It seems to be taking up so much of my time at the moment that I can’t really get involved with much of the coaching side of football unfortunately, although I am enjoying the challenge as this is something completely new.

We set up the business in Malta just over a year ago and it has been very successful, taking over 70% of the market over there. We have just started lecturing in Belfast and so far have had a great response, and now we are looking to expand even more. We are looking at setting up ACCA and CIMA centres all over England and Scotland in the next eighteen months to two years, so watch this space!

In the short term, over the next few weeks the main focus is really getting the courses up and running in Belfast and preparing for the next session in January 2010. The awareness is out there now and people understand who we are and what we offer, so it’s just a case of consolidating our work there. Then it’s on to sorting out in Edinburgh,Dublin and Chelmsford.

Related categories: Luton Town, Marlon Beresford

As well as getting to grips with the business, I’ve been offered the chance to try my hand at radio commentary, summarising on Burnley’s away games in the south of England. I’ve been out of the game for a year now so it’s great to be back involved. I’m looking forward to it, particularly doing some work for my old side Burnley who are now involved in the Premier League.

A friend of mine, Paul Weller, does the radio commentary for Burnley but he struggles to cover the games in London so the radio station asked him if he knew anybody who lives in the south of the country and he instantly recommended me. I’m really looking forward to it, you can never get football out of your system and this is a nice way for me to stay involved.

My role is basically summarising during the game. I’ve only done this once before, funnily enough it was a Burnley game against another of my old clubs, Luton Town.

There are some great stadiums in this country, and some of those are in the Capital so I think the places that I’m going to be commentating at during the season will look after us well and I’m looking forward to the excellent hospitality at places like the Emirates and Stamford Bridge!

Related categories: Luton Town, Marlon Beresford

I was always aware of the situation at Luton following consecutive relegations, so the need to balance the books and trim the playing squad came as no surprise to a few of us that our services were no longer needed.

From the playing point of view it’s a real shame what has happened at the club, from beginning to establish ourselves as a championship side to the current situation has been an unbelievable downturn in fortunes, therefore I sincerely hope the club can pick itself up from where they are now.

There was interest from a few clubs in the summer and I had hoped to tie something up and extend my career, but in agreeing a financial package at Luton things got delayed and I missed out.

Coaches and managers need to know what they have got to work with early in pre season and with the season rapidly approaching couldn’t hang on any longer, it’s a shame but understandable, so I found myself for the first time in 22 years taking an August holiday, going away with the family and escaping the English summer (not a bad thing after all!!!)

I am currently considering my options and while a few business opportunities have presented themselves I am certainly not going to close any doors on football.

Related categories: Luton Town, Marlon Beresford