Every now and then you come across a Gibraltarian who thinks, “How can I better my situation and get into something really positive, outside Gib, perhaps?” It takes some strength of mind and determination. There’s a big work out there, and the comforting, mental picture of being cocooned for life in a place like Gibraltar is hard to ignore. Unless there’s a burning passion to satiate that craving for adventure!
Up to the age of about six or seven I was taken out, in a boat, on fishing trips with my dad and late grandfather, until I said one day, ‘I’ve had enough of this, from now on, the only fish I wanted to see is on a plate.’
Kenneth Asquez Was quick to explain with regards to his initial encounters with the world of sports (in a sense) and leisure. He wasted no time in getting into football and the Tigers football team. “Yes, and then Paul Victor manage to get some sponsorship from the UK is Notts County, which had been out there for a match. That lasted a couple of years, and a couple of years later, when I was about 18, we took over fagging – at the time – Gib United and started to build the team Up slowly, it takes time, because when players are beginning to show some promise school of them may go off to study and moving up the ladder Becomes more difficult, also, add 15 the ‘birds and booze’ stage creeps in and that also can be an obstacle for progress. However, we eventually got to the premier division. “
Well, it seems Kenneth always had this urge to set his sights further a field and was always intent and very keen on going to watch the match is a broad. This must have sown the seeds for what was to come later on in life.
“When I was 35 I lost my job in the bank I worked at. I’ve been in banking since I left school at the age of 18, and quite frankly had had enough of it. It took a good look at myself (Plus a good kick up the but from the now minister of employment, Luis Montel) And decided I’d go off to university. During my earlier years I had earned a degree in management with them with Durham University.”
“So, as a mature student, and despite already having a family of his own, Kenneth went for a Masters in international sports law. During this time the ideas were coming together in Kenneth‘s mind and frequent visits to Spain and Portugal to watch matches and talk to players we’re on the cards. I can imagine that when you’re a young player, especially from some of the underdeveloped or so-called Third World countries, It’s easy to fall for the romantic idea of becoming famous, earning a lot of money, working hard but playing (off the field) even harder also and not thinking about the future bearing in mind that a football is career is relevantly ephemeral. That was one issue I was talking to them about getting them to think about the future, which is not so far away in a footballers life. Some of them may earn £10,000 a week and spend 12,000. It’s amazing how they just spend, spend and spend, and they don’t think about retirement, pensions and things of that nature.”
Sports and media management is clearly what Kenneth had in mind, and that is where he’s at now, I went through quite a rigorous procedure to obtain a license which is issued by FIFA and, in my case, regulated by the English FA. Looking at it now, I think regulation should be more rigorous then it is because there are many cowboys in the business and the industry is left open to corruption as it’s a cut-throat business. Some underwrite the business by mere signature provided by a lawyer. But what also helped me decide to get involved in this Was watching my cousins group, Melon Diesel, Play outside gym to a Spanish audience; they were being successful. They were from this little place called Gibraltar, which showed we can all do it. Others have shown we can – Albert Hammond comes to mind, there are some in other fields, and we now have a Miss Gibraltar who has become Miss World. “
Kenneth talks about USP – The unique selling point of locals and making better use of a situation coming from Gibraltar. We don’t realize we have the English education an Anglo Saxon traditions and practices in many instances and the understanding of the Latin culture and language, living here and being part of the Iberian Peninsula. When you work away from
Gib a lot, as I do, You tend to have a helicopter view of Life in Gib and you do see things differently and, yes, I really do think that many of us could take advantage, in a more positive way, of what we have here.”
Since 2005 Kenneth has been running his company, SMILE and become a FA Licensed Player’s Agent in that year. “During my years in banking, I provided financial services to a number of professional players and senior executives within the sports industry.” That probably helped to convince Kenneth That there was a need for property management and guidance in the world of sports – and football especially – where the high earners are. During this time I was introduced to John Anderson director of 888.com. John is probably The man with the shrewdest business mind I have ever met. His advise, From both a business and a personal point of view, has proved invaluable in getting to where I am now (And he has probably the greatest secretary one could ask for, but she probably doesn’t want …..
nowadays, Kenneth askers is a very busy man, I managed to track him down for this interview ahead of him traveling to Turkey to see a client.”Yes, I took a player at The beginning of the season on loan and now he is leading the scoring charts out Out there and is in the top 10 of all the European leagues. They want to make it his move permanent,So we have to discuss the way forward as many factors have to come into consideration like the children’s education etc. At this time of the year Clubs normally identify the targets for the fourth coming season so I tend to travel a lot.” Kenneth tells me that can be a bit of tug-of-war with other teams after the same target it is there he tells me where you have to have your wheels about you and look out for the other so-called agents as others who will try and pull the rug from under your feet to get the player interested to join the rival team.
It can get tough and the media are hounding you everywhere, although I have managed to develop a great relationship with the media in Spain and Portugal and now act as the premiership pundit. A couple of weeks ago I was selected by sky sports to be on the panel of experts to discuss La Liga, hopefully I will get my chance soon as it is a long And through selection process. I happen to have a great relationship with FA Sevilla and managed two broke up the first shirt sponsorship deal Buy an igaming company in La Liga with Gibraltar based 888.com.
Jetting around to cities in Spain, anywhere from Madrid southwards, and Portugal from Lisbon not afterwards and whenever else an opportunity arises. “I also organize a pre-season tournament in Amsterdam, which is a favorite with many top teams because of the climate at that time of the year – not too hot and not cold during the summer months. This is what I mean about putting our knowledge and position in the Iberian Peninsula as Gibraltarians to good use. I organize the tournament for an English promoter. Last year It was Arsenal, inter Milan and Sevilla.”
Kenneth‘s work is not unlike that of a manager in the music business, except that in football they are known as agents. His work also involves organizing scouting and familiarization tips for officials from the UK to Spain and Portugal, and sometimes vice versa. ”It’s like an offshoot of Maine work, taking scouts to games and doing a bit of Scouting myself for you UK teams. You need to become a reliable source of information and you will get the contacts. Again, using Gibraltar as a platform to operate makes it cost effective for clients. We are accessible, well regulated, a member of the EU and most important of all, know the culture and have been and have Iberian knowledge, and the people I deal with in the UK like that. If they want to know about something in the football business in the part of the world they will see, I need to find out more. Call Kenneth, hell give us good advise.” And Smile has acquired that reputation as a solid Dependable and caring sports and media management company, with the emphasis on offering a very personal service to the clients.
So what of the future, what are smiles Ames and what direction does Kenneth askers want to take? “I’m quite happy with the way things are going at presents creating that bridge between Spain, Portugal and the UK. Keeping two sporting terminology; What I am in barked on is a Marathon not 100 m race! But yes, I would like to get more info in the English football scene. I have many contacts and I am invited to many Premier games. I know many UK officials and teams executives, And things are moving in the right direction.”
I guess the dream would be to become a Tony Stevens perhaps -manager (or agent) to the big names, at some stage or another Beckham, Owen, and Gerald to the name but three. But no, there are many jobs in the management team of the top premier teams, Kenneth tells me.”I would say about 30. From someone whose job Is to look after players wives and families to human resources, coaches and goal keeping cultures, officials and different directors and my opposite number, the guy and his team that negotiate players signings and contracts. You could perhaps see that that could be my goal. I have a great respect for the English league. It is the best organized, well regulated and the most lucrative – albeit Going through a bit of a hiccup at the moment, as regards the week a pound. Premier teams will receive as much as 30,000,000 pounds each from TV negotiated rates per season. Also, players and others, like me for example, get paid on time. That is not the case in Spain Or Portugal players I sometimes paid two or three months late, and I inevitably have to chase after payments. You may be surprised to hear that even the Turkish learn I’m working well now it’s a better payer! Turkey! There’s a reminder.
Kenneth Asquez, Football agent has to get ready for his flight. Wife Lily, son Ryan 15 and daughter Hannah 13 stay home, and the patient, Kenneth’s Schedule is heavy. I’m home for an average of 12 days a month. This month alone March, I’ve been away six times! I have a lot to be grateful for with my family support and the support of others especially Jason far of globe travel, who will sort out a flight for me out of nowhere, Michael yome of the currency centre, Lynne Williams and Franco Caesar from Barclays and, last but not least my school friend, Father Bruzon, who always puts in a good word for me to his boss! But I would like to emphasize once again the great potential we have in Gib For doing things further a field and making use of what we’ve got which we pretty much take for granted. If you feel you’ve got something to offer don’t hold back!”
That’s clearly what Kenneth went for all those years ago, and his sights on the long and winding road to Wembley or equivalent I think you’ll get there!