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Ian Stafford
Founder/Owner of the The Sporting Club. Writer, broadcaster, speaker, host, media consultant. DISRUPTOR.
Ian Stafford is a prominent figure in the sports industry, best known as the Founder and Owner of The Sporting Club.12 The Sporting Club is a unique private networking club that focuses on sport, the business of sport, and individuals who have a passion for sports.2
Professional Background
Ian Stafford has had a distinguished career in sports journalism and entrepreneurship:
Sports Journalism:: He is a multi-award-winning sports journalist, author, and broadcaster from England.5
The Sporting Club:: In 2017, Stafford launched The Sporting Club, which has become his primary venture.2 This exclusive club has permanent homes in various UK cities and serves as a hub for sports-related networking and business activities.
The Sporting Club
The Sporting Club, under Stafford's leadership, has several notable features:
- It is recognized as the first private networking club specifically dedicated to sports and sports business.1
- The club has multiple permanent locations across the UK.2
- It caters to professionals in the sports industry, business leaders, and sports enthusiasts.
Education and Experience
Ian Stafford's educational background includes:
- He studied at King's College London.1
His professional experience encompasses:
- Founder and Owner of The Sporting Club.1
- Freelance work in various capacities, including as an MC and for a speaking agency.4
Ian Stafford continues to be actively involved in promoting The Sporting Club and its activities. In August 2024, he shared a message about the club and upcoming events, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to its growth and success.3
Highlights
What. A. Night. The Sporting Club staged an Evening with Gareth Southgate last night at the Landmark Hotel in London in conjunction with our good friends at Cure Leukaemia. I've done a lot of big interviews on stage in front of a big audience in my time and this one was right up there! Gareth, I have to say, was absolutely brilliant. He answered every question full on and all 450 jam-packed into the main ballroom hung on to his every word. On an otherwise boisterous night you could have heard a pin drop for 40 minutes during the main interview. The room was full of other stars including Jermaine Defoe, Martin O'Neil, Mark Pougatch, Clive Tyldesley, Tony Woodcock, Christine Ohuruogu, Simon Shaw, Gail Emms, Mark Bright, Clinton Morrison, Steve Claridge, Lee Hendrie, even Dr Hillary Jones from GMB. Some great cameo interviews were hosted by the brilliant Natalie Sawyer and we also had Geoff Thomas MBE up on stage talking about his career, times with Gareth and his successful battle against Leukaemia, followed by Cure Leukaemia Founder Charlie Craddock and CEO James McLaughlin. And we had the wonderful Chris Cowdrey as our auctioneer. Best of all? We raised £107,000 to use in the fight against Britain's third-biggest cancer killer. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this night so spectacular, especially Emma Brassington, Tina Thomas, Joe White, Jen Hill, Max and Marcus, Lois Spencer-Tracey and also Nish and Latavena from the Landmark. And to sponsors AlphaSense, Wingstop Restaurants Inc., CWS Group, Ultimate Lifestyles, Vin-X Fine Wine Investment, Pygott and Crone Estate Agents, ClimateFM and Freedom Wealth Management - A trading style of Freeman Financial Ltd.
Here's what the stars thought about last December's The Sporting Club Sports Awards Gala Dinner. Don't take it from me. Take it from... Freddie Tuilagi. Sir Jason Kenny. Tanni Grey-Thompson Nze (QMSI) Kriss Kezie Akabusi (RAPTC) MBE MA OLY Christine Ohuruogu Jason Robinson OBE Mark Foster Sir Geoff Hurst. Nick Knowles.
This year? December 12th at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. 41 out of 50 tables gone. 9 left although you can also come in smaller parties to make up tables. Go to thesportingclub.co/events or message me. Enjoy!
