Creating a powerful Non-League Community - David Leese & Patrick Tordeur The Non-League Network

About this episode

The episode discusses the creation and importance of the Non-League Network for connecting players, clubs, and volunteers in non-league football.

In this episode, TBOFN Journalist Maxwell Kablan sits down with the brains behind the Non-League Network, Co-Founder David Leese & Chief Marketing Officer Patrick Tordeur, to unpack how the platform came to life and why it matters so much to the non-league game. From grassroots football to business, community, and club support, they share the story behind building a network designed to connect players, clubs, volunteers, and services across the football pyramid. Patrick brings a unique international background, having played in Belgium, England, and Spain, before moving deeper into the business side of sport and finding his way back into football through the Non-League Network. David, meanwhile, explains how his own grassroots and non-league experiences exposed the lack of a real middleman between players and clubs, and inspired him to create a platform that could help bridge that gap. Together, they discuss the products and services the network is building for clubs and players, from mental health support and sponsorship opportunities to safeguarding, staffing, and practical club solutions. They also open up about the challenges of growing a startup in a space where most…

People in this episode

Host: Maxwell Kablan

Guests: David Leese, Patrick Tordeur

Topics covered

• Non-League Football
• Community Support
• Grassroots Football
• Startup Challenges
• Player and Club Connection

Keywords

• Non-League Network
• grassroots football
• community support
• football clubs
• startup challenges

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Non-League Network, football

Places: UK

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