Money Matters: Helping Sports Pros Stay in Control On and Off the Pitch

If you’ve read The Guardian’s recent piece on football’s financial shame, you’ll know it struck a nerve. The V11 Review didn’t just expose a few bad actors. It showed how easily talented players can be let down by poor advice, risky investments and a lack of financial support when it matters most. At Pillar One, the team is here to change that.

The Reality: Big Earnings, Bigger Risks

Professional athletes may earn well, but they also face pressure, short career spans and constant noise from people promising to “make their money work harder.” The truth is that 40% of players face financial difficulty within five years of retiring (XPro). Not because they didn’t earn enough, but because they didn’t receive the right advice.

Pillar One has seen players pushed into bad investments, sold unrealistic dreams by unregulated advisers and left vulnerable once the spotlight fades. It isn’t fair, and it’s avoidable.

What Pillar One Does Differently

They are not here to sell the next big thing. Their role is to help athletes understand their money, protect it and grow it on their terms. Pillar One is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which means everything is transparent and built with the client at the centre.

How They Help

1. Making Sense of Money
They break things down in plain English, with no jargon and no pressure. Just clear conversations about:
• What an athlete has
• What they want to achieve
• How to make it last

Whether someone is at the start of their career or planning for life after sport, they help build a plan that fits.

2. Investing Without the Drama
Investing should not feel like gambling. Pillar One helps clients:
• Build a smart, diversified portfolio
• Understand what they’re investing in and why
• Avoid high-risk schemes and unregulated opportunities
• Stay in control through regular reviews and updates

Everything is based on regulated products tailored to each client’s goals and lifestyle.

3. Planning for What’s Next
A sporting career might be short, but life beyond it is not. Pillar One supports long-term thinking, including:
• Retirement planning
• Property and wealth building
• Tax efficiency and legacy planning
• Business ideas and second careers

They operate as a dedicated financial team, not just planners.

Why Regulation Matters

Pillar One is proud to be FCA-regulated. This ensures the highest standards and real protection. No hidden fees, no conflicts of interest, only honest advice from people who care.

Building Something That Lasts

The V11 Review may be a wake-up call, but it does not have to define anyone’s story. Pillar One helps sports professionals take control of their financial future whether they are in the spotlight or preparing for the next chapter.

They are there when the cameras stop rolling, when the boots come off and when it is time to make money work for the long term.