Experience behind the advice
Open Goal Consulting combines hands-on leadership experience with practical support for sports clubs, charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Experience and results
£366,490
Confirmed funding secured for Open Goal Consulting clients since March 2024
16
Sports clubs, charities and not-for-profit organisations supported
£5m
Major facility-development experience gained through Martin’s employed leadership role
£15m+
Charitable income brought in and managed across Martin’s wider career
Why Open Goal Consulting exists
Open Goal Consulting was created to give sports clubs, charities and not-for-profit organisations practical support from someone who is actively leading and delivering in the sector.
The approach is simple: understand what an organisation is trying to achieve, identify what is getting in the way and then provide hands-on support to move the project forward. That might mean finding the right funding opportunity, shaping an application, developing a facility project, improving governance or creating a stronger partnership offer.
Martin’s advice is grounded in experience of doing the work himself, not just advising others how it might be done. For clients, that means practical support shaped around real funding decisions, board pressures, delivery challenges, partners and deadlines rather than generic consultancy theory.
- Direct access to Martin rather than work being passed to a junior consultant
- Practical advice grounded in live charity, funding and facility delivery
- A proportionate approach designed around what the organisation actually needs next
Leadership and major project experience
Alongside Open Goal Consulting, Martin is CEO of Accrington Stanley Community Trust, a multi-award-winning charity he has led since 2011. Through that employed role, the organisation has grown from an annual turnover of around £89,000 to more than £1.5m. Open Goal Consulting Ltd is a separate business from Accrington Stanley Community Trust and Accrington Stanley Football Club; references to Martin’s work with the Trust are included to describe the professional experience that informs his consultancy.
Through his employed role as CEO of Accrington Stanley Community Trust, Martin led the development of the £5m Stanley Sports Hub, taking the project from the original idea through funding, planning, partnerships and delivery. The facility opened in 2020 and has continued to develop through further investment and new community facilities.
This first-hand experience of building funding packages, managing capital projects, developing partnerships and leading organisational growth directly informs the support provided through Open Goal Consulting.
Funding experience that delivers
Funding is one of Open Goal Consulting’s strongest areas. Since March 2024, Martin has worked with 16 sports clubs, charities and not-for-profit organisations and secured £366,490 in confirmed funding for consultancy clients across capital projects, facilities, equipment, pitch improvements, community programmes and organisational development.
Support can cover the full process: identifying suitable opportunities, shaping the project, developing costs and evidence, writing the application and supporting the organisation with the next steps once funding is awarded.
Across his wider career, Martin has also helped bring in and manage £15m of charitable income.
A career built across sport, charity and community development
2006
Part of the Accrington Stanley squad that won the Conference title and returned the club to the EFL.
2011
Became CEO of Accrington Stanley Community Trust and began leading its long-term growth.
2020
Stanley Sports Hub opened following years of fundraising, planning and project development.
2024
Open Goal Consulting began supporting external organisations with funding, facilities and organisational development.
Wider experience and profile
Martin’s work has provided opportunities to contribute to wider discussions around sport, charity and community development. His experience includes presenting evidence to the House of Lords as part of work around the National Plan for Sport and Recreation, appearing on BBC One’s Football Focus and hosting national sporting and political figures at Stanley Sports Hub.
In 2026, Martin was also invited to 10 Downing Street for an event recognising work across the sector. He is currently undertaking an Executive MBA with Arden University, further developing his knowledge across leadership, strategy and business management.
Before moving into senior leadership, Martin was a professional and semi-professional footballer, making more than 500 appearances across a 14-year playing career. He also holds the UEFA B coaching licence and previously worked as an Academy goalkeeper coach.
Have a project in mind?
Start with a free readiness check.
Eight practical assessments can help you identify where support would make the biggest difference.
Tell me what your organisation is trying to achieve and where you need support. We can then discuss whether Open Goal Consulting is the right fit and what the next steps could look like.
