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Unus Alladin

After life as a professional soccer player, the veteran of 10 European clubs eventually had to focus his energies on some entirely different goals

When Tony Sealy thought about hanging up his boots as a professional player, he wondered whether there was life after soccer.

He knew he wanted to stay in a sports-related industry and had his heart set on becoming a physiotherapist after completing a diploma in the treatment and management of sports injuries in 1991.

However, his circumstances changed and he found himself falling into recreational and sports club management. The 48-year-old Englishman is currently the operations and co-ordination manager of the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC).

In 1995, the club was relocated and underwent major changes and he jumped at a chance to take part in the redevelopment plans.

After 12 years with the club in Happy Valley, he is pleased he made the right career move.

'I love working at the club, otherwise I wouldn't still be here,' said Mr Sealy, one of HKFC's longest-serving senior managers.

'My blood, sweat and tears are in every part of this building. It's been a pleasure and privilege to be given responsibility at this great club. I am really proud to be part of a very professional team and a well-run operation,' said the Briton, a permanent Hong Kong resident, who ended his playing career with now-defunct local side Eastern in 1994.

Mr Sealy had not planned a career in sport and recreation club management after a life in professional sports when he first came to these shores. He had played for 10 European clubs - Queen's Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Sporting Lisbon among others - before coming here in 1992 to join the then First Division club Michelotti.

Hindered by injuries in a career spanning almost 20 years,  he was hoping to prolong his playing days at the age of 33.

'I was battling injuries early on in my career never mind at the end.  I was one of those players who was either very fit and on top of his game or injured, which was frustrating for both myself and the clubs I played for,' he said.

'Basically, I came to Hong Kong to put in a few more years on my playing days. The plan was to play as long as I could and look for alternatives, such as TV work or sports event management.

'While I was still playing with Eastern, the [HKFC] facilities were three-quarters built, and I was watching this building going up at the end of the road every week. It was ideal as it  coincided with my retirement as a player. I was in the right place at the right time,' he said.

'I had finished at Eastern and several friends thought this might be something for me. They knew I was an ex-sportsman, good with people, well organised and had a fundamental understanding of sports and leisure.'

But Mr Sealy needed to learn - and learn fast. He embarked on a new career having no real management experience to speak of, as most of his adult life was spent playing soccer.

'I was hired by the club before the handover from old to new facilities in 1995 as three new positions were created prior to the move; one sports manager, one chief engineer and the other in food and beverage,' he said.

'I knew I had to retrain myself and learn more about the industry and ultimately gain a recognised qualification at some stage. The first two years were a huge learning curve in terms of just managing the facilities and staff and understanding the industry.

'As I progressed, I picked up numerous skills as well as numerous qualifications - from facility management to supervisory F&B certificates. I was like a sponge. It's funny, 12 years later I now lecture part time for HKU SPACE in their facility management and design programme, the same course I gained my degree in. And I have gone full circle on the football front too, as in April I attained my Uefa B [coaching] licence/FA level three certificate.

'However I put football on the backburner for 10 years and focused totally on my new job. I wasn't able to get involved at the right level back then as there just wasn't the time.'

Asked whether playing professional sport had helped him in his newfound career, despite his initial lack of  management training, he replied: 'Yes, but the reality is you leave home at 16, usually without any formal qualifications and totally unprepared for anything else outside of playing football.

'Certain individuals do have other talents, but you don't realise this until you have to dig deep and move outside your comfort zone. Football has been helpful to the extent that most people are interested in sportspeople per se. It tends to open more doors than most and present opportunities.

'Football does ground you, as players are exposed to several different situations and life-changing experiences at an early age. Many management principles are the same. We all want a result, whether it's in football, finance or running a restaurant.

'We focus on winning, but you still need to plan, organise, direct, motivate and get your people moving in the right direction with stated goals and objectives; basically management. It was the same in my new career.'

He said the change from playing full-time soccer to management was a scary experience at first, but his confidence grew steadily.

'I had to equip, retrain myself and acquire new skills in order to stay in the industry and on top of my game. In football, it's more of an instant hit, as you have to perform every weekend, so the focus is more intense,' he said.

'I had natural talents as a player, but I still had to work on my weaknesses, cultivate my strengths and learn about the game to remain at the highest level for 15 years. There are superstars in every industry, but most of us have to work hard to stay at the top and club management is no different.

'People want performers, not always brilliant CVs. Yes, there are certain industries that are specialised, where you won't get through the door without a good CV, but you still have to deliver.'

Mr Sealy insists he probably would not have gone into management if he had not been injured so often in his career.

'I probably would not be doing what I am today had I not picked up so many injuries over the years and finished playing in Hong Kong. I may have been able to stay in the game a little longer back home and go up the fitness rehabilitation or physiotherapy path,' he said.

'The upside of coming here during a time [the early '90s] when local football was in decline, meant it was far easier to look for alternatives. The Hong Kong Football Club has been a great alternative and a major part of my life and career.'

Club history

1979 Started professional career in the English league. Clubs include Southampton, Crystal Palace, Queen's Park Rangers, Fulham, Leicester City, Sporting Lisbon (Portugal)

1992 Came to Hong Kong to join Michelotti FC

1993 Joined Eastern FC

1995 Joined Hong Kong Football Club as sports manager

1996 Coached the Hong Kong League XI for the Carlsberg Cup

2002 Promoted to operations and co-ordination manager of the HKFC



Career kicks on into management