A former Chelsea captain has turned his attention from Stamford Bridge to bridging loans…

To football fans of a certain age it’s hard to believe that it has been over 20 years since injury forced the premature retirement of then Chelsea captain, Paul Elliott C.B.E, M.B.E, from the game he still loves with a passion today.

Typically forward thinking, even before the serious knee injury that forced him to hang up his boots, Paul was planning for life after his playing days ended.

Over the past two decades Paul forged a hugely successful business career alongside which he holds prominent roles at UEFA, the FA and the PFA.

Despite a punishing work schedule he continued to devote countless hours to champion the KICK-IT-OUT campaign he co-founded back in 1992 and numerous other anti-racism initiatives in football.

In 2003 this work was recognised as Paul was appointed an M.B.E for his work with young players - many from disadvantaged backgrounds - for his tireless commitment to the anti-racism cause.

In 2012 the Queen’s birthday honours list saw Paul appointed a C.B.E for services to equality and diversity in football, becoming the first top flight player in 20 years to receive this honour and one that set the seal on a hugely impressive brace in football terms.

B&C was delighted to catch up with former England ace Paul at their recent annual awards at the Hurlingham Club and it was here he spoke of his new partnership with industry veteran John Clifford of Central Bridging to form Stratton Funding.

Having come from different but very successful professional backgrounds, Paul and John discovered they shared a passion for property development, but more fundamentally, an approach to business and to dealing with people founded on the highest levels of transparency and integrity.

With Stratton they aim to create a bespoke platform, both for investors and borrowers, which will initially be targeted towards the professional sports community.

Unsurprisingly, with John’s track record of building lasting relationships with investors and Paul’s wealth of contacts in the sporting and business world, Stratton Funding is already generating a great deal of interest.

Decision on all loans will be made in-house and with an experienced support team, as vital in finance as it is in football, Stratton will look to tailor each loan it writes to the client’s specific needs.

Hand-picked third party partners will ensure loans are turned around in a matter of days rather than weeks and loans will initially be in the range of £250k to £2m.

It may be the close season at the moment but don’t bet against Stratton Funding forging its way to the top of the Bridging League table this coming season.

Article published by Bridging & Commercial

Stratton Funding
Call: 03332 401 241
Email: john@strattonfunding.co.uk
Web: www.strattonfunding.co.uk