Supporting FC Rise, Women’s and Girls’ Pathway, and Low-Income Youth Scholarships initiatives.
LONDON, UK 21st October 2025 – Ferdinand Collective (FC) and global financial technology platform company Intuit, today announced Intuit QuickBooks’ sponsorship of a pioneering football education programme. This programme was founded by legendary players, Rio and Anton Ferdinand.
The partnership brings together FC’s dedication to empower young people through football with Intuit’s mission to help improve prosperity and financial literacy for all. Beyond supporting their development on the pitch, the collaboration will help players and their families build financial confidence. Whether that’s managing money wisely during their playing careers, or preparing for life beyond the game.
Financial challenges after retirement remain a real issue in football. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has highlighted that 10–20% of former Premier League players face bankruptcy or serious financial difficulty within five years of retiring. This underscores the need to embed financial literacy alongside football development. It ensures young players can turn their talent into lasting security.
Across the UK, 39% of adults lack confidence managing their money. Embedding financial literacy into football pathways offers young players and their families a head start. This is an advantage that many adults still lack today.
Intuit support for the Collective includes:
- Community & Financial Literacy: Intuit will deliver and co-host financial literacy workshops. These will be for players, parents, and partners, covering topics such as accounting basics and business management.
- Scholarship Programme: As Official Scholarship Programme Partner, Intuit will fund opportunities for four young players from low-income families. They will be able to access FC’s football pathways, including kit provision and free participation in the FC Academy’s training and matches.
- Kit Sponsorship: Intuit QuickBooks will feature on the sleeves of FC Rise and the Women’s and Girls’ Pathway kits. This will be alongside Reebok and VEO.
Anton Ferdinand, ambassador of The Ferdinand Collective says, “With statistics showing that less than 1% of academy players make it professional, the support from Intuit QuickBooks means more than just a logo on a shirt. It’s about opening doors for young people who might not otherwise get a chance. Too many players come into football and, for many, it’s their first job but they’re not given the skills to manage their salary or plan for the future. We will change that by offering pathways, mentorship, and financial education. This will help our players and their families long after the final whistle. That’s a real impact, and we’re excited to make it happen together.”
Patrick Harrison, UK Sales Director at Intuit says, “We believe opportunity starts with access. Working with The Ferdinand Collective means we can equip young players with the tools to build a secure future. From their first pay cheque, we’re committed to helping them manage their money effectively. We aim to turn talent into lasting success. By backing grassroots football, funding scholarships, and supporting financial education, we’re proud to invest in a generation whose ambition extends far beyond the final whistle.”
Barry Metha, parent to a Ferdinand Collective Academy player, says: “My son Bailey has been with the Ferdinand Collective Academy for a few years now, and I’ve watched him grow from a little boy into a young man. The club has given him so much, not just on the pitch but in how he carries himself day to day.
As a parent, I think bringing financial education into football is such a brilliant idea. This game can open doors to big opportunities, but without the right knowledge, it can be hard to handle. We try to teach Bailey about things like saving at home, but there’s only so much we can do. Knowing he’ll get that kind of guidance through the Academy gives me real peace of mind. It’s setting him up for the future in the best possible way.”
