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Our team consists of professionals who consult for and advise Soccerbook Consulting and also hold a variety of positions within the global football, financial, technology and media/entertainment industries. We provide the highest level of service to our clients by not only collaborating with our dedicated consultants, but also accessing resources who are actively involved in diverse capacities within the football industry as well as industries directly and indirectly connected to football. We utilize our relationships derived from playing, coaching and running football businesses as well as leveraging our partner Soccerbook.com network and also our business school alumni network and consulting group associates. We cover most sectors of the game as well as invest in and operate social media and technology platforms and with over 500 in-network consultants in 40+ countries within their areas of specialization. We also develop short and long term strategies for right holders, commercial entities, individuals and organizations.
Liverpool born, (see story) Australian resident of California, Gary has been at the forefront of the global soccer industry for more than 25 years as a highly respected technical trainer, clinician, guest speaker, philanthropist, thought leader, author, consultant, strategic advisor and as an investor in player development.
He has held numerous advisory positions in start up technology companies and was recognized by 'Advance', the global business network spanning 40 countries with 1 million Australians abroad, as being one of the ‘Advance 50’ current and emerging leaders" honored at the Silicon Valley Summit in 2012 for contributions to the commercialization of Australian innovation dedicated to assisting Australian innovators, entrepreneurs and start-ups to commercialize and globalize. Along with Carine Ireland, Gary funded and designed Pass2me (sponsor of San Diego Surf Cup) as well as the worlds first football social media and global football networking platform Soccerbook.com.
Gary holds an MBA in Football Industries from the University of Liverpool with a dissertation on “Creating and Exploiting Revenue Streams at The Academy-Liverpool Football Club: Comparing and Contrasting Youth Academies of Liverpool FC, Inter Milan & Chicago Fire”.
He was commended by FIFA for his efforts on behalf of youth soccer and had received testimonials from some of the worlds most respected people in the game (See here). Gary's work has taken him around the globe after settling in Australia and New Zealand with is father and brothers before setting out to establish himself as a player and coach.
Gary and his brother Simon Ireland were recruited to leading college Boca Raton after being recommended by USA star Roy Wegerle, becoming the first players in New Zealand to play US college soccer (See story).. Gary trained and played with 1st team squads at:
He was technical coach/trainer at Liverpool FC Academy and the first ever ‘foreign’ coach at Liverpool FC Academy and the first Australian or New Zealander to coach at a Premier League club Academy.
He is a former assistant to Wiel Coerver and Michel Mommertz at Al Wasl in UAE, one of only 5 assistants who worked alongside Wiel Coerver. (Learn More about Gary's work with Wiel and Michel here). Gary became a south after master demonstrator and After Hubert Vogelsinger learned of Gary's role as assistant to Wiel Coerver he made Gary the lead demonstrator for his globally renowned Vogelsinger Soccer Camps in 1989 and 2005. (Learn more). Gary was the first to introduce the work of Wiel Coerver in Australia presenting the first event Wiel Coerver demonstration as guest of New South Wales Soccer Federation Director of Coaching David Lee, the Queensland Soccer Association and New Zealand Football Federation. (Learn more)
Gary has presented numerous coach education and player development clinics including multiple player and coaching clinics with with former Manager of Liverpool FC Academy Assistant Director/Manager John Owens on his globally renowned 'Principles of Play/Decision Making' (Learn More about Garys work with John) as well as women's coaching legend, Australian National Team coach Tom Sermanni on multiple occasions. Gary produced and featured in several webinars with John Owens and Tom Sermanni, Australian coaching icon Ron Smith and legendary UNC and USA women's coach Anson Dorrance (Learn more).
During the Czech Republic's successful EUROS '96, Gary was Assistant Scout to the Technical Director of Czech Football Association Prof. Zdenek Sivek (current Chairman of Editorial Board of 'Fotball A Trenink', (official magazine of Union of Czech Football Coaches & Vice President of Union of European Football Coaches AEFCA). Gary is a frequent guest of leading Hungarian club Puskas Academy training boys and girls Academy players and providing coach education. (Learn more here & here)
Gary has hired and trained coaches from numerous professional clubs and federations worldwide and has operated his own football employment service for over 25 years.
He co-owns Silicon Valley based (SBC) Soccerbook Consulting, advising global investors in technical, commercial and financial aspects of the football industry. SBC provides strategic advice on product and service marketing and distribution, raising capital, creation of for and non profit/charity entities and player recruiting and development strategies for clubs, leagues and products. He co-owns San Francisco Bay Area player training/experience and tour company Dynamic Soccer and Southern California player training/experience and tour company Eclipse Academy. Gary founded, operated and consulted for various youth clubs and trained/advised/represented numerous players to US colleges, National and Professional teams. (See testimonials).
He has been a scout for over 30 years and with Carine Ireland he created one of the most robust player evaluation platforms which has been integrated into Invictus scouting and player assessments. (Learn more)
Gary was instrumental training and placing players to over 50 US College and continues to prepare players to compete and study in US colleges. His companies have sponsored San Diego Surf Cup, the largest and most prestigious US youth soccer tournament and has owned/operated several college recruiting combines. (read about Gary's US college soccer expertise)
Gary has arranged games against:
Liverpool (girls); Manchester Utd. (girls); Everton (girls); Chelsea (boys & girls Academy); Tottenham Hotspurs (boys & girls Academy); QPR (girls); Blackburn Rovers (girls); Crystal Palace (girls); Manchester City (girls); Wolves (girls); Leeds Utd. (girls); MTK Budapest (boys); F.C Blsany (boys); Slavia Prague (boys); Admira Wacker (boys) & US Open Cup Champions San Jose Oaks vs Austrian Bundesliga team Admira Wacker (Mens) , Australia Womens National Team, North Carolina Womens Soccer team, New Zealand Women's national team
He has arranged numerous player training experiences and trials for players at:
Chmel Blsany (MensTeam & Boys Academy), Slavia Prague (Men 1st Team), Sparta Prague (Men 1st Team)(Men/Boys Academy); Admira Wacker (Boys Academy); Linz (Men/Boys Academy); Melbourne Victory (Women 1st Team); St George Budapest (Men 1st Team); Gold Coast Rep (Men 1st Team); Liverpool FC (Women 1st Team), Tottenham Hotspurs FC (Girls Academy); Chelsea F.C (Girls & Boys Academy & Men Reserves); Southampton (Boys Academy & Reserves); Everton (Women 1st Team & U21); Arsenal (Women U21); Liverpool (Women U21); Tottenham Hotspurs (Women 1st Team & U21); Orlando Pride (Women); Manchester Utd (Girls Academy); Crystal Palace (Men 1st Team); Wimbledon (Men/Boys Academy), Glasgow Rangers (Men 1st Team); Queens Park Rangers (Men 1st Team); Hearts (Men 1st Team); Dunfermline (Men 1st Team); F.C Barcelona (Boys Academy); Nice (Men 1st Team); Kingstonian (Men 1st Team); Walton & Hersham (Men 1st Team); Marine FC (Men 1st Team); Brisbane Lions, MTK Budapest (Mens 1st Team); Israel, Mexico, USA youth national teams
He has helped players study abroad (Read here) and has created and managed bespoke tours including setting up games for: North Carolina Women v New Zealand Women's National Team; North Carolina Women v Australian Women's National Team (AIS); North; Carolina Women v Queensland Women's State Team (QIS); Czech Women's National Team; New Zealand U17 National Boys team v Tottenham Hotspurs FC Academy (boys); Admira Wacker v San Jose Oaks (men's); New Zealand U17 National Boys team v Chelsea FC Academy (boys), (See link).
Conceptualized promoted and partnered with J-League team Hiroshima San Frecce, Japanese Travel Bureau (JTB) and FIFA for Japanese youth players to attend Gary's World Soccer summer camp and English language lessons in the USA during the 1994 World Cup. https://soccerbookconsulting.com/tours" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">(Learn More)
Gary has contributed significantly to the growth of men;s and women's football in the USA, creating and operated highly regarded California girls youth soccer club PSV Union FC with his wife Carine Ireland-Wong for 22 years, and providing over US$2.5mil. in financial aid for local in-need youth players since 1996. He created, funded and coached/managed WPSL Women's professional club “Union FC” with Carine Ireland making the Final of the national club tournament in Las Vegas after the first few months of operation, and he secured funding from Molson Beer Company to enable 1994 San Jose Oaks win the US Open Cup Final.
He was founding partner of Soccer Innovation Partners with Carine Ireland and women's soccer legend Anson Dorrance, a soccer think tank and investment vehicle specializing in global women's soccer development, exploring international professional player combines, small sided game formats, and is in ongoing soccer facility investment and development exploration in North Carolina and California,
Gary established The Soccer Fund, a charity organization she established with Carine Wong-Ireland to collaborate with football charity and health organizations throughout the world, using football as a vehicle to promote health awareness and social development and education and has dedicated extensive time to supporting various global charity organizations. As former USA Head of Soccer and US Strategic Advisory Committee member for former Chelsea FC and current Liverpool FC Global charity partner Right To Play, he raised substantial donor funding, presented a health awareness educational event through a football clinic at UCLA with Chelsea FC players Malouda and Essien, produced and funded in game marketing assets including the first ever Right to Play banner, provided half-time competition, pre-game mascots, flag bearers and ball persons and provided VIP seating for major donors for the Chelsea FC v Club America at Stanford Stadium. (Read about Gary's involvement with Right to Play here).
Gary is a prolific writer conducting numerous articles and interviews on player development with some of the games leading figures. (Learn More) and is a regular guest presenter and speaker at youth football clubs on college recruiting, player development symposiums, such as Puskas Academy for Hungarian professional Football Academies and 'Carpathian Basin Academy System Coaching & Technical Directors in 2022 and at Puskas Suzuki Cup in 2024 and as guest speaker at the University of Liverpool Football Industries MBA (FIMBA). He has created and presented at numerous workshops for players, parents and coaches at leading US youth soccer clubs and produced/presented frequent webinars of player technical development and investment strategies in the global game. (Learn more about Gary's webinars here)
Gary has extensive experience in football film, adverts and documentary promotion and production and keeps a personal football film blog as a hobby (Visit page here).
Favorite Players: Platini, Zidane, Savicevic, Stojkovic, Schuster, Maldini, Hoddle, Gerrard, Van Basten, Bergkamp, Waddle, Keegan, Keane, Elkjaer, M. Laudrup, Ronaldo Nazario, Scholes, Ronaldinho, Akers.
Favorite Teams: Brazil ’82; France ’84-'85; Denmark ’86; Liverpool ’80-’86; Juventus ‘86; AC Milan ’94; AC Milan ’88-’90
Learn more about Gary here
Email garyjamesireland@gmail.com
Call (650) 387 4128
Connect on Linkedin
See Testimonials here
California born Carine has an extensive global network both on and off the playing field from her playing days at Liverpool FC to her coaching work in Hungary and USA and global tours. She received a BA from in Human Biology from Stanford University and MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and lends her extensive knowledge from her playing, coaching and football management career where she negotiated her own player transfer from the USA to Liverpool FC, becoming one of the first foreign players in England. In 2023 Carine was the first female to train youth boys Academy players in Hungary and was the only female Founder/GM and Director of Coaching of a leading girls club in the country. She has trained, developed, advised and represented 200+ players to USA colleges, over 20 players to national teams and provided $2+mil in financial aid for in need youth players and was GM and management consultant to Development Academy and ECNL clubs. Carine is Safesport approved.
Carine has been living in Silicon Valley her entire life where she has an expansive network of Silicon Valley technology and investment communities. Carine was Development Associate at POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust) which raised hundreds of millions of dollars for open space, farms and parkland in Silicon Valley and worked as a Marketing Associate at fiberoptic company Pine Photonics. In addition to managing her football coaching and consulting organizations, training players every day, operating her networking platform and managing a youth soccer clubs she travels extensively to train players and coaches domestically and internationally and leads soccer tours to various parts of the world.
Carine is co-founder of Soccerbook Consulting, a global football coaching and employment company and is co-founder of football networking platform Soccerbook.com. Investor; Co-founder & Chief Product Architect Pass2me, the worlds first social media sight for soccer.
Carine was highly regarded player and is a highly respected coach. She played briefly for Stanford University and for Liverpool FC in England and semi-professionally in the USA.
Carine is co-founder, General Manager and Assistant Coaching Director at PSV Union FC, one of the most renowned youth soccer clubs in the USA for developing players and is co-founder and GM of private coaching and tour company organization Dynamic Soccer. Carine has coached, mentored and placed players in college and international soccer and continues to help train collegiate and professional players; 18 World Cup & Olympic Players; 20 National Youth Team Players; 50+ Players to US Soccer Colleges; 60+ Regional ODP Players; 100 State PDP/ODP Players; 1,000+ High School Players.
Carine heads up Invictus Women's Football Division focusing on all aspects of the women's football game including professional scouting/identification of emerging talent, USA college recruiting contract negotiations, financial planning, player transfers, NIL/endorsements and specialized training for elite women's college bound, college, professional and national team players as well as coach representation.
She co-founded with Carine The Soccer Fund utilizing football as a vehicle to promote social inclusion, health and wellness, education (coaching), provide financial and in-kind assistance (equipment) to underserved youth youth football players and coaches and their supporting charities. He has provided over $2+mil in financial aid for in need youth players including $80,000 in annual scholarships to players who aren't able to afford coaching his tuition and club participation underserved and in need youth and their families.
Between 2007-2009 Carine assisted Gary in his position on the Right To Pla Strategic Advisory Committee. as USA National Soccer Advisor donating extensive time coordinating the Right to Play charity partnership for Chelsea FC vs Club America and L.A Galaxy in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles (2007); Designed and supplied first of a kind Right to Play banner; arranged pre-game ball giveaways by mascots with Chelsea FC and Club America players; arranged display of half time PSA; arranged half time competition for Chelsea FC; Trip to London prize-100 Volunteers distributing & collecting tickets; Provided VIP hospitality for Right to Play donors; arranged Right to Play coaching clinic at UCLA; arranged VIP seating for Right to Play Ambassadors and USA Women's National team players; Hosted USA Womens National Soccer team members including Abby Wambach, Heather OReilly, Megan Rapinoe for the Chelsea FC vs LA Galaxy (2007); Arranged PSV Union FC to become the only club in USA to support Right to Play's fundraising drive.
Carine has been instrumental in funding and sponsoring youth clubs, men's semi pro clubs and created and funded women's semi-pro teams. She has operated, managed and coached numerous domestic and international youth soccer tours (see link) and has operated college ID clinics and provided college recruiting mentoring and advice to many college scholar athletes (see link)
MY TIME PLAYING FOR LIVERPOOL FC
In 2002-03 I moved to Liverpool with my husband Gary. He went to study the MBA Football Industries, coach at Liverpool FC Academy and started training with Marine FC, where his father played before he joined Leeds Utd. Gary trained and prepared me before I went to Liverpool and I got in great shape to make enough of an impression to be offered a contract with Everton FC on a Tuesday and Liverpool F.C on Wednesday. At the time Everton FC were one of the top teams in the country coached by England coach Mo Marley but I opted for Liverpool FC as they were also training at Liverpool FC Boys Academy where Gary was coaching. I enjoyed my time playing there but it was very different. After doing photo sessions at Anfield Stadium a few things stood out. We wore a men's kit and we only trained 1-2 days/week at a community center (in contrast to California where I trained 2x day). We had to wait for U14 boys recreational teams to vacate the field and often we were made to wait. They said things like "get back to the kitchen!". Some of the Liverpool FC women's players were excellent. There were no youth or reserves back then so the top young players played up. There were two 16 year olds who would dominate any top D1 college soccer programs in the USA but as with all of the players, they fatigued after 20 mins. Melwood was used by the Mens team and now 20 yrs on its the new base for the women's team. Times have changed!
See Soccerbook.com Profile John is one of the most respected and experienced youth coaches in the world today. For 18 years he was former Liverpool F.C Academy Manager: winning the F.A Youth Cup '06 & '07; England U16 coach '95-'97; England 'C' team coach '97-'01. John possesses UEFA 'A' License; FA Academy Manager's License; FA youth Coach's Award. At Liverpool FC John was responsible for training 180+ players & 50 coaches & admin. staff. He selected, trained up, monitored & selected physical coaches, PT/medical specialists & mindset coaches ensuring that the quality was world class. After Liverpool FC John spent 6 years as main technical auditor for the English Premier League (EPL) Football Academies for 'Footpass England', (pre-cursor to Doublepass), evaluating & ranking (EPL) Academies into 4 categories representing a significant challenge in positively impacting the development of English home grown talent. Footpass was also the technical auditor for the Belgian, German and Finnish Leagues & was 4 years main assessor of MLS Academies where he ranked & rated their levels/performance. John also presented Doublepass to J-League at 3 clubs & meet with J-League staff.The new Premier League plan for 'Academy Elite Player Performance Plan'. (EPPP) categorizing Academies into 1-2-3- 4 ratings. The audit process for the EPPP was given to Doublepass. John then led the Audit for Premier League & Football League.John coached England & Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen (Liverpool, Real Madrid, Man United & England), Robbie Fowler, (Liverpool & England) Jamie Carragher (Liverpool & England), Steve McManaman (Liverpool & Real Madrid & England), Connor Cody (current Wolves captain & England player), Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool FC & England), Wes Brown (Man United), Joe Cole (West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool FC & England), Leon Osman (Everton FC), Steven Warnock (Liverpool, Aston Villa), and Scott Parker (Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham & England & current Fulham coach
See Soccerbook.com Profile
Australian born Simon lends his vast experience to our group. He has an extensive network of federations, leagues, clubs, coaches & players and helps us collaborate with some of the leading figures in the global game. He shares player development opportunities (identification/training/tryouts), leads custom team tours and provides coach mentoring, including setting up visits to professional clubs. He is a former assistant to Wiel Coerver in Dubai; Founder; PSV Union F.C and founder of World Soccer. At 17 years of age he was a standout with New Zealand National Champions, Christchurch United playing alongside six players from the 1982 World Cup Finals, scoring a hatrick in his 1st game; played for Brisbane Lions as a 17 year old after impressing for Gold Coast senior select team against Brisbane City; he represented Queensland Men's State Team in Australia, played alongside standout USA player Roy Wegerle at University of South Florida; he was considered the best youth player at Chelsea FC; Trained at F.C Barcelona U18’s; was considered one of best players in USA & leading player/sometimes coach of U.S Open Cup Champions & Concacaf Finalists San Jose Oaks; MVP/leading scorer Lake Placid Soccer America Tournament; 1 of 3 SF Bay Blackhawks o/seas players (predecessor of San Jose Clash & San Jose Earthquakes); ankle break in ’94 forced him out of the Brazilian National team pre-World Cup ‘94 training squad; offered contract with Australian Champions St George Budapest; received multiple MLS contract offers; played in Czech Republic with FK Rakovnik & Sparta Prague (loaned to Blsany); invited by Crown Prince of Brunei to play at DPMM; trained at Wimbledon FC (reserves); played for Crystal Palace reserves; he has helped numerous players gain playing experience & has hired coaches from Lyon, Wimbledon FC, Liverpool FC, Sparta Prague, Spartak Moscow, Celtic, Corinthians Sao Paolo, MTK Budapest etc; received visit from Pele during '94 World Cup; Director of World Soccer European Tours. During one tour wearing only street clothes he beat the dribbling course record of Chelsea FC legend Gianfranco Zola. Simon has received commendations from FIFA, JTB, J League, Czech Football
Tom, Gary and our advisory team have been coaching together for 10 years. Tom is one of the most experienced coaches in the history of the women's game. He is currently a FIFA coach mentor where he advises and trains up and coming youth and full women's national team coaches providing career and strategic advice; Current Head of Women's Football at leading Australian Women's professional team Western Sydney Wanderers; Coached in 5 FIFA World Cups, coached the USA & Australia Women's National Teams, Assistant Coach of Canada in two FIFA World Cups; Former head coach NWSL professional team Orlando Pride where he coached USA soccer star Alex Morgan 5 x World Player of the Year Marta. In the men's game he was a scout for Gus Hiddinks Australian Mens National Team for 5 years & coached in the J-League, Malaysia & Australia. He was represented by Gary Ireland in contract negotiations with Orlando Pride and Nigeria National Team.