Home Meet The Team >
DAVID HODGSON - DIRECTOR OF SPORT
David is one of the most respected agents in world football having been involved in the business since 1992. David originally formed his own company 'Eurosports Connections' which was responsible for securing over 100 professional players into the UK and the success has continued under the banner of BHP Sport.
His career in football spanned 15 years playing at the highest level for both club and country which included playing in Spain, France and Japan. During his football career, David won the 'treble' with Liverpool (European Cup, League Title and Milk Cup), he also played in two Charity Shields Finals and played in the Milk Cup Final for Sunderland in 1986. David also gained 6 U-21 International Caps and won the U-21 European Championship with England.
Between playing and acting as an agent, David has also managed Darlington Football Club on three separate occassons as well as writing a book (Three Times A Quaker).
GAETANO GIALLANZA - EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CONSULTANT
Gaetano Giallanza has over 15 years of experience in the international football business as a professional player. He is still under the 10 most expensive transfers of the FC Basel. Giallanza was sold for over 3 million at that time to FC Nantes. During his career, he created a strong network
with international contacts. He has been working with BHP Sport for over two years now.
Portrait:
• Football Consultant, BHP Sport, England
• International career as a professional football player in
Switzerland, France and England
• Clubs: FC Nantes, Bolton Wanderers, Norwich City,
Darlington, FC Basel, Servette Genf, BSC Young Boys Bern,
FC Sion, FC Lugano, FC Aarau
Achievements:
Swiss champion with Servette Genf, Winner of the Swiss cup with FC Sion, UEFA cup games with Servette, Basel and Sion, Best Swiss scorer with BSC Young Boys Bern
Languages: Italian, German, French, English
STEVE VICKERS - HEAD OF YOUTH RECRUITMENT
Steve started his professional career in 1985 at Tranmere Rovers under Frank Worthington making his debut appearance at the age of 17, going on to make over 400 league and cup games, helping Tranmere to 2 promotions and 2 cup final appearances at Wembley.
After 8 loyal years Steve transferred to Middlesbrough for £750,000 in 1993 under Bryan Robson. MFC gained promotion to the premier league in the first year, Steve was an integral part of the clubs success under Bryan Robson playing with and against some of the best players in the world. Steve was named Player of the Year 1995-1996 which was his 1st year of playing in the premier league. Steve went on to make over 300 league and cup appearances also reaching 3 major finals within that time, 1 FA Cup and 2 League Cup Finals.
Steve transferred from Middlesbrough to Birmingham City in 2001 to be Steve Bruce’s 1st signing. He assisted the club in winning promotion to the premier league in 2002 which was the clubs 1st time in 16 years. In 2003 following a bout of injuries Steve retired from professional football after a long and respected career.
DANNY NAISBITT - RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Danny's career as a goalkeeper started in 1995 under the leadership of football legend Bryan Robson at Middlesbrough Football Club.
Danny has now moved to a part time basis with Histon FC in the Blue Sq Premier, some of his previous clubs include, Walsall, Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge, Brentford, Peterbrough, AFC Wimbledon and Cambridge City.
Danny has worked with some of the most experienced goalkeeping coached and managers in the UK: Mike Kelly, Joe Corrigan, Kevin Hitchcock, Alec Chamberlain, Barry Fry, Peter Shreeves, Ray Graydon & Marin Allen to name a few.
BHP Sport will use Danny's knowledge and experience of the Goalkeeping union for the benefit of their Goalkeepers as well as recruiting other players.
GARY BENNETT
Gary is highly respected individual in the north east sports community having represented Sunderland for over 11 years making him one of the longest serving player at Sunderland football club. Gary went on to manage and play for Darlington football club being part of the team that lost in the playoffs final 1999-2000 season. Gary's achievements at Sunderland was to reach the FA cup final and league cup final, he also gained two promotions and was captain for 5 years at Sunderland football club. He is now a leading summeries for BBC radio covering all of Sunderland's matches. He is an embassador for the city of Sunderland and a leading figure in show racism the red card.
Gary's role at BHP Sport is to identify and inform us of the young talent within the north east of England
KAROLYN ELSTOB - CLIENT LIASON
Karolyn has worked with BHP Sport since its inception and has considerable experience in commercial contracts, corporate administration and transactions involving high value and confidentiality. Her experience as a personal assistant to corporate solicitors has enabled BHP Sport to effectively integrate with the firm's overall professional legal team, bringing the benefit to clients of having a full range of legal and professional services in one firm. Karolyn has also worked closely with a number of BHP Sport clients, helping them to meet the often unique challenges faced by professional sportspeople.
ANDRE WASIMAN - EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CONSULTANT
Andre Wasiman started his professional career at Excelsior Rotterdam making his debut appearance at the age of 17, going on to make over 250 league and cup games, helping Excelsior Rotterdam to promotion and FC Volendam a cup final appearance at the Kuip.
After 15 years as a professional football player Andre started his own company "Sports medium BV" He discovered and was responsible for Royston Drenthe transferred from Feyenoord Rotterdam to Real Madrid. Between acting as an intermediarie Andre has alo managed "Suriprofs" a foundation which yearly organizes benefit matches with the cooperation of football players in Europe with a Surinam background like Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Nigel de Jong, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and more.
Also exploring a football academy in Rotterdam Netherlands which trains the youth of AZ Alkmaar the champion of season 2008-2009.
