England star who won World Cup with Phil Foden now a financial advisor after losing ‘spark of football'
However, winning the Under-17s World Cup with the Three Lions in 2017 alongside the likes of
Advertisement
3
Curtis Anderson's career never took off after winning the World Cup
Credit: Getty
3
He lifted the trophy alongside the likes of Phil Foden in 2017
Credit: Getty
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
Free to play
Over £100,000 in total prize money
Play in Mini Leagues against your mates
Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw
While the aforementioned quartet are paid millions of pounds every year and swarmed by fans everywhere they go, for Curtis Anderson, a routine trip to the coffee shop remains a walk in the park.
Anderson, who was the Young Lions No1 goalkeeper under
The 24-year-old now heads the sports department for an independent financial adviser, spending more than half of his time speaking with athletes - many of whom are footballers - to help them make informed decisions on their money.
It is a position he knows all too well, having been there himself.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
But how did such a rising World Cup winner at one of the country's most successful clubs at the time fall through the cracks of making the big leagues?
Well the short answer, according to Anderson, is rushing his career decisions.
Speaking to the
"I was looking at other young players, what they were doing, and not really valuing the path that I was on. Playing for City and
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Exclusive
Latest
Instead, a young and impatient Anderson headed to the United States to play for Charlotte Independence in 2018, but that move ended in disaster as the manager who had bought him there was sacked within three months and put him out of favour.
Anderson spent two years on the books at Wycombe from 2020, with two loan spells in those years, before falling into non-league and ultimately retiring in 2023.
Lionesses' Beatlemania-like homecoming shows women footballers are FINALLY getting the honour and respect they deserve
It was five years of hell for the Barrow-born goalkeeper, who confessed: "The spark of football just wasn't really there.
"I didn't have the same drive and love for it that I had five years earlier, I was happy to do my day job. The decision to fully stop playing came quite easily."
Advertisement
Anderson says he is "proud" to see his former team-mates doing well, but insists he is not envious or regretful over what could have been, declaring: " If you offered to put me in their situations now, playing week-in week-out in the Premier League, I wouldn't trade that for what I'm doing now."
When he was aged 11 and starring for Blackpool, Anderson was scouted by both Manchester giants.
But he also recalls the "daunting" experience of the Covid-19 pandemic when he had no idea what to do with the money he had earned while on the books at Man City.
Advertisement
Despite passing accountancy and finance exams, he eventually concluded football was not for him, and instead opted to shadow a financial adviser near his parents' house.
And upon reflection, Anderson is happy with the roll of the dice he has cast, feeling he can help a lot of budding professionals in a field he laments over how little education is available.
He said: "At Wycombe, I'd get questions from older players. I realised there is a lack of education and support about finance in football.
"There's not enough education, guidance and support for young people with high earnings.
Advertisement
"If you're a lower-league player, your immediate priority should be to plan for life after football. If you've got that sorted, you can set yourself and your family up for years.
"I look at what I know now and feel like I need to help as many people in football as I can."
3
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Andy Murray lands shock new business deal as tennis legend takes on new role after splitting from Novak Djokovic
SIR ANDY MURRAY has landed a shock new business deal with a POTATO company. The tennis legend has taken on a new role at the Scottish spud company Albert Bartlett. Advertisement 2 Sir Andy Murray will be working with the potato brand Albert Bartlett 2 He will be the face of the company's adverts Credit: Getty Murray, 38, will be the new face of the brand after signing a long-term partnership to market its products. It comes after his Albert Bartlett is based in Airdrie in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Murray is believed to have familiarised himself with their potatoes more than ten years ago. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPORT The brand is also a long-term supplier for the five-star Cromlix hotel owned by Murray near Dunblane. Albert Bartlett is family-owned and was founded back in 1948. A statement over the partnership said it brings "two Scottish-born British icons with shared community vision and family values [together].' Murray will be "encouraging the nation to enjoy a healthy lifestyle through sport and a balanced diet'. Advertisement Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN He will be promoting both the frozen and chilled potato product ranges. Murray said: "I was lucky during my early playing days to have access to the kit and facilities required to play and develop, and as my career progressed, to have the best diet and training advice available. Carlos Alcaraz makes it through to Wimbledon second week then throws down huge challenge to Sir Andy Murray "I am excited to partner with Albert Bartlett to showcase the importance of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle to communities across the UK. Advertisement "I hope the project inspires people to play and enjoy sport throughout their lives, at whatever level they are able. Chief executive Alex Bartlett added: 'Andy is someone who has engaged and inspired his home nation and sports fans around the world, delivering that long-awaited British [male] Wimbledon win, not only once, but twice. "Along with his US Open win and two Olympic golds. 'So, who better to engage the nation again and help us serve up the inspiration and resource required to get the nation active and nourished with tasty home-grown produce?' Advertisement It is not the first Scottish brand Murray has teamed up with. Last month, he became the Andy Murray's career timeline SIR Andy Murray is Great Britain's most successful tennis player of the Open era. After breaking through in 2005 to reach the Wimbledon third round at 18, the Scot was British No1 by the following year. In 2008 he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, only to fall to Roger Federer in straight sets. Two more final defeats at the Australian Open to Federer and Novak Djokovic followed in 2010 and 2011 before heartbreak at Wimbledon in 2012. Despite taking the first set against Federer, he fell 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 in front of a home crowd before breaking into tears on Centre Court. But a month later on the same court he beat the Swiss legend to earn Team GB a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics. And weeks after that he broke his Grand Slam duck at the fifth attempt, beating Djokovic in five sets in the US Open final. In 2013, following another Australian Open final loss, Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets to become the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon title. Three more losing Grand Slam finals followed, at the 2015 and 2016 Australian Opens and the 2016 French Open. But in his third Grand Slam final of 2016, Murray won Wimbledon again with a straight sets victory over Canadian Milos Raonic. He followed it up with his second Olympic gold medal, beating Juan Martin del Potro in a four-hour epic in the final in Rio de Janeiro. Later in 2016 Murray became world No1 - the first British man to do so in history. Over his career Murray reached 11 Grand Slam finals, winning three. He won two Olympic golds and a silver (in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson). He finishes his career with 46 titles and over £50million in earnings, making him the fourth all-time leader in earnings. His final match was at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he lost in the quarter-final of the men's doubles at Roland Garros to USA pair Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz.
Extra.ie
34 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Sam Monaghan eager for return to Ireland jersey
It's fair to say that it's been a tough 13 months for Sam Monaghan. The Meath woman suffered an ACL injury while playing for her English club side Gloucester Hartpury. Nowadays ACL injuries are much more treatable that what they used to be, but it's still a lengthy recovery period which can take up to the best part of a year to be fully back. However like busses, it's never just one that arrives and for Monaghan that meant that her rehabilitation was set back by further calf and hamstring injuries which has seen her miss the whole of the 2024/25 season at any level. Sam Monaghan and Linda Djougang before the Women's Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile So exactly 13 months and nine days after suffering that ACL injury, Sam Monaghan is back in an Ireland jersey for their World Cup warm-up match against Scotland and the lock will captain the side in Cork to boost. 'It was really emotional seeing my name on the team sheet again.' Monaghan said about finally returning to action. 'Not only for me, but for my family, teammates, everyone that's been on the journey with me, physio's, S&Cs.' Sam Monaghan. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady It's easy to get carried away with yourself after such a long time on the sideline but Monaghan is trying to temper emotions leading into Saturday. 'I'm taking it day by day. I won't be getting too ahead of myself, but my goal is to just get back out on the pitch and hopefully put in a performance I can be proud of on Saturday and get back into it again. It's been a long road and it's been tough, I'm really excited, trying not to get too excited until Saturday.' After such a tumultuous year on the sidelines it'll be hard for the crowd to watch Monaghan on Saturday and not think about the injuries. But the Ireland captain is confident she won't carry that weight onto the pitch and will be fully present. Sam Monaghan of Ireland during the Women's Six Nations match between Ireland and Wales. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 'When you're between them four white lines, that's all you think about in that moment is what's going on in that game, the people around you, the crowd and the atmosphere. 'I'm really concentrating on just the performance. You kind of leave everything behind on the whitewash that's happened. I'm really looking forwards to it. I don't think I'll be thinking of what's happened in that last year at all.' There's a sense of making up for lost time with Monaghan. She's missed an extremely successful and historic WXV campaign and a Six Nations campaign which showed that this Ireland side had taken further strides in their overall developments, even if the results didn't necessarily go their way. She's eager to hit the ground running and put in a good performances for all the people that put their faith in her during her recovery. Sam Monaghan is tackled by Varonica Madia of Italy. Pic: Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile. 'You build up a hunger. It's kind of like you've been starving for the last 13 months and you finally get your opportunity. So yeah, I'm sure I'll really savour every moment and just want to do the best I can for the squad around me. They've really looked after me the last year so I'll be extremely excited to get back out on the pitch with them. ' The lock also pointed out that Saturday isn't all about her. There's at three players lining up to make their Test debut, Béibhinn Parsons is also returning after suffering a two leg breaks in the past year and Monaghan's second row partner Eimear Corri-Fallon also makes a return to the squad following injury, something Monaghan is happy to share the return with. Eimear Corri Fallon. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady 'Me and Eimear have played together before in Dubai and Six Nations. So, we have that second row connection. Unfortunately, both of us had a bit of a rough year, so we're kind of on the same journey at the minute, it's nice to come back out on the pitch together.' A lot of players have come into this camp to cover for the injury losses but Monaghan is confident in the squad and while ultimately the match against Scotland is a glorified friendly ahead of the World Cup, the Ireland captain still wants to put on a show for the fans. 'I've no doubt everyone that has the opportunity to wear that jersey on Saturday able to give it their all and we'll put in a good performance.' Beibhinn Parsons. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo It could be the last chance for many to put up their hand for a spot in Scott Bemand's World Cup squad with only this Saturday and next week against Canada the only games left before the squad announcement on August 11 before they go out for their opener against Japan less than two weeks' later on August 24. For Monaghan though just getting back out there is a huge achievement, especially after such rotten spell of luck. Hopefully she can show why she's been Ireland captain and show what Ireland have missed over the past year.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Emotional Sam Monaghan hungry for World Cup opportunity after injury
There is no good time to suffer an ACL injury. Sam Monaghan suffered hers last June when starting for Gloucester Hartpury in the Premiership Women's Rugby final: forced off just 18 minutes into her club's defining game of the season. Add in calf and hamstring issues and a full campaign has been laid waste since, Ireland going on to enjoy a breakout experience at the WXV1s tournament in Canada where they beat the world champions New Zealand, and then clocking in for a Six Nations off the back of it. If there's one thing to be thankful for then it's the fact that the long road back to fitness has been completed just as a World Cup swings around. Monaghan will return to a green jersey for Saturday's warm-up against Scotland in Cork. Her first Test in 15 months. 'It was really emotional seeing my name on the teamsheet again, not only for me but for my family, teammates, everyone who's been on the journey with me: physios, S&Cs. It's been a long road, a lot longer than I thought it would be. 'Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel was very special but it's given me chances. I missed out on the Six Nations but I got the chance to sit out in the crowd, so I got to be part of that and see how powerful the girls' performances are on the pitch. 'Hopefully I can add value on Saturday after what they've built over the last couple of years. It's been a great year for us. Yeah, we didn't finish the Six Nations the way we wanted but I feel like we've had a really strong pre-season and we're really excited for Saturday.' Read More Kiripati and McGillivray set for debuts as Bemand names Ireland side for Scotland clash Monaghan isn't the only player returning in the nick of time. Beibhinn Parsons, for example, starts at the weekend having suffered another leg break back in December. Others have been stricken at the worst possible moment. The knee injury Erin King suffered against England in the Six Nations ended her World Cup ambitions there and then. Dorothy Wall's plans went the same way that same month when she was helped off against Scotland with what turned out to be an Achilles injury. Both are big performers in Scott Bemand's Ireland pack and they will be missed on the park in England in August and September. The collective consequences are one thing, for the players themselves it is a disorientating blow. King has spoken about the unfairness of it all. Wall described herself at the time as devastated. 'Injuries are always so tough,' said Monaghan. 'We've such a strong connection as a group so when we lose someone we really feel it, on and off the pitch they are such big characters. But they are both working extremely hard and I know how tough a journey it can be. 'After coming out of a long injury myself I am really gutted for them but I've no doubt they'll come back stronger. High level sport… It's given the opportunity for someone else to come in and we've had other girls come in and put their hand up and really perform.' Read More London game is Ireland's calling for World Cup bid Monaghan returns to the second row as captain for this game in Virgin Media Park, and to a team balancing experience and youth with Ivana Kiripati in the back row and Nancy McGillivray in the centre making their debuts. Ailish Quinn, fresh off her Leaving Cert, should do the same off the bench. The skipper knows what's required. 'It's about empowering those girls to do what they've been doing in preseason and giving them the ability to do it on the pitch on Saturday.' Everyone will have their motivations, not least in the second row where Monaghan's partner, Eimear Corri-Fallon, is another of those stepping back onto the field for a competitive game after a long period spent in casualty and recovery. 'You build up a hunger,' said Monaghan. 'It's kind of like you've been starving for the last 13 months and you finally get your opportunity. I'm sure I'll really savour every moment and just want to do the best I can for the squad around me.'
