how building connections can become not just a working relationship but lasting friendships.
When Thom Burt and Bakary Ceesay first met at The Football Business Academy, they had no idea their shared passion for the beautiful game would spark a powerful friendship and eventually, a partnership that is reshaping football business today. While they both had different reasons to joining The FBA; Bakary wanting to reshape African Football and tap into its potential and Thom needing a new direction in life after becoming a dad feeling stuck in his current role, they both had the same goal of chasing the dream to work in football and making real impact.
Now, thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication, along with The FBA’s program and network, both are thriving in the industry and are true examples of how building connections can become not just a working relationship but lasting friendships.
“The Politician and The Creative”
If you speak to Thom and Bakary separately, you will quickly realize they are very different. According to Thom he says, “Bakary is the politician, I’m the creative. He is a master communicator and can argue any point. If you’ve spent time with him you will learn that he cares deeply. Watching him taught me a lot about the power of presence.” Thom fully expects that one day he’ll see an announcement that Bakary is now “President of The Gambia”. Bakary on the other hand says, “I learned the power of creativity and staying curious. He’s always excited about new ideas and always looking for ways to push boundaries.” He tells us that “Today, Thom is more than a colleague, he’s someone I genuinely trust and enjoy working with.”
What started as classmates quickly transitioned to collaborators, with shared passion and using football as a tool for development, that common vision aligned them. They threw themselves into the program with everything they had, and that shared commitment helped build a great foundation.
From Classmates to Co-Founders: The Strength of The FBA Connections
“The FBA network is one of the program’s greatest assets.” – Bakary Ceesay
“It’s the reason I joined. The Alumni network is unmatched. You can travel almost anywhere and find someone to grab a meal or a drink with—it’s truly special.” -Thom
Through The FBA’s program, it’s clear to see the power of networking through these two. For Bakary, working with someone who shares your values, understands the industry, and has gone through the same journey is incredibly powerful and he encourages every student to stay connected and build those relationships. The projects he and Thom have together, have taken shape because of that shared foundation, but the relationship has grown far beyond just professional collaboration. “Thom is more than a colleague; he’s like a brother to me. We’ve had the chance to meet each other’s families and over time we’ve built a genuine family bond. That kind of connection isn’t something you find every day in this industry. It keeps our work grounded, meaningful, and full of trust. Working alongside someone who shares your vision and values, but also welcomes you into their life, is something I’ll always be grateful for. -Bakary”
Thom certainly agrees, “Having someone to build with during the program made a huge difference. He’s one of those people you can call any time—about work or just life. We went through a lot side by side, but we always found a reason to laugh. Our networks combined, and even though full-time work pulled us in different directions, the relationships and connections we made are still going strong.”
Both mention that other Alumni, like Michael Morozuk, are also key in helping drive ideas forward. They even teamed up with Michael and co-founded Globall Connections, a Sports Consultancy in the United States with a few other Alumni. Thom says that he has stayed close with many classmates and that having that group of people to bounce ideas off and support each other is invaluable. According to Bakary, “It makes everything easier. We speak the same language, share the same standards, and understand the value of collaboration. There’s a natural trust and rhythm to our work because of our shared foundation at The FBA.”
A Global Game, A Local Mission: Bakary’s Path Through The FBA
Bakary had a deep desire to make a real impact in football in regions where football has untapped potential, like Africa. Before joining and like a lot of Alumni, his understanding was centred around what was happening on the pitch. Searching for a program to bridge the gap between passion and profession, he found The FBA.
It stood out as more than a course and more of a platform because of its strong network, practical learning approach and global vision. The course offered him exactly what he needed; “a comprehensive view of the football industry with hands-on learning, real-world case studies, and strong partnerships with stakeholders in the football industry”. He was introduced to the inner working of clubs, federations, media rights, sponsorships, innovation, and strategy. Football for him was now a powerful global business vehicle for social development.
After graduation, he was offered a full-time position as Regional Director for CONCACAF with McSport, which is also where he completed his 3-month internship offered in the program. Here he develops relationships with federations and clubs across the region to organize friendly matches, training camps, and football events. In addition to this role he says, “I am honored to serve as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Gambia Football Federation, where I focus on promoting the growth of Gambian football, advocating for development initiatives, and serving as a bridge between local football efforts and international opportunities.”
From a Chance Discovery to the Premier League: Thom’s FBA Journey
Thom found The FBA by chance on Instagram. Understandably something he was initially sceptical about, but something still felt right. After reaching out and speaking with Alumni, he felt even more confident in the decision. Alumni like Michael Morozuk, Fabien Clivaz, Gina Stein, and Francesco Bonomo gave their honest advice and encouragement, which in turn gave Thom the belief that he could really do this!
Having spent over a decade in digital marketing, he had some great work experience under his belt. However, through The FBA he was able to understand the more nuanced dynamics of football. Through the support of staff and alumni, he quickly found his footing and landed an internship at Club Brugge. The hands-on experience offered by The FBA is vital and he and many of his classmates give The FBA and the internship process credit to kick starting their careers.
Now Thom cannot believe where he is. One year ago he was sitting at home wondering how to break into football. Now he is the Digital Marketing Manager at a Premier League Club, Nottingham Forest FC, where he designs and sends all email marketing campaigns and is playing a pivotal role in the design and launch of Nottingham Forest’s new website and app. He said, “Working for a historic club with such a dedicated team is incredibly rewarding.” His goal is to continue growing the digital presences and help shape the way fans interact and connect with the club.
A Year That Changes Everything: Life, Learning, and Legacy at The FBA
The FBA’s one year program has a hybrid design with six months of online classes, a guaranteed three-month internship and two months of in person classes in Lisbon, Portugal. Bakary and Thom felt the program was very well structured. With both having families and a job, this allowed for a good balance between work, life and studying while also building meaningful relationships.
Each module delivered a comprehensive approach between academic theory and industry exposure while allowing for time to reflect and apply knowledge gained. The range of topics gave a valuable 360-degree view of the football industry with lecturers who are current industry professionals. This meant learning from people who are actively shaping the future of football. Their insights were invaluable to Thom and Bakary and challenged both to think critically and act professionally.
Bakary appreciated how each module built on the previous one, culminating in the Student Business Project in the 4th Module, which felt like a real-world initiation into the industry. For Thom, he tells us “Lisbon? Incredible. The people, the energy, the bond we built—some of my closest friends came out of that experience. Every single person brought something special, and we all pushed each other to give our best, every day.” Additionally his time completing a Business Project with New Castle United was brilliant and he left with a great feeling knowing that he created something truly useful for a club.
Not only are classes and hands-on experience important, but at The FBA, Candidates are not just a number. You become a part of a family and are supported for life beyond graduation. Thom tells us that he speaks to Ruben Figueira, Director of Programs, regularly and the connections built between the staff went far beyond the coursework. They are approachable, responsive and always took time to guide Candidates, whether it was career advice, program logistics or just checking in on their well-being.
“It’s exactly that, a family. Supportive, global, diverse, and committed to driving the game forward together. The FBA gave me tools, but more importantly, it gave me people. People like Thom, Lorenza, Katie and my favorite twins Natalia and Elene and many others I continue to collaborate with. That’s the true legacy of this program.” -Bakary
If you want to learn more about Thom and Bakary’s experiences, you can reach them on LinkedIn along with all of the Alumni and Staff. They are always available to answer questions or doubts. Bakary leaves you with one final thought:
The FBA isn’t just a program, it’s a launchpad for your career, your growth, and your lifelong relationships. You truly get what you put in, and if you commit fully, the doors it opens, personally and professionally, are real and lasting. One of the most unforgettable parts for me was Module 4, when we all finally came together in person after months of remote learning. Those two months in Lisbon weren’t just about learning, they were about living. Playing football with my classmates, laughing through paddle games, walking along the beach, and sharing meals late into the night, those moments turned classmates into family. The connections we built in Lisbon didn’t end when the module did, they became the foundation for friendships and collaborations that continue to shape my journey. It’s an experience I will always carry in my heart.
