James Callan

Founder of Touchline | Football business, culture & strategy

Louth, County Louth, Ireland

About

I help football clubs build commercially intelligent brands grounded in structure and aligned with the communities that sustain them. I’ve always been slightly obsessed with how football actually works. Not just results or tactics, but the stuff underneath. How clubs survive. How they generate revenue. Why some feel coherent and others feel chaotic. I studied Business and Law, and that lens merged with my love for the Irish game. Through my work with RTÉ Sport and as Head of Newsletter at Boardroom Ball, I analyse governance, licensing, revenue models and the incentives shaping clubs across Ireland and Europe. That same systems-first thinking informs the consultancy work I’m building. I’m not interested in cosmetic rebrands or chasing engagement for the sake of it. I’m interested in helping clubs align three things properly: Structure. Commercial clarity. Community identity. When those work together, you don’t just get a better brand. You get a more stable club. If you’re involved in a football club and trying to bring more clarity to how everything fits together, I’m always open to a conversation. Email: [email protected]

Experience

  • Strategy, Partnerships and Operations Officer at East Sheen Football Club
    May 2026 - Present · 3 mos

  • CEO & Founder at Touchline Sports Studio
    Apr 2026 - Present · 4 mos

  • Legal Assistant at F.H. O’Reilly
    Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

  • Journalist at LOI Talk
    Oct 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Scout & Analyst at Chatham Town FC
    Jan 2026 - Jun 2026 · 6 mos

    Identified and assessed talent through live scouting, video review, and player profiling. Produced recruitment reports with recommendations based on technical, tactical, and physical analysis. Delivered opposition analysis on tactical trends, strengths, weaknesses, and key threats. Provided pre-match insights and matchday support to coaching staff.