Fabian Pettersson

About Me

My Football Journey

Born with a passion for football, my connection to the sport deepened through my support for Lillestrøm SK in Norway. This interest in the club sparked my curiosity about the business side of football and the operations behind the scenes.

Currently pursuing a degree in Sports Management while gaining hands-on experience in various football organizations, I'm developing the skills needed to excel in club operations, sponsorship acquisition, and commercial partnerships.

My long-term goal is to leverage my commercial acumen and operational expertise to run a football club, implementing data-driven strategies to maximize revenue and fan engagement while maintaining sporting success.

Education

Sport Management BSc(Hons)

Focus Areas

Commercial Operations, Sponsorship, Data Analytics

Professional Experience

Commercial Volunteer

Haywards Heath Town FC | April 2025 - Present

Gaining commercial experience and building relationships in the football industry

Assisted with sponsor acquisition and retention strategies
Supported matchday operations
Helped develop commercial materials and partnership packages
Developed new revenue streams through innovative commercial partnerships and initiatives
Responsible for acquiring the match day sponsor and managing all sponsors on match days
Maintained and developed the club’s official LinkedIn profile

FALA 2025 – Starting Soon

The FA Leadership Academy (FALA) | July 2025 - July 2026

Selected to participate in the FALA 2025 programme, a national initiative focused on developing future leaders in grassroots football

Will engage in leadership development, community football projects, and collaborative workshops
Aiming to build skills in event planning, communication, and inclusive football delivery
Committed to contributing to the growth and accessibility of the grassroots game through the FALA initiative

Development Intern

Sussex County FA | March 2025 - July 2025

Leading football development projects to increase participation, support partnerships, and promote grassroots football across Sussex

Designed and delivered football development projects to increase participation
Acted as the main point of contact for project management, planning, and execution
Supported event delivery, including Women’s Recreational Festivals and Disability Leagues
Assisted in managing project budgets alongside the development team
Identified and maintained key partnerships to support Sussex County FA’s strategic goals
Acted as an advocate for the Sussex County FA brand, promoting youth, female, male, and disability football
Ensured safeguarding and health and safety standards were met during all activities
Researched new tools and processes, such as Power Automate, and introduced them to colleagues to improve workflow efficiency

Assistant Football Coach

Bjerke IL | July 2024 - September 2024

Volunteered at my local football club, supporting coaching and matchday operations with a focus on player development and safety

Assisted the head coach with training sessions and team preparation
Provided dedicated goalkeeper coaching to the goalkeepers
Acted as designated first aider during matches, ensuring player wellbeing
Supported general matchday duties and contributed to a positive team environment

Skills & Expertise

Technical Skills

Power Automate & Digital Workflows
Data Analytics & Visualization
Relationship Building & Networking
Adaptability & Problem Solving

Commercial Skills

Sponsorship Acquisition
Partnership Development
Revenue Generation Strategies
Commercial Proposal Writing

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Management
Strategic Communication
Problem Solving & Innovation
Project Management

Certifications

FA Qualifications

Introduction to Coaching Football (2025)
Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers (2025)
Introduction to Talent Identification in Football (2024)
Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) (2025-2027)
Safeguarding Children in Football Course (2024-2026)
Safeguarding for Committee Members (2025)
Safeguarding For All (2024-2026)

Portfolio & Projects

Walking Football Event

Led the football operations for Sussex Walking Sports Day in collaboration with other sport organisers. Managed digital registration systems, automated communications, engagement with external stakeholders including charities, and contributed to event marketing efforts.

Sussex County FA View Details

Sussex CFA Research Report

Conducted an independent research project for Sussex County FA, investigating the decline in CPD (Continuing Professional Development) attendance across the county. The study involved data analysis and stakeholder interviews to identify barriers and propose actionable solutions.