Football TV talent firm kicked into touch

A WILMSLOW-based company which built a football-based TV talent show format that was watched by millions of viewers in China has been placed into administration.

Kick Worldwide, which was run by former Stockport County business development director Steve Bellis and mobile gaming firm director Steve Cartwright, had also begun to develop overseas soccer schools in China and India through partnerships with Everton and Liverpool football clubs.

It had also recruited former FA chief executive Brian Barwick as a director, although Companies House records show that he resigned from the company before it was placed into administration on August 16th. Surrey-based Mark Goldstein Associates has been appointed as administrator.

Earlier this year, the founders  had said they were looking to sell a 15% stake in the business in order to raise growth capital.

It was in the process of launching its first football development centre at Pune in India through a partnership with Liverpool and was also looking to sell its successful Soccer Prince TV format to more overseas territories.

The first series of Soccer Prince to air in China, through a partnership with X-Factor production firm Fremantle Media, aired to more than 130m people when it was first show two years ago.

The winner of the talent show received a training contract with a Premier League club.