Founders buy back Kickworldwide

THE co-founders of Wilmslow-based Kickworldwide have agreed a deal to but back the business from the administrators for an undisclosed sum.

Former Stockport County commercial director Steve Bellis and ex-games company boss Steve Cartwright have agreed a deal to buy back the business and assets of Kickworldwide, which created the Soccer Prince football TV talent show format.

It is a TV show produced by Fremantle Media which has run in countries including China and India . The winner of the talent show is then offered  a training contract with a Premier League football club.

Surrey-based Mark Goldstein Associates was appointed as administrator of Kickworldwide on August 16.

“This was the result of what can only be described as an internal hostile takeover bid,” he said, but declined to comment further.

“It has been stressful as Steve (Cartwright) and I had no control over our own destiny,” said Mr Bellis. “Thankfully, the business is back in the hands of the founders and it’s very much business as usual,” he said.

Mr Bellis is due to meet the landlord of its Cypress House building today to negotiate a new lease and added that he hoped to bring back staff laid off as a result of the administration as soon ad he company was generating enough income.

He also said that it would recommence negotiations to bring Kickworldwide into other territories, including Oman. 

“We’ve always treated people in the right way and they’ve stood by us,” he said.