At 33, Antonio is West Ham United’s leading Premier League goalscorer and has racked up seven international caps for Jamaica having twice been handed an England call-up.
But the Wandsworth-born striker has never forgotten his unpretentious roots and harbours a rather unique ambition when his professional playing career comes to an end.
“I’ve always been interested in owning my own team,” Antonio, who started his career at Tooting & Mitcham United, exclusively told The NLP.
“I relish working with youngsters and bringing people through. In addition, I value building something up from scratch.
“So if I was going to buy a club it would probably be a Non-League outfit. I could oversee it climbing all the way to the top. That would be a massive project and a huge challenge to take a team towards Football League status.
“I’ve noticed other past players like the lads at Salford City getting similarly involved. Robbie Savage has shares in Macclesfield too. Footballers are beginning to invest in clubs and I want to be the next one.
“Once you retire from the game we all love, you aim to stay in and around it. Although it would be a few years down the line for me. Plus I am not too sure if I would be allowed to own a club while still playing.
“Maybe it might feature a team where I hold a personal attachment such as Tooting & MItcham. I grew up in the neighbouring area. I know individuals happy to invest and help me. It is a case of finding the right club and discovering the right philosophy.
“I enjoy a good relationship with the T&MU owner Steve Adkins. I haven’t spoken to him regarding buying the club and I am not sure if he would want to sell. Though I am aware he is always willing to talk to me.”
Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SHAKERS REVEL IN MAKING HISTORY
DAVE McNabb says Bury's FA Cup heroes are proud to be writing their own chapters in club history.
WILCOX: WE FEEL COMPLETE WITH WIN
RUSS WILCOX'S verdict after watching his Gainsborough Trinity side outmuscle and outplay their hosts was that it was \"probably our most complete performance\".
CRACKER BY KABIA TOPPLES TUDORS!
ASSISTANT boss Stewart Yetton said his Truro City side were good value for their win over table-toppers Hemel Hempstead Town.
BRAKES PUT STOP ON BORO BATTLERS
SEPARATED only by goal difference before kick-off, these sides remain neck and neck in the embryonic table after playing out 90 minutes in the October sunshine that was a great advert for the division.
BOSS COTT'S GOT A REALLY GOOD THING WITH ROVERS
STEVE Cotterill hailed Forest Green Rovers’ first class performance as they produced a spirited comeback to topple fellow high-flyers Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.
SKIPS STEER HEED'S SHIP
GATESHEAD captains of the past and present are playing a lead role in helping the National League club move on from the departure of FA Trophy-winning manager Rob Elliot.
FA CUP PREVIEW: SWEET! 'DREAM' DRAW IS CHANCE OF OUR LIFETIME
DAVE NORTHFIELD says minnows Biggleswade FC were like 'kids in a sweet shop' when they drew out York City in what he describes as the 'draw of a lifetime'.
PARKER'S HEART IS STILL AT HOME
FORMER England right-back Paul Parker has revealed he would never completely rule out a return to management – but says he would only do so for one of his beloved local clubs.
LOCALS RALLY TO REBUILD BRIDGE
WHEN committee members at Bamber Bridge set out to raise £30,000 to protect the club's future, they were apprehensive about the response they'd get.
RUTHLESS BEES FIND THEIR FEET
ASTERLING second-half performance resulted in league leaders Barnet brushing aside a Boston United outfit that led at the interval through Keaton Ward’s early strike.