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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WRAGGY WILL BE SORELY MISSED
MACCLESFIELD FC have led the tributes to “colossal” former manager Peter Wragg, who has passed away.
BURY & RAMMY HIT BIG STAGE!
BRYANLY’S late penalty kept Bury top of the tree in front of another record-breaking crowd at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.
BRAVE BERKO ARE ON TRACK
Ducks demolition maintains title tilt
OWLS THAT! CLEE GLEE ON TOP OF THE TREE
CLEETHORPES Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of NPL East with a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over North Ferriby at the Myenergi Stadium.
HAWKS SWOOP IN FOR DERBY GLORY
REUBEN AUSTIN hailed Havant & Waterlooville teammate Leon Maloney’s wonder goal as ‘a hell of a strike’ as the Hawks continued their promotion push with a 3-1 local derby success over Gosport Borough.
JULIUS DICTATES - BUT FANS MIST IT
JULUS Ndene handed Leek Town a famous victory in the mist – not that any of the fans got to see it!
GOLDEN BROWN BACK AT THE TOP
PHIL Brown gave his Kidderminster Harriers players Christmas off – and was rewarded with a climb to the top of the tree.
BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END
STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.
FIVE-STAR PIRATES PUMMEL ROVERS
IN the final game of the year at the Ledger Stadium, second-placed Real Bedford faced off against fourth-placed Barton Rovers, who arrived as the league’s in-form side.
MOORE'S LATE GOAL SEALS BIG REDS WIN
GEORGE Moore was the hero grabbing a stoppage-time winner to sink Kingstonian and take Uxbridge to third in the table in what is becoming a fascinating promotion race in the Pitching-In Isthmian South Central.
