Gold with Gore

Alfie Best is an entrepreneur, investor, and Britain's richest Romany Gypsy. Born in a caravan on the side of the road, Alfie left school at 12, started trading cars at 14, and by 20 had built a chain of mobile phone shops across London.

He went on to found Wyldecrest Parks, now worth over £1.1 billion with more than 120 residential and holiday parks across the UK, and has since diversified into leisure, hospitality, finance, and property worldwide. Ranked on the Sunday Times Rich List, Alfie's story is one of grit, risk, and relentless drive.

Expect to learn what it takes to build generational wealth from scratch, and hear his thoughts on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the future of British business.

Alexander Jarvis, renowned football financier and dealmaker behind Blackbridge Sports takes us on a journey through his remarkable career. Alexander advises investors and family offices on off-market club takeovers, minority-stake acquisitions, and capital structuring. He's brokered 14 club transactions, facilitated over £147 million in football finance, and is now building a Football Investment and Debt Fund to streamline capital into the sport.

In this episode we'll dive into Alexander's path from advisor to fund founder, unpack the critical factors in structuring high-stakes deals, and explore how he balances risk, relationships, and resilience in a volatile market.

Former Premier League footballer turned entrepreneur Paul McVeigh shares how the power of visualisation helped shape his journey. From growing up in Belfast to competing at the highest level with Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City, and beyond into global business success.

Paul reflects on how early setbacks, mental resilience, and an obsession with mindset were key to his achievements both on the pitch and in the business world. He opens up about the lessons football taught him about performance, leadership, and building a winning mindset for life after sport.

A must-listen for anyone interested in elite performance, personal development, and the psychology behind sustained success.

Peter Ridsdale, CEO of Preston North End and Former Leeds United Chairman, joins Gold with Gore for an unmissable conversation.

In this episode, Peter opens up about life in the firing line during his turbulent tenure at Leeds United – from leading the club to a Champions League semi-final, to facing intense public scrutiny and personal attacks.

He shares the inside story of what really happened behind the headlines, how he handled pressure at the top, and the lessons he's carried with him throughout his career in football and business.

Expect candid insights on leadership, resilience, and managing the weight of expectation – plus what it's like when fans quite literally grab you by the neck in the street.

Simon Hallett, owner and Chairman of Plymouth Argyle FC, shares his journey from managing multi-billion-pound investment portfolios to leading a football club. In this episode, Simon explores the parallels between finance and football, how data-driven decision-making, culture, and patience shape success in both worlds.

He reflects on the importance of thinking long-term, managing risk, and resisting short-term pressures - whether in markets or in football management. From building a sustainable club to navigating the unpredictable nature of the game, Simon offers valuable insights on leadership, investment strategy, and making better decisions under pressure.

Whether you're in business, investing, or simply fascinated by the intersection of sport and strategy, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, discipline, and the power of a clear vision.

Barry Hearn, British sports promoter and founder of Matchroom Sport shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to building a £1B sports empire, redefining global entertainment and sport along the way. Barry reflects on the early influences that shaped his drive for success, from his mum's relentless ambition for him to the lessons learned as a young chartered accountant.

He discusses the pivotal moments that catapulted him into sports management, including his unexpected entry into snooker, the bold moves that disrupted the industry, and his philosophy of turning risks into opportunities.

Barry opens up about the challenges of scaling Matchroom Sport, how he created global phenomena in darts, snooker, and boxing, and why his greatest asset is hard work and self-belief.

Connect with Spencer Gore.

Robert Vilahamn, Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Women, shares his incredible journey from Sweden to Spurs, revealing what it takes to build a high-performance team and thrive under pressure.

In this episode of Gold with Gore, Robert reflects on his transition from coaching men's football to leading one of England's top women's teams, the challenges of reshaping Tottenham Women's identity, and creating a bold, attacking style of play.

He opens up about how his own struggles with professionalism as a player shaped his coaching philosophy and emphasises the importance of values like bravery, passion, and staying present in driving success. Robert also delves into the evolving demands of women's football and how he's preparing his players for the world stage.

Connect with your host, Spencer Gore here.

Simon Leslie, Founder of Ink Global and owner of Eastbourne Borough FC, takes us on a journey through his remarkable career. From growing a £100M media business to navigating the impact of the pandemic, Simon shares how he turned challenges into opportunities - including the bold move to buy a football club.

In this episode, Simon dives into the mindset that shaped his success, including lessons on resilience, staying positive during tough times, and focusing on what you can control. He also reflects on how failures in his early businesses helped him build a winning formula and why he believes in investing in people to create great teams.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, dreamer, or someone seeking your next breakthrough, this episode is packed with actionable insights and motivational takeaways to help you thrive.

Dr John Blakey is the UK's leading executive coach to purpose-driven CEOs, a former FTSE 100 international managing director, and a global thought leader on high-performance leadership. He has coached over 130 CEOs in 22 countries, working with FTSE 100 leaders, Team GB Olympic squads, Premier League football clubs, and the England cricket team. He is also the author of best-selling books, including Force for Good, The Trusted Executive, and Challenging Coaching.

John explores the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership, sharing how lessons from elite sport can redefine business success. He discusses navigating risk, embracing failure, and thriving under pressure, while emphasising the importance of balancing profit, people, and planet for sustainable growth.

From his early days aspiring to be a professional footballer to becoming the CEO and Deputy Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Paul's career has been defined by a relentless drive for excellence. With over three decades of experience across professional sport, including roles at Tottenham Hotspur and the FA, Paul has navigated the highs and lows of football and business.

In this episode, we delve into his strategies for building high-performing teams, the challenges of transforming Brighton from near collapse to Premier League success, and the values that guide his leadership. Paul also shares insights on managing risk, communicating effectively, and staying grounded in the face of relentless pressure.

Whether you're a business leader, football fan, or simply someone looking for inspiration, Paul's story offers invaluable lessons on culture, vision, and perseverance.