Kick off! Meet our World Cup reporting team

The World Cup is set to kick off in Qatar this weekend and Estate Agent Today has compiled a team of football fanatic agents to report on the home nations.

As in previous tournaments, we have signed up property professionals to provide their views on each game of the World Cup, think Gary Lineker but just fewer packets of crisps.

England and Wales are in group B of the controversial tournament alongside Iran and the United States.

Our team consists of agents to report on the fortunes of both England and Wales and match reports will be published shortly after each game.

Meet our team below.

Rob Sabin, sales director of Kent-based agent Miles & Barr will be reporting on England games.

Despite being a Manchester United fan, Sabin says he has a passion for football that was evident at a young age.

He said: “I began playing football at 5 years old and continued to do so until my early 20s when work commitments became my priority. 

“My love for the sport is unconditional and stems from both the joy that working in a team brings, as well as the competitive nature that football holds. 

“Working cohesively as a team to reach an objective was a skill that I learned by playing and watching the game and I continue to use this in my professional career to this day.”

Highlighting similarities between agency and the Beautiful Game, Sabin said: “The property industry is also vastly competitive, something I hadn’t experienced since my football days, and it sparked a fire in my belly to ensure I outperform the competition.”

Sabin acknowledges that Qatar is a controversial host country for football due to its record on human rights, including LGBTQ+. 

He added: “By hosting a global competition in Qatar it creates an opportunity for these important subjects to be discussed and rightly brought to the top of the news agenda as we firmly believe in and support equality. 

“Our focus is solely on the support of our home nations this World Cup, and we hope that either England or Wales can bring home the prestigious trophy.”

He will be lining up alongside Stuart Robinson, a Chelsea fan and director of Zoom Estate Agents.

Robinson isn’t feeling too confident about England’s chances though.

He said: “We have had very easy draws in the past two tournaments. 

“But I think this time round we will get out of the group but go out early in the knockout stage. So I'll say last 16.”

Robinson adds that the timing of the tournament isn’t great but may be good to give Chelsea, and its disappointed fans, a break, adding: “Unfortunately, lots of players could and will miss this tournament with niggling injuries which wouldn't be the case if the tournament was in the summer, at the end of the domestic season.

“I’m still not quite sure how Qatar have managed to secure the World Cup, however, I have no doubt the stadiums will be fantastic. 

“Its human rights issues are still clearly a problem, but it's nice to see it trying to cater to and being open to a wider audience. Other countries in this region have been doing similar things with other sports recently, like the boxing, which has been successful.”

Estate Agent Today has also secured the services of Michael Edwards, head of land and new homes at Connells brand-Peter Alan to cover the fortunes of the Wales team.

He is a former Cardiff youth player so should know a thing or two about football.

Edwards, a Cardiff City fan, said: “I am responsible for overseeing land, new homes, registered social landlord and Build to Rent opportunities. 

“I have been with the company since 2006 and my role most recently since 2016. Before this I was a Cardiff City youth player but I now coach U10’s rugby, and live at home with my three children and my dog.”

He is predicting that Wales will end the group as runner up to England, adding: “This usually makes things difficult as the runners up of the groups are usually on the more difficult side of the draw, and if we meet a team like the Netherlands, it could all be over for us by the round of 16.

“I hope we can go on a run like in the Euro’s 2016, but there are a lot of strong teams this year. Some players to look out for are definitely our usual star performers like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, who have both been kept fit as of late, but a newcomer to keep an eye on is definitely Brennan Johnson.”

Edwards suggests that the USA could be a dark horse in the group.

There are plenty of spots if other agents want to join our World Cup reporting team.

Email marc@angelsmedia.co.uk to find out more.