Inter Milan chief joins board at Goals Soccer Centres

Five-a-side football pitch operator Goals Soccer Centres today named the chief executive of top-tier Italian club Inter Milan as its senior independent non-executive director.

Inter Milan in action against Celtic during last year's Europa League. Picture: John Devlin

Michael Bolingbroke, who has been in charge of the Serie A side since August 2014, will take his seat on the board of the East Kilbride-based group on 13 June.

Before joining Inter, the chartered accountant was chief operating officer at Manchester United, having previously been a senior vice-president of Canadian entertainment firm Cirque du Soleil and Muppets owner The Jim Henson Company.

Bolingbroke said: “I am passionate about all forms of the game and pleased to now be involved in this fast-developing area of the sport. I look forward to helping the company realise its significant potential.”

His appointment follows last week’s announcement that Goals has lined up former Grosvenor Casinos managing director Mark Jones as its new chief executive. Jones, who ran Rank Group’s Mecca Bingo arm before taking charge of its Grosvenor division, will start his new role on 1 July.

Goals chairman Nick Basing added: “Following a wide-ranging and exhaustive search for a new senior independent director, I’m delighted that Michael will be joining the board.

“He is an exceptional appointment as his outstanding career demonstrates and a perfect fit. Goals is a market-leading soccer-based consumer business and Michael will bring significant experience and value, as we seek the many opportunities ahead of us.”