Inflexion Private Equity is to acquire the assets of Goals Soccer Centres (Goals), a UK operator of small-sided football pitches. The investment is being made by Inflexion Enterprise Fund IV, Inflexion’s dedicated lower mid‐market fund.
Founded in 1987, Goals provides five-a-side and seven-a-side flood-lit arenas with synthetic grass turf, allowing for year-round play. With facilities for changing and socialising, the centres offer coaching, holiday camps and parties for customers in addition to the arena hire. Goals employs more than 700 people across its 45 centres in the UK.
Barry and Ian McDermott, who were the original founders of Goals Soccer Centres and are investing in the business together with Inflexion, commented “We are delighted to be returning to the business we founded over thirty years ago. The business has grown substantially over the years with the market continuing to evolve and develop. We look forward to partnering with Inflexion as we grow the company further and continue to provide first class football facilities to a loyal customer base.”
Simon Turner, Managing Partner at Inflexion, says: “Small-sided football is gaining popularity as people enjoy the fun and fitness achieved in a smaller timeframe than in a traditional game. The firm’s ‘pay the day you play’ model is attractive for players, and we will work alongside management to build further innovation into the business through targeted digital enhancement.”
