Foster is happy to swap his boots for a new suit

ATHLETIC'S new commercial manager Luke Foster

IT HAS always been about results for Luke Foster, Athletic's new commercial manager.

A defender by trade, only last month the 31-year-old was still plying his trade with Coalville Town in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division.

Fifteen clubs on from starting out at Sheffield Wednesday, the one-time Rotherham playing colleague of Athletic midfielder Ollie Banks is now focused on filling seats through his work off the pitch rather than on it.

"It's a very attractive proposition, I think," said the sharp-suited Foster, sitting back in his top-floor office inside the Main Stand at SportsDirect.com Park.

"Doing a similar job to this at Manchester City or Manchester United, it more or less speaks for itself. This is a challenge here, but one I can't wait to get stuck in to.

"I am used to coping with pressure. Being a footballer is not much different - it's points-based and results-based and that's similar to this job."

Foster's appointment to the job can be put down to the work outside the game he has put in over the years.

He ran a flash clothes boutique called 601 in Sheffield's swanky West One complex - "I built it from scratch and worked every day in the shop," he said - and also has experience in the property market and as a talent agent for a firm providing actors for screen and stage.

"Football is what I have done for a long time, but I haven't been idle in my time as a footballer," he said.

"I have done a lot of other things that encroach into this kind of work. As well as the clothing business I have worked in commercial sales and a property company.

"The good thing about playing football is you have a lot of flexibility. You can do things alongside it and take time to try to build something for the future.

"I am very comfortable in this role. It's something I have always been intrigued by as a player, wondering what goes on behind the scenes, and it is a job I am relishing."

Foster's task will be to implement a plan to help grow the fan base as well as maximising 'both matchday and commercial revenues', in the club's words.

Clearly, retaining League One status for next season will make his introduction to the job a lot more straightforward, while the recent arrival of new LED boards that cover three sides of the ground offer new advertising opportunities his predecessors didn't benefit from.

"It is good for me to be able to see everything," said Foster, when asked about the timing of his appointment to a role he will be assisted in by sales executive and former assistant groundsman Billy Quarmby.

"Then as soon as the last game finishes, that's when we will all be busier at it for next year.

"The timing means I have a little insight to get to know everyone and learn a few things for next season.

"My aim is to bring some new ideas and move the club forward. I want to think of ways to engage with fans and sponsors and anything revenue-based.

"The more money we can get in, the more we can back the manager up and the better it is for everyone.

"I hope to generate a bit of a buzz. It isn't going to be easy and what happens on the pitch will dictate some of it.

"All I can do is use some of my experience as a player, looking at what other clubs have done, and incorporate that into this job.

"It's full of good people here, which is why I was excited to join - from Mark Moisley to the chairman Simon Corney and everyone in the office.

"Everyone seems to be focused and driven and there are no slackers, which is good."

To get in contact with Luke, email luke.foster@oldhamathletic.co.uk or call 0161 785 5160.