For decades, grassroots football has depended on the passion of volunteer coaches juggling training sessions, match days, and administrative chaos behind the scenes. Now, one Belfast born startup is taking aim at the hidden operational burden that drains time, energy, and resources from community clubs. TeamFeePay has completed a £9 million equity funding round to accelerate the transformation of club administration, expand into new markets, and strengthen its growing team.
A £9 Million Boost Led by YFM Equity Partners and IFNI
The investment round was led by YFM Equity Partners, and the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, IFNI, managed by Clarendon Fund Managers, signalling strong investor confidence in TeamFeePay’s mission to streamline grassroots sport. Additional participation came from Techstart, and a network of private investors supporting the company’s next phase of growth.
Founded in 2021 by Liam McStravick, the company is built on more than twenty years of firsthand experience across clubs such as Cliftonville, Linfield, and Ballyclare Comrades. McStravick saw how administrative work, particularly managing player fees and scheduling, consistently pulled coaches away from what mattered most, supporting players on the pitch.
A Platform Built for the Realities of Grassroots Football
TeamFeePay has developed a comprehensive software platform designed to simplify and centralise the administrative demands of grassroots clubs. Its features include:
- Fixture and match scheduling,
- Training session planning,
- Event and club activity management,
- Attendance tracking across age groups,
- Payment and player fee management,
- End to end club administration tools,
This integrated approach helps clubs stay compliant, organised, and financially sustainable, while giving coaches back valuable time to focus on development, performance, and community building.
Funding to Drive Expansion and Product Evolution
Commenting on the investment, CEO and co founder Liam McStravick emphasised TeamFeePay’s mission to elevate the operational backbone of grassroots football:
“The funding will support our plans to modernise the operational side of grassroots football across the UK, Ireland, and Europe by reducing administrative workloads and helping clubs operate more sustainably.”
McStravick added that over the next two years the company will be increasing its presence on the ground, investing in new technology, and continuing to improve the service and club development support provided by its expert team.
The new funding will enable TeamFeePay to:
- Scale across the UK and accelerate European expansion,
- Deepen its technology investments to expand platform capabilities,
- Strengthen club development and customer support services,
- Deliver ongoing improvements based on feedback from coaches and clubs,
- A Job Creation Plan Supporting Regional and European Growth
As part of its expansion strategy, TeamFeePay plans to create up to 75 new roles over the next two years across the UK and Europe. These roles will span:
- Sales and club engagement,
- Marketing and communications,
- Product development and engineering,
The recruitment drive will strengthen the company’s capacity to deliver grassroots football solutions at scale and build long term partnerships with clubs across multiple regions.
Transforming How Grassroots Football Operates
Grassroots football is the backbone of the sport, yet clubs are often run by volunteers with limited time and outdated tools. TeamFeePay’s technology empowers clubs to become more sustainable, more efficient, and better equipped to support player development.
With its £9 million investment, experienced leadership, and growing international footprint, TeamFeePay is positioning itself as a key technology partner for grassroots football across Europe, enabling coaches to spend less time behind screens and more time on the pitch nurturing the next generation of players.