A parent will go to great lengths to support their child, and Marcia Lewis-Skelly knows this all too well. Her son, Myles, a 17-year-old Arsenal prospect, is currently on the club’s pre-season US tour, eager to impress manager Mikel Arteta and earn playing time next season.
Marcia’s journey has been remarkable, as she transitioned from a career in learning and development—leading a technology training department at an investment bank—into the complex world of football as her son’s agent. In an interview with The Athletic, she recounted a pivotal moment when she received a call about Myles while he was on a tour in Spain. Initially worried, she was relieved to discover the call was from an agent interested in representing him.
Even though agents can’t engage with players until they turn 16, that hasn’t stopped interest from emerging. Marcia, unfamiliar with the football scene, found herself learning about the industry while navigating offers for Myles, who joined Arsenal’s academy at Under-9 after trials with Chelsea and Tottenham.
When a major sports brand expressed interest in sponsoring Myles at age 12, Marcia felt the weight of her responsibility. She lacked a trusted network or family connections in football and was determined to protect her son’s future. Myles reflected on this, noting he was blissfully unaware of the pressures, focused solely on his love for the game.
Marcia sought guidance from other parents involved in football, which provided her comfort and confidence. Additionally, she committed to understanding the industry more deeply. In 2020, she pursued a master’s degree in football business and studied rigorously for FIFA’s agent exam. This education enabled her to formally represent Myles.
She shared, “There are many great agents, but we needed time to build relationships and understand their role.” Now, with over 3.5 million kids playing organized football each week, Marcia aims to share her newfound knowledge and experiences to help others navigate the complexities of the sport.
