Full Name: Rob Moore
Place of Birth: South Africa
Profession: Sports Journalist, Magazine Publisher, Football Club Owner, Player Agent, Sports Marketing Entrepreneur
Notable Contributions: Founder of Seven Stars FC, Co-founder of Ajax Cape Town, Founder of Touchline Media and ExtraTime, Player Agent for SA and European Stars
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Rob Moore began his career as a freelance sports journalist in Cape Town in the late 1980s. Though not known for literary flair, he had a knack for landing exclusive interviews and breaking football stories.
Sports Media Entrepreneurship
Moore became managing director and part-owner of Touchline Media, where he successfully launched groundbreaking publications like:
– **Kick Off** (football magazine)
– **Men’s Health South Africa**
– **Golf Digest**
– **Sports Illustrated South Africa**
His work revolutionized male-interest magazines and sports journalism in South Africa. Touchline Media also ran a sports photo agency (later sold to Getty Images), and developed TV and internet productions. The company was sold to Naspers in 1999.
Football Administration and Innovation
Seven Stars FC
Moore turned his dream into reality by launching **Seven Stars FC**, a Cape Town-based professional soccer club focused on township youth talent. Seven Stars would eventually merge with Cape Town Spurs in 1999.
Ajax Cape Town
The merger of Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs led to the creation of **Ajax Cape Town**, in partnership with **Ajax Amsterdam** — the first global football franchise of its kind. This was a world-first and remains a landmark moment in African football administration.
Moore brokered South Africa’s **biggest transfer at the time**: **Benni McCarthy’s move to Ajax Amsterdam**, launching one of the most successful careers in SA football.
Football Consulting – ExtraTime
In 2002, Moore relocated to **Barcelona, Spain**, where he founded **ExtraTime**, a football consulting agency that manages:
– Transfers
– Commercial sponsorships
– Financial planning
– Player development and career strategy
Notable players represented:
– Benni McCarthy
– Aaron Mokoena
– Steven Pienaar
– Elrio van Heerden
– Daylon Claasen
– Sibusiso Zuma
– Lance Davids
– Players across Spain, Belgium, Cameroon, and South Africa
Football Philosophy
Moore is known for turning “impossible” ideas into working ventures. His fearless approach to sports business, loyalty to his clients, and hands-on player development model set him apart in the football world.
Personal Insights
Despite failing two matric subjects and missing out on a US soccer scholarship due to national service, Moore pursued a career shaped by grit, networking, and vision. Now based in Barcelona, he continues to shape careers and football institutions from behind the scenes.
Summary Profile
Name: Rob Moore
Origin: South Africa
Based: Barcelona, Spain
Professions: Journalist, Publisher, Football Executive, Player Agent
Key Contributions:
– Founder of Seven Stars FC
– Co-founder of Ajax Cape Town
– Founder of ExtraTime player agency
– Publisher of Kick Off and Men’s Health SA
– Brokered Benni McCarthy’s record transfer
On Peter Du Toit’s podcast.
