Waldron leaves Everton to become agent after tapping up inquiry
Waldron had been at Everton for 23 years
Written by Simon Austin — January 9, 2019
EVERTON Head of Academy Recruitment Martin Waldron, who was suspended pending an investigation into tapping up, has left the club to become a football agent.
Waldron, a club employee of 23 years, was alleged to have offered the family of a former Cardiff City schoolboy a paid-for rented house and monthly allowance to join Everton in 2016. Such inducements are not allowed under Premier League rules.
The club suspended him in September pending the outcome of an internal investigation, but that has now ended following his appointment as Head of Football by Liverpool-based INS Management. The outcome of the internal inquiry has not been publicly disclosed.
The Premier League’s own investigation into the matter led to Everton being banned from signing Academy players for two years, as well as being hit with a £500,000 fine for breaching recruitment rules.
When Everton were asked by the Premier League for an explanation about the matter in September 2017, they immediately admitted wrongdoing, having also uncovered misconduct in relation to six other Academy players.
On the INS website, Waldron is described as “an exciting addition to the team” and someone “who is renowned for his honest and long-standing relationships with players and parents.”
Former Great Britain star Denis Betts is rugby league consultant for the firm, while ex England international Phil Greening is his rugby union equivalent.
Waldron started working for Everton as a scout in 1995 and rose through the ranks to become Head of Academy Recruitment in 2014. His son, Joel, was promoted to Academy Director in July 2018, having joined the club seven years earlier as an Academy co-ordinator.
