The Association of Football Agents exists to promote the collective interests of its member agents and their clients in the world of UK and International Football. The Association of Football Agents was founded by Mel Stein and Jon Smith in 2005 to form a united representative body for Football Agents in England. At the time several important issues, such as tougher domestic industry regulation by the FA and increasing influence over the game by FIFA, required a “group voice” to further the interests of sports professionals within football. The AFA now represents around 340 professional agents, ranging from large corporate organizations to small firms within the transfer market estimated to have a turnover of £500m per year. Central to the current operations of the AFA is continuing professional development for its members ensuring that standards are at the highest level possible and training and qualification programmes for those new to the industry. The AFA board now directs its future growth and influence in expectation of industry wide acceptance as the primary recognized professional body within the domestic and international arenas.