Footballers having their own businesses away from the pitch is increasingly more common in the modern game.
What isn’t as common, is starting those businesses when they’re 17 years old.
Henry Bullen, Norwich City goalkeeper and scholar, has had a promising first year in full-time football. He has 13 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League to his name in the 2023/24 season and has been involved on first-team matchdays, warming up alongside the likes of Angus Gunn and George Long.
Off the pitch, Henry has launched his own business 'Toro', producing grip socks designed to help players with their stability and balance.
The venture is allowing Bullen to grow himself as a new entrepreneur as well as a footballer.
“I’ve always had ideas of different businesses and creating different things,” he says.
“Being in the full-time model where I am not in school all the time, I’ve had time to myself to do these things. Business is something I’m very interested in, and I’m using that time to benefit myself and grow something.
“I thought this was the perfect thing to do, as it intertwines very well with my football.
“I thought, in the position I am in here at the club it would be the perfect foundation to help build it. The players around me, especially the ones in the first-team, could help me grow the business.
“I saw it as a market that is just growing in popularity. I’ve seen on social media a lot of people and players wearing grip socks.”
The business is still in its infancy, and Bullen says it is all about growing the brand’s name and recognition. His team-mates at Norwich City are behind him and the business too, with a number wearing his socks in training and in matches.
“It’s doing OK so far. I’ve sold a few pairs and it’s all about getting the name out there at the moment. Growing it on social media is a big thing, as well as getting images of players and people around the club wearing the socks.
“Guilherme Montóia has been wearing them in training, which helps me market the socks. Using players like him, as well as the likes of Angus and George who both have pairs. Them wearing them and capturing it will always help the business.
“It’s exciting to see them wear something I’ve created. Seeing it come to life from an image on a screen when I was designing it, and then sending it off to the manufacturers, and now I’ve got stock of 300 pairs in my house. Then seeing players in games and training wearing them, it’s a pretty surreal feeling.
“My team-mates are very supportive of it and the coaches are as well. The coaches are always pushing for me to do more, and they’re always wearing pairs too.”
Bullen confirmed the inspiration behind the brand's name:
"The first part of my name 'Bull' is 'Toro' in Spanish, which I liked.
"The little grips on the bottom are bulls and it works really well for the branding side of things.
“I had conversations with my dad about potential names and what would the best name even be, but we eventually came up with Toro and I think it’s a great name.
“I feel like there’s the uniqueness to it, but then there’s also that link back to me so there’s a meaning behind it as well.”
A big aspect of a young footballer’s journey at Norwich City is education. The club have been keen to enrich the lives of their players, both on and off the pitch, and Henry has benefited from various workshops and opportunities to help him grow his knowledge and understanding of what is available outside of football.
“The academy have supported me massively, which I really appreciate. Even just doing this interview helps.
"When I have conversations with people about it, they’re keen for me to use the resources available to me at the club to help grow the business.
“The education side of the academy really helps me. Having the original foundation to build upon is massive for us as players. We have a number of different workshops and opportunities, which show various different options that players can have alongside their football.
“Using those opportunities and the information that I gain from it, it’s only going to benefit me and the business in the long run. The people at the club in the education programme, as well as coaches on and off the pitch, have been a massive help for me.”
On the pitch, Bullen will be preparing for the 2024/25 season with pre-season not too far away. Off the pitch, an eye casting towards the growth and development of Toro and where the business could go next.
“I just want to grow the business as much as I can, sell as many pairs as I can. Then for the future, I might come out with a new design and I’ve even thought about the possibility of venturing out into different aspects of the business. Sports clothing is an option, but we’ll see where it goes next.
“I’m keen to add as many strings to my bow as I can. Even with the business, I can venture out into different avenues, whether that’s different sports and industries, or anything really. It’s given me the platform to do something alongside football, another potential income and something I can grow as I progress.”