Football fanatic James Parkin is refusing to allow the injury that finished his playing career from ending his close involvement with the game.

James, 36, is going into business as an Orkney-based football agent after gaining the qualifications he needs to act as a go-between for players and their clubs.

It is the first venture of its kind to be established in the islands, with James making use of modern communications technology to contact potential clients in Britain and overseas.

Orkney Enterprise is backing his efforts by paying him a weekly "wage" for 12 months under the HIE Starts scheme while he gets his unique business up and running.

James from Stromness said: "The support from Orkney Enterprise is invaluable.  I am starting from scratch, so getting a wage for a year will be a huge help."

Before moving to Orkney, he played football at semi-professional level in Derbyshire.

"I loved the game so much I would often play three games in a single weekend but it was bound to take its toll and I ended up with a serious knee injury," he said.

Although he tried to keep on playing, he eventually needed surgery and had to accept that any further involvement with the game would have to take place off the field.

After coaching for a time, James was looking for a new challenge and decided to tackle the stringent test for football agents set by FIFA, the game's international governing body.

James continued: "I am completely fanatical about football.  If I could not play myself, I thought the next best thing would be helping other players build their careers in the game."

James was among 21 people - most former professional players - who took the test. Just three passed.

As an agent, his job is to set up trials for players, negotiate contracts with clubs and look after their future interests. Agents also act as players' media spokesmen and can help them win sponsorship deals.

"Effectively, it is like running a recruitment agency for footballers," said James, who is aiming for a small client base, as he wants to offer a personal service to his squad of players.

Among those he is touch with are an Irish footballer who has played for Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers, a player from the Greek second division who wants to join a British club, a Bulgarian under-21 international, and one of the current Colchester United team.

"Thanks to phones, faxes and e.mail, being in Orkney is no problem when it comes to contacting players and negotiating with clubs on their behalf," he said.

"Most of the work can be done here but I want to offer the personal touch as well and I will be there when they sign a contract.

"While I would love to have a major star like David Beckham on my books, I realise the chances of that happening are about the same as me playing for Scotland.

"There are a lot of players out there looking for an agent though. I will be happy if I can help them and earn a reasonable living at the same time, because I will be working on their behalf in the game I love."

Under the HIE Starts initiative, budding entrepreneurs are paid a weekly allowance through their first year in business, always the most difficult period for any new venture.

Harvey Stevenson, Orkney Enterprise's development manager, said James had shown determination and enthusiasm in gaining the FIFA qualification and setting up as a players' agent.

He said: "This is something completely new for Orkney and it shows how modern communication links enable people with ideas to establish all sorts of businesses here.

"Hopefully our support will enable him to build his business to he point where he has the customer base he needs to make the venture a success."