JAMES Mason has today unveiled his next career move by launching sports agency FIVE NINE.

The former Valley Parade chief operating officer has been on “garden leave” since his exit in June.

Mason has set up the business with long-term friend and mentor Geoff Gray, who has worked on behalf of a number of England and county cricketers.

Gray will be the driving force behind FIVE NINE to allow Mason to keep the door open for a full-time return to football.

But Mason admits he is “raring to go” with the new venture.

He said: “It was a really tough decision to leave Bradford City but I just felt that the time was right for me to take on a new challenge.

“I am delighted to be able to combine both my passion for business and sport and still be involved within the industry.

“Since I left Bradford I have been asked by a number of sports clubs from Premier League football teams to grass roots community organisations to help on a number of projects and now it’s time to do this professionally.”

Consultancy will be the main focus of the business but FIVE NINE group already represent a number of former professional sports people, including ex-Bantam captains Peter Jackson and Gary Jones.

Jamie Lawrence, John Dreyer and Andy Kiwomya are among the other names already signed up.

Gray added: “I was lucky enough to organise a number of benefit years for the likes of England and Yorkshire cricketers David Bairstow, Arnie Sidebottom and Martyn Moxon among others. Latterly I have represented Ryan Sidebottom.

“As such we understand the transition and difficulties these high-profile figures go through when they stop playing. We hope to give these men and women the professional guidance they need and a platform to develop new careers.”

Mason added: “My time at Bradford taught me many things. But the idea of looking after players once they’ve finished their careers strikes a chord.

“Often when the adulation and part of being a team stops and you go on to another career that perhaps you’re not prepared or ready for, the ability to adjust into normal life is a real problem.

“If our agency can help anyone rebuild their career or reinvent themselves, whether it’s in the media or in business, then that’s what we’d like to do.”

As well as the consultancy, the business will be hosting a range of charity and sporting dinners with their clients, the first being a Christmas lunch on December 7 at Bradford’s Victoria Hotel with a share of the proceeds going to support people with Dementia.

Mason said: “Geoff will be the principle driver of the business thus not ruling me out of returning to work in football on a full-time basis.

“But it does give Geoff and I the flexibility to best use our skill set across a number of projects. It’s very much a modern way of working.”