IT'S the football season already. It's a sport which sparks passionate support nowhere more so than in the North East. Football is also a huge commercial concern. The industry is worth more than £1bn a year to the UK economy.

The astute moves of the regions premier clubs extend far beyond the pitch. The entrepreneurial flair of Gary Hutchinson at Sunderland Football Club, for example, has brought a successful series of Take That and Kings of Leon concerts to the region this year, which attracted £18m to the regional economy. He was also the driving force behind the Stadium of Light being the only UK stadium to host graduation ceremonies, bringing many thousands of visitors to Sunderland each year.

Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough football clubs all welcome conferences, weddings and exhibitions to their impressive stadia. Their popularity proves that theyre exciting places to visit at any time.

So who leads the business of football? Its obvious that football clubs have to be seen as strategically directed enterprises to survive. That means astute commercial leadership, and that is where football and universities are moving closer together.

Off the pitch, football clubs are diversifying their income streams, expanding their roles as business and community leaders and searching for ways to make the whole business of football economically sound.

Business and management skills taught in university business schools are being used more and more by football leaders and managers. The talents developed through focused leadership development and MBA programmes are necessary to drive forward such a fast-changing, powerful industry.

As the pressures facing football managers take their toll, those with leadership training will have completed rigorous preparation for stressful, fast-paced careers, shoring up their chances of survival.

Learning to be more innovative, flexible and reflective in your management style helps football managers stay in control, as it does for those of us in equally stressful careers, far removed from the football field.

Sharp leadership skills can help a team win. They can also keep an important urban resource the football stadium busy and profitable despite the vagaries of the football leagues.

Universities and business schools are creating partnerships with football clubs which strengthen the commercial business of football and boost the local economy. It looks like a match made in heaven.