Last update on. From the section FA Cup
Before N-Dubz's chart success, Billy Wood was N-Dubz's representative (right).
Billy Wood went from meeting in luxury Los Angeles hotels with hip-hop pioneers Run-DMC, to washing Hastings United's equipment. He couldn't be happier.
Wood was also a music agent and worked with N-Dubz, So Solid Crew and the Brit Awards by Tinie Tempah.
He is the 35-year old unpaid chairman and chief executive at Hastings. They play in the eighth level of English football.
Wood says that "Hastings midweek away Burgess Hill front of 325 was a bit different from Run-DMC at Isle of Wight festival front of 60,000"
"In some ways, music and football are very similar." Both are highly competitive industries, even at the non-league level.
Wood decided to take a break from his work with internationally renowned musicians and focus on his new ambition: launching Isthmian League South East Division Hastings into Football League.
Wood says that he is happy for people think he's crazy as the U's prepare to face Maidenhead United in Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying Round tie.
Wood has left the music industry to assume the day-today running of Hastings United
From 35 to 150 sheets of paper per day
The walls of the Pilot Field, Hastings United’s 4,000-capacity home, have no clues as to Wood’s fast-paced music career.
He was born in New Addington, Croydon and moved to East Sussex with his mother and sister at the age of nine.
Wood adds, "We didn’t have much money." My mum couldn't afford new uniforms. I was lucky enough to be able to attend a school that had everyone wearing green tops. Because that was all I had, I wore my blue jumper from the previous school.
Wood's income grew from 35 dollars per week in a paper to 150 dollars per day over a period of 10 years. This was through a university business studies and marketing program that allowed him to schedule appearances for a Camden Town-based British hip-hop group.
He had booked live bands for Canterbury Christ Church University's entertainments team and was now trying to make a career as a music agent.
He liked the sound of the trio and offered his services on a social network site. He was soon the agent for N-Dubz who would have eight top-40 hits on the UK singles charts.
Wood says that N-Dubz booked 280 shows in a year when they were growing momentum. They were making 1,500 per night, and I was paid 10% commission. It was an amazing experience.
Wood was still relatively new to music and his "dream" ended when N-Dubz hired a more experienced agent to help them become more famous.
He says, "It felt as if I was giving up on my baby." "In my heart, I thought 'I'm going make it anyway'."
He did. Wood would soon be working with British rapper Tempah, before he "really exploded".
Wood, aged 25 years old, was namedchecked on stage by the singer at the Brit Awards external-link in 2011. Tempah won two prizes.
He was an international agent for Run-DMC in 2017, one of the most influential and innovative hip-hop groups of all time.
Wood says, "My role was very simple. Make them happy, make them rich and put on a great show."
"We wanted something special so we flew to LA to get DMC [Darryl McDaniels] to approve it. DMC is telling my thoughts as I sit in a hotel. It's surreal. It was amazing.
Wood was an international agent for Run-DMC 2017
"It was stressful. I thought I had bowel carcinoma."
Wood hasn't worked in the music business since June 2020. Wood doesn't miss the anxiety that comes with the job.
The father-of-two says, "I would go back to bed and get up three to four times a night to check my smartphone."
"At one point, I believed I had bowel cancer." "It was due to stress," my doctor said.
He is proud of his accomplishments, which allowed him to work for some of the most respected agencies in entertainment.
His role included giving good advice to his clients.
Wood was a member of boy band Blue in 2013, and he recalls being approached backstage by Lee Ryan, a band member after a concert at Brighton Centre.
Wood says that he told Billy that he didn't believe it, and that he had asked him to join Celebrity Big Brother.
"I told Lee, I love you so much and you have a heart full of gold, but this show is not for you. He replied, "No, Billy, I'll do fine."
"He came out from the Big Brother house to loads negative headlines externally-linked in the tabloid papers."
Wood watches Hastings United play in the eighth level of English football
"Non-league can still be cool"
After a brief time as Eastbourne United chairman, Wood assumed the running of Hastings' external-link in September 2019. Attendances have increased from 400 to 1,000 per year.
Plans are being drawn up to build a 1,950-seater stadium. Wood has other business interests, including one in fantasy soccer. Wood is also a vocal supporter for Hastings United Women. They currently sit at the top of the London & South East Regional Women's League Division One South.
Under Chris Agutter, the men are enjoying their best FA Cup run ever since 2012-13 when they lost 4-1 to Championship team Middlesbrough.
The team spent the night in a hotel after they won at Chippenham Town (external-link from two levels higher) in the third qualifying round. This was a rare luxury for a club that is ninth in the eighth level of English football.
Saturday's opponents Maidenhead are three levels higher than Hastings in National League.
However, the U's long-term goal is to climb the ladder of non-league and become a Football League club within "eight to ten years".
Non-league football is far from the famed bands that you meet and network at award ceremonies.
Wood says that he is happier.
"For a long period, I chased money. He adds that it was a mistake.
"While I still chase success, I am doing it in a different way. Sometimes the football isn’t great when you travel to a stadium with only 200 people.
"I want to be a part of something Hastings residents can rally behind and shout about." It's possible to have fun playing non-league football.
