Brit Pack Interviews
Nov 26th, 2012
KEN ADAM

Name: Ken Adam
Profession: Real Estate Broker and ex-football agent
Current Residence: Manhattan Beach, California
Previous Residence: Fulham/Putney, South London
Left UK in: 1978
Back when being a Brit in California was a novelty, Ken Adam left his family and successful life in London and relocated to live the good life. It was a bold move at the time - there weren’t many examples of Brits doing well in America - but nearly 35 years later Ken has no regrets about the decision he made.
As one of the first Brits to settle in Hermosa Beach Ken remembers when the area was just a sleepy, laid-back beach town and it was virtually impossible to get essential English supplies like HP Sauce, Tetley's and Marmite!
These days there are British stores all over LA and Ken also does his part to stay connected to British culture and the expat community in California through his monthly newsletter BritLinks. It’s a monthly roundup of British news and gigs.
Profession: Real Estate Broker and ex-football agent
Current Residence: Manhattan Beach, California
Previous Residence: Fulham/Putney, South London
Left UK in: 1978
Back when being a Brit in California was a novelty, Ken Adam left his family and successful life in London and relocated to live the good life. It was a bold move at the time - there weren’t many examples of Brits doing well in America - but nearly 35 years later Ken has no regrets about the decision he made.
As one of the first Brits to settle in Hermosa Beach Ken remembers when the area was just a sleepy, laid-back beach town and it was virtually impossible to get essential English supplies like HP Sauce, Tetley's and Marmite!
These days there are British stores all over LA and Ken also does his part to stay connected to British culture and the expat community in California through his monthly newsletter BritLinks. It’s a monthly roundup of British news and gigs.
What made you move to America?
I was an agent for a lot of footballers in England. When the North American Soccer League (NASL) took off in the mid 70’s, many of the clubs went after English players so I spent two years going back and forth between the US and the UK. Almost every month, I would go from London to New York or Los Angeles and back again. There were a lot of side trips in between so I was travelling at least two weeks out of every month - I had permanent jet lag!
In 1977, George Best, Bobby McAlinden and I bought a bar - The Hard Times Tavern - in Hermosa Beach in LA and changed the name to Bestie's. When the League folded in the early 80’s I had to make a decision - go back to England or stay in the US. I absolutely loved America and so I stayed, got married and had kids.
What were you doing in the UK before you left?
I represented a lot of players. In fact, I was the first full-time player agent in England. There were a couple doing it on a part-time basis but in those days there were no licenses required and the Football League frowned on the thought of agents representing players. They certainly weren't allowed to negotiate players’ contracts with the clubs.
The first player I ever signed was Peter Shilton - sitting in his white Jaguar outside Leicester railway station. Then I signed Mick Channon and Alan Hudson - all terrific players. Things really took off when I signed Rodney Marsh in 1971. Then the American adventure started in 1975 and when I signed George Best in 1976 it got really wild! My biggest achievements were engineering and completing the signings of Best and Marsh to Fulham in 1976 and negotiating the first ever testimonial game in the NASL for Rodney Marsh in 1979.
I remember having lunch one day in Tampa and the late George Steinbrenner (owner of the Yankees) said to me; 'You should get into baseball - you'd clean up!'
How would you describe your first few years in California?
I was on the road a lot and saw many cities around the US but Hermosa quickly felt like home. The people are very friendly people and George loved it because no one bothered him. Sometimes we would go up to town to a restaurant - Mr Chow's was a favorite - but mostly we stayed at the beach. Besties became a bit of a tourist stop because we always had British newspapers that visitors dropped off - they were like gold back then! It was an absolutely magical time - there was a fascination with anyone or anything British so that was exciting and we were still discovering what an absolutely amazing country America is.
What do you miss most about the UK?
My mum, my brothers and the countryside. A few years ago, I would have added Premiership football - now we get more live games here than they do in the UK!
I was an agent for a lot of footballers in England. When the North American Soccer League (NASL) took off in the mid 70’s, many of the clubs went after English players so I spent two years going back and forth between the US and the UK. Almost every month, I would go from London to New York or Los Angeles and back again. There were a lot of side trips in between so I was travelling at least two weeks out of every month - I had permanent jet lag!
In 1977, George Best, Bobby McAlinden and I bought a bar - The Hard Times Tavern - in Hermosa Beach in LA and changed the name to Bestie's. When the League folded in the early 80’s I had to make a decision - go back to England or stay in the US. I absolutely loved America and so I stayed, got married and had kids.
What were you doing in the UK before you left?
I represented a lot of players. In fact, I was the first full-time player agent in England. There were a couple doing it on a part-time basis but in those days there were no licenses required and the Football League frowned on the thought of agents representing players. They certainly weren't allowed to negotiate players’ contracts with the clubs.
The first player I ever signed was Peter Shilton - sitting in his white Jaguar outside Leicester railway station. Then I signed Mick Channon and Alan Hudson - all terrific players. Things really took off when I signed Rodney Marsh in 1971. Then the American adventure started in 1975 and when I signed George Best in 1976 it got really wild! My biggest achievements were engineering and completing the signings of Best and Marsh to Fulham in 1976 and negotiating the first ever testimonial game in the NASL for Rodney Marsh in 1979.
I remember having lunch one day in Tampa and the late George Steinbrenner (owner of the Yankees) said to me; 'You should get into baseball - you'd clean up!'
How would you describe your first few years in California?
I was on the road a lot and saw many cities around the US but Hermosa quickly felt like home. The people are very friendly people and George loved it because no one bothered him. Sometimes we would go up to town to a restaurant - Mr Chow's was a favorite - but mostly we stayed at the beach. Besties became a bit of a tourist stop because we always had British newspapers that visitors dropped off - they were like gold back then! It was an absolutely magical time - there was a fascination with anyone or anything British so that was exciting and we were still discovering what an absolutely amazing country America is.
What do you miss most about the UK?
My mum, my brothers and the countryside. A few years ago, I would have added Premiership football - now we get more live games here than they do in the UK!

How often do you go back to the UK?
I try to get back once a year. Maybe a bit more in the future as I'm doing some research for a book I'm doing on the 70's football scene. It about all the characters I worked with - George Best, Rodney Marsh, Bobby Moore, Peter Osgood, Alan Hudson, Alan Ball and many more. It’s mainly an insight into their personalities and lots of amusing anecdotes. It was an exciting time for English football.
Could you ever see yourself moving back?
Absolutely not...! I can't stand the weather for one thing! Also, my two boys were born here and I love seeing them almost daily so I couldn't stand being away from them even though they're adults now.
What have you managed to achieve here that you don’t think you could have in the UK, if anything?
A much better standard of living and therefore, a better future for my boys. I’m a real estate broker now. I had co-owned Besties in Hermosa Beach since 1976. After I got married, I decided I didn't want to be in the bar/restaurant business so I sold my share to Bobby McAlinden. We had just bought a place and the agent who represented us didn't have much to do so I thought I could do that job well as I knew a lot of people. I got my licence and have been in the real estate business ever since.
What advice would you give someone planning to move to Manhattan Beach?
Neutrogena do a great 100 SPF spray sunscreen for $12.99!
For more info on Ken check out: www.britishrebroker.com
To sign up for Ken’s monthly Britlinks newsletter send an email to: [email protected]
I try to get back once a year. Maybe a bit more in the future as I'm doing some research for a book I'm doing on the 70's football scene. It about all the characters I worked with - George Best, Rodney Marsh, Bobby Moore, Peter Osgood, Alan Hudson, Alan Ball and many more. It’s mainly an insight into their personalities and lots of amusing anecdotes. It was an exciting time for English football.
Could you ever see yourself moving back?
Absolutely not...! I can't stand the weather for one thing! Also, my two boys were born here and I love seeing them almost daily so I couldn't stand being away from them even though they're adults now.
What have you managed to achieve here that you don’t think you could have in the UK, if anything?
A much better standard of living and therefore, a better future for my boys. I’m a real estate broker now. I had co-owned Besties in Hermosa Beach since 1976. After I got married, I decided I didn't want to be in the bar/restaurant business so I sold my share to Bobby McAlinden. We had just bought a place and the agent who represented us didn't have much to do so I thought I could do that job well as I knew a lot of people. I got my licence and have been in the real estate business ever since.
What advice would you give someone planning to move to Manhattan Beach?
Neutrogena do a great 100 SPF spray sunscreen for $12.99!
For more info on Ken check out: www.britishrebroker.com
To sign up for Ken’s monthly Britlinks newsletter send an email to: [email protected]