Leading members of the football community have branded the recent Raise Your Game conference a success after an unprecedented number of people attended the event.

Nearly 400 young people aspiring to make their way into the sport, as well as those looking for a career change, converged on Wembley Stadium this week for the Kick It Out event, the fourth of its kind.

They met representatives of the national game, from grassroots football, media, coaching and officiating and were handed valuable opportunities and insight into how to make their way into the game.

Those attending also heard success stories from individuals who had received jobs in football after attending the event in the past.

Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley urged all involved at this year’s conference to ensure that they continued to pass on opportunities to those around them.

“We want you to make your aspirations and contribute to making you feel confident, so that you can go and play a role in our society and you can go forward and be successful,” said Lord Ouseley.

“Don’t give up. We want to open the door and help others walk through the door but when you walk through yourself, you keep it open for others to walk through after you.”

The event was hosted by Clarke Carlisle, the former QPR, Leeds United and Burnley defender. Carlisle, a former chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association and Kick It Out ambassador, said:

“It’s the third year that I have been involved with the conference and I make it no secret I’ve got a heart for the next generation, for passing the baton on.

“I just want to help the next young person to go on and achieve all that they can be.”

Many of the high-profile representatives were there as part of the formal mentoring sessions.

Brentford manager Mark Warburton and Barnet boss Martin Allen were able to provide guidance to aspiring young coaches, with The Daily Telegraph’s Henry Winter and ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley giving advice on careers in sports media.

“I was pleased by the attitude of many of the young people that came to me,” said Winter. “One brought his cuttings files with him and it was so impressive that I put in a call to the sports desk to see if we could get him along.”

Tyldesley ran workshops on the art of commentating throughout the day with Tony Taylor, Burton Albion’s academy head, running a coaching masterclass.

Former footballers Jason Euell, Chris Perry, Vincent Pericard and Anwar Uddin were also able to share their experiences of how they remained in the game after their playing careers ended.

Other mentors included BBC broadcaster Caroline Barker, Darmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, the Sunday Mirror’s Anthony Clavane and Rodney Hinds of The Voice.

Barker, who has also been in attendance for every Raise Your Game conference, suggested she learnt as much as the 300 plus mentees throughout the day.

“You always come to these events and meet a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life, who can talk to you about all of the different experiences they’ve had in football.

“It is incredible seeing the huge amount of people who are willing to change their jobs and go for a dream. That is just inspiring in itself. It constantly amazes me how much you gain from the mentees you talk to.

“These people are the future, these are the people who will affect change and that will become the policy makers but they won’t unless you hit all areas and all groups so it is important that Kick It Out does this and creates a platform for progression.”

The Football Association and the Premier League were also represented and The FA’s head of media relations Scott Field was part of the panel discussions that took place.

Troy Townsend, Kick It Out’s Mentoring and Leadership manager was pleased with the outcome of the day. He added: “Every individual has to take out of it what they need for their own career path and you couldn’t wish for a better set of mentors in one room.

“It’s the fourth year of the conference and it’s been the biggest one and if the appetite wasn’t there, the room wouldn’t be filled.”