Meet the Student Entrepreneur Bringing Retro Football Gaming Back to Life

26 October 2026

Sanwar Ahmed from Cardiff is about to launch a retro football game and has started his own software company, Pitchwork Studios while still studying a Computing degree at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The Gaffer - Retro Football manager game launched by UWTSD student Sanwar Ahmed

The Gaffer is a ‘pick up and play’ style game which Sanwar says is a simpler form of gaming typical of the 1980s. He developed the game in which players act as a football manager for his own personal use as he couldn’t find anything similar on the market today but soon saw the potential to launch it to a wider audience.

Sanwar has received support from the University including from the Enterprise Team to develop his concept into a business. He explains:

“I reached out to the Enterprise Team during August this year, potentially I had this game but I needed professional advice. I met Dylan Williams-Evans and was fortunate enough to speak with him at length and get some constructive and extremely helpful information on how best to take my idea forward. I also got a lot of encouragement from James Williams, whose lecture inspired me to start the game when I was in his class. I also received wonderful support from lecturer, Adam Head.”

The former mortgage adviser has transformed his career prospects since studying a Certificate in Higher Education in Business Skills offered by University of Wales Trinity Saint David in his native Cardiff. The course then enabled him to progress onto the BSc in Computing (Computer Networks and Cyber Security) at the University’s Swansea campus.

Sanwar says: “During Covid, I was a self-employed mortgage broker and was looking for opportunities to study and stumbled upon an adult learning course to develop skills for the workplace. As this was mostly online with some physical classes in Cardiff, I felt that it was what I needed to brush up my skills, and it would also complement my Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMap) qualification.

“The course gave me the confidence to apply to university full-time and pursue my passion of all things related to technology, especially computers”, he explains.

This renewed confidence has led Sanwar to follow his dreams and begin his own enterprise.

“Ever since I was young, I wanted to study and pursue a career in computers, particularly programming but due to dyslexia I always struggled,” he explains. “At the time, I didn’t know that I had dyslexia or difficulties, and I assumed that this was normal and that programming was hard, but I always kept up with developments in technology, programming and gaming”.

Like many adult learners, Sanwar’s journey back to education wasn’t straight-forward. Although he has attempted to return to education previously, he says that work and family life took over: “I didn’t really do well in any GCSEs and it lingered with me and I wanted to go back into studies. I tried to redo my GCSEs in my late teens however due to workload this couldn’t be pursued, unfortunately, then, family life took over.”

However, he says that this was a blessing in disguise and enabled him to gain life experiences which he has used within his game development.

His prospects changed when he discovered the course offered by UWTSD in Cardiff which has opened the door for him to the second chance that he longed for.

He says: “Due to my age, I was extremely anxious and apprehensive, but thankfully, I wasn’t alone. I met wonderful colleagues and lecturers, and it just feels like home.

“There are some long days because I travel from Cardiff, but I know that I’ve made the right choice, and hopefully, I’ll graduate next year.

“It has enabled me to achieve an ambition I’ve had since I was young. I genuinely never assumed that I had the potential of graduating”.

Computing Lecturer, James Williams, says “I had the pleasure of teaching Sanwar in our second year Creativity & Innovation module. Since then, he has shown great creativity, focus, commitment, and entrepreneurialism. Sanwar has demonstrated remarkable dedication in developing ‘The Gaffer’, an impressive retro football management game that combines and shows depth, rich features, engaging gameplay, and innovative use of artificial intelligence. The project showcases not only strong technical ability, but also excellent commercial awareness, project management skills, and a clear understanding of how to create an enjoyable game and user experience.

“What makes this achievement particularly impressive is the passion, perseverance, and professionalism that Sanwar has shown and brought to its development. ‘The Gaffer ‘is a highly engaging and enjoyable game that football fans would enjoy playing. Sanwar has shown he is a ‘Bright Spark’, has many skills and positive qualities, and I wish him every success with both the game and his future career.”

UWTSD Enterprise Manager Dylan Williams-Evans adds: “It has been a real pleasure working with Sanwar and seeing the passion, creativity and determination he has brought to developing The Gaffer and establishing Pitchwork Studios. What makes his journey particularly inspiring is that he has taken an idea born out of his own interest in retro gaming and turned it into an exciting entrepreneurial venture alongside his university studies.

“Sanwar is a great example of how university can provide the confidence, knowledge and support to help students turn their ideas into reality. Through the Enterprise Team, we aim to help students recognise their potential, explore opportunities and take practical steps towards building their own businesses. Sanwar has shown what can be achieved when you combine a passion for something with a willingness to learn, seek advice and take that important first step. I look forward to seeing how he develops Pitchwork Studios Limited and where his entrepreneurial journey takes him next.”

Sanwar says that the courses he has studied at UWTSD have benefited him in so many ways and have contributed to his confidence and skills. He says: “I may not have created this game without the university. Three years of assignments and exams have increased my educational ability. I do feel like an academic person, even though I haven’t graduated yet. University and the game coincided perfectly and the University will give me a solid foundation to take my software studio even further.”

Sanwar’s Pitchwork Studios has its own website and The Gaffer will be released on Steam 30th of October.