Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by Ellen
What does it take to turn a teenage coding experiment into a worldwide gaming phenomenon? In SCORE!, tech entrepreneur Jeroen Derwort shares the extraordinary true story of how he built Online Soccer Manager (OSM) from a small attic bedroom in The Netherlands into a global empire with over a hundred million players.
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SCORE! The Untold Story Behind Online Soccer Manager’s Rise to Global Fame
This is not just a story about business. It is a story about vision, grit, obsession, setbacks, leadership, and believing in an idea when nobody else does.
If you love football, gaming, startups, or inspiring founder journeys, SCORE! belongs on your reading list.
From Bedroom Code to Global Competition
In 2001, Jeroen Derwort was a young computer science student living at home with his parents. Like many teenagers, he loved football. Unlike most, he decided to build something from that passion.
With nothing more than a computer, determination, and a big idea, he began coding what would become Online Soccer Manager. His goal was simple: allow football fans to experience the thrill of managing their favorite clubs in a competitive, strategic online environment.
What started as a hobby quickly gained traction. Word spread. Players joined. Communities formed.
And then it exploded.
Online Soccer Manager grew into one of the world’s most popular football management games, attracting millions of dedicated players across continents. What began in a quiet attic in The Netherlands became a global force in gaming.
The Chaos Behind the Success
SCORE! doesn’t romanticize entrepreneurship. Instead, it offers a candid, unfiltered look at what it really takes to scale a startup.
Readers get a front-row seat to:
* High-stakes negotiations with global corporate giants
* Boardroom clashes with some of the world’s biggest football clubs
* Legal battles and brand protection struggles
* The fight against digital hooligans and online chaos
* The pressure of leading a fast-growing team
As OSM scaled, so did the complexity. Hiring employees. Managing culture. Securing partnerships. Protecting intellectual property. Maintaining servers for millions of users. Making payroll. Handling criticism.
Behind every headline success story lies sleepless nights, hard decisions, and moments of doubt. SCORE! reveals them all.
More Than a Business Book
What makes SCORE! especially powerful is that it is deeply personal.
Jeroen Derwort describes himself as a shy, somewhat nerdy teenager who suddenly found himself thrust into high-level negotiations and leadership roles. He had to evolve quickly. Coding skills alone were no longer enough.
He had to learn:
* How to lead a growing team
* How to negotiate with global brands
* How to manage risk
* How to stay calm under pressure
* How to survive in the Champions League of the gaming industry
This transformation—from introverted developer to confident CEO—is one of the most compelling arcs in the book. It is proof that leaders are not always born; sometimes they are forged in the fire of responsibility.
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Partnerships with Football’s Elite
One of the most fascinating aspects of OSM’s growth was securing partnerships with major international football clubs. Negotiating with powerful organizations required strategy, patience, and confidence—especially for a young founder from a startup background.
SCORE! walks readers through the tension of those conversations, the fear of rejection, and the thrill of signing game-changing agreements.
These partnerships legitimized the platform and helped propel it into new markets. The once-skeptical critics who dismissed the project as a small hobby were forced to reconsider.
A Landmark Exit
After more than two decades of growth, innovation, and expansion, Jeroen Derwort successfully sold the company behind OSM to **Miniclip**, a subsidiary of **Tencent**.
For many entrepreneurs, acquisition is the ultimate milestone. But SCORE! explores the emotional complexity of that moment. What does it feel like to let go of something you built from scratch? To hand over your creation after years of personal sacrifice?
The sale marked not just a financial achievement but a defining chapter in Jeroen’s journey—one that landed him on the “Top 100 Self-Made Millionaires” list.
Why SCORE! Matters Right Now
We live in an era where startups are glamorized and viral success stories flood social media. But real entrepreneurship is rarely linear. It is messy. Stressful. Uncertain.
SCORE! cuts through the myth and delivers something far more valuable: honesty.
This book is for:
* Aspiring entrepreneurs who need realistic encouragement
* Developers wondering if their side project could become something bigger
* Football fans curious about the business behind their favorite management game
* Leaders navigating rapid growth
* Anyone who has ever been underestimated
Jeroen’s story proves that you don’t need Silicon Valley connections, massive funding, or early validation to build something extraordinary. Sometimes all you need is skill, obsession, and the courage to keep going when others doubt you.
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About the Author
Jeroen Derwort is a Dutch tech entrepreneur who transformed a childhood passion into a global gaming phenomenon. In 2001, while still studying computer science and living with his parents, he launched Online Soccer Manager (OSM).
What began as a simple idea grew into a company employing 50 people and serving millions of players worldwide. Through perseverance and strategic partnerships with top-tier international football clubs, Jeroen built OSM into a respected powerhouse in the gaming industry.
After more than twenty years at the helm, he successfully sold the company to Miniclip, part of Tencent’s global gaming portfolio. Today, he is recognized as one of the Top 100 Self-Made Millionaires and remains an inspiring figure in European tech entrepreneurship.
The Ultimate Playbook for Dreamers
At its heart, SCORE! is about daring to dream big.
It is about starting before you feel ready.
It is about learning skills you never planned to need.
It is about staying in the game when things get tough.
From a lonely attic to global recognition, Jeroen Derwort’s journey is proof that the biggest victories often begin with the smallest steps.
If you have ever had an idea sitting quietly in your mind, wondering if it could become something more, this book will challenge you to take it seriously.
SCORE! is not just the story of Online Soccer Manager. It is a blueprint for ambition.
Get your copy today and step inside the real-world drama, determination, and drive behind one of gaming’s most unlikely success stories.
Your dream might be closer than you think.
Ellen is a serial entrepreneur who owns 9 profitable blogs, two printable stores, an online vintage jewelry business, and a variety of other work at home endeavors. She shares tips for working at home successfully.