Article Taxonomy: Takeovers

Articles on football club takeovers and related issues

£200m American bid for Everton

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If there is a Premier League club that merits the label of ‘sleeping giant’ it is Everton.  Goodison Park badly needs investment or even a replacement.   The board has been trying to attract investors for years, but without success.

Now it looks as if American investors may be coming into the club, following the recent example of Crystal Palace.   The travails of Randy Lerner at Aston Villa or the challenges faced by Fenway Sports Group at Liverpool don’t seem to have put them off.

Palace deal completed

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The deal for a consortium of American sports investors to take a stake in Crystal Palace has finally been completed – and it’s bigger than expected.

70 per cent of Palace shares have changed hands in a deal which will give the investors a controlling stake.   The cost was £100m and they will put in £50m to upgrade Selhurst Park and invest in the playing squad.

Steve Parish will, however, continue to be involved in all major decisions.

Port Vale up for sale

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Port Vale have been put up for sale following their defeat in the FA Cup at Exeter on Saturday.  Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has pumped in 800k since he took over, initially with a business partner in 2012 and then as sole owner from 2013.

He clearly thinks he has not got value for money with Burton Albion topping the table on a 30 per cent smaller budget.

Aston Villa’s pain continues

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Aston Villa did secure an away point at Southampton yesterday, but they also created a new and unwelcome club record of fourteen games without a win.  They have spent 105 seasons in the top flight (only Everton have a better record) and relegation would be an unfamiliar experience.

Hopes grow at Bolton

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Hopes of a deal to save Bolton Wanderers are growing.   The club is perilously close to going into administration, leading to a points deduction and almost certain relegation to League One.

However, four parties have a serious interest in buying the club and it may be possible to conclude a deal by early next week.  

City may buy Chinese club

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Manchester City’s owners are exploring the possibility of buying a Chinese club as part of their global expansion plans.   As well as bringing commercial benefits, it could also be a talent pool for young players.

China is considered a difficult market to navigate and owning a club there would help that process.  The club will also benefit from its new partnership with China Media Capital (CMC) and CITIC Capital. Ruigang Li, the CMC Chairman and one of China’s leading media barons, is to join the City Football Group board.

Takeover bid at Woking

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A takeover bid is in the offing at Woking.   A consortium of lounge members led by a local businessman is interested in taking over.  In the year to 31 May the Cards posted losses of £437,000.  Finances have been tight there for some time.   The club is currently mid-table in the National League.

Majority shareholder Peter Jordan, who has pumped £1.5m into the club, is believed to have resigned from the board.

New era in football finance

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In the past wealthy individuals from the Middle East and Russia with money to burn bought football clubs as a prestige acquisition or a form of political insurance.   By and large, the days of individuals with deep pockets are over for reasons that have been discussed before on this page such as the fall in the oil price.