Could this be the end game at Leeds?

The negotiations for the takeover of Leeds United by GFH Capital have been incredibly protracted, in part because of issues over the ownership of Elland Road and the club”s training ground.    Another issue has been whether Ken Bates would have a role under the new regime. This article from a Gulf sources suggests that the end could be in sight.

Chelsea leap out of the red

Chelsea have set themselves up well for the new era of financial fair play by recording a profit for the first time in the Abramovich era.   Along with Manchester City, they were seen as one of the English clubs potentially at risk from the new Uefa regime.

How Hearts lost their heart

I developed a serious interest in football in 1953 when I started to go to matches at Charlton with my father.   As my knowledge of the game developed, it became apparent that Scottish clubs often did not have obvious geographical names like their English counterparts.   Given his Scottish ancestry, my father made sure that I followed football north of the border.

Hearts on the brink

The long drawn out saga at Hearts may be entering its final phase with the possibility being raised that the club might play its last game against St. Mirren on Saturday 17 November.   In a letter to fans, the club has said ‘This isn’t a bluff, this isn’t scaremongering, this is reality.’

For the third time in a year the club faces liquidation over unpaid taxes.   Revenue & Customs presented a winding-down petition to the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday over just under £450,000 in unpaid PAYE and National Insurance.

Why do football clubs go bust?

We have long regarded Stefan Szynmanski, now relocated to the University of Michigan, as the leading football economics guru.   What he can do with a multiple regression and outliers (under or over performing clubs) is a wonder to behold.

Now he has started a new blog which promises to deliver informed, in depth analysis of topics on the interface between economics and football.  The first topic he tackles is the familiar one of football club insolvencies.

Darlo plan to return home

Darlington 1883 are making plans to return to their home town.  The Quakers want to secure the future of the club by returning to a stadium in Darlington in the next three years, although they admit it is a long shot.   They also have a six year objective to return to the Blue Square Bet Premier which will take three promotions from the Northern League.

Small change really

While Arsenal only lost 2-1 at Old Trafford yesterday, the margin could have been bigger if United had taken their chances.   The somewhat reluctant role played by Robin van Persie only serves to emphasise the need for Arsenal to develop a funding strategy to retain their better players and acquire new ones if they are to compete at the highest level.

Financial fair play isn’t so fair

We have long taken the view that financial fair play is not so fair as it looks.  It offers a means for the current elite clubs to shore up their dominance.  We have also expressed doubts about how effectively it can be enforced.  

Blues consider offer

Birmingham City FC are considering a formal £30m takeover bid made by a consortium headed by former QPR chairman Gianni Paladini.   There would be a down  payment of £17m.   The other bidders in the frame are a Chinese-Hong Kong based group.   However, Paladini’s group are seen as the favourites