Football Finance – Page 71 – Football Economy

Crisis deepens at Rangers

January 20, 2015 by WG

The power struggle at Rangers has deepened after former director and 14.6 per cent shareholder Dave King mounted a bid to remove four members of the board of the club, including the chairman David Somers, the chief executive Derek Llambias, and finance director Barry Leach.

The resolution by New Oasis Asset Management, Mr King’s family trust, also proposes appointing to the board Mr King and his allies Paul Murray and John Gilligan. The attempted boardroom coup is the latest instalment in the manoeuvring between rival shareholders trying to secure control of the club.

More troubles at Birmingham City

January 20, 2015 by WG

What has been described as the ‘soap opera’ at Birmingham City has taken a new twist. The club has revealed that £2.55m may have been misappropriated by a former employee from the parent company Birmingham International Holdings Limited. Shares in the Hong Kong based company were suspended six weeks ago and trading will not be resumed until further notice.

Ashley loan comes with conditions

January 16, 2015 by WG

Mike Ashley is prepared to lend Rangers £10m, but his offer comes with conditions that are unacceptable to Rangers fans. The Union of Fans umbrella group has asked for a demonstration and boycott at tonight’s match against Hearts in response.

A true benefactor

January 16, 2015 by WG

Benefactors have a variety of motives for investing in clubs, often personal prestige. Sir Jack Hayward, who died earlier this week, was a true benefactor for Wolverhampton Wanderers. His motivation was love of the club. He grew up a few streets away from Molineux and used to squeeze under the turnstiles to get into matches free as a child.

Will fall in oil price hit top clubs?

January 15, 2015 by WG

Will the fall in oil price lead to tightened budgets at top clubs whose owners derive much of their wealth and income from oil? Among the clubs that could potentially be affected are Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain and Malaga.

Big variations in non-league budgets

January 14, 2015 by WG

It is a big temptation for benefactors of clubs in the Premiership and Football League to try and buy success. In particular, many Championship clubs seek to chase glory through their cheque book, even more so now that financial fair play rules have been diluted. It can all end with an empty wallet and a sour taste in the mouth.

The Southampton model

January 14, 2015 by WG

Southampton have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League, a privilege that was supposed to be reserved for a small élite of top clubs. They do not have a rich benefactor. So how have they done it?

A lot of it is down to the right structure so that the departure of key personnel can be coped with. The emphasis is on long-term planning and a refusal to be knocked off course.

It’s tough for managers in the Championship

January 13, 2015 by WG

At the weekend Charlton Athletic’s Belgian owners bid ‘au revoir’ to manager Bob Peeters after a poor run of results. He was the 14th Championship manager to bite the dust this season. In contrast only two managers in the Premiership have been forced out this season, although two have departed of their own accord.

Manchester City parent company investigated

January 12, 2015 by WG

The complex structure of Manchester City’s parent company in Abu Dhabi, the City Football Group (CFG),. In the context of financial fair play (FFP) rules, Uefa is interested in how losses are divided up between the parent company and its subsidiaries.

‘We want to buy a club’

January 11, 2015 by WG

Today’s edition of The Non-League Paper carries the following advert: ‘Small cartel of local businessmen are looking to acquire or take the majority interest in a non league football club. Ideally in or around the M25 but all responses considered. Our aim is to build a club both on and off the field and try to achieve League Two status.’