"If you want some accessible but informative insight into football then I suggest you couldn't do better than the Political Economy of Football website, which is not only intelligible but comes with the added bonus of being written by Addicks fan Wyn Grant." Ben Hayes - Charlton Athletic programme
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe has ruled out fronting a bid for Leeds United. Earlier in the year, he asked his followers on Twitter whether he should make a bid.
Crowe thinks that the club could be turned around and restored to its former glories, but is concerned about the toll it would take on him and his family.
Championship clubs have amassed total debts of £1.1bn. Bolton Wanderers have the largest debts of £182.1m, followed by £179.6m at QPR with Ipswich Town some way behind on £82.1m.
The link between football and the geopolitics of global energy supplies may not seem to be an obvious one. But under conditions of globalisation, different sectors of the economy become intertwined. Football can offer prestige, influence and access to decision-makers. These links are explored in this interesting article.
The British Government has been trying to devolve powers to city regions in England. Greater Manchester has forged ahead, but the north-east has lagged behind.
Helen Barbour, the vice-chairman of wax jacket company Barbour, has expressed concern that the rivalry between Newcastle United and Sunderland risked jeopardising the region’s bid for devolution.
Karren Brady has defended West Ham United’s move to the Olympic Stadium. It has been the subject of some criticism, including an online petition. There is also talk of trying to revive a state aid complaint to the European Union.
Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News has been writing a series of blogs about the increasing trend of banning ‘off message’ football journalists from clubs. Newcastle United and Swindon Town have been two of the worst offenders, but Rangers and Celtic have also got in on the act.
Manchester City’s spending spree this summer should not get them into trouble under financial fair play rules. Although their gross spend has been £100m and could go up to around £150m if one more rumoured signing is made, their net spend is £35m. Even if it went up to £85m, the sum would be spread out over the life of the players’ contracts.
The Football League has issued detailed guidance on its revised financial fair play regulations. Championship clubs are allowed a loss of £13m in 2015-16 or £39m on a rolling three year basis.
The regulations attempt to take account of clubs moving between divisions. This is necessary given that Premiership clubs are allowed to make a loss of £105m. However, the question that arises is whether new unfairnesses have been set up.
The most impressive blog on football finance is the Swiss Ramble. He provides careful, in depth analysis of particular clubs. His latest report is on Ipswich Town, currently topping the Championship. Supporters of other Championship clubs should note that there are a lot of interesting comparative charts and tables covering all clubs in the division.
Sunderland fans turned on owner Ellis Short after they suffered their second defeat of the season at home to Norwich. Although they have overcome their yo-yo reputation, Sunderland have never finished higher than 10th since their return to the Premier League and have often been involved in a relegation struggle.