thank you mr chairman
Anyone who has seen the tremendous Michael Sheen film ‘The Damned United’ can not fail to recall the fractious relationship Brian Clough enjoyed with football club owners, particularly Derby County’s chairman, Sam Longson. Back in the day there was a time when we were guaranteed not only a soundbite but a tirade and near life-story from a football club owner, even (or especially) when the club was on a downward spiral. Show them a microphone and look for cover!
Those days are long gone. We have no idea what Roman Abramovich thinks about Fernando Torres’ open goal miss last week or two foot challenge yesterday, which gives him an automatic three-match ban. We are completely in the dark when it comes to Malcolm Glazer’s long-term plans for Manchester United. Much to the chagrin of the gooner faithful, God only knows what Stan Kroeke makes of Arsene Wenger’s worst start to a season in living memory.
The reality, of course, is that club ownership is a very different beast to what it was 20 years ago. Since the initiation of the Premier League, the local millionaire businessman has been relieved of philanthropically keeping his childhood team afloat by some of the richest individuals and private equity firms on the planet. In most cases, if not all, you can rest assured that it’s not because of a shared passion for the club! The few ‘old school’ that remain, Everton’s Bill Kenwright being the most visible, are on borrowed time.
The new money pouring in has transformed football in this country; there are new stadia, state of the art training grounds, on-site Michelin starred restaurants, facilities beyond the imagination of the common-man and a fair share of the world’s finest players to gawp at. Yet the swagger of progress has left a raft of casualties in its wake; huge ticket prices often beyond the means of the traditional and local supporter, a sadly depleted and under-strength national team and insolvent and technically bankrupt clubs to name but three. Delve deeper and somewhere between the sheepkin car coat and a box of Havanas you’ll find the remains of a forgotten chairman who appreciated the importance of, for richer for poorer, communicating with his congregation and speaking his mind.
In recent years, the protests at several clubs, particularly at Old Trafford and Anfield have highlighted the importance of club ownership in the eyes of the faithful. Down the M6 at Stamford Bridge, home of the true red, Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea is often derided as nothing more than a rich man’s plaything, yet it is undeniable that the Russian’s ill-gotten gains have delivered success on a scale not seen for decades. The only concern for many is what happens when/if he gets bored with it? The least those fans are entitled to expect from their team’s owner, is that they will respect the club and it’s traditions and heritage. The owner has to be in it for the long haul, through ups and downs, promotions and relegations, feast and famine, and to ensure it’s run responsibly so there will always be a team there to support. Personally, with six already in administration I see several more going the way of Maidstone United, who went bust in 1992.
