European Super League

[Euler]

I sat with a (foreign) chairman in a directors box once.

The thing that struck me was that the chairman didn't get that just pumping money into a club was enough. I remember the exact phrase they used, "it's like the fans think they own the club".

So I recounted how I grew up on the terraces of football club, saw it all, good and bad and how when you have been through that you wear that badge for life. It's like part of your family, good or bad. So you can't just run a club without the fans being onboard, well you can't but it's a massive uphill struggle.

I'm pretty sure that will always be the case as long as youngsters attend matches. My long term concern has that been that cost will be a barrier to that in recent years.

£2 to get into the Archers road end seems a long time ago.

[wearthefoxhat]

I've had sandwiches that have lasted longer than the ESL.

What a farce.

The clubs involved should get a 1 year ban from all competitions. Tottenham should get 2 for delusions of grandeur.

...and made to re-employ Mourinho for giggles.

[Euler]

Man City have left the building: -

https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/club- ... w-63754546

[wearthefoxhat]

Man City have left the building: -

https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/club- ... w-63754546

grave.png

[LeTiss]

£2 to get into the Archers road end seems a long time ago.

Archers Road?........you hard bastard!!

I was a pussy in the Milton

[greenmark]

Blimey! Carra/Neville and Souness going after FSG and the Glazers.
Not sure this is a good idea.
FSG have presided over great success for LFC.
Sure enough, the ESL was a horrible concept. But to bite the hand that feeds you. Erm! They made a miscalculation, that's all.
Is is not just part of coming to terms with what football means to us. We shall see over the next few months how this plays.

[LeTiss]

They are perfectly entitled to go after them. These Americans want to franchise the sport. Hopefully, they get driven out

[Archery1969]

There all leaving the ship now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56823501

[gazuty]

I guess it is all yet to be seen but is this a Trojan horse for something else. An attempt to cross the Rubicon or dip ones toe in the water, a battle for another day?

Be interesting in any overview about what this all means in the longer term (to the extent that can be speculated).

Edit. Just got an email - what does this (ESL) mean for private equity. Yep that is where the world is at, who cares about fans when there are implications for private equity funds. Still good to see my day job intersect with sport.

[Derek27]

Apparently BoJo telephoned the Top 6 club chairman and said “if you don’t pull out within the next 24 hours then I will send my barber around”

He doesn't have a barber. He just threatens barbers that if they don't vote for him he'll pop into their shop to have his hair cut.

[Naffman]

Rio Ferdinand not long ago said why don't Newcastle fans just simply buy the club off of Mike Ashley if they weren't happy with the way he's running it, so to all you big 6 supporters the answer is very simple

But in all seriousness if fans aren't allowed at least a 51% stake in a club then I don't see how the ESL doesn't come to fruition in the next 5 years, this was almost a tester to get the idea out there.

It's not like the PL, UEFA and FIFA are any better

[firlandsfarm]

Tottenham should get 2 for delusions of grandeur.

But will they now give Moaniho his job back seeing as he was right and they were wrong?

[firlandsfarm]

... just a shame that Bayern is so powerful they can simply hoard all the best rival players.

So not so healthy then! Bit like Celtic without Rangers ... boring.

[jimibt]

well, that was an interesting few days: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56823501

there's gonna be long term distrust and without putting too fine a point on it, HATE for the upper echelons in the top clubs. they literally stole their fans dreams and abused their loyalty and then when it all came crumbling down put out statements pertaining to have acted in their respective clubs best *financial* interests...

glad i'm a music guy and not football - these shenanigans would have depressed me

[firlandsfarm]

You can change your Partner but you can't change your club! (Fever Pitch, published September 12, 1992)

All 'business only' owners of football clubs should be forced to watch this montage of clips from Fever Pitch (especially the clip at 1:30) to understand not what they own but what they are responsible for. Even better if they watched the whole film. A well used legal description is that "you don't own it, you are just holding it in trust for the next generation".

A couple more clips to bring to their attention (or for a nostalgic watch) would be ...

We've all gone through the agonies and had the 'out of the window' moment (1:50)
The first minute sums it all up

If you claim to be a football fan and have never seen the film Fever Pitch (the original 1997) then I suggest you watch it and if you can't associate with it's emotions you are not a real fan!

As Peter said

... I grew up on the terraces of football club, saw it all, good and bad and how when you have been through that you wear that badge for life. It's like part of your family, good or bad.

Money can't buy that loyalty.