Future of football

[albie]

Interesting article on the future role of fans in the running of clubs;
http://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/2013/12/future-football-depends-fans

Even a reference there to the fit and properness of hedge funds.

[Alickismyhero]

Thanks for that Albie, a very good read. I would recommend you read Broken Dreams next it will give you some background information on the type of management, or the lack of it, football has, its all built on greed and people like Bates.

[silent majority]

That article stems from the DCMS committee findings into football governance, yet they still prevaricate. As a supporters organisation we keep applying the pressure, the breakthrough is now overdue.

[Wokingviking]

I'm surprised that this thread hasn't produced a greater response.  This subject is at the heart of what organisations like the VSC are trying to address.

The benefactor model is "not where you'd start from"... but given that is what we have, it's apparent that the VSC is working very effectively within that environment.  As an exile and therefore at a distance, I still get a strong sense that the future is looking good and that we're in safe hands on the supporters/community side.  Keep up the good work VSC.

[albie]

It links in with the governance question which is at the heart of the debacle playing out at Coventry too.

The FL gave permission for the golden share to be transferred to the hedgesters, without thinking through the likely responses. They are not really acting in the interests of sporting integrity by disregarding the outcome from these decisions.

I think the football establishment are like rabbits in the headlights when faced with the financial movers and shakers. The business model for the game that they have approved includes the race to competitive destruction by the mega rich, without a balancing consideration for other interests.

As an example, look at this summary of the ticket revenues in the Prem;
http://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/latest-news/premier-league-clubs-loss-per-ticket-analysis

Clearly, as a spectator sport Prem football is becoming a subsidised activity due to the budgets and spending of the top clubs, even as fans find it more and more difficult to afford match day prices!

As the article shows, the increase in revenues from TV etc is covering the gap, but what happens when relegation happens and the financial fall-out kicks in?