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Man City move into US market

Submitted by WG on Wed, 22/05/2013 - 10:40

In the latest piece of evidence of a continuing trend towards globalisation in football, Manchester City are to acquire a majority share in a Major League Soccer franchise with the New York Yankees baseball term. There is thus 'crossover' both in sports and countries.

City will have a team called New York City FC playing in MLS from the 2015-16 season, with the Yankees, a top global sporting brand, holding a 25 per cent stake. The new club could play in the same sky blue colours as City.

Is finishing fourth cause for celebration?

Submitted by WG on Mon, 20/05/2013 - 08:25

Arsenal fans certainly thought so yesterday, even though it was another season without a trophy. They had qualified for the Champions League again at the expense of their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Moreover, one cannot claim that their league position was a shock: they have finished 3rd or 4th every year since 2005.

Rotherham's good news story

Submitted by WG on Mon, 20/05/2013 - 06:47

It's not easy running a football club in an economically challenged small northern town near a bigger city. Stockport County are now playing in the Conference North, having at one time been in what is now the Championship. Bury also played at that level, but have faced serious financial problems.

The resurgence of Newport County

Submitted by WG on Mon, 20/05/2013 - 06:29

It's been a good year for Welsh football. Swansea City won the League Cup and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premiership where they will be joined next season by Cardiff City.

But in many ways the most remarkable story has been that of Newport County, albeit their promotion out of the Conference was achieved at the expense of another Welsh club, fan-run Wrexham. They are back in the Football League after a quarter of a century away.

Coventry City are for sale insists administrator

Submitted by WG on Fri, 17/05/2013 - 08:28

Paul Appleton, the administrator of Coventry City, is insisting that the Sky Blues are available for sale from today and that this includes the golden share which enables the club to play in the Football League.

Top Greek football club AEK Athens is casualty of crisis

Submitted by WG on Thu, 16/05/2013 - 06:55

The economic crisis has hit Greek football hard. Austerity has reduced the disposable income of fans, often drastically, and businesses have also been in difficulty. AEK Athens has become a major casualty of the Eurozone crisis.

They are preparing to declare bankruptcy and seek relegation to the third division. AEK were relegated from the Super League for the first time in their 89-year history in the season just ended. They are in serious financial difficulties and reported to owe 170 million euros in taxes. Angela Merkel, herself a football fan, will be pleased to hear that.

Bid for Coventry City

Submitted by WG on Thu, 16/05/2013 - 06:45

Reports that American millionaire Preston Haskell has tabled a bit for Coventry City and the 50 per cent of the Ricoh Stadium owned by the Higgs Trust have been confirmed. Haskell was in Coventry for nine hours of talks earlier in the week.

One of the continuing problems at the Sky Blues has been the lack of any stake in the stadium, but the Haskell backed bid for a share of the stadium would only go ahead if ownership of the golden share could be secured.

Kuwaitis swoop for Blue Square South side

Submitted by WG on Mon, 13/05/2013 - 12:44

Foreign investment now reaches into the second level of the non-league pyramid with Kuwaiti firm KEH Sports Ltd. acquiring Ebbsfleet United.   A subsidiary of the Kuwaiti European Holding Company, they have been advised by former Charlton Athletic chief executive Peter Varney.

Sir Alex the globalizing socialist

Submitted by WG on Mon, 13/05/2013 - 06:47

More has probably now been written about the depature of Sir Alex Ferguson than that of Margaret Thatcher and it is difficult to say anything fresh or new. Yet The Economist has managed to do so in its Bagehot column, named after the weekly's editor from 1861 to 1877.

United have the structures in place

Submitted by WG on Fri, 10/05/2013 - 13:55

Many United fans seem underwhelmed by the appointment of David Moyes as new Manchester United manager. The fact that he was the choice of Sir Alex Ferguson does not reassure some of them. They think that Sir Alex wanted someone in his own mould, not least a fellow Glaswegian.