Leveller

To be fair, there is strong evidence the OP is one of us, and they all think he’s deluded. Some fairly sensible comments on there.

Correct, I think, except that the club’s value rises, it doesn’t stay the same. There is now capital of 120, not 100. And yes, the asset value is the same, but the debt has been reduced, so the net asset value has risen. This is why capitalising the owner’s debt is generally seen as a good thing - he has the same amount of money involved, but the balance sheet is stronger. If the business fails, the owner loses that extra money, rather than claiming it as a lender.

Eddie Howe may be on the brink of a move. Perhaps out of our reach, if it happens, but the geography might work in our favour for once.

This David Thomas from their Supporters Club doesn't seem to understand limited companies. Why does he say this guy would lose his personal home and be personally liable for the debts of the business?

It's actually less serious than flu in itself ... it's the lack of protection that is the issue.

Why? Surely a lot easier to treat it as null and void, rather than try to finish it in the autumn and start again immediately?

I’ve just come in for a break from the beach here in Greece. Little coverage on BBC Sport website, which basically seems to believe now that only Test cricket exists. However, they do have a “pick your Championship team of the season” feature which sets out the averages as an aide. I see Somerset have no batsmen in the top 20 of the averages - but 6 of the top 20 bowlers! Seems to tell a tale.

Exactly. Complaining that they have only just missed the (latest) deadline when they have got this far into the season just doesn’t wash. How long is the EFL supposed to wait, only to discover that the latest bidders may well pull out too. Why haven’t the latest bidders been involved before now. The EFL haven’t covered themselves in glory, but let’s not forget that in these desperate cases they’re probably sometimes asked to accept the only prospective owners that come forward with a rescue bid.

I’m following some of Alan Nixon’s tweets on Bolton, and he keeps stressing that the hotel is profitable and there are several buyers keen on it. The football club seems to be the problem. They are in administration separately but it seems hugely complicated.

On the other hand, as with all discounts, you could argue that it attracts people who would pay £10, but not £20, so they figure they’re getting something instead of nothing. It can work either way.

Your last line is is arguable though. The truly wealthy and supportive owners, like Lansdown will always put in as much cash as they feel they want to afford to achieve success. They aren’t a risk. Without FFP they may choose to inject £100m over three years instead of £39m. On the other hand, even FFP lets a bad owner take on commitments they can’t afford (as at Bolton). And if a Ken Anderson can let a club lose £39m before it is even investigated, then FFP doesn’t really achieve much - the club will be long gone before then if there is no capital injection to cover the losses. Nixon’s argument (as I understand it) is that the ordinary insolvency laws will come into play before FFP achieves any thing. FFP tends to punish the responsible owners as much as, if not more than, the irresponsible ones. Has FFP ever actually saved a club from disaster?

You misunderstand my post. He does understand that Bolton/Bury’s Problems aren’t FFP issues - his point being that EFL regs are punishing those that can afford to splash out, while allowing “fit and proper” owners to buy clubs they can’t afford to run.

On the other hand Alan Nixon, as an example, regularly tweets that FFP is pointless, and that owners that can afford to spend should be allowed to. He argues that EFL are punishing those that have the money, while allowing people like the owners at Bolton and Bury to ruin clubs, because they can’t cover the losses. I’m not sure I agree, and it doesn’t excuse breaking the rules that do exist, but he doesn’t ignore the issue, and it’s a valid point of view.

Bowling isn’t looking easy. A good lead, but a draw may still be the most likely result.

A few of you may also remember a neighbour of mine, Dennis Silk, who passed away a few days ago. Played for Somerset as an amateur and later a major figure in the TCCB and MCC.

... provided you bring your own canoe.

It was like Ashton Gate with the non stop Wurzels medley. A good day out.

If it was due on 26 January, why hasn’t it been paid? The selling club shouldn’t need to ask.

Beat Yeovil 2-1. Up to fifth.

Spending huge money on the British National Party? Mmmm....

What? Already?

We appear to have played there in the FA Cup in January 1958 - exactly 60 years ago! That was probably the last time as they folded in 1962 and resigned from the league. Obviously we haven’t been in the same division since then.

Another win and a further rise up the table. Just like the men. Sixth now.

I see they had a Home draw with Man City today. Good result.

It evidently began life in a supermarket car park, as somewhere to dump your used trolley. Then after a few years useful life it got sold off and downgraded as a temporary football stand.