chinapig

Interesting piece just published by The Guardian, covering Wigan and Wednesday: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/16/wigans-former-owner-kay-asked-about-administration-before-his-takeover We already know about Wigan's former owner but quite how Wednesday officials backdating signatures on legal documents doesn't merit more severe punishment is beyond me. The EFL remains incompetent and weak it seems.

Because Ashton wanted a role at the EFL so didn't want to upset big clubs perhaps? As a club that plays by the rules we have been disappointingly unwilling to put our head above the parapet.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/09/efl-clubs-fear-for-future-if-coronavirus-forces-behind-closed-doors-games

Any number of EFL clubs could be in big financial trouble soon. Just as well they have a billionaire owner. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/09/efl-clubs-fear-for-future-if-coronavirus-forces-behind-closed-doors-games

They have been saying that about Steve for years, it's just a desperate hope, in the absence of any hope for their own club. The question they should ask is: In 5 years time who is more likely to still be in place, Steve or Wally? Indeed, which club is more likely to still exist?

Perhaps Sheikh Mansour could take time out from his brave battle against the terrible injustice suffered by poor little Manchester City to arrange for Etihad to sponsor Bury?

I read (or possibly heard on one of the many football podcasts I listen to!) recently that TV money provides 89% of Bournemouth's income. They could be in big trouble if they are relegated.

I liked this response. At least one of them knows they are being fobbed off. I have lots of questions in my head & behind the scenes I am thinking of more, but to speak publicly about my questions would give others a commercial advantage. Other questions I have are subject to confidentiality & I have to move a question on before I can think of a new one.

Positively poetically put! Sadly, or hilariously, the delusion has returned in an even more virulent form than before. In evidence, I offer the fact that they believe what Wael tells them and that, despite the chasm between the clubs in every respect, they really think they are coming for us.

Sensible move. Why employ a Stadium Manager when you don't have a stadium?

Sounds like exactly the kind of thing Harvey would do so I am inclined to believe Wednesday on balance. “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” John Stuart Mill.

Thanks for the heads up.I always suspected the rules were relaxed to allow the sale of fixed assets at the behest of certain big clubs. But if it is true that the majority of clubs support Gibson, why did they not oppose the change? Never mind the rogue owners, nobody is asking tough questions of the compliant owners as to why they did not, and still do not, support Gibson in public statements. MA now has a formal role with the EFL does he not? Will he use it to fight the good fight or to further his own career? If the EFL does not get to grips under new leadership in the coming year we can regard FFP as effectively dead in the water imo.

Does this make them Trojan horse punchers?

The sort that will cost £30 from Harrods!

Sounds like a herbal remedy!

Add David Moss to that list.

Thanks for the link. The interview comes across as a journalist giving Harvey a free pass to whitewash his reputation. Why not ask him straight out why the rules were changed and who instigated the change? Somehow I don't think Harvey will be agreeing to an interview with the likes of David Conn.

You touch on something that is not usually factored in, the complicity of fans. Every club has its share of fans demanding their club spend big with money it doesn't have and some owners will do just that because it gains them short term popularity. My sympathy for fans of clubs in financial trouble is tempered by the fact that there was usually no sign of them being concerned when their club was spending recklessly and jeopardising its future.

I have been rooting for Villa's opponents every week and will continue to do so! Naturally I was distressed about their disallowed goal at Palace.

By the EFL's standards they have moved with breathtaking speed. Not that I have any confidence in the outcome.

https://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/200853-bristol-rovers-dustbin-thread/&do=findComment&comment=3600844

To emphasise my point about the EFL, the following is taken from the Guardian: David Conn tweets. He’s been talking to Debbie Jevans and the Football League’s executive chair says she’s “devastated” by the her organisation’s decision to expel Bury from the Football League. But no so devastated that she’s prepared to do anything to stop it happening other clubs beyond making vague noises about asking them to control their costs. Good luck with that, Debbie! More from David Conn: “There is no commitment to independent regulation, nor to any form of investigation into the details of what has happened at Bury,” he says, following his chat with Jevans. “She says they will receive information from C & N Sporting Risk who did due diligence, and then consider any further action or investigation. The EFL is conducting a governance review, which will examine the ‘fit and proper persons’ owners and directors test and the financial regulations; she declined to make any suggestions herself for reforms it should consider.” Conclusion: Going by what Jevans says, it seems that unless their hand is forced, the EFL will do precisely nothing to get their house in something approaching order in the wake of Bury’s expulsion. More than half of the 71 remaining league clubs outside the Premier League are living beyond their means and with the turkeys who run many of them extremely unlikely to vote for Christmas, what happened to Bury will inevitably happen to other clubs. Lots of other clubs.

Another well thought out piece, this time from Four Four Two. Warning: not for those with short attention spans! https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-english-football-can-learn-disasters-bolton-and-bury-so-they-cant-happen-again A point I had missed was that Debbie Jevans is a temporary appointment. Can't say I am convinced that the EFL will not appoint another Shaun Harvey in due course. The loose regulation suits too many owners I fear and there will be resistance to any attempts by Jevans to introduce proper governance.

A lot more background from David Conn here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/26/bury-britain-gigg-lane-brexit

The PL won't give a monkey's. The EFL were warned this was coming 2 years ago and ignored it. I have little confidence they will do much more than rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/20/experts-warned-efl-two-years-ago-clubs-like-bolton-bury-faced/