FAN ARTICLES

Be Careful What You Wish For

By Steve Hogan :  15/06/2007 :  Comments (6) :

"Why can't we attract a rich uncle just like the other kids?" seems to be the cry coming from the playground...

Whilst Man Utd, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa have already undergone changes of ownership, and Arsenal, Birmingham and Manchester City may follow soon, the fans I believe don't fully understand the long-term implications of such a radical change in the ownership of their clubs.

Nobody has really examined the motives of the new custodians, particularly the recent American aquisitions. Having worked as a senior manager for a large American soft-drinks manufacturer, let me tell you, the bottom line is profit, profit, profit and nothing else. They will cut costs to the bone to develop their franchise (a terminology used recently by Hicks and Gillette across the park) and won't tolerate dissent in any shape or form.

Also, don't think they will automatically generate unlimited funds for new 'superstar' players from across the globe; note the uneasy silence from Rafa as the promises to do 'whatever it takes' to put Liverpool at the summit of English football again start to disintegrate.

Oh no siree, the first priority is to build a massive stadium to generate funds from activities associated with commercial opportunities. Ironic then, that those same activities will increase the amount of revenue to allow Hicks and Gillette to pay the massive bank loans they needed in the first place to purchase the club. This fact seems to have been conveniently forgotten by most Liverpudlians in the euphoria that followed the takeover of the club.

Despite the soundbytes about preserving the Reds' traditions, the Yanks have purchased a 'franchise' ? nothing more, nothing less ? and one on which they expect a return at some stage in the future.

Also, nobody has really commented on what will happen when the two custodians across the park pass on to that great pizza palace in the sky... By my reckoning, they are both in their seventies, will they be around over the next 10 years to see their dreams fulfilled? And will their sons and heirs still share their fathers' passion for English Football and want to continue with the day-to-day involvement of running a Premier League club from 6,000 miles away?

All questions nobody has really asked ? What happens next? Will these clubs then be put up for auction to the highest bidder whose new intentions may not be the same as the original purchaser.

Perhaps I have used the worst-case scenario in terms of the American owners of United, Liverpool and Aston Villa ? after all, the Icelandic chap in charge of West Ham seems to have the best interests of the club at heart, but I am pretty sure at some stage in the future if the Premier League bubble ever bursts, there will be some heavy casualties as the 'get rich quick' brigade look for an early escape route.

So what happens next for Everton?

Perhaps Bill Kenwright should place a notice under the 'Wanted' section of the world's greatest financial institutions under the headline, "Wanted, a billionaire philanthropist to cherish and preserve one of England's best-known sporting heritages. Large and loyal fanbase drawn mostly from the local community, fiercly passionate and not afraid to make their feelings known if they believe their club is being mismanaged...

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a franchise (oops, there I go again) first established in 1878. Massive potential: timewasters need not apply"

Don't hold your breath for a stampede of would-be purchasers...

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