A look at the job of chairman

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In the game of football, the role of the club Chairman or Chairwoman is an interesting one. They are certainly not all alike. Usually the job of the Chairman/woman is to try to earn as much income for the club as possible to either generate a profit or at least not make a loss.

Retained earnings can later be used to provide the funds to make significant player purchases from other clubs in order to bolster the player ranks as some of the older players prove that perhaps their best playing days are behind them.

The case for Chairmen/women for non-league football clubs is no doubt not that much different except that there is far less opportunity to generate income for the club, which makes it challenging to purchase players of a calibre to elevate the club out of non-league status.

Some leaders in football leave a lasting impression though. Matthew Harding left such an impression with Chelsea football fans when he ensured he managed club affairs in a transparent manner.

Over at Cardiff City, Mehmet Dalman the Chairman, recently apologised for the way he behaved in his dealings with the previous manager of the club, Malky Mackay. Fans are loyal to their clubs so this kind of openness creates more of a sense of forgiveness.

Manchester United on the other hand are seeing things a little differently with the current challenge of bringing down their debt which still stands in the hundred of millions of pounds.

David Moyes is overhauling much at United presently, so it is difficult to see how things will shake up in the medium term, but maybe Moyes will make the tough decisions needed to take United fiscally back in the first direction. Results on the pitch are not as strong either with a top 3 finish looking unlikely.

 

 

Robert Lewandowski moves to Bayern Munich

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There was much debate and speculation recently over the fate of Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski who looked set for a move away from the club to pastures new. Ultimately, the player agreed to be transferred to Bayern Munich who are Bundesliga league rivals, as a free transfer.

Arsene Wenger, the popular Arsenal manager has said that he did consider Lewandowski for the Arsenal Football Club, but he knew that the played signed with Bayern over a year ago so unless that situation changed he wouldn’t be able to seriously consider him.

Wenger also went on to point out that the team at Arsenal continue, like with all other clubs, to keep and eye on the transfer market to see which players might be looking to change teams or whose contract is coming up for renewal.

It is difficult to get big players because they are already at the largest clubs. Occasionally it’s possible to pick one up if the football club is experiencing some financially difficulties, but otherwise it is quite difficult, Wenger pointed out.

As with most clubs, they look at their youth teams and the youth teams of other clubs to see where there might be undiscovered talent that can develop with their club.

With Lewandowski going to Bayern Munich this summer, this brings into question the future role of Mandzukic who is another forward at the same club. The player from Croatia is not looking to move away, according to his football agent.

While the Bayern CEO Rummenigge stated that Mandzukic is not on the market, Wenger didn’t act surprised because the football season is not finished yet. At that time, people may start to sing a different tune and eventually be wearing different football jerseys too.

 

 

Michael O’Neill set to continue as NI manager

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The Irish FA has has announced that Michael O’Neill will continue as the manager of the national team. It seems to be the best choice for Northern Ireland football team but the manager will have to review his timetable once talks about his contract resume later this month.

Even though O’Neill’s initial campaign for qualifying for the Brazil World Cup suffered big blows following losses against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg he has one last chance to prove himself when the team plays against Israel tonight. However, he has already been receiving overwhelming support from different quarters.

When he first succeeded Nigel Worthington and when asked about his opinion on this responsibility and whether he felt that he could accomplish the task within the two-year period, he said that if he were comparing the team with others in the world, it would require 25 years of training to attain the goals ahead of him. Though this kind of humorous reply showed serious intent, there is little chance that the IFA will give the manager a 25-year contract. He might have to attain such goals within his contract period, 2 years.

O’Neill has to prove himself as an able candidate in tonight’s match with Tel Aviv, otherwise some people may question his abilities. His attitude, as he spoke before the clash tonight, was definitely that of a man committed to his new work. When commenting on his attitude towards a continued commitment he was as steady as ever saying that this has never changed since the contract began.

He quoted the former Wales manager as saying that not many international managers had done the job effectively before him and that he has had to learn through experience to deliver positive results. He said that it all boiled down to whether one believed that the players would deliver or not.

He was convinced that their performances deserved better results and that it was coming. He said that it was just a matter of time. He also spoke of some of the problems he was facing in his job. Though his fans might disagree, O’Neill seems to perceive problems, which were tougher than just the occasional loss to Luxembourg or the one at Baku.

 

New customers of the Man Utd credit card have a choice of limited edition designs

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New customers of the Man Utd credit card have a choice of limited edition designs

The four limited edition credit cards available for eligible new Manchester United Credit Card customers

UK-based fans making a successful new card application can opt for one of four “heritage” designs

New designs launched as MBNA and Manchester United Football Club extend partnership

 

MBNA, the credit card specialist based in the UK, has partnered with premiership football giants Manchester United to launch limited edition versions of their joint credit card in order to extend their collaboration to 2016. Any fan of Mancheter United can apply for a credit card from today, and select from one of the four custom-made designs which include:

  •  The “Champions 2013” logo created to celebrate United’s 20th league title win.
  • United’s famous Old Trafford stadium and “Holy Trinity” statue of club icons George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.
  • Ryan Giggs’ famous FA Cup goal celebration against Arsenal in 1999.
  • A legends design with images of club icons through the years including Gary Neville, Andy Cole and Peter Schmeichel.

The new card designs have been launched by Manchester United as part of an extended three-year relationship with MBNA, one of the UK’s largest credit card lenders. The two brands have been working together for the past 15 years.

The Manchester United Credit Card is available for UK-based fans now at
https://apply.mbna.co.uk/UKNeoCCapp/entry?sc=1UASMUFIMS001EC&mc=UAMMUF0030P.

The credit card offers eligible new customers zero percent interest for 20 months on balance transfers and money transfers, plus three months at zero percent on purchases*.

The new card comes with Red Rewards, an array of benefits and incentives developed specifically for Manchester United fans. For every £50 spent on the card, the cardholder will also be entered into a monthly prize draw with a chance to win a range of fantastic prizes, including club memorabilia signed by the first team and once-in-a-lifetime days out; including the chance to watch the first team train at United’s training ground.

Manchester United Group Managing Director Richard Arnold comments: “MBNA is one of the UK’s largest and most well-known credit card providers and the club is delighted to be extending its successful 15 year partnership for a further three years. We have eight million followers in the UK and the new MBNA Manchester United Credit Card will give these fans a new way of showing their support, whilst taking advantage of the attractive incentives and rates MBNA has to offer.”

Michael Donald, MBNA’s Business Development and Commercial executive, added: “Throughout our 20 years in the UK, we’ve established credit card partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic brands; and Manchester United Football Club is certainly one of those. We’re delighted to extend our partnership for another three years, and to celebrate, we’re launching something unique for fans based in the UK.”

* Terms apply. Full details of these offers are available on the website and within customer’s terms and conditions. The Manchester United Credit Card offers new customers successfully applying for the card zero percent on balance transfers and money transfers for 20 months (a 3 percent handling fee and 4 percent handling fee apply respectively) and as long as they are made in the first 90 days of account opening. It also includes zero percent on card purchases for three months from the date an account is opened.

Representative example 16.9% p.a. variable on card purchases. This is equivalent to 16.9% APR representative variable based on a credit limit of £1200.

 

Coventry and Northampton to share a ground for the new next couple of seasons

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It’s official; after much deliberation by the Football League, Coventry Football Club have been given permission to share grounds with Northampton Football Club up until at least the 2015/16 season, much to the disappointment of their Supporters Direct fan group

The football club, currently playing in League One had to relocate after falling out with the owners of their 32,600 capacity home ground, Ricoh Arena.

Football League board of directors are said to have ‘reluctantly approved’ the request made earlier this week by the Sky Blues’ administrator, Otium Entertainment Group to have the home games played almost 35 miles from their current home ground.

A statement by The Football League said the board had ‘deep regrets’ about the fact that Coventry Football Club’s administrators could not come to a mutual and amicable resolution with the owners of the Ricoh Arena. They also stressed however that the club are not in the clear yet as they still need to meet a number of pre-set requirements before they can be granted full approval.

The statement continued, “The Board wanted to ascertain where Coventry fans will be calling their home ground for the 2013/14 season which starts less than a month away. Despite this the Board wants to stress the fact that their go ahead was merely on a conditional basis. If the club ultimately wants the approval to be permanent then they need to exit administration in line with the conditions set forth in the League’s regulations, and successfully transfer its League share.”

The statement goes on, “The administrators, Otium will need to prove to the Football League, the intentions of the club to move back to Coventry in the near future. This proof is needed in the form of a £1m Performance Bond.”