Premiership owners. Heaven sent or Devils in disguise?

Premiership owners are a motley crew aren’t they. Whether it be saddling a club with debt, using their ground as a political safe house or undermining their fellow owner/the manager/chief executive they are certainly an interesting group. The past few years has seen an influx of foreign investment enjoying varying amounts of success and varying popularity.
 
So, Premiership chairman, are they heaven sent or devils in disguise?

First up, the devils. Coming in an array of disguises, they have meddled, infuriated and purchased world class players in equal measure.
 
The problems some United fans have had with the Glazers have been well documented. Whether it is offloading debt, introducing unpopular ticketing policies or generally undermining the structure off the club, they haven’t endeared themselves to the Old Trafford faithful.
 
Liverpool likewise, in-house fighting and appearing to meddle in transfer policies. The delay building the new ground could have serious implications for Liverpool. The Scousers are likely to need to relocate to the new stadium if they are to compete long term in the transfer market with United, Arsenal, Chelsea and now them from the Middle Eastlands.
 
Chelsea have shown the potential to become a private members club. As Abramovich brought in ‘friends’ Shevchenko and Grant,  Mourinho, Chelsea’s most successful manager left under a cloud as John Terry became caretaker manager until Big Phil turned up.
 
Then there’s Mike Ashley. What can I say? Newcastle United, more interesting than a soap opera. Whether it is Dennis Wise (football) popping up all over the place, Ashley trying to sell the club to anyone he comes into contact with or Keegan doing a Keegan and quitting, disaster never seems too far away. Ashley’s decision to get rid of the Geordie Messiah surely wasn’t the best idea.
 
Instead of highlighting the failings of these unruly Premiership owners though, I say we champion some of the ‘heaven sent’ bunch. Just like the premier league, I think there is a ‘big four’ heaven sent premier league owners.

In recent years Steve Gibson and Bill Kenwright have adopted a measured approach to success. Gibson has invested heavily in the academy and provided Southgate with respectable funds and generous support. Kenwright has accepted that new money needs to come into the club but has shown he knows the best way to run a club. Moyes is given the control and trust usually reserved for Fergie and Wenger. The backing he has received and the trust Kenwright has shown in Moyes’ long term ambition may not have been present at other top flight clubs.

The set up at Aston Villa and Arsenal is just as admirable. Funds available to both managers, total support from top to bottom and a willingness to accept that the manager knows more about what should be happening on the pitch. Randy Lerner has so far shown to be very successful and has given Villa fans confidence in American control that United and Liverpool fans would be delighted to have had.

So, whilst it seems some owners are intent on one day being on the touchline, some are only interested in profiting from the consumers, at least others seem to have the right idea – leaving the football to the manager, after all, that is his job………….

Craig Malpas

Comments

[Simon]

Agree with you about Gibson. About time some owners outisde the big 4 got column inches.