Action Replay – Steel, sand and Salford
Professional football might seem to be a matter of massive transfer fees, millionaire players and even richer owners. But of course it isn’t always quite like that.
Sheffield Wednesday are an unfortunate example. They have not played in the top tier since 2000, and have had an up-and-down time since then. In 2015 the club was bought by a consortium headed by Dejphon Chansiri, a capitalist from Thailand whose family own the world’s largest producer of canned tuna. The intention was to invest in players and so gain promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, but things did not go as planned. Recently, players and other employees were not paid on time or in full, causing some players to leave. The Premier League provided support that allowed some players to be paid. Chansiri has said he is willing to sell the club, but wants £100m, widely seen as far too much. Supporters, who are becoming really concerned about Wednesday’s survival, displayed a flag with Chansiri depicted as Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses.
Lower down the pyramid, Morecambe FC have been suspended from the National League (the fifth level) after the owner failed to sell the club. The players could not train, the academy no longer functioned, and things looked very bleak. After a number of years in the Football League (including some in League One) Morecambe were relegated from League Two at the end of last season. Jason Whittingham, the owner, has been under pressure to sell but could not find a buyer. Supporters fear for the club’s existence, and local businesses and community groups are worried too about the income and facilities that the club provides, as well as the entertainment. In the words of one supporter, ‘We might win, lose, or draw – the result doesn’t really matter. We’ve never let football get in the way of a good day out.’ At the time of writing, though, it appears that a sale has been agreed.
Nor are such problems confined to football. Rugby league club Salford Red Devils have won just two of twenty-one games this season. They were forced to play a number of loan players against Hull FC and conceded 80 points after a number of top players left and wages were paid late. The owners, who bought the club at the start of the season, have maintained that they are committed to the club, but supporters are again dubious and very worried.
Sport is about trophies and success and the enjoyment of following a team, but financial issues often intrude into the good times.
PB