So I thought I’d have a go at thinking about what makes a big club. What makes a big club club in any case? And has the definition of a big club been clouded by the sudden influx of money into the modern game? I’ve decided to stick to the Premier League for now in an attempt to try and work this out.
Personally I think that money talks so I thought of a few criteria to go along with it. The first one is global brand recognition. This important because it adds to the value of the club, and reflects what it says on the tin. These figures reflect the clubs worldwide fan base. These figures were posted recently and discussed so I’ll keep short and sweet.
Manchester United are in a league of their own with a “brand value” estimated at £853m, and recent signing Kagawa won’t harm that as they look to bolster their reputation in the vast Far Eastern market.
Then there are three clubs between £350m and £400m Chelsea, Arsenal and then Liverpool. I think Liverpool are dropping down and may well have trouble holding onto 4th with Manchester City moving rapidly up to just over £300m. There is then a gap to Spurs at just over £200m
Finally we get down to Aston Villa and Newcastle who apparently have a “brand value” of nearly £90m each.
This sort of explains why pre-season tours are arranged to grow our global presence. Of course the other factor here is recent success.
I’m looking at both the short term and medium term here. The Premier league table aggregated over the last 20 years shows that again Manchester United are in a class of their own with 1663 points. Then we have Arsenal with 1449, Chelsea with 1402, Liverpool with 1334 then a gap to Villa who have 1089 points, Spurs with 1086, Everton with 1034 and Newcastle with 1017. With Blackburn dropping out there is a gap down to City with 784 points.
Looking at the last two years Manchester United have managed 169pts, City 160, Arsenal 138, Chelsea 135, Spurs 131, Then Newcastle on 111. Liverpool and Everton are on 110 with Fulham the only other club managing over 100 points.
Looking at appearances in Europe it is clear how the top of the Premier League has been dominated by a handful of clubs, with only the Europa League providing the rest with a chance to showcase their talents in Europe.
I think it is interesting to look at stadium size and local fanbase. The stadiums were built at a time of relative success for the team otherwise they could not have afforded to do so and the size gives an idea of how much local support is expected. Only three clubs have ground capacity exceeding 50,000 and that is Manchester United (75,811) Arsenal (60,361) and Newcastle (52,387). Then we have clubs with 40k+ in descending order, Sunderland, Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton.
Lastly I thought I’d have a look at turnover and owners. After all in “soccernomics” there is a correlation between the clubs wage bill and it’s success. There being a much lower correlation between squad cost and success.
Under the new Fair Play rules the idea is to limit the wage bill to ensure that it is controlled by turnover rather than how deep the owners pockets are, but how successful that is going to be is open to debate. Also turnover is again heavily dependant upon success. Champions League football is worth say £40m per year. So gaining success and then planning for it to continue is fatal, ask Leeds or Portsmouth.
It is clear that owners are willing to gamble with success, but not many can afford to do so. American ownership does not look to do so it appears.
So where does that leave us. The Manchester clubs look secure. United, despite their debt, have a massive global brand, and turnover to support their business model, whilst City have very deep pockets and are looking like they will have the prolonged success necessary to avoid the pitfalls of overreaching themselves. Arsenal and Chelsea have the potential to remain big clubs, especially if Chelsea build a new stadium. Spurs and Liverpool are at a crux. Neither have the stadiums, and both would be vulnerable to lack of success. Neither have owners with deep pockets and both could see their global brand falling. Villa have already fallen and unless their new manager can turn them round they will have a long way back up. The two North Eastern clubs both have tremendous potential, but the odd successful season here of there is not enough to break them into the super club level.
Unfortunately it looks as if the Champions League places are Manchester United’s, Manchester City’s, Chelsea’s and Arsenal’s to lose. Much as Spurs and Liverpool would like to see themselves as one of the big four they do not have the resources to shift them and unless their business model is based on Europa League football they are putting themselves in danger. Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland and Everton are all big clubs however none of them have the global brands, the finances or the current success to build on.
A few years of cup runs and maybe the Europa League could provide the momentum to change that and Newcastle have promised much in the last season. But Even a few years of success will not establish you, as Sir Bobby Robson found out to his cost.
one good season doesnt make newcastle a big club, if Liverpool came in with serious bid for any newcastle player they would sign in an instant
john(Quote)
Good read Premandup. It is worrying that even though we seem to be progressing as a team the last couple of seasons, that we are falling behind the rest due to our relegation and championship campaign, with teams like Villa seen as equals in brand value.
We need to have a few pre-season tour’s over to the far east and countries where we are unknown to perhaps gain a lil interest and support and further increase our ‘global image’.
floydy(Quote)
A clubs history is what makes you a big club something which newcastle hasn’t got.all newcastle have is a good ground!
KARL_VILLA(Quote)
Im struggling to understand this obsession with ‘what is a big club?’….
witters(Quote)
Liverpool have been on the decine for years and I’m not sure they’ll ever be the classed as a top four side for a long time, Man City, Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal all have the resources to stay top four with Spurs, Villa, Liverpool all hoping to gran 4th spot at best, think we’re in the mix with those 3
stevep(Quote)
The only reason history is all that matters to you Karl is that’s the only thing you have to justify Villa’s big club status. And you don’t have much of that…
witters(Quote)
a big cub is same as any business, its defined by cash turnover and profit, which in turn is gained by success on the pitch – history won’t buy you players or gain you new fans
stevep(Quote)
I’d say Newcastle ate one of the smallest in the prem. Big stadium but very fans outside Newcastle. Never met a Newcastle fan!
Chris(Quote)
richietoon, from previous thread,
I was just pointing out that what he stated has so far bin correct, he did say we were in for a dutch international who was in the 28 man squad,
But yeah demba hasnt gone……. yet anyway.
But he has got more right than any one else for example @cwarr of twitter or the journalists who are apparantly in the know.
Alex(Quote)
What makes a big club is history, world-wide fan base and the media interest the club generates. South of gateshead no one cares about NUFC For exampole when ManU were relegated in the early 70’s nobody in their right mind would say they were a smaller club than Soton or Ipswich just because they were in the division above them. The same is true with NUFC and Lpool. You may have put in a better league performance last year but nobody can assume that makes you as big a club. Dont forget in your best season for a long time you won nothing and qualified for the Europa league. We in our worst season for many a year won the carling Cup, got to the FA Cup final and qualified for the Europa league. Next year we will improve your season is a flash in the pan. Thats how it is! Do you honestly believe that when “bigger” cluibs come knocking for the likes Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa they will stay at NUFC
GP(Quote)
Great article.
I can only speak from an LFC point of view, but I believe that things are on the up from a financial and Global brand point of view.
FSG bought Liverpool as they realised there’s more money to be made from football than American sports due to its Global appeal. They are making moves in South East Asia and the US to promote Liverpool FC and increase the fan base.
LFC have the 4th higher shirt sales Worldwide and the new kit deal with Warrior Sports is one of the (if not, the) largest shirt deals in football history. On top of that, the sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered is the largest in Premier League history.
On the pitch however is a different story. I think finishing 5th or 6th and having a decent head-to-head record with other big clubs (which we always tend to do) would suffice as far as the manager keeping his job and getting more cash in the coffers for the following season is concerned
But in the long scheme of it the Champions League has to be the Holy Grail for increasing the fan base Worldwide and attracting the calibre of player and the ‘big name’ signings.
Spurs seem to be struggling financially at the moment and with Man City paying half of Adebeyor’s wages last season, would have probably struggled without him.
FSG have shown they are not afraid to splash the cash, although I think they will be a lot more cautious about it now, and I think that in Brendan Rodgers they have opted for a manager that can deliver a style of football (Tiki Taka) that will appeal Globally (like Barcelona), but I believe serious squad restructuring is needed over the next couple of years to do so.
The Spade(Quote)
Don’t worry about the mighty reds boys still remain the most successful club in British footballing history
King Kenny(Quote)
Witters, I think that’s why I wrote this piece.
premandup(Quote)
Great read at the start but then you seem to fall short when you start to realise that you are backing the idea that a club such as liverpool is actually a bigger club than most despite their recent downfalls. Form is temporary, class is permanent.
Chris(Quote)
Good look at what makes a big club with alot of interesting lines of thought . As a sixty years old Villa supporter I would just like to add that although all the criteria above are relevant and important, circumstances also play a part. What I mean by that is I have seen lots of clubs that are ‘big clubs’ at certain times for instance; I can remember when Man U and Liverpool were not big at all winning nothing between them prior to the sixties and Wolves and Leeds were viewed as big teams. Prior to that (even before my time) Huddersfield and Charlton were ‘big teams’. It just goes to show that ‘big teams’ come and go and even Man U and Chelsea will not always be ‘big teams’.
moocher(Quote)
GP… i think you are just trying to fool yourself. You had a shocker of a season and everyone knows it.. hence your manager sacked and ours won LMA managers award. We may have over acheived but my god you lot failed in spectacular fashion.
I dont see any newcastle player wanting to go to liverpool, unless Simpson etc who is being sold off anyway. Our main guys would prob go to any of the only big top four in UK, man utd, man city, **** or chelsea. All other teams are way below these. I think that we are neck and neck with the spuds, i think that liverpool are slightly behind us along with everton. The rest make up the remaining slots in some order.
The only question is if we can maintain a steady ship and aim for top 6 next season. It would be good but as with all things newcastle, we are only ever one sale awat from a disaster and all rats jumping ship!
my prediction for vnext season..
Chelski
man utd
man city
****
spuds
newcastle
liverpool
everton
fulham
villa
and the rest….
craig chisholm(Quote)
king kenny.. you said the right word there at the end.. HISTORY. zzzzzzzzz.. get over it, its as bad as england fans banging on about 1966 ffs.
craig chisholm(Quote)
chris @8 i see you dont get out of the house much then 😕
batty(Quote)
LFC have 4th highest shirt sales Worldwide (behind Man U, Barca and Real Madrid).
Sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered is the joint biggest (with Man U) sponsorship deal EVER! (£20m p/yr)
LFCs shirt deal with Warrior Sports (£25m p/yr) is bigger than Man U’s deal with Nike (£23.5m p/yr) and set to double after Adidas restrictions on non-branded merchandise are lifted!
14m fans in Thailand, biggest fan base on Weibo (China’s equivalent to Facebook – the only way to estimate who they support) and the biggest fan base in Malaysia!
That’s why Liverpool are referred to as a ‘big club’.
Red John(Quote)
moocher agree 😉
batty(Quote)
First of all I think that all our premier league clubs are big clubs and should be shown respect. But what is an important factor is the demographics of a club, fair enough Newcastle and Sunderland do have a large fan base but these are both one club cities. They also attract fans from Durham and Northumberland, imagine if Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham were only one club cities the fan base would equally be as large if not bigger due the size of population of these cities.
john(Quote)
There needs to be some balance between history, present day success, global positioning, fan base and stadia
Newcastle have a great team, fan base (in England) and a manager who worked miracles but they are a long way from being considered a big club, although the delusion of their fans would have you think they have always been a big club since they once challenged Man Utd and Keegan flipped out.
Leeds, Shef Wed, Notts Forest have all been considered big clubs at one stage or another and yet……
But it’s no longer about big small and medium sized clubs, it’s practically Super Clubs such as Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea (in the Prem) and everyone else!
pigeonstreet(Quote)
Im down in Kent right now for a family do this weekend, vast majority here and some from Southampton are all fans and never lived up our way. Yes one of the family played for us, but that’s not why, they are just fans and always have been. Point I’m making is that we are about all over the country, think this blog proves it, fans from all over post on here. May not be able to get to the games, but love the club and not glory hunters
Simon(Quote)
ONE good season does not make one “a big club”
LFC has not won the league for over 20 years, BUT still LFC is recognized one of the big clubs in europe(let alone england)
its history and world based support that makes you BIG
still a long way to go for NUFC
wal(Quote)
red john@18.. yeah but you also play **** footy, are now also rans as far as trying to compete in the prem is concerned and are living on past glorys. There are maybe two sides of the coin here.. yes ok, you have alot of global appeal (which will soon fade off as most away supporters are fickle and follow the winners), but on the flip side, your on field performances are only as good as your last season. There is no point in pointing to what you did several years ago in trying to beef up what happned last season. It like some bloke being in loads of debt and having no money but trying to say he was rich as five years previous he had a wedge of cash, even though its now all gone. I can never ever see liverpool pushing for anything higher than 4th spot as a maximum these days.
craig chisholm(Quote)
@23.. there is that word again used by all liverpool fans these days.. history.. thats all you lot are going to be for a fair while i think. always in the mix for europa and maybe 4th spot champ but that is it and we all know it. The main difference between our fans is we are not blinkered like you lot and we are not living in the past. We all know that nufc could be anything from 5th to 17th as that is the nature of our club. You lot cant yet grasp that what was once a great club is now just a bit part player in a bigger picture, a side show to the main event.
craig chisholm(Quote)
I think the problem for some clubs, like Liverpool this season and maybe Arsenal next season is this… These clubs are built on being a ‘top 4’ finishing club. They sign players and pay them wages on the basis that they will finish there every season. So what happens to these clubs when a Man City rolls up in town and they all have 3 spots to fight for instead of 4. Or next season if City and Chelsea finish 1 and 2. It means Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool are fighting over 2 positions. Someone has to lose out. Thats why we (and Villa, Spurs) arn’t a ‘big club’ in the premier league sense IMO, we havn’t got the extra revenue that these guys built up when they were successful and use to dig themselves out after a poor season.
DJG(Quote)
off topic for a mo,talk about weddings going with a bang 🙄
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/9322530/Police-called-to-wedding-of-Newcastle-Utds-Danny-Guthrie-after-stately-home-braw
icedog(Quote)
Excellent points Moocher, post 14. If were on about history, then Man Utd and Liverpool both had periods where they weren’t considered the biggest clubs even in their respective cities.Busby and Shankly changed that, but they weren’t always top of the tree.In fact Liverpool pre 1959 hadn’t achieved that much in terms of trophies and were probably behind Newcastle.!! Football now is about money and with the clout that Man City and Chelsea have, then it is difficult to compete, but not impossible. Everton have always managed to have a go and Newcastle last season were very competitive.”Financial Fair Play” may help to create a level playing field, time will tell!!
SCOTSWOOD SUEDEHEAD(Quote)
What a great read…lol But sadly more for it’s comedy value!
The trouble with modern day premier league fans is they think it’s a day by day thing!
Because Manchester City won the league do you think that’s it! Instant global sales? Do you think they’re anywhere near as big as Liverpool?
In this country whether you like it or not (regardless of you wanting or hoping for it to be any different) there is only 2 genuine global teams with huge support. Liverpool and Manchester United.
How Newcastle a team that constantly flirts with relegation and has not won a thing for 60 years feel they have a right to chair such a debate is beyond me!
This article and thinking is laughable.
SuaRed(Quote)
Liverpool’s support in Asia ect. will start to fade. Don’t think for one second that these fans are’nt as fickle as they come. They just want to support the winners and champs league clubs like Man City. As pointed out here…
‘Then there are three clubs between £350m and £400m Chelsea, Arsenal and then Liverpool. I think Liverpool are dropping down and may well have trouble holding onto 4th with Manchester City moving rapidly up to just over £300m. There is then a gap to Spurs at just over £200m’
DJG(Quote)
these clubs are losing so much money….its a joke nobody will buy these clubs at that price..so 2 value something that high and lose that amount of money will come back and bite them…and clubs like us if ran right will then be laughing…man u who the hell is going 2 pay over a billion pounds..
asim(Quote)
SuaRed @ 29 There’s a bite on the line.. reel ’em in boys!
DJG(Quote)
United, City and Chelsea are going to be the biggest going forward. United because they’re United and City & Chelsea because of their owners. Then, for me, it’s Arsenal and Liverpool. Arsenal have the ground and the matchday income and Liverpool still have their massive global support. Considering how low Liverpools matchday revenue is, their turnover is huge. Once they sort their ground out, if the FFP rules are adhered to then I think Liverpool and Arsenal could prosper and get a lot closer to that top 3 group of clubs. Then come Spurs and Newcastle. It’s going to be very hard for these clubs to continue to make the push into the top 4 but both have proved it can be done. However, for me, City United and Chelsea willbe the top 3 for the next 2 or 3 seasons at least.
Phil(Quote)
Liverpool have a rotten cor, a terrible team and have been **** for three years now.
BUT they are still undoubtedly the second biggest club in England.
Their worldwide appeal means that it just a fact.
It’s takes decades to rid yourself of a great reputation. I’m sure most of us would still class Leeds as bigger than half the prem teams.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Afraid most the scousers commenting are right. Luckily we generate a lot of interest so despite never winning anything generate more interest than teams like everton. We are light years away from liverpools level of support, no matter how awful they become. We know more than anyone that lack of success doesnt fade passion.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
DJG@32
SuaRed@29
Comedy Value, that’ll be £35 million then!! 😀 😀 😀
SCOTSWOOD SUEDEHEAD(Quote)
Alex sorry to disappoint you mate but Anita isn’t the lad I was talking about.
We won’t hear anything on that chap until after euros 😉
We will see mate its all speculation and journo talk nothing concrete and can always change but will stick to my guns on this.
We shall see
On topic nice article prem!
Liam southern toon(Quote)
Sunderland swoop for new twin strike force…… 😆 😆 😆
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2009/08/03/newcastle-cat-and-dog-shelter-in-donkey-row-72703-24303020/
Munich Mag(Quote)
Really good read btw prem. well balanced and realistic
not actually sure why there’s scousers complaining, you’ve said where we arrive and the huge task we have trying to grow worldwide
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
looks like danny guthrie had a good knees up at his wedding.. ah there is some nice scouser class for you! i would loved to have been a fly on the wall there.
craig chisholm(Quote)
LFC fans living in the past? Champions League winners in 2005, runners up two years later, FA Cup winners 2006 finalists 2012, League cup winners last year.Second in the league before Benitez got the chop. Not a run of success to match the Mancs or Chelsea but better by half than the rest and still fresh enough in my memories thank you – Honest truth – if thats a decline how many fans would settle for that – Point is even at our lowest ebb we still are a big club even
Malachyjac(Quote)
Strange that like, Guthrie seemed like one of the better behaved in the squad, maybe it was his trashy scouser wife and her side. 😆
DJG(Quote)
MalachyJAC@41….so from what i can make out …..you are saying that other than the league cup that no-one cares about out of the big teams (not you by the way – I mean current big teams and not historical ones like yours as if they had fielded any team other than the kids you would not have won that either), that your last win was in 2006 with the FA cup.. so thats like six years ago… yep…. sounds like history to me. Its all past glory isnt it.. your clubs trend is one of going backwards and that coupled with your dire losses and massive debt, small stadium that is ****, means that you can never realisically compete with the top four any time in the near to middle future. I quite liked liverpool when it had a heart and soul but now, its now just a **** club owned by people that pronounce football as soccer.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Canny read Preman, but I hate big club arguements , however…
Karl-Villa….read up on history before commenting, it’ll avoid you looking stupid 😉
Chris@8…so small you bothered to come onto one of their blogs, makes you a bit of a **** really!
GP…”We in our worst season for many a year won the carling Cup”….learn your own history before making arsehole comments, 2010/11 was a worse season overall for you ffs
Suared…acting the arsehole that he is every time he comes on here or other teams blogs so no surprise there 🙄
Moocher….good comment fella.
It always depends on what criteria you use but imo in England I’d say as global names you have Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, after that you’ll have Spurs, Citeh(they’ll move up) NUFC, Villa, Everton. I live in Spain and have lived in Germany and the English tops I’ve seen on sale most are obviously the first 4 along with Celtic, after that I’ve seen NUFC and Spurs, I can’t remember ever seeing any of the others I’m afraid.
richietoon(Quote)
Prem good read mate 😉
I agree with my honourable friend @ 44 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Alex…from previos thread, what I was saying is that other than Drogba leaving(his contract had run down so was nailed on) nowt else is right, even if we sign someone from the Dutch league it has to be a “mega” signing to be claimed as correct, we’re very likely to sign someone from there and the French leagues as that’s where we do most of our scouting, I don’t think anyone can clainm that as being “ITK”…..even Demba leaving can hardly be claimed as it’s been mentioned by every robber and his dog. 😉
richietoon(Quote)
The global support that LFC currently has will fade in a few years. The new owners are still willing to put money into the club, so the overseas support will hold on for a bit longer. Bit there is no way they can pull ahead of thr Manchester clubs and Chelsea for a while. Arsenal will stay ahead of you guys because Wenger has them in a great financial model. Admit that your club is no longer one of thr elite. None of our players would leave for u guys. Fact.
AndrewT(Quote)
*previous & claim 😳
Dave 😉
richietoon(Quote)
DAVE “every robber and his dog,”batty never said a word mate
icedog(Quote)
Well fat rich @ 44 knows his stuff spot on mate 🙂
batty(Quote)
thanks for the support lads, at least it proves the Newcastle fans can read, others seem to either be a bit selective or just spouting rubbish.
premandup(Quote)
Batty…thanks(I think) 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Batts he doesn’t get too much right but an odd time he nails it 😀
Ice Batts knows how to keep quiet, but its normally because he’s eating 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
see Demba Ba is requesting £70kpw to move. to Galatasaray. Seems like he’s on more than the max £25k that newcastles wage cap is set at
premandup(Quote)
Globale suport means nothing to making that club big if they have to borrow to pay off a years interest on their debt like Man U.All it means is that if their creditors were to call in in debt they would go bankrupt.
Terry Jones(Quote)
whoops forgot the link
http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=3026
what does that imply for his long term security at SJP
premandup(Quote)
I see a lot of Liverpool fans are having a go at us. To be honest Ive been a Newcastle fan for 10 years now and I live in the US! Ive actually seen many Newcastle fans like myself and people who respect Newcastle over here. Regarding Liverpool I think ive only seen one. Now I know Liverpool have a big fanbase in Asia but do you really think that fanbase will always be there? You said it yourself big clubs come and go and im not saying Liverpool will decline. Im just saying its a possibility. If Liverpool keep having seasons like this one their global fanbase will begin to decline and thats the truth. Liverpool is a big club but so is Newcastle. I wouldnt say Liverpool is bigger than Newcastle honestly. Our fanbase will continue to grow and so will our team. Steven Gerrard wont carry you forever.
ManassasMag(Quote)
Its an interesting debate and agree with moocher than at certain times clubs are regarded as bigger than others. But personally you have to look at success on the pitch for me. You can have a massive fanbase but no trophies doesnt mean a lot. When ever I have discussions with mates the same names crop up all the time a true really greats, Real Madrid Ac Milan Inter Man U Liverpool Ajax Barca Bayern why? because they are all clubs who have constantly won trophies in their respective leagues and the European Cup. ( I say this as I dont recognise any of this chumps league, bit like a division 1 play off now champs finish 35 points head of 4th but they with the cup! pathetic, anyway thats another discussion) in the UK you can add Arsenal cleary by a country mile more successful than Chelsea. Never relegation trophies consistantly throughout their history and arguably bigger than Man U Liverpool because of this. Chelsea pre 2001 could never be classed as a big club and even today they only get 42000 with no waiting list for season tickets. If they are to be included then the Villa have the same amount of fans, same amount of trophies and 1 Eurpean Cup to the Villa and one chumps league to them.
3 Largest for me will still be Man U Liverpool Arsenal and forget how much money they get off sky etc. Until other teams overtake the number of trophies they have won there is nobody else.
AstonVilla64(Quote)
Terry that’s not quite the case. the Glaziers have used their borrowing to dramatically increase Utd’s turnover and particularly profit. Yes debt is high, but they are over £50m a year profit higher than before they took over. Utd debt levels are not insurmountable. Global support enables you to do big shirt endorsements as Red John @18 said.
premandup(Quote)
think that says 70euros not £ so hes not greedy 😀 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
AV64…good comment and agree up to a point, but I think these days you can’t just count trophies won, if you did then Wolves, Sheff Wed, Blackburn, Forest and Leeds would be in the top 15 clubs, would you put them all in that “big club” bracket now? The other thing to consider these days finishing 4th is regarded as more successful than winning a cup, especially the league cup, although personally any fecking cup would do me 😉
richietoon(Quote)
man city bought the prem, chelsea bought the prem. If some rich oil tycoon bought villa or nufc we woyld win the league also. Anyone who says man c are a big club are jokers, when you have won 30-40 trophies then come back. Its easy for man city when you pay ridiculous wages, just remember where you were 15 yrs ago, and as for big teams look at the ones who have never been relegated from the premiership, only 7 can boast such a record.
tez(Quote)
what makes a big club is a club with a fan base creating alot of revenue to keep hold of and retain a premier league team, only luck can keep a club with little money in the prem because sooner or later your luck at nufc of finding cheap players who come good will end and so will your prem posistion. big clubs are clubs with big mooney whether its fans or owners mooney sad but true.
chris(Quote)
Oi Richie you neggar! 😆
When I claim in a itk?? I posted earlier mate don’t get too worried 😀
I just shared a bit of info with a few chums
Liam southern toon(Quote)
Good debate and good article Prem.
Agree with those who say that there are now mega clubs and then everyone else. I would not include Chelsea and ManCity because if their owners leave they’ll go back to being middle of the road.
As the Vila fan said, you only get into that mega group by winning consistently. LPool is probably in that group only because of their huge international fanbase. But those fans won’t be around forever if they stop winning.
MDS(Quote)
I reckon that it’ll depend on the next generation with regards to Liverpool. If they haven’t established themselves as fighting for the title in the next five years then people around the world will lose interest, the children in Asia will stop buying Liverpool shirts which will inevitably be replaced by City shirts. Also one of the main reasons that the likes of America and Asian country’s support these clubs is because football isn’t fully established there so they look to other leagues for the entertainment, now that their leagues are getting bigger and their money is attracting bigger players they’ll be watching their league and won’t pay as michigan attention to the others.
Andymag(Quote)
Liam…Soz wasn’t having a go at you(though it seems that way)…it was more Alex saying you’d got a few right, Drogba can’t really be claimed as can’t “any” player signed from the Dutch league, you were excited about it so that’s why I said on the last thread that I didn’t reckon the current ones being linked are the “one” you were talking about and the “ITK” is in reference to your mate not you 😉 …..I’m still hoping the one you were talking about is Narsingh or Bas Dost
richietoon(Quote)
Tez so your saying stoke are a big club 😯 😯 😯 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
why would i be saying stoke batty lol
tez(Quote)
also dont confuse succesful with big, man city may have no history but theyve got such a big cheque book they can get nearly any player in the world how many clubs can say that, i’m a liverpool fan and hate man city as much as you’s but they are a club who could come in and take your best player when ever they want that makes them a big club the only question is can the owners keep paying out there pocket untill the fan base can support the club or will they be going down in the next 10 years at the mo theyve got no chance of supporting that wage bill with out digging into his own mooney and dont forget the shakes oil is very nearly run out some say max 5 years.
chris(Quote)
ICE yr right it was only euros. should never have bothered posting.
premandup(Quote)
Oh and I see Ed has posted a blog to answer my question @56
premandup(Quote)
Off topic
Maybe **** journo stuff but if not it sounds good
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/06/10/newcastle-united-close-in-on-dutch-international-pair-signings/ 😀
Andymag(Quote)
not that he does of course
premandup(Quote)