07 Jul 2025 08:03:29
This morning I sent an email to out Chairman (TB) the FAB and the CST.
Having researched as much as I could on the most recent UEFA judgement against the club I believed it was important to ask questions and express concerns.
I asked was the breaking of the rules a mistake/ oversight or situation the club believed it could manage?
I asked was any expected fine the reason for the increase in ST prices?
I also pointed out that ALL fans expect to see the best team possible represent the club in the major competitions. If by there actions the fans were denied the opportunity to see some of our players in UEFA competitions then that would in my opinion gross mismanagement.
I have always said that if you break the rules you deserve the punishment and this situation is no exception. I have also said that if I believed any breaking of the rules was the fault of the owners I would express my anger towards them.
I have applauded our owners when they have delivered but I will always be critical when I believe it to be deserved.
I should also add that it is my firm opinion that PSR/ FFP in its present form is not fit for purpose.
07 Jul 2025 09:19:07
Well done Tom and hope you get a proper detailed reply.
Yes PSR/ FFP not fit for purpose and some clubs seem to be all but immune to any serious sanction while others not so.
07 Jul 2025 09:51:50
Tom
Losing circa £40mil due to a lack of FOS did not help our cause with PSR.
07 Jul 2025 10:35:57
Tom, I think most supporters and commentators agree that the PSR rules are not fit for purpose As far as the PL is concerned I don’t see why the clubs can’t agree some sort of solution that most, if not all, are happy with. As for UEFA, that is a different kettle of fish. Presumably, they are happy to dish out fines so that their officials can enjoy 5 star hotels, first class air travel and plenty of fine wine.
I find it hard to believe that the hierarchy breached these rules by a mistake if so, it demonstrates a lack of governance and competence. The other alternative is just as concerning. We will have to sell players to balance the books so that we can register our new signings for Europe. That in itself isn’t a bad thing as we clearly need to trim the squad but it depends on who we sell. Bill, is right, in view of the financial regulations we have comply with and the need to generate income this FOS sponsorship issue is becoming a joke. I just hope that any new deal is worth waiting for.
07 Jul 2025 11:52:48
JBS, I have a mixed history on recent CFC replies. The one I received regarding ST pricing was nothing short of a disgrace but I did get a more positive response on ticket resales. Of course my annual request for the removal of away fans from The Shed is always ignored.
The club and FAB were roundly criticised for its poor communication a few months ago and I personally find it disappointing that our owners have not come out and clarified the most recent UEFA sanctions.
In the last few days all I have received from the club is offers of semi final and final ticket packages.
As I have said many times, I believe in praise and criticism when they are due. I certainly don’t want to turn into an anti owner moaning minnie!
07 Jul 2025 17:26:39
Bill, can I humbly suggest that if you feel that having no FOS maybe caused the price of ST’s to rise or us failing the UEFA tests, then please send the club and maybe cc the CST an email with your concerns.
My view is that if we have a legitimate complaint or concern about the club I assume we all love then we almost have a duty to express those feelings to the owners.
07 Jul 2025 17:53:02
Tom
It's not the full reason however it's certainly did not help having an extra £40mil.
07 Jul 2025 18:05:16
Bill, it’s very doubtful you would get a satisfactory answer or reason about our lack of FOS sponsor but I always think it’s better to ask the question and then be disappointed with the answer than not asking the question! Maybe it’s just a me thing!
07 Jul 2025 22:32:32
I don't think we will have a FOS sponsor until Q4 of this year at the earliest as the launch of Riyadh Air keeps being pushed back unless the club decide to abandon the deal and target another sponsor!
08 Jul 2025 08:27:32
Greenaway, if they are to become our FOS it would be nice if there logo was on our shirts for the first premiership game. Also, I wonder if we might be doing a deal for our stadium naming rights?
08 Jul 2025 10:31:18
At present Gambling companies make up 55% of all PL shirt sponsorship, in Europe and south America as a whole that figure rises to around 60%. The PL has effectively banned gambling firms from FOS from the end of this season. The decline in take up from non gambling firms is already at an all time low as they look to spend their advertising budgets primarily on Social Media based campaigns and influencers.
Who will bridge the gap if anyone? Research predicts a 40% reduction in advertising spending on football shirts in general, once the Gambling ban comes into effect.
Football has always been seen as a working mans sport and the traditional shirt sponsorships have been brands targeted at that sort of audience, Beer brands used to adorn several clubs shirts (interestingly the last Beer brand to advertise FOS in the PL was back in 2017/ 18) but that seems to be a thing of the past.
In the modern climate Airlines, mainly Arab based, are popular and willing to pay large amounts for the right club. Insurance firms are also still active in football across Europe but few and far between. Tech Companies have the odd dabble into sponsorship but seem to be short term rather than wanting say a 5 year deal. Crypto companies have also shown interest but it's a very volatile market and there is no guarantee the deal wouldn't fall apart when the Crypto market dives. Mobile phone providers have also sponsored Football teams but that also seems to be on the decline. New sectors looking to advertise via football shirts seem to be worryingly thin on the ground.
There is every likelihood that we will see a lot of blank shirts in the 26/ 27 season in the PL unless companies in non gambling sectors see an opportunity to get some cheap exposure with clubs drastically lowering their sights on what they expect to charge for FOS.
Where does it leave us? We are still a fairly big draw and being back in the CL should make us even more marketable but the days of companies falling over themselves to offer a £40m plus a year deal for 5 years is probably over. We may have to lower our sights a bit on a longer term deal or keep taking short term deals on decent amounts. If we can snag a big deal over an extended period the club will have done very well in the current climate. The 26/ 27 season is going to be carnage and the sooner we get something in place the better.
08 Jul 2025 14:27:00
RPD, I enjoyed your summary on supposed prospect of a FOS. As you say it will be interesting going forward not only for our club but clubs in general.
10 Jul 2025 07:49:58
RPD, you make some interesting points. We should have Guinness on our shirts. lol. With our American owners I am surprised we haven’t been able to hook up with a company in the USA. As someone else mentioned some time ago if we aren’t going to have a sponsor for a specified time we should sponsor a charity for free.
14 Jul 2025 20:23:09
I’m not sure about changing sponsors during a season or competition. I seem to remember some strange rule. Maybe I’m just thinking of the CWC.