Football has an ownership problem yes, but the blame for the decline of the great game should be shared across the board

James Childs on 2 February 2025

Over the last thirty years, there has been a growing concern amongst football fans alike around the direction of the sport and whether it ultimately fails to serve local communities in a way many of our parent’s generation remember. A growing problem is the ever-bigger distance between fans and the club’s ownership, which can be seen across the tiers of English Football with ownership protests seen at Reading FC, Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and my own club, Sheffield Wednesday.

Protests have been sparked as a result of fans feeling as though their voice often wasn’t heard and fears around the long-term future of many of these clubs. These fears are understandable after clubs such as Bury FC and Darlington FC’s ownership battles ended in the teams having to start again at the bottom of the English Football pyramid.

The stark truth is that the last three decades have seen the gap between fans and owners widen even further, as both stakeholders have very different interests and objectives in their clubs. Naturally, fans seek investment in both the infrastructure and squad in an attempt to progress as far up the pyramid as possible whereas owners are much more focused on turning a profit or receiving a return on their investment. 

The days of the local businessman owning the football club are long behind us, now it is often rich American businessmen for clubs such Arsenal or Burnley or even the Saudi government, as is the case for Newcastle United. The objective for these owners solely comes from the drive to expand their fanbase on an international scale, in the hope of generating extra revenue for the club. This was demonstrated when Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook suggested that their League One match against promotion rivals Wrexham should be played in the States, an idea which had zero thought for the fans of the English and Welsh side yet seemed appealing to the American owners of both clubs. 

The scrapping of FA Cup replays for the current 2024/25 season, against a backdrop of much fan disgust, went ahead, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola conceding that it would harm smaller clubs but “much better’ for those teams playing in European competitions. The money available from playing in European competitions makes historic competitions like the FA cup of no interest to Premier League owners. 

The expansion of television coverage, particularly over the last ten years, has been another decision, taken purely for profit but with little consideration for fans. Games are now changed at short notice to appease Sky schedules and broadcast at times which hinder travelling fans. On Wednesday evening, Burnley fans were expected to make the 630-mile round trip to Home Park, a fixture which leaves fans no choice but to make accommodation arrangements. The game was also broadcast on Sky Sports Football, a match one can only assume was picked as it was a relegation threatened team versus a promotion contending team, no matter what inconvenience this makes for the fans.

As mentioned previously, my own club Sheffield Wednesday has been in the forefront of protests against our Thai-businessman owner, Dejphon Chansiri. Fan grievances come from a mixture of ticket prices, poor operational decisions, lack of investment and our near dice with relegation back to League One last season after a less-than-ideal start under the management of Xisco Muñoz.  Whilst I agree fans have a right to protest their ownership and that owners should fundamentally be ‘custodians’ of the club as opposed to ‘owners’, I often feel my own teams fanbase are so blindsided by their hatred for our owner, they unfairly portion 100% of the blame for our misfortunes on him. This view does not make me popular with friends, family and the wider fanbase, particularly on social media and I have often been called a ‘traitor’ for holding views about the club I love which differs from the consensus. 

The most recent disgruntlement from fans has come after a lack of progress for the Owls in the January transfer window. Despite no communication from the coaching team to the Chairman around which players they wish to purchase and less than helpful comments made by manager Danny Röhl around transfer rumours, fans wish to place all the blame at the door of the owner. My sympathy for our owner grows, when I see the abuse he is subject to on social media, not only directed at him but also his family. I agree that Chansiri deserves criticism for some poor business decisions in the past, particularly those that have seen the club receive points deductions or transfer embargos, yet he cannot be blamed for every issue seen at Hillsborough and he certainly should not be subject to any form of abuse, no matter your views on his ownership.

Football clearly does have an ownership issue. The distance between fans and owners is ever widening and decisions made by owners, the FA and media companies are only adding to this. However, fans must be reasonable in the blame they place on owners and, as is the case for my own club, when they should also look at the decisions by the wider footballing establishment when looking who to blame for their disillusionment with the great game. 

Words by James Childs

Rooney’s Rough Ride…

jacob hibbert on 19 November 2024

Throughout his playing career, Wayne Rooney was regarded as one of the best attacking
talents of his generation and English History: totalling up 237 club goals in 569 appearances
and representing England 120 times.

His managerial career, however, has taken a slight turn for the worse…


The Englishman, 39, started off at Derby County as a player-manager and eventually got
the job permanently in January 2021. He then stepped down in June 2022 after a poor
season which saw them relegated to League One. Rooney then headed to the states, where he
managed D.C united for 53 matches, getting just 14 wins in the process. After leaving under
mutual consent, he came back home and took charge of Birmingham City following on from
the controversial departure of John Eustace.

He was sacked just 15 games later after only two wins during that time.


Since the end of the 2023/2024 season, he has been in charge of Championship side
Plymouth Argyle. They are currently sat 22nd in the table, in the relegation zone on goal
difference. As a side that was in League Two just five seasons ago, trying to become a
recognised Championship club was always going to be a challenge- especially in such an
unpredictable league. However, after the successful spell of Rooney’s predecessor Steven
Schumacher, the England legend should be looking to build and secure Plymouth’s
championship status.

With young talents such as Morgan Whittaker and Bali Mumba, it’s certainly possible.


With his managerial CV lacking much success, does he have the skills to get it right at Plymouth?


As a young manager, there is still a chance for Rooney to prove himself, although it does
feel as if time and opportunities are running out for him and another failed job could put the
future of Wayne Rooney as a manager in serious jeopardy.

Words by Jacob Hibbert.

A turbulent Ten Hag era comes to an end

Freddie Waterland and Daniel Bloomfield on 2 November 2024

Manchester United have sacked their manager, Erik Ten Hag, after a 2-1 defeat at West Ham, leaving them 14th in the Premier League.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy was interim manager for just one game before Ten Hag’s permanent replacement, Ruben Amorim, was announced.

After a positive first season in 2022/23, Ten Hag failed to elicit consistent performances from a squad among the most expensive in the world.

The 2023/2024 season was Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing in 8th place and conceding a club-record 58 goals. In Europe, the 3-time winners won just one game out of six, a display not good enough for even Europa League qualification. 

After 14 games in all competitions this season, his team had only managed four wins. Despite two successful cup runs in two seasons, Ten Hag’s stock had shrivelled so dramatically over the course of his tenure that he could not afford another abysmal start to a campaign.

In hindsight, Ten Hag never fully recovered from the 7-0 embarrassment at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool in March 2023. Confused, lethargic and ultimately unsuccessful performances became his trademark. Such was the consistency of his team’s mediocrity; it was almost a surprise that last Saturday’s loss to West Ham relieved Ten Hag of his post.

Unfortunately, the chronic wastage of transfer funds—notably on players he had formally worked with—will be inseparable from his legacy. Since his appointment, Manchester United have had the second-highest net spend in the Premier League, yet they still seemingly require improvements in several positions. Ten Hag’s green-lighting the £82 million purchase of Antony in his first transfer window, a winger who has only achieved five goals and three assists in 56 league games since, set the tone for a woeful recruitment strategy.

Moreover, several high-profile rows during his time at the club did not help Ten Hag. He stamped his authority on United’s squad by releasing an ageing Cristiano Ronaldo and exiling Jadon Sancho after an ill-judged social media post questioned Ten Hag’s management. Sancho, who has mostly underperformed at Manchester United, was released on loan, only to shine again at Borussia Dortmund, where he reached the Champions League final in June.

Though he was appointed to deploy his specific possession-based style, United have appeared inconsistent and ostensibly under-coached as they did during the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was criticised for lacking tactical depth.

Of course, Ten Hag went into this season knowing that his employers had tried hard to replace him in the summer, saved only by their failure to find anyone suitable; his narrow escape from being axed in July was hardly a restoration of the United boardroom’s faith. They surely regretted their decision to stick with him when, in September, United were again outclassed by Liverpool, this time at the hands of Ten Hag’s compatriot Arne Slot. The irritable, brusque, frustrated Ten Hag was neatly juxtaposed by the warm, softly spoken, tactically superior Slot.

United have moved fast to replace Ten Hag, announcing Ruben Amorim in the same week the Dutchman was sacked. Amorim has been immensely successful as Sporting Lisbon’s coach, guiding his team to their first Portuguese League title in almost 20 years in 2021 and securing another last season. He was rumoured to be Liverpool’s top target to replace Jurgen Klopp last summer. Amorim is best placed to get the best out of United’s Portuguese contingent, including their talisman, Bruno Fernandes.

Taking charge of one of the world’s biggest football clubs is never easy, but Manchester United finds itself in a particularly precarious position amongst the football elite. It has been over a decade since the great Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and nine managers later, United are seemingly further away than ever from tasting Premier League glory again. Never mind sleeping giant, Manchester United are positively comatose. 

And yet, with their vast resources and massive global influence, the prospect of returning the good days to the red half of Manchester is too tempting to resist for most of the world’s top coaches. Yes, this is the most poisoned of chalices, but he who returns United to the top of the table will be cemented as one of their greatest managers.

Words by Freddie Waterland and Daniel Bloomfield

Women’s Football: The Quality of Equality

Ben Pointer on 14 May 2024

In the vibrant landscape of English professional football, do we currently find ourselves at a juncture where there is parity between male and female athletes? This question not only delves into the state of gender equality within the sport but also prompts an exploration of the media’s coverage of women’s football, reflecting broader societal attitudes.

Significant strides towards equality in recent times have narrowed various gaps between professional players of both sexes, including financial, social biases and media coverage. These advancements signify commendable steps forward in an area where public issues and misogyny persistently challenge progress. Sport, unlike many other areas of gender equality progress, maintains distinct divisions as the sexes often compete on separate teams and in different leagues. Despite this, progress is evident, albeit juxtaposed with persistent challenges, emphasising the ongoing duality of advancement and ongoing misogyny.

Throughout the 20th century and into the present day, female players have faced a profusion of challenges, perpetuated by deeply ingrained gender biases and discriminatory practices. The persisting gender disparities are evident across various stages of life. Gender stereotypes, endured from early childhood, deter girls from engaging in sports, with only 30% of parents prioritising sports for their daughters compared to 41% for their sons. This has served to marginalise women’s involvement in grassroots football, let alone at the professional level.

The print media has acknowledged challenges related to the quality of training conditions for female football players. Yet, marked by its inauguration on October 18, 2023, the Carrington training facility for Manchester United Women’s team stands as a compelling example of football’s progression in this aspect. 

Carrington’s cutting-edge facilities enable a new era to unfold; one where the culture transcends mere physical training, serving as a catalyst for enhanced social practices and performances on the pitch. The amenities play a pivotal role in empowering young female athletes, granting them equal access to a top-tier environment for fostering camaraderie and positive social connections. This not only galvanises a team but also raises the stature of female athletes to match their male counterparts, positioning them as exemplary figures for the next generation. Carrington stands as a testament to football’s evolving landscape, where every player, regardless of gender, emerges as a beacon of excellence.

Young children witnessing the Lionesses’ victory in the European Championships and the subsequent extensive mass media coverage in the days following the tournament outline how women’s football is seamlessly integrating itself into society. The current scenario surrounding TV coverage reflects this, featuring more Women’s Super League (WSL) games on television than ever before. SkyShowcase has broadcasted 35 WSL matches throughout the 23/24 season, reflecting a notable increase from previous years. With viewership experiencing a remarkable 45 per cent surge compared to the 2021/22 campaign, millions more are poised to discover the captivating essence of the Women’s Super League. This growing interest is highlighted by Arsenal FC Women, who, for the second consecutive year, broke the attendance record for a Women’s Super League game, drawing 59,042 fans to the Emirates Stadium on December 10, 2023.

However, it is crucial to recognise that while the mass media has played a pivotal role in promoting women’s football and showcasing its excellence, it also highlights the reverberating public issues that female athletes deplorably continue to face. 

The reprehensible incident involving Luis Rubiales on 20th August 2023, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, serves as a glaring example. Rubiales’ inappropriate actions, seemingly forcefully kissing Spanish World Cup-winning captain Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup final trophy ceremony – were not only a violation of personal boundaries, but an alarming reflection of the persistent injustices and hardships women still battle as athletes.

Controversial ex-professional footballer Joey Barton made inflammatory comments on X last December, asserting that women should not speak with authority on men’s football. His remarks reveal a troubling mindset that perpetuates gender stereotypes and undermines the progress made in diversifying both Television and Radio hosting, punditry and commentary within in professional football broadcasting. Barton’s specific criticism of a female broadcaster’s performance during a Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea, substantiates his disregard for the capabilities of women in the field, dismissing her contributions as awkward and factually wrong. This motivated him to make an erroneous sweeping generalisation that women should not warrant serious consideration in any capacity in the men’s arena. 

Even as recently as this year, the persistent deluge of sexism in football continues to permeate the sporting landscape. In a recent incident, Izzy Christiansen faced unwarranted dismissal again from Barton of her insightful commentary on men’s football solely because of her gender. His disparaging tweet, referring to Christiansen as a “Cabbage patch kid” and questioning her authority to discuss men’s football, further emphasises the toxic attitudes prevalent in the sport. This underscores the urgent need to confront entrenched sexism within contemporary professional football.

Sociological issues are still interweaved within the sport, where women continue to grapple with unequal treatment, both on and off the pitch. Collective efforts of individuals, institutions, and wider society are crucial in dismantling barriers and fostering an environment where talent knows no gender. 

The journey towards equality in football is ongoing. With each moment of recognition, each policy shift and each passing game, we move closer to a future where football truly belongs to everyone, irrespective of gender.

Leeds United push for promotion under Daniel Farke

William Cooper on 24 October 2023

It’s fair to say that Leeds United’s 2022/23 Premier League campaign was one to forget. The combined efforts of Jesse Marsch and Javi Garcia, alongside survival specialist Sam Allardyce’s last-ditch rescue attempt, were not enough to save the club from the embarrassment of relegation.Supporters were left to rue underwhelming transfer windows after they were sent down by Spurs on the final day of the season.


There was a distinct lack of optimism around the city ahead of the summer window, despite
the appointment of new manager Daniel Farke in July. As expected, the playing squad saw an
extensive overhaul, with key players Rodrigo and Tyler Adams leaving permanently, paired with a deluge of loan departures. Regular first-team starters including Brendan Aaronsen, Rasmus
Kristensen, and Robin Koch all exited the club for the season, leaving Farke with a massive rebuild on his hands.


Going into the season opener against Cardiff in August, little had been done to change fans’
opinions. New midfielder Ethan Ampadu came into the team, but could only help his new club to a 2-2 draw. This was just the start of a rough month, as defeat away to Birmingham and a draw to West Brom left Leeds languishing 19 th in the table. Just to add to the team’s teething issues, exciting young winger Wilfried Gnonto was angling for a move away and was subsequently left out of the squad for the start of the campaign.


If things couldn’t get any worse, Leeds were travelling down to face in-form Ipswich for their
next game. In contrast to their Yorkshire opponents, Ipswich had made a perfect start to the season, having won all three of their games to begin their promotion push. This trend looked set to continue, when new-signing Spurs loanee Joe Rodon turned the ball into his own net, giving Ipswich the lead after only 7th minutes. However, Leeds responded instantly with three goals in under ten minutes, including a strike from the new £10 million striker Joel Piroe, the prolific Swedish goalscorer signed from Swansea. Leeds eventually came away with a 4-3 win; Farke’s men left Portman Road with a huge statement victory, that they hoped would kickstart their season.

Things were not smooth sailing from here, however. Just three days later, Leeds were unceremoniously dumped out of the League Cup by League Two side Salford City. A chaotic transfer deadline day followed, where the loss of Luis Sinisterra was softened by the arrivals of dynamic midfielder Glen Kamara and tricky winger Jaidon Antony. Slowly but surely, the players started to gel as the squad began to adapt to Farke’s tactical demands. Since the last international break in September, Leeds have picked up 13 points from a possible 18, only dropping points away at Hull and fellow relegated side Southampton. In a world of inverted full-backs and false nines, Farke’s tactical setup is a wonderful throwback. Leeds effectively play a 4-4-2, with Piroe playing in a deeper role alongside the pacy Rutter, who looks to stretch the opposition defense with his pace. When paired with two direct wingers, Leeds are a force to be reckoned with in attack. A 3-0 win away at Millwall confirmed the devastating goalscoring ability of their attacking quartet, as goals from Piroe and Rutter capped off sweeping counter-attacking moves.

Going the other way, the four-man defense is protected by a couple of all-action midfielders,
usually two of Kamara, Ampadu, or 17-year-old Archie Gray. Four clean sheets in their last six games, including shutouts at home against QPR and Watford, have demonstrated their defensive resilience in the last few weeks. The international break has perhaps come at a bad time for Leeds, with them sitting 5th in the table as they hit some good form. Leicester and Ipswich may already be pulling away in the automatic promotion spots, but there’s no need for fans to panic. If they can continue scoring goals and maintain some defensive rigidity, there’s no reason why Farke’s Leeds side can’t finish in the top six, giving themselves a chance to immediately bounce back to the top flight through the playoffs.

Independent Panel finds UEFA and French Authorities responsible for Champions League Final Chaos, absolving Liverpool fans

Billy Stewart on 27 February 2023

The 2022 Champions League Final in Paris was one of the most eagerly anticipated finals of recent years. The game itself was not the spectacle it was billed to be, with Real Madrid edging out Liverpool 1-0. However, events on the pitch were to be overshadowed events by off it.


Fans were subjected to dangerous crushes, excessive use of tear gas, muggings, and assaults by local gangs. It was clear that the authorities were woefully unprepared for the event, and what preparation they had done had contributed to the chaos which almost ended in disaster.


Shockingly, the French police intelligence report on the Liverpool fans wrongly associated the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 with football hooliganism. According to a report by Michel Cadot, delegate from the French sports ministry, this shameful misconception informed the authority’s decision to deploy riot police and utilise the heavy-handed policing that Liverpool fans fell victim to.

Image credits: Flickr

Even before a ball was kicked, UEFA and French authorities began to deflect blame onto the Liverpool supporters. A message was displayed on the TV screen inside the stadium, explaining that the delay of kick-off was ‘due to the late arrival of fans at the stadium.’

This was simply not the case. Liverpool fans had been outside the ground in their thousands for hours. Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol stated that he arrived at the ground four hours before kick-off, and that he was “shocked at how many supporters had turned up.”

The issue was in fact caused by the funnelling of thousands of fans through narrow bottlenecks, and through minimal turnstiles, creating dangerous crushes.

The chaos continued after the game. Both Real Madrid and Liverpool fans were again subject to muggings, robberies, and attacks by local gangs. UFC star and Liverpool supporter Paddy Pimblett likened it to a scene from The Purge, as many of the gang members wielded baseball bats, machetes, and knives. Many fans have since stated that police were nowhere to be seen, yet another example of the gross neglect and lack of preparation that had put supporters’ welfare at risk on numerous occasions.


Charlie Pyne, a third-year student here at Leeds, was in Paris on that day. He told me about his experience.


After the game whilst looking for a hotel, he was attacked by a local gang and robbed, and was rejected from hotel rooms because he was bleeding. Whilst looking for a place, he was attacked again and ended up spending the night in the hospital. Charlie told me that ‘some people saw some pretty messed up things and the police did nothing about it’ and that Paris on that night was ‘one of the few places I’ve been where I felt unsafe.’

All the while, UEFA and French authorities continued to try and deflect blame from themselves, and onto Liverpool fans. The response of authorities in the days following events at the final only fuelled the overwhelming sense of anger and injustice amongst fans.

Take this tweet from Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, French Minister for Sport, after the Final:

Similarly, French Interior Minister, Gerard Darmanin, blamed “fraud at an industrial level,” claiming that over 70% of fans outside the stadium were either ticketless or possessed fakes. Darmanin held British fans entirely accountable for the problems, stating that “difficulties arose only from the entrance relation to the Liverpool supporters and not the other entrances.” His statement was strongly condemned by Liverpool and the French left and right wing. Polling found that 76% of the French public did not believe his statement.

On May 30th UEFA announced they were commissioning an independent report into events surrounding the final. The panel published their findings in a 220-page document on Monday 13 th February.

The panel concluded that there were two key organisational failures that led to the chaos. These were the UEFA ‘model’ for organising the final, as well as the safety, security and service model used which was used on the day, based on incorrect assumptions that Liverpool fans posed significant threats to public order. The panel made 21 critical recommendations to ensure the safe passage for all football fans at future UEFA matches.

You can read the full review, including all 21 recommendations issued by the independent panel by using this link.

Liverpool FC stated that it “welcomes the report into the chaos” and they have urged UEFA to “do the right thing and implement the 21 recommendations.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that he thought “Paris was the worst possible (choice) in that specific arena on that day.” Liverpool supporters’ group ‘The Spirit of Shankly’ said that they “expect an apology for the lies and smears UEFA so quickly aimed at supporters.”

UEFA welcomed the findings of the report, stating that they are “currently analysing the findings of the Review” and that it intends to “announce a special refund scheme for fans.” UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said, “On behalf of UEFA, I would like to apologise most sincerely once again to all those who were affected by the events that unfolded.” He also extended a further apology to Liverpool fans for “unjustly blaming them for the situation leading to the delayed kick-off.”

However, the efforts of UEFA and French ministry members to deflect blame from themselves is shameful, and their ‘special refund scheme’ will do little to erase the horror witnessed by peaceful football fans that day.

Chelsea hit by severe financial sanctions amid crisis in Ukraine

Mack Holman on 23 March 2022

The PM announced Roman Abramovich’s assets would be frozen, leaving Chelsea fans with the Sword of Damocles hanging over their head. The long-term repercussions are anyone’s guess, but what do we know so far? Well, Abramovich’s attempt to sell the club has been halted, along with ticket sales, contract renewals, and just to rub salt into the wounds, Chelsea telecommunications sponsor Three has asked for the removal of all logos on the kits and around Stamford Bridge. Chelsea regulars Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen are amongst a star-studded list of players with little time left on their contracts, with rival teams already snooping around the Bridge looking for freebees.

This is how Real win

Jake Ballester on 23 March 2022

At 2-0 down on aggregate with 30 minutes to go and Kylian Mbappé running the show, most considered a comeback impossible. In step Karim Benzema and a roaring crowd to raise Real from the ashes and to victory in Europe, once again.