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Jun 10

In the big County

The inspiration for today’s post comes from Save The Mighty Imps.  The subject of interest is the ‘ups and downs’, namely promotion and relegation, from the Blue Square Premiership (BSP).  A motion has been tabled for a four up four down remodelling to end of season protocol. 

Apparently, Stockport County is one of the ‘big 8’ that seeks modifications in the desire to try and orchestrate a swift return to league status.  This along with: Luton, Wrexham, Hereford, Mansfield, Macclesfield, Lincoln and Grimsby.

I have alluded to the exacerbation of financial woes associated with a drop to BSP.  Luton Town having missed out in this Year’s play offs final state: “each season spent out of the League is costing them £1M”.

Not only am I delighted that County is still referred to as ‘big’ (though our attendances have been a credit in BSP) but if this new system were to be adopted of course the probability of one of these big ones returning would increase.  When will this decision be ratified or not?  Has anyone seen minutes from the latest BSP AGM?

Jun 9

FC Sports Marketing Football Turkey

Stockport into Turkey

My own book explains many of the links that relate to this blog being mainly about UK and Turkey.  I still recall also my father-in-law and brother-in-law’s first trip to Edgeley Park when the then Commercial Director, Steve Bellis, orchestrated a rousing chorus of “Turkey, Turkey, Turkey”  in the hospitality suite, post-match, to show warmth and welcoming.  A story often recited by relatives in Turkey to this date.

The family remain committed to County and Bilen Kur writes for the leading football blog in the Country, which not surprisingly is called “scarf around my neck”.  Bilen is a Co-Director with me at FC Sports Marketing LTD. Talk SPORT has recognised our knowledge in this territory.

Steve has continued his foray into Turkey, though not to my extent obviously.  His latest venture is to take the hit reality TV show there with broadcasting on channel, TRT Spor.  We played a role in early introductions to selected football contacts to help his Kickworldwide evaluate the feasibility of selected commercial opportunities.  We remain able to work in partnership and collaborate on opportunities that might require our different skills.

The show, which is called ‘Futbol Prensi’ in Turkey, is conducting auditions in Konya, Kayseri, Erzurum, Trabzon, Samsun, Ankara, Gazientep, Adana, Antalya, Denizli, Izmir, Bursa, Sakarya, Istanbul and Diyabakir. The winner will be contracted to Liverpool FC.

Our next encounter is social and a trip to The Grange to watch an England match in the Euros.  Steve Bellis took the brand of Stockport County into China and created a profile the envy of many an English Premier League club.

Jun 4

Brand football

The power of football in marketing terms has never been underestimated.  This is echoed in the latest report by Brand Finance (World’s leading brand valuation consultancy).

One particular piece that caught my eye follows on from the financial turmoil of Rangers FC in Scotland.  Their counterpart in Glasgow, Celtic, have won recognition as one of the top 50 brands in the global game.  It is suggested that this same Club, could even challenge such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the top 10 if they were to ever play fixtures in the English Premiership.  The Daily Record confirms: “Celtic have become the first Scottish club to feature in the 50 most valuable clubs in football after their brand increased by a massive 30 per cent in the past 12 months.”  Maybe I need another trip north of the Border to see what tactics my namesake and Marketing Director has been employing.

In the Report, clubs are given a credit rating between AAA to D and the worth of their brands are calculated on how much it would cost to license them from a third-party.  Celtic have a BBB+ rating and a brand value of $64M – £40.7M.

May 3

1 Comment

Plastic football

Apparently the debate has started again about the pros and cons of a main pitch within stadia being plastic.  Certainly technology has changed from the days that pioneers like QPR, Oldham and Luton took that decision on installation.

It seems a long time ago that I secured funding on an artificial pitch and floodlighting at Werneth School (my first!); quickly followed by a 3G being put in Woodley Sports FC’s Stadium, after I had success in assisting them to achieve a Football Foundation grant for stadia improvements.  At this time, the Football Association agreed to treat it as a ‘pilot’ before determining future policies at differing levels of football leagues’ hierarchies.  

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) comments: “While artificial turf facilities have a place in community sport, the bigger problem is what do you do with the 20,000 plus grass pitch sites where football is played week in, week out”.  A valid point but the future will have to comprise both natural and synthetic turf in specific locations.

At semi-professional to grass roots levels ‘plastic’ can make a prudent choice – not least for reduced maintenance consideration, regularity of play compared with a seeded alternative, ability to hold multi-activity programming – and as a corresponding ‘income generator’ when pondering on commercial aspects of running a club.

To see how things have changed it will be worth visiting Stockport Sports Village when it opens in some 12 weeks’ time.  A myriad of quality ‘Field Turf’ pitches and suitable synthetic surfacing for football and tennis alike.  I introduced, Stockport Sports Trust (now trading as Life Leisure) where I am a Founder Director, to facilitate this Scheme and be appointed Operator.

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