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Dec 11

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Keepmoat

I heard on the ‘grapevine’ that Doncaster Rovers is adopting an unusual transfer policy of signing players with an immediate plan to ‘shop window’ them.  Apparently, the philosophy is to (a) make money on any transfer and (b) perhaps inject a bit of ‘premier class’ to the on the field performances?  I can’t find this policy documented and haven’t worked with this Club for about ten years. 

So what about the methodology?  Be interested in the fans view.  Better players, maybe, but where’s the consistency or building of a team-spirit?  Could work commercially, but let’s keep an eye on progress.  From a quick trawl on google – all I can see is incoming players talked about: Marc-Antoine Fortune (West Brom), Herold Goulon (Blackburn), Carl Ikeme (Wolves), Pascal Chimbonda (QPR), El Hadji Diouf (West Ham) etc?

Manager, Dean Saunders defends ‘this inflow’ of talent, claiming it does nothing but help ‘Rovers’ try to climb away from the foot of the Championship table.

Nov 30

S-port.co
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Too much credit

Today seeks to clarify the future with regards to ‘football creditors’ in the Industry.  How often have I been in debates on seemingly ‘straight forward’ definitions as to what’s ‘in’ and ‘out’ of the football creditors list.   The importance often in my acting as adviser to a bidding party that seeks to understand more fully the investment implications of any expression of  a desire to take over a failing club.

e-petition describes the current debate as: “When football clubs go out of business or into administration in the main with large debts it is the football industry that protects itself through this rule. This means that other clubs, players on large contracts, are always guaranteed to receive monies owed to them but the companies servicing clubs with outstanding invoices only receive whatever the creditors agreement allows, normally 1/2p in the pound”.

Of course, depending on whom I’m representing, I might be either for or against the motion to change.  However, in that I seek a ‘level playing field’ in most instances it would appear only fair that the rules governing administration for football become streamlined with those for business as a whole.  Certainly, HMRC agrees and seeks parity for this sector of the economy with the rest of the real world. Since the Enterprise Act, HMRC has lost its status as a preferential creditor and joined the ranks of unsecured ­creditors in an insolvency situation.

Nov 16

Leonardo photo

Last chance Salou

….or indeed anywhere else in Europe.  Time is running out to access up to £60K for any sports clubs or educational institutions that might want to send people to Europe for ‘work experience’.  We can assist.  Email me now for a copy of our brochure on this particular funding stream.  This consultancy support is a collaboration between NAVITAS Sports Consultancy and ACROBAT Consulting & Marketing LTD.  The deadline for funding bids is February 2012, with notification of successful bids made in May 2012.The dates of the actual tours can be flexible to meet your needs.

The European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) awards around €80 million each year to UK projects that use European partners to address areas of lifelong learning. One strand of this funding relates to opportunities to send young people to other participating European countries to undertake a period of work experience. The funding can support students/athletes from both individual and team sports and includes all costs for project management, travel, preparation and subsistence meaning that, if successful, the tours can be delivered at no cost to you.

I would be delighted to hear of any enquiries from:

1. Football clubs outside of the Football League with an education/apprenticeship programme for 16-19 year olds;
2. National Governing Bodies with apprenticeship programmes;
3. Sports Colleges with a Football/Sports Academy.

The key element is that the organisation must have learners who are undertaking vocational education (e.g. BTECs, NVQs etc).

Nov 8

Poppy

Poppycock

The Football Association in England is in a difference of opinion from FIFA again. But this is not a lone ‘anglo’ stance as the Welsh and Scottish are understood to have a common dispute. The matter in question this time around is that the International governing body has forbidden the emblem of the poppy (around Remembrance Sunday) to feature on shirts apparently quoting compliance with some immoveable internal directive and regulation.

No doubt there are ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ in any debate on use of icons. I for one am akin to the concept of enforcing house styles and brand guidelines, but the use of this flower has a more prominent meaning.

“Each year the Nation expresses its unequivocal support for The Royal British Legion’s charity work through the Poppy Appeal, emphasising the need to help all generations of the Armed Forces and their families – today and for the rest of their lives.”

I for one do not ever want to forget the achievements of our armed forces now and in former years – so come on FIFA stop talking “poppycock”.

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