The steep bowl design lof Birmingham City’s new stadium features 12 chimney-form towers, designed to echo the brickworks that once sat on the site and point towards how the hard-working people of Birmingham changed the world during the Industrial Revolution. The chimneys — undoubtedly the biggest talking point — will provide structural support for the roof while accommodating lifts and staircases and helping with ventilation. One tower will even include a lift to what is claimed will be Birmingham’s highest bar, offering city-wide views. Once completed, they will be viewed from 40 miles away. Early reaction to the £1.2billion ($1.57bn) project from locals has been largely positive, but considerably more mixed across the country. Long-serving supporters of football clubs are sensitive to changes around history and tradition, with a stadium move the most delicate issue, yet the initial signs are that many Birmingham fans are on board. The design includes seating as close to pitch...
The Swiss Ramble looks at club funding in the Premier League. Almost two-thirds came from the Big Six, led by Manchester United £5.6 bln, Manchester City £5.4 bln and Liverpool £4.7 bln. The Premier League made a hefty £7.1 bln operating loss in the last decade with four clubs losing more than half a billion: Chelsea were far worse than anyone else with a massive £1.4 bln deficit, followed by Everton £895m, Aston Villa £871m and Fulham £507m. Four clubs had more than £2 bln cash to spend in the last ten years, namely Chelsea £2.7 bln, Tottenham £2.6 bln, Manchester City £2.3 bln and Manchester United £2.2 bln. There were another four clubs above the £1 bln mark: Arsenal £1.8 bln, Everton £1.8 bln, Liverpool £1.6 bln and Aston Villa £1.0 bln. However, the sources of these funds were quite different. At its simplest, the larger clubs could use money they had generated themselves, either through operating activities or player sales, while the aspirational challengers had to rel...