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The darkest hours are over for Sheffield Wednesday

A consortium led by U.S. businessman David Storch has completed a takeover of Sheffield Wednesday, who are now out of administration and will start next season in League One without a 15-point deduction. The new owners were confirmed ahead of Wednesday hosting West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the Championship season at a sold-out Hillsborough. The hosts won the game 2-1, just their second league victory of the season, to take them back to zero points after two separate deductions totalling 18 points. According to the English Football League (EFL)’s insolvency rules, clubs that fail to exit administration without paying all creditors at least 25 per cent of what they are owed, usually receive a 15-point penalty. The EFL’s board, however, has the power to waive this sanction, and the Storch consortium made it very clear to the league that it would not proceed with the takeover unless the board agreed to exercise this discretion. So, the deduction has been suspended, subje...
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Swindon's financial dilemma

This informative article points out that promotion to League One would actually worsen the finances of Swindon Town.  Clubs in that league make an average loss of £5m.  A play off run (now unlikely) would bring £1m to the Wiltshire club, but that is much less than current losses:  https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/26067738.league-one-promotion-impact-swindon-town-finances/ It's a brave man who buys a lower league EFL club.
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Shrimpers face financial challenges

Southend United boosted their revenue last year through the play off final but still ended up with a £1m+ loss.  Finances are forecast to deteriorate this year with the Shrimpers failing in the difficult task of escaping the National League while overheads will increase (as the case at almost all football clubs, ndeed utilities may cost even more because of the conflict in the Middle East:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gvzm9vqyro
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John W. Henry and Liverpool

Is he a semi-detached owner, asks the New York Times? It is coming up to a year since Henry last watched a Liverpool game in the flesh. Henry is 76, so regular transatlantic flights are perhaps more challenging. But throughout FSG’s 16-year tenure, the pattern has largely stayed the same, with Henry only visiting Anfield once or twice a season. There was a reason fans chose a picture of Henry with his fingers in his ears to display on Saturday — his lack of engagement means chief executive officer Billy Hogan effectively acts as his representative on earth, a conduit between the levels of management below him and the tier of ownership above. Hogan has left a generally good impression on supporters who have worked with him in the past due to his responsiveness. Senior executives elsewhere in football have formed the view that FSG rate him extremely highly, but it is also very clear he is there to do a job for them. Though he is viewed as intelligent and well-mannered, he alway...
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Everton's out performance brings financial rewards

When the Premier League was formed Everton was closely involved in the discussions as it was seen one of the country’s top clubs.  Since then, it has had some challenging times on and off the pitch, but a brighter future now beckons.   Sad to say, my old friend and lifelong Bill Tupman is not here to see it. From his Zurich fastness, the Swiss Ramble has reviewed the 2024/25 accounts which cover the last season at Goodison.    Here are some highlights: much more data and in depth analysis of his Substack page. Ownership change Friedkin purchased Moshiri’s 94.1% holding, then converted the £451m shareholder loan into equity, raising the stake to 97.2%, while finally making an additional equity injection to repay third party debt and satisfy working capital requirements, giving a total shareholding of 99.5%. Everton fans will have breathed a sigh of relief, not only because this brought an end to Moshiri’s uncomfortable tenure, but also because they manage...
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Grecians seeking gifts

I have always been sceptical of the viability of the fan ownership model in professional football and the recent experience of AFC Wimbledon and Exeter City confirms this.  Exeter City badly need external investment to survive and flourish:  https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/exeter-city-external-investment-necessity-10940501
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