European Football Finance Forum
This September the great and good from the financial side of football will gather in London to discuss how the sport can continue to claw its way out of the doldrums of the past few years and move further away from the all-too real threat of insolvency and economic peril.
Attending will be clubs from the upper and lower leagues within the UK, Western and Eastern Europe, including representatives from such high-flyers as Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund through to Aberdeen, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Legia Warszawa and Northampton Town. The inclusive cast list of the 3rd Annual Football Finance Forum serves as a reminder that financial concerns are not just the preserve of clubs in the lower leagues, but also the upper echelons of the game. 'At last year's event, the insecurity was really hitting home', says Jason Coles, Marketing Manager of Euromoney Seminars, organisers of the event. 'We had a series of administrations taking place involving clubs of various sizes, and many leading football investors were deciding it wasn't a great place to be putting their money. As Cole rightly points out investment in football over the last decade, particularly in the UK, was at unprecedented levels, and when the windfall looked to be stopping many within the game were 'frankly shell shocked'. Many believe that football's bubble has burst, that the glory years have passed and that no longer will there be bandwagon-jumping investors, attracted enough to the glamour of football to sign blank cheques. Which is where the Football Finance Forum steps in; proffering viable business models for forward thinking clubs who realise the need to adapt to the market. 'Although there is little indication that investment will come back to levels that they were, football clubs are beginning to identify what they need to do to start solving their problems', says Cole. 'We expect far more of a solution providing forum this September. The programme has been designed to include case studies of sensible cost management and ways to increase revenue and maximise the potential in a football club's biggest asset - fan loyalty'. The forum will strive, not only to inform clubs of new revenue maximisation and cost reduction strategies, but also to foster new links with potential investors by illustrating that, more so than ever before, clubs are applying common sense and prudent practice to their businesses. 'Investors', adds Cole 'will want to maintain/renew their confidence in the industry, ensure football clubs are continuing down the road of sensible balance book management and explain to clubs and industry peers what they want to ensure the continuing activity of their firms in football finance'. While many football fans have grown evermore disenfranchised with the sport, its millionaire players and seemingly incompetent and oft-greedy administrators, it is events such as September's Football Finance Forum which seek to address the errors which left the game in such a parlous position. The 3rd Annual European Football Finance Forum takes place on 23rd & 24th September 2004 at London's Carlton Tower. Click here for further information.
