I wonder how much it would cost to buy a struggling championship club, with a small but loyal fan base. That breaks even, but little more than that. Doesn't own the grounds and doesn't appear to generate huge amounts in external revenue?
To buy the club, not all that much. To pay back what the current owner has spent on it, a fair amount I would imagine.
Why couldn't any potential buyers purchase the ground from the council & Patrick Cryne's company, who both own 50%?
Funny way to value a business. Under normal circumstances you'd get the market price - owt else you'd spent would be gone.
football and its finances are a law unto themselves,forget how any other business is valued,a football club defies all logic.
I don't think the whole ground will be part of the deal, Kev. That's why the ownership is partly with the Council, to defend against unscrupulous people with business ideas other than football. It's a good arrangement from the fans point of view. If it deters someone from buying the football club, perhaps they are not suitable custodians after all?
They could, and am sure with the councils..slash and burn policy in full swing...They would be eager listeners..
Just an observation on the buying and selling of businesses. I have no opinion on the sale/intended sale of BFC, or any of its chattels.
If any potential buyers are willing to purchase the ground from the respective parties, then I don't see why they couldn't. The council can still, I assume, refuse planning orders that fail to meet any land usage requirements currently placed upon Oakwell.
If the council can show a profit on the deal, then in the current financial circumstances it may prove difficult to turn down.
Agree with that. Councils throughout the country are stretched to breaking point. Funding from central government has been significantly reduced, while council tax rates have been capped. Further funding cuts have already been announced. Vital front line services are at risk, the cutting of any will be hugely unpopular. What won't be unpopular and will raise some much needed finance is the selling of the land the football club sits on, particularly if it is sold to parties claiming to want to take the club forward.