Comments on: MyFootballClub: taking over Ebbsfleet, and redefining ‘Fantasy’ Football

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:02:53 +0000

Fabulous piece Ahmed. The proof is of course in the pudding. The guys at thepeoplesclub.com reckon they will buy a club by the end of the season, so it looks like this supporter ownership thing is gathering momentum.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:04:54 +0000

If Ebbsfleet are playing really bad, after picking the team, Do their supporters start singing “We don’t know what we’re doin!”

By: Brad Barnett

Brad Barnett — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:42:20 +0000

I think it is a great idea for the smaller clubs, but not for the larger clubs. The smaller more unknown clubs can benefit from the attention and amount of money that is coming into the club from “investors”, but I am curious to see how it will all play out over time with the 50,000+ members voting on the squad. Great article Ahmed.

By: KyleAusGooner

KyleAusGooner — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:12:20 +0000

I think it is a great new innovation, and I can see new site’s or company’s copying this nice little idea.

Really, I was going to put some cash in so I could own a bit but It is too late now.

Also, Leeds Utd were nagotiating with MFC as well as Nottingham County!!

By: Jason Cronkhite

Jason Cronkhite — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:47:25 +0000

The fact that this has happened and you are writing about it as many others are as well marks a considerable change in how things in the football world as well as the sporting world could drive significant changes. MFC is just a first iteration to what new ideas and concepts will span from this event. Much like global corporations are run with shareholders, it would seem to me that people investing would want some return so maybe the model should be adjusted?…just thinking out loud.

Of course, you need the experts that are running the daily business of the club to make decisions however; maybe this brings up the circumstance of much greater accountability of club management? I don’t know but, it’s sure interesting to me what will progress from this event.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:51:30 +0000

Ahmed,

Corrupt Thai billionaire? There is NO such thing haha.

By: Primachenko

Primachenko — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:02:28 +0000

good article ahmed.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:28:41 +0000

Brian – agreed. Would I want 1 million people having an equal say in Manchester United’s affairs? Hell no, I’d rather have a corrupt Thai billionaire or a Russian billionaire (corrupt or murderous, I’m not picky) take over than subject my club to mob rule.

Of course, in some cases, beggers can’t be choosers.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:24:54 +0000

I disagree – I don’t think it’s a scam, I just think it’s a brilliant marketing ploy. They’re tapping on the two most sacred of fan fantasies – whether it’s deliberate manipulation or not, it’s great marketing. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

It’s worth monitoring closely, and I wouldn’t dismiss them just yet. The thing about fantasies is, there’s always more people ready to believe in them.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:24:20 +0000

The question that seems most relevant to me is the one that was asked on the 200percent blog: would you want this to happen to the team that you support? It’s hard for me to believe that very many people would be able to answer “yes” to that question. I think we like the idea of owning someone else’s favorite club a lot more than we like the idea of someone else owning ours.