World Domination?

[robbiez666]

Its better news for us but probably not that great for Chateauroux.

Why? They get to sign a top Premier League striker on loan.....

 

[Jon Bon II]

I’m amazed people aren’t going absolutly wild that our premier league money is being spent on buying a team in the French second division.

This just in from our 'mad with rage' correspondent, Curtis....

 

[Enigmatic]

We’erz moneh fer Wilder?! I dun’t understand it, and I dun’t like wot I dun’t understand!

The lack of comprehension on here is staggering. A bit sad, really.

It’s not worth the time explaining to the dullards why this is a good thing, but I’m glad we now have an ambitious and progressive owner with a strategic vision.

 

[Golden Gordon]

This just in from our 'mad with rage' correspondent, Curtis....

Only mad? I remember him mostly being 'incandescent with rage'

 

[Sheff de party]

Wish he would just concentrate on the one...US

I’m not sure America is the way to go.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

So if Chateuroux get good and rise up to the upper reaches of Ligue 1. What's stopping the Prince from making United their feeder club?

Hopefully they come in for McBurnie.

 

[Matlockblade.]

He won't Chat on he own doorstep

 

[Matlockblade.]

He won't Chat on he own doorstep

*his
*shit
Got that all wrong

 

[nopigfansintown]

We’erz moneh fer Wilder?! I dun’t understand it, and I dun’t like wot I dun’t understand!

The lack of comprehension on here is staggering. A bit sad, really.

It’s not worth the time explaining to the dullards why this is a good thing, but I’m glad we now have an ambitious and progressive owner with a strategic vision.

Still, it's slightly strange. Comes to United and claims he doesn't have the wealth to run a Championship club alone, and that the club is an investment he hopes to make money on. Gets two promotions on a relative shoestring, resulting in United becoming a Premier League club. Wins the pools in the court case and becomes sole owner for a fraction of the club's market value. Contradicts his earlier words and claims he has no interest in selling the club despite it being at the peak of its potential value with a buyer in the background. Runs United in the Prem on a sizable proportion of the club's PL revenue, and takes out loans to pay for the real estate. No real attempt to compete with the Brightons of this world let alone the Leicesters. Meanwhile continues buying up a long list of international clubs; many of which that are presumably loss making (especially in Covid times). Rumours that a relatively inexpensive new training ground building has been iced, despite investment in lowly French side. Removal of Kop poles already iced in the summer, albeit with Covid reference as the reason.
Unless his financial circumstances have changed a lot and there are investors/silent partners in the background, the logic is hard to understand. There's a poster on here suggesting that; if that's the case, we're in for exciting times if there's real money behind him.

McCabe's plan was similar insofar as United would be top of the pile of an international collection of clubs that would trade players with United the net beneficiaries. His plan was to use his skills re real estate to also fill the clubs pocket book and in turn increase the transfer budget. Then the global financial crash happened. The whole plan was also undermined by the underperformance of Sheffield United when we failed to gain promotion - despite backing Robson and his successors massively.

 

[McGrath]

There’s zero money in the French leagues compared to English football.

Try telling that to the owners of PSG!

 

[Revolution]

Try telling that to the owners of PSG!

Most of the money they make comes from the Champions League, not the French league. And I would not be surprised if they run at a loss.

The TV deal has just collapsed, and just about every Ligue 1 side save PSG is in trouble as a result.

 

[Plymouthblade]

That’s the moose’s ticket out

 

[Davalon]

Undecided so far.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Meanwhile continues buying up a long list of international clubs; many of which that are presumably loss making (especially in Covid times). Rumours that a relatively inexpensive new training ground building has been iced, despite investment in lowly French side. Removal of Kop poles already iced in the summer, albeit with Covid reference as the reason.

Long list? Hasn't it been 2 since we've been promoted?
I could be wrong and maybe it's 3-4.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Long list? Hasn't it been 2 since we've been promoted?
I could be wrong and maybe it's 3-4.

Yeah, more since he's been joint owner. Some in other sports too.

 

[S64 Blade]

Try telling that to the owners of PSG!

One team, out of how many? Their whole TV deal for the league has collapsed.

 

[Muttley]

Somewhere to send Lord Lundstram.

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

*his
*shit
Got that all wrong

there was a Chat-euroux joke in there somewhere

 

[McGrath]

Most of the money they make comes from the Champions League, not the French league. And I would not be surprised if they run at a loss.

The TV deal has just collapsed, and just about every Ligue 1 side save PSG is in trouble as a result.

I still think my point is valid.

If we end up a Championship team and they look like challenging for Europe, then we might well be in a scenario where they are the favoured team.

 

[Revolution]

I still think my point is valid.

If we end up a Championship team and they look like challenging for Europe, then we might well be in a scenario where they are the favoured team.

Not a chance. They are small fry.

 

[Coily]

So the deal is done, and potentially not a bad venue for a pre-season friendly. Football wise, they are having a similar season to us and are rock bottom of Ligue 2, 9 points from safety with 10 games to go. So relegation to the semi-pro National league (3rd Division) is very likely, but maybe that gives an opportunity for youth players here to go there.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Makes me wonder why he wants to own a load of crap clubs rather than one decent one.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

 

[Addison]

I still think my point is valid.

If we end up a Championship team and they look like challenging for Europe, then we might well be in a scenario where they are the favoured team.

I think your point is more relevant to Beerschot. They currently sit sixth in the league and are in with a chance of end of season play offs which determine European places. If Beerschot qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League how does this affect the ranking order?

While ever we were in the EPL we were at the top of the pile ranked number 1 club using those below as potential feeders for recruitment. Coulibally being the prime example.

We will be at a similar level to the Belgian league now in the championship and it is interesting that the CEO of United World, Alghamdi, who is also a Director of SUFC, has recently stated that the other three clubs will be used to support the two main clubs. We seem to have been moved down the pecking order already.

I have no problem with the concept of this recruitment strategy provided it primarily benefits SUFC. It been suggested we already turned down £8 million for Coulibally which if true is a good return on the investment so far.

Whilst the Prince has paid peanuts for the three smaller clubs the increasing size of the portfolio must not stretch resources and financial support. United World comprises mainly of SUFC Directors with a few additions from overseas. I've worked in organisations that have expanded rapidly in size in the short term and management is challenging requiring clear direction, objectives and performance targets. I sincerely hope the Prince is not spreading his resources too thinly. His main priority has to be ensuring his biggest asset does not fall in value any further. That means having the conversation with CW now as to where he sees SUFC next season. From experience I know that seeing all this change going on around you and being kept out of the loop is frustrating and does affect your ability to perform.

 

[Houston_Blade]

"Stick to your knitting" comes to mind.

 

[Oreyt]

This just in from our 'mad with rage' correspondent, Curtis....

I will never EVER tire of MAD WITH RAGE. I hope I have a little chuckle about it on my death bed.

 

[Oreyt]

Hardly ''AVENGERS: ASSEMBLE'' is it?

 

[The Crab]

Hardly ''AVENGERS: ASSEMBLE'' is it?

Thoresby Market version..............

 

[Beans]

There's a good article on United World in t'Athletic from December which I missed originally - lot of quotes from Bettis on it:

Inside United World: Homemade kit trials, signing Berge and solving Brexit

From manufacturing their own kits to gaining an edge in the transfer market after Brexit, this is how Sheffield United fit into United World

theathletic.co.uk

Short answer is this is seen as a network of feeder clubs, with some knowledge-sharing (scouting / commercially). Reading between the lines it's more about developing players (ones already on our books as well as those at these various clubs) for £ and if a couple of them develop into SUFC first-teamers in the next 2-5 years then bonus.

Re: Brexit and work permits, Bettis is quoted as saying that with Beerschot being a top division side in Belgium, it will help players get the international recognition required to get a work permit over here, but I don't know if that's a bit disingenuous... I guess it won't hurt those chances, at least.

“Where Beerschot will help us going forward is that there are players we are interested in who we can’t get a visa for. They need to be in their national teams (before a visa will be granted).

“We believe giving them time with Beerschot in the top tier will get them that international recognition. The stage is big enough now at Beerschot to do that.

“That will then help us get them visas and, ultimately, bring them over here.”

 

[robbiez666]

There's a good article on United World in t'Athletic from December which I missed originally - lot of quotes from Bettis on it:

Inside United World: Homemade kit trials, signing Berge and solving Brexit

From manufacturing their own kits to gaining an edge in the transfer market after Brexit, this is how Sheffield United fit into United World

theathletic.co.uk

Short answer is this is seen as a network of feeder clubs, with some knowledge-sharing (scouting / commercially). Reading between the lines it's more about developing players (ones already on our books as well as those at these various clubs) for £ and if a couple of them develop into SUFC first-teamers in the next 2-5 years then bonus.

Re: Brexit and work permits, Bettis is quoted as saying that with Beerschot being a top division side in Belgium, it will help players get the international recognition required to get a work permit over here, but I don't know if that's a bit disingenuous... I guess it won't hurt those chances, at least.

“Where Beerschot will help us going forward is that there are players we are interested in who we can’t get a visa for. They need to be in their national teams (before a visa will be granted).

“We believe giving them time with Beerschot in the top tier will get them that international recognition. The stage is big enough now at Beerschot to do that.

“That will then help us get them visas and, ultimately, bring them over here.”

and we now have Belgium and France scouting networks as a consequence.

Beerschot's placing in the league (at the end of the season) impacts on WPs. Finishing places are taken into account. As does appearance. They've slid quite a bit so doubt it will help much unless they're top 2 or 3. The bigger issue with Coulibally is lack of national caps for a team who are 54th in the world rankings.