July 30, 2003

The dollars and (non)sense of English pro soccer.: Forty financial facts from Deloitte & Touche's report on the 2001-02 season. Lots of goodies, sports economists and business geeks, go nuts!

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:31 PM - 19 comments

Nice...i read the WHOLE article...

posted by StarFucker at 09:29 AM on July 31, 2003

I don't understand how Tottenham has the second best financial results, do any of you?

posted by billsaysthis at 10:33 AM on July 31, 2003

well, they count Salman Rushdie, Phil Collins, Emma Bunton and Status Quo among their fans... I dunno.

posted by gspm at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2003

22. Average wages for players have increased 700% during the Premiership's existence. 23. In 1992-93 the average wage for a Premiership player was £75,000 per year. In 2001-02 the average wage for a Premiership player was £600,000.
I'm getting an agent.

posted by worldcup2002 at 01:56 PM on July 31, 2003

It would be interesting to compare how the average salaries in the NFL have risen in the same timescale. My club, West Bromwich Albion, were roundly criticised by fans a couple of years ago, for being so tight with their money. It's now looking like they were very smart.

posted by salmacis at 04:49 PM on July 31, 2003

If you count being relegated as "very smart." ;-P "worldcup2002 wants how much?"

posted by worldcup2002 at 05:00 PM on July 31, 2003

If you count being relegated as "very smart." Yes, they could well have spent lots of money, got relegated, and ended up selling players at well below market value, just like Sunderland, West Ham, Ipswich etc. Instead, we're one of the only teams in the division who are actually strengthening their squad this summer. It's a truth of the Premiership that no matter how much each club spends, three clubs will always get relegated. Not that you'd know anything about that, since in your glory-hunting way, you decided to follow the most successful team in English football.

posted by salmacis at 02:55 AM on August 01, 2003

Fight! Fight! Fight! Someone keep an eye out for teacher. The Baggies and the Blues chose two divergent routes last season. You could say we showed more ambition, or that we showed a reckless disregard for the consquences, not that that would be true. That's the beauty of having multi-millionaires with sound business acumen at the helm. The Baggies sadly, don't have our resources so chose the safe option. FWIW I reckon they'll be back in the Premiership next season. Hopefully at the expense of the Dingles.

posted by squealy at 03:13 AM on August 01, 2003

That's the beauty of having multi-millionaires with sound business acumen at the helm Pornographers, you mean? ;-)

posted by salmacis at 05:37 AM on August 01, 2003

Yep, pornographers. Rich, juicy pornographers with a penchant for football and almost unlimited resources. Can't beat 'em.

posted by squealy at 06:18 AM on August 01, 2003

Dingles?

posted by StarFucker at 09:03 AM on August 01, 2003

The Dingles are a particularly unpleasant family in one of the British soaps. (Emmerdale? Coronation Street?) Midlanders therefore use the term to describe Wolverhampton Wanderers and their supporters. It seems apt. I believe Blackburn fans use the term to describe Burnley fans...or is it the other way round? For the record Baggies fans call Villa fans the Seals because of their habit of clapping their hands and shouting "Villa!". West Brom fans are called "Bennies" after Benny, a dimwitted character in the soap Crossroads. An older term for Wolves fans is the Tatters, which is a kind of rag-and-bone gypsy.

posted by salmacis at 09:36 AM on August 01, 2003

salmacis: I've been supporting the Pool since I was a wee lad in the 80s. Back when Graeme Souness and Phil Thompson were still on the pitch giving ulcers, not getting them on the sidelines. Back in the glory days of Ray Clemence, Ray Kennedy and Dalglish, Rush, Beardsley, Barnes, etc etc. And through the crappy years (the 90s and last year). And while WBA were still a lousy team. Waitaminute, they still are! You'll never walk alone!

posted by worldcup2002 at 09:55 AM on August 01, 2003

Funny, I don't remember Liverpool having any "crappy" years. Less successful, yes.

posted by salmacis at 10:22 AM on August 01, 2003

Awww, you're sweet. Well, good luck to the Baggies this season. And a quick return to the EPL!

posted by worldcup2002 at 11:47 AM on August 01, 2003

I'll drink to that! And good luck to the 'Pool as well, if only because it will break up the tiresome Man U/Arsenal duopoly.

posted by salmacis at 12:12 PM on August 01, 2003

A doo wop, doo wop!

posted by StarFucker at 03:18 PM on August 01, 2003

I never thought I'd live to see it: Star Unsuitable doing the doo wop.

posted by worldcup2002 at 03:45 PM on August 01, 2003

pout> No one is answering my question about Tottenham! /pout>

posted by billsaysthis at 04:46 PM on August 01, 2003

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