Ebb into history?

November 13, 2007 3:23 AM

Myfootballclub puts their money where their collective mouth is and buys Ebbsfleet United, who are currently in the Blue Square Premier.

As previously discussed here, is this a good thing, or a step too far as we head towards Reality Football?

posted by triv (19 comments total)

Looking at the BBC site, there is some reaction from shareholders and fans alike. From a personal view, I'm not convinced that it's a good thing for football but will wait and see with their fortunes.

I wish them well, as I would hate to see any team fall into difficulties as it's always the loyal supporters who are left picking up the pieces.
posted by triv at 3:31 AM on November 13, 2007

So they now become e-Bbsfleet.
posted by Phanx at 5:09 AM on November 13, 2007

Heh. I remember watching Liam Daish (Ebbsfleet manager) turn out for Coventry City in the late 90's. A new peak in his career beckons ;-)

This is basically taking the notion of fan run &/or owned clubs to another level.

Look at Cambridge United & the like who are run by fan's trusts (usually like a co-operative society) as well as AFC Wimbledon & FC United who were started from scratch by fans/fan's trusts.

Also, Leamington FC who started as a town team, then a works team (Lockeed Leamington then AP Leamington), were unceremoniously run-down an the mid-80's and were revived by fans in 1999 and are now a couple of steps below the Conference.

Good luck to 'em I say...
posted by i_cola at 6:07 AM on November 13, 2007

As a Bradfordian who has friends near Elland Road, I was really hoping they'd buy Leeds and drive that club nose first into the ground. Part of me wants my tenner back.
posted by vbfg at 6:17 AM on November 13, 2007

I'm all for supporter-owned clubs (in fact, I'm one of the several thousand owners of Exeter City FC) but this isn't what it's about. It is, as some people on the BBC have said, fantasy football with someone else's club.

Of course, it's also an interesting experiment in applied democracy.
posted by athenian at 7:21 AM on November 13, 2007

vbfg: boooooooooo! booooooooo! booooooooo!
posted by seanyboy at 8:06 AM on November 13, 2007

An online community buys a football team, and votes on team decisions?

I can see it now:

Starting at striker, # 2, Tubgirl!

In center midfield, #10, Goatse!

At sweeper, #21, Mr. Hands!

&c.
posted by dersins at 9:11 AM on November 13, 2007

Well, I just googled mr. hands. I guess I got what I deserved.
posted by Kwine at 9:46 AM on November 13, 2007

I guess I got what I deserved.

So did Mr. Hands, IYKWIM.

aityd.
posted by dersins at 10:11 AM on November 13, 2007

After months holding my 35 pounds, I finally get a team. Sort of.
posted by Senator at 11:18 AM on November 13, 2007

Well, I just googled mr. hands. I guess I got what I deserved.

I find it more disturbing that you didn't have to google the other two.
posted by tapeguy at 11:21 AM on November 13, 2007

The first two are classics, tapeguy. Enjoy!
posted by Kwine at 11:51 AM on November 13, 2007

This could be interesting... I'm not sure management by a committee of internet bigmouths is a particularly good idea and I feel sorry for Ebbsfleet's real fan and his dog.

If Ebbsfleet's new 'managers' anything like your average internet footy fan they'll be changing real managers every two weeks, half the squad will be sacked every time they lose, they'll be after ludicrous signings they can't afford, one half will be in the car park after every game calling for the other half's resignation... it's a recipe for disaster.

Still, sounds like jolly good fun, and I wish them well.
posted by ComfySofa at 12:44 PM on November 13, 2007

I signed up for this back in April and am glad that something is finally happening. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes, though I'm realistic about actually making a difference as one of many tens of thousands of "owners".
posted by jmcnally at 12:47 PM on November 13, 2007

Heck, the Green Bay Packers have been doing this sort of thing for years...
posted by grubi at 1:03 PM on November 13, 2007

The Green Bay Packers are owned locally, ie by people who might actually go and watch them, aren't they? That's totally different.
posted by Phanx at 2:34 PM on November 13, 2007

I own a share of the Green Bay Packers, and I live in Portland, OR.

I lived in NY when I got the share.

So, not necessarily.
posted by dersins at 2:48 PM on November 13, 2007

I signed up for this when it was first posted to MeFi. I think Ebbsfleet Utd is a reasonable club to buy and I'm really looking forward to being part of picking the team. I don't think it's a problem that we, the new owners, don't have a connection to the club already. I want to get to know the players and I think the crowd will be able to pick the right players and make the right decisions for the club. Or at least I hope so and I'm looking forward to seeing if my hopes turn out to be true.

Either way we will bring a lot of money to the club and the next couple of seasons will be really interesting.
posted by sveskemus at 6:50 PM on November 13, 2007

I think I'll root for Ebbsfleet. Power to the people, indeed!
posted by grubi at 5:38 AM on November 14, 2007