Football regulator rubbishes fears red tape will put investors off English clubs Sport Business David Kogan, the chair of the Independent Football Regulator, insists closer scrutiny of clubs’ finances will encourage rather than deter potential investors in the English game. Former media rights consultant Kogan said the IFR’s mission to improve the sustainability of the entire English pyramid would help to make all teams more desirable assets. “The idea [...]
Macclesfield FC: FA Cup heroes in talks with ‘huge’ foreign investors Sport Business FA Cup giant-killers Macclesfield are in talks with two wealthy foreign groups over a transformative investment in the non-league club’s bid to continue their rapid rise. The sixth-tier team pulled off one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history by beating holders Crystal Palace last month and are back in the spotlight on Monday [...]
National League 3Up bid takes step forward and gains Nandy backing Sport Business Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has backed the National League’s 3Up campaign for a third promotion place into the English Football League (EFL). The EFL has come under increasing pressure to introduce a third promotion place from the National League and bring it in line with the system in place in the Championship, League One and [...]
Brighton and Hove Albion only Premier League club ready for regulator September 10, 2025 Brighton and Hove Albion are the only club in the Premier League or Championship rated “regulator ready” by a damning new study. The research by lobby group Fair Game paints a dire picture of English football’s finances, suggesting almost half of clubs in the top four leagues are “running on empty”. It comes ahead of [...]
Agreement in place for sale of Morecambe FC after weeks of chaos August 14, 2025 An agreement in principle has been struck which will see the ownership of Morecambe FC change after weeks of uncertainty. Bond Group Investments Ltd – headed up by former Worcester Warriors rugby owner Jason Whittingham – confirmed it had reached an agreement with Panjab Warriors, who were previously interested in buying the club, to sell [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
Brighton owner Bloom looks to add French Ligue 1 club to portfolio May 28, 2025 In this week’s Ahead of the Game: Brighton owner Tony Bloom, football films, The Hundred sale, rugby rights and the National League. Brighton owner Tony Bloom is exploring a potential investment in a French club after completing his purchase of a 29 per cent stake in Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian this week. [...]
EFL board set to discuss National League promotion demand February 5, 2025 The EFL board will meet on Thursday amid renewed pressure from the entire National League to increase the number of promotion places from two to three. All 72 National League clubs, which represent the fifth and sixth tiers of English football, wrote to the EFL this week demanding the increase with immediate effect. The issue [...]