Liverpool FC - the next Leeds United?
Competing in the Champions League, reaching the semi-final stages. Doing well in the Premier League. An ownership of the football club, that has borrowed heavily against its success, reliant on its continued appearance in the lucrative Champions League and on money from ever-increasing television deals to service the debts.
It sounds awfully familiar. But this isn't Liverpool Football Club in 2009. It's Leeds United, 2001. 8 years ago.
Yet it seems lessons haven't been learnt by those who run football clubs, building them up 'artificially through debt'.
On Tuesday night, Liverpool Football Club play Leeds United. Two great teams of English football, both with a long history, both successful and winning trophies throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's.
But the circumstances in which Liverpool now play Leeds United, could hardly have been imagined back in 2001.
Whilst Leeds United now reside in League 1, looking for promotion to the Championship, Liverpool find themselves looking to take the next step in the league, from challengers to title winners, and for a European Cup Final appearance.
Just like Leeds United did 8 years ago. The reason they aren't - The financial mis-management of their football club. Leeds failed to qualify for the Champions League.
They couldn't afford to repay their loans. Players were sold to meet the repayments. Eventually they were relegated, having sold many of the star players. The stadium and training ground soon followed.
Liverpool Football Club can be the next Leeds United. Some may believe it is far off, never to happen to us.
Ask Leeds fans - I'm sure they never expected to be where they are now.
The management of LFC claim we are able to comfortably service our level of debt. Whilst we all urge them to define 'comfortable', it won't be comfortable to service them if we don't have Champions League income.
Other clubs are spending heavily to become part of the top four - Manchester City and Tottenham to name just two, whilst we only spend what we make from players sales. It inspires little confidence in those running our club. If we don't qualify for the Champions League, what happens next summer?
Do the owners invest heavily, ensuring it doesn't happen again? Or do they re-finance the present debt, with a player sale required to provide the equity needed?
We all have our own answers, our own opinions. But it's fair to say that Liverpool Football Club can be the next Leeds United.
Will they? Under the present ownership, it is much more likely.
So on Tuesday night, at Leeds United, make yourself heard.
Make sure your voice, your opinion, is heard on how Tom Hicks and George Gillett are taking us closer to a financial cliff edge.
Banners need to be seen, chants aired.
Tell the world Tom and George aren't wanted here.
We don't believe their promises, and we don't want to hear their lies.
LFC - The Next Leeds? Maybe.
Yanks Out? Definately!
Spirit Of Shankly
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More cheap sensationalist drivel from SOS. They should work for a tabloid.
Maybe they can expand on their plans for post 'yanks out', instead of some deluded hope that the perfect owner is ready to swoop in once they've driven out the evil billionaires.
Big confidence booster for Rafa and the squad - well in SOS. You're not a bunch of amateurs after all.
I have read this article over and over and can't see the point being made - so we are being outspent by City & Spurs and rely on the Champions League - wow a business has become reliant on its main revenue generator! Please stop rocking the boat as I've been quite impressed with the owners lately
The American owners may have broken a number of promises and I was initially against them BUT recently they and Purlow have done what Moores and Parry DID NOT do and that is take Liverpool and realise their commercial potential. Previously LFC was being short-changed while MU, Chelsea and Arsenal moved forward. In the current economic crisis, the American team have done well. SOS constant whining is bad for the club. You can't expect some sugar daddy to just waltz in, give a large amount of cash and expect nothing in return. You can't expect to cling on to the past and still expect the club to progress. Have to agree with Joe, STOP rocking the boat and give the management another chance to come good. The Americans are doing a good job this time round.
The problem is SOS have become even more militant lately, and I am worried. Ok so the Yanks are not the best owners we could have but they have given us a massive boost with the commercial deal and with more to come. I for one wish we could have different owners but it is unlikely. Walking up and down the street with banners has some effect but it is limited, especially when the people it is aimed at are 3.5 k away, and are so hard nosed it is not going to affect them. Anyway what happened to Leeds won't happen to us, and the sponsor ship deal is just one bit of proof of that.
Like many I'm getting a bit sick of all the negativity. When things are going badly at Liverpool they criticize, and when things are going well they still criticize.
I'm happy that the owners are trying to improve the clb's commercial side, and seem intent on improving our financial standing. Some people seem to think the owners don't care if the club goes bust, and that they are bunch of chancers who got lucky. They're not exactly young men flashing the cash are they?
I'm just going to see. But for now I wish the critics, especially like SOS would just shut up and let us readl fans enjoy our football.
D.