Hands up if anyone saw Manchester United as a potential buyer for the Central Coast Mariners? No? Didn’t think so.
The Sydney Morning Herald story that United are interested in buying the Mariners’ A-League license and relocating them to North Sydney has come out of left field.
In the sake of full disclosure, I am a Manchester United supporter. I would love to see the club buy the Mariner’s license. The money that United would contribute to the league would be very valuable, irrespective of whether the club is in North Sydney or Gosford, but United are not going to contribute cash for the sake of contributing to the Australian game. United are seeking a return on their investment or some other benefit.
Reports indicate that United are interested in purchasing the club, along with a rebranding and a move to North Sydney with the aim of creating a global network of football clubs similar to Manchester City’s City Football Group (CFG) and their purchase of Melbourne Heart.
But this motive does not make a lot of sense. Manchester City needed to establish the CFG to improve their global profile. While the club was winning Premier League titles, its global standing compared to the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and even United was laughable. No one in their right mind could argue that Manchester City have the same standing in global football as Real Madrid for example.
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Pool viaGetty Images)
City do not have the historical or generational support to justify their status as a big club, so instead they turned to purchasing football clubs in other countries and using them to promote the City brand. This has worked to some extent. City can claim that their global profile has increased dramatically since the takeover by the UAE in 2008.
But United are a different story. The club already has a massive supporter base, so any rebranding of the club would likely not attract any more new members because they either would already be supporting the club or supporting another Premier League club.
It is much more likely that United view the Mariners as a farm for Australian talent, and why wouldn’t they? The Mariners have a history of contributing many players to the Socceroos. It is realistic to expect that United want to purchase players from the club and use them either for their own squad or, in a similar situation to the CFG, sell them for higher transfer fees, and thus gain a return on the investment.
But if this is what United wants, their plans for the Mariners become confusing. The Mariners were successful in establishing Socceroos, but this could be explained by the strong support from the local community. The Mariners whee able to create a small but passionate fan-base who showed up to games at Gosford. The resulting atmosphere is something to be admired, and while it has faltered in recent years, it has improved dramatically this season on account of the strong performance of the Mariners.
A relocation of the club to North Sydney strips the Mariners of their two most valuable assets that contribute to the strong performance of the club: the supporters and the stadium. It robs the idea of a local connection to the club. But even more importantly, the club is much more valuable in Gosford than it is in North Sydney.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
If the club was moved to North Sydney, United would have to compete in Sydney against three other Sydney clubs. While there is the geographical differential in North Sydney, it will take a lot of effort for the North Sydney club to gather support in that region, as there are three A-League teams already in Sydney, so it’s likely that some of these people would already be supporting a Sydney-based A-League club. The cash-farm model may still continue to work in that North Sydney would be able to buy and sell A-League players to United, but the league would lose a vibrant, historic club.
Some may claim in favour of the relocation that the Mariners remain a small club plagued with financial difficulties. It is clear that European super clubs may not be interested in investing in a small club unless it was located in either Sydney or Melbourne, because doubts would remain as to whether there would be a return on investment.
But this ignores the realities of United’s business model. It is no longer about exposure for United, it’s about revenue. The club could be located anywhere in the country because it’s unlikely that a relocation of the club to North Sydney would provide a larger attendance than in Gosford, if not smaller (thus contributing to expenses). The revenue and return on investment for United comes down to being able to use the Mariners as a feeder club to buy A-League players cheaply and then sell them off for larger profits.
This also extends to the idea of a rebrand for the Mariners as well. United doesn’t need to promote its brand, so a rebrand would have next to no benefits whatsoever. If United owns the club they will still get revenue from the brand, irrespective of whether it’s written in red and white or blue and yellow.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
This logic also applies to any super club that invests in the A-League, whether that is United, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. For these clubs, they already have exposure. The investment comes from being able to buy players cheaply and sell them off.
The skeptic would suggest that this turns clubs into nothing but development clubs, but I would argue that there is nothing inherently wrong with that, provided it is supplemented with the development of a winning culture.
There are many leagues in the world that are development leagues for the larger European clubs, but crucially an element of competitiveness still exists. A development club does not just mean developing skills, but developing a mindset for winning titles.
From this perspective, Manchester United buying the Mariners makes a little more sense. The Mariners benefit from increased revenue, which in turn facilitates the development of a stronger squad. While the main aim of this squad is to eventually play in Europe, that does not mean that the culture of winning trophies would not also be developed as this mindset is needed to survive in Europe.
As such, should Manchester United decide to purchase the Mariners, it’s in their best interest to keep the club as the Mariners and in Gosford as moving damages the value of the Mariners, and there is no brand justification for United to rebrand or relocate.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why is the North Sydney experiment over? Aren’t you the one wanting an Auckland side?
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I'm biased against any of the old NSL clubs even getting a sniff at it. Sure Campbelltown City or Cobras. BUT they will have to 'show us the money' before hand.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Good to hear Jordan. We did have the RAMs during the Super League days and they struggled to get decent crowds.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I'll listen to both of you, go for it. And what about last night's game, man alive we are blessed in this country. 7145 people there on a cold Wednesday night in Adelaide and by the time everyone who claims they were there and saw Al Hassan TOURE do unbelievable things, the crowd numbers will swell to over 50,000. Plus the best goal of the season, so far. will take another McGree miracle to beat it.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
@ Roberto Bettega wrote "As long as we all understand where they are coming from – don’t expect them to invest huge amounts of money and make huge losses – that will not be happening!" Being owned by a foreign business like Manchester United could be a double edged sword as we found at Melbourne Heart/Melbourne City when the City Football Group (CFG) came calling. We were stripped of our team colours with little regard for the fans. Only later did we get some Red&White happening - away strip. Do not under-estimate the emotional toll that took on some fans. Some left the club. If United (or anybody else) relocates CCM away from their current home, it's probable/likely that some current fans will walk away from the club. Don't expect 'massive' investment in the marquee players. Just look at City's team list over the years. Yes, David Villa for less than a handful of games then he scampered out of Melbourne for his ultimate home in New York (left a sour taste) and Tim Cahill. But mostly investment will be proportional to the size of the Australian football market. Lower level professionals. Did we get world class coaches/managers? Not at the elite level. In fact even CFG is prone to poor decisions witness the Warren Joyce fiasco. They left him in charge for two whole seasons while we fans were cursing his presence. To their credit, CFG invested in facilities in Melbourne so we no longer had the site of players taking ice baths in wheelie bins. Don't expect 'massive' investment generally. Again it will be proportional to the size of the Australian football market, not to the European market or elsewhere. Why did the CFG buy into Australia, a world footballing minnow? To many of us it's never been clear. It surely isn't to make a profit. A few players being sold like Mooy and Arzani is less than loose change to CFG. It's probably down in the financial noise floor - less than a fraction of a percent in their overall budget. CFG's stated ambition is https://www.cityfootballgroup.com/our-story/ "It is our ambition to increase participation in football on and off the field, to find and develop the best footballing talent, and to deliver an exciting and forward playing game. By achieving these ambitions – playing attractive football, engaging our community of passionate fans and adopting a uniquely global yet local approach – we are growing a sustainable and socially responsible organisation, consistent with what ‘City’ football has meant to people for over a century." CFG is 77% owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) which is run by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He is the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi. Some people speculate that a part of CFG building a global football empire relates to 'sports washing' https://theconversation.com/how-repressive-states-and-governments-use-sportswashing-to-remove-stains-on-their-reputation-100395 This may not be applicable to the current discussions around Manchester United and CCM but it could apply to CFG and it's link to the government of the United Arab Emirates.
Michael
Guest
Might be a good idea to let EPL invest in the A- League? Imagine if all A-League squads were majority ex-EPL players looking for time in Australia? Similar to French Ligue 1 where stars like Pepe and Depay go to prove themselves. Would have been good to see Fornarolj or Aaron Mooy playing alongside EPL players like Ross Barkley, Tammy Abraham etc - would be nice to see players loaned out to the A-League before reassuming a role in the EPL?
Winter A League is Awesome
Guest
That would be awesome
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
nice overhearing you guys talk old times
Jordan
Guest
NRL have said they aren't interested in going to markets that aren't traditional league areas. Very unlikely for Perth let alone Adelaide to get a team.
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
is that for punter or me to answer? or both of us haha?
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
saying that in public, but behind closed doors its a different story. They are ready to pounce when div 2 is up and they will 100% be one of the 2, possibly 3 adelaide representatives. One of the greatest clubs this country has ever seen, that has produced many socceroos over the years. They need to be given the chance to play a league
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Buddy - I was born in Jaywick, house right on the sea wall. Mind you that was way back in the early 1950's. Came down under in 58. Have been back a few times. Most of my memories are told to me by older siblings, I wish I listened to my Mum and Dad talking now. My oldest brother use to tell me about the going on's at Butlins and I think it is fair to say you wouldn't be the first bloke to visit those beach huts or to lose his 'innocence'. I haven't been back since 2003. We should make the extra effort once this bloody virus is done and dusted.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
@Andy - Hasn't the Adelaide City board already stated that they won't put at risk their big investment at Oakden by investing in a football based program? Or words to that effect.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
How and why did you name those areas? Is it something you would to see or is there some sound business knowledge behind it?
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Rodger - ok, how’s this then? One of my best mates from school lived in Clacton and I used to go and stay with his family during the school holidays. Early to mid 70’s I spent the summer working on the pier, mainly on the dodgems, sometimes the Waltzer and also the Skyliner - the chair lifts. After work - which was usually about 11-30 pm to midnight during the high season, we used to go to the Osborne. arms after work as they always had bands on and didn’t mind serving us - We were well and truly under age! I spent one summer and whitsun holiday at Jaywick working for a grumpy old basket called Sid - on the bingo, but it paid well (in a manner of speaking) and it paid for plenty of pints of Lamot Lager - Belgium from the only pub there! I was horrified to see what happened to Jaywick in more recent times though. I did spend a week at Butlins but lied about my age and got sacked as my national insurance card showed I wasn’t old enough. I also lost my innocence in your home town. We used to give “first aid” behind the beach huts, or occasionally inside if they were left unlocked. So, how’s that for a small world? Happy days!
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Adam Peacock wrote a piece for Foxsports, he has put it into perspective. They may of had talks but these types of deals are not hashed out in the media, but done via stealth, in a quiet back room, where nobody leaks. he suggests that it is just a story, nothing more than that.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Bloody hell you two. I too come from Essex, Clacton. Your stories sound so familiar. Have been a Chelsea fan since I was a youngen, through thick and thin. Can't tell you why, I just loved their blue kit back then. It is important to remember our history, or the history of football, so much we can learn from it moving forward.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
SFC v MAC attracted more than 10k a few weeks ago at Kogarah.
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
Its a worry when our marketing team is doing more then most east coast clubs whether it's announcing players, supporting indigenous football or new shirts Here's another doozy of a video https://www.adelaideunited.com.au/news/reds-pay-homage-malls-balls-one-kit
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I'm sure I said it before, outside Adelaide there fa in SA, and there's very limited sports in Adelaide for competition, afl is it