Trouble at ‘t Mill for top clubs

We’ve been hearing so much recently about fan protests at Manchester United, with the Green & Gold movement receiving the boost of an (intentional or otherwise) endorsement from David Beckham. The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) are now boasting more than 140,000 members amid talk of a boycott of season tickets next season.

The club have been making efforts to repress the protests, banning the players and the club’s TV station from discussing it. They have even dismissed stewards who have shown support for the green and gold, moves which hardly appear designed to kindle support from neutral onlookers.

Anti-Glazer protests are gaining momentum

Meanwhile, the Glazers plough merrily on, with reports today of another ticket price hike planned for next season to allow the club to meet it’s crippling interest payments. United were the only Premier League club to increase prices before the start of the current season, all of the other clubs choosing to avoid an increase during the recession.

Whilst a decision has yet to be made, this would be a move that will only strengthen the animosity towards the owners and increase the calls for a boycott of season tickets for next season. With the club’s waiting list for season tickets having dwindled in recent years, a boycott now would be more likely to have success, and average Premier League attendances have decreased slightly in each season since Old Trafford was last expanded in time for the 2006/7 season.

The level of debt for which the club is now liable, and the resultant interest requirements, mean that the Glazers probably have little choice from a business point of view. If the protesters campaign to hit them where it hurts is successful, the problem will become one of preserving the quality of the squad without compromising their ability to service the debts.

Meanwhile, at Liverpool, things go from bad to worse for Rafa Benitez. Now his players are beginning to attack him through the press, with Albert Riera taking a shot at Rafa’ man-management on Spanish radio:

He thinks he’s in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears. His dialogue with the players is practically nil

Riera has started just once in the last couple of months and is now looking for a move to secure regular football. There have also been rumbles about the club losing it’s best players (i.e. Torres and Gerrard) at the end of the season, with the Guardian today reporting that Torres will be Chelsea’s priority target this summer as they attempt to rebuild.

Off the pitch things aren’t much better, with debt again raising it’s ugly head. The much maligned Hicks and Gillett have, according to the Independent, been given a three week deadline to accept an investment offer from the Rhone Group. With Royal Bank of Scotland demanding repayment of £100m of debt by July, they appear to have little choice but to accept.

However, it has now been revealed that Rhone Group are only the front-men for the deal, and the funds are being provided by as-yet-unknown investors, for whom profit is the only motivation.

Liverpool supporters groups are right to be concerned at the intentions of these mystery investors, and what this might mean for the club in the long-term. Missing out on Champions League qualification might even help investors, as it would likely drive the value of the club down in the short term and allow them to lower any bid.

The troubles at Portsmouth really are just the tip of the iceberg, and the Premier League has only itself to blame. It has leapt headlong into the lions den in pursuit of cash, and now stands in real danger of being badly bitten over the next couple of years.