This is a light-hearted topic of what you would do if you had the opportunity to buy out current owners of Liverpool FC. This is not a dig at the current owners (I think they have done reasonably well, compared to the previous cowboys).
So if you became chairman, bought the club's shares and was very rich, how would you run the club?
Personally"Weāre a very, very modest club at Liverpool. We donāt talk. We donāt boast. But weāre very professional."
I would prefer to be a very laid-back chairman (which is really what the definition of a chairman is). Shying away from the media. The one who would be signing the cheques. Living the quiet life - the focus of attention is out on that football pitch. This is a family football club and all people with an interest in the club should be treated with the highest level of respect and integrity. It's not a business or sports venture.
PhilosiphyI would move to live in Liverpool if I was not living there at the time. So no more chairman "commuting" or basing their operations far away from Merseyside in the UK or even abroad. An open door policy.
For every new player to join Liverpool, or player promoted to the Academy, I would personally welcome them. I would give them the "Liverpool FC" bible. This would be a book of the success, traditions, mantra and famous quotes of the football club. Essential reading material. Losing at half time? That should be inspiration for every football player.
Bring back the culture of "promoting within". Players who retire at the club should be encouraged to become part of the coaching staff (but thats a decision for the gaffer). We will treat our own extremely well and be greatful for their success. Once you become part of Liverpool, you can remain part of something bigger than life. WE WILL LOOK AFTER YOU. If there comes a need for a new manager, then lets look at our own first.
If we have a really stinker of a game away from home (heavy defeat) the club should apologies to the fans and refund the ticket and also some amount of travel expenses.
FinancesI would drop ticket day prices immediately. As I am running the club as a football club and not for profit movies, the club could easily afford a drop in ticket revenue. Make the home games more attractive to the "ordinary fan". The players, coaches, chairman, directors - we all owe it to our fans who pay good money to watch Liverpool play. This would be made up partly by an increase in price of corporate boxes and advertising revenue on. billboards, banners etc...
Allocate free tickets to Liverpool supporers in the armed forces.
Back the gaffer fully in the transfer window and invest significant amounts. At the end of the day, his record would be judged by performances on the pitch, not by net spend or how much wages we have saved. Applies to new players and also coaching staff. No annual budget but that comes with extra responsibility. The more money spent will mean results will be expected faster.
Invest heavily into the Academy. If necessary rebuild or expand Melwood.
No advertising at all on any new Liverpool shirts.
Whilst the gaffer is free to negotiate contracts with players and staff as he wishes, a clause would be inserted into every contract of big financial penalties if they leave the club before the contract finishes. This would be at least 4 times (maybe more) his current basic wage and would apply at any time between the start and end of the contract. This would not apply if the manager actively wants to get rid of the player.
This probably happens anyway to some extentOther AspectsAs a football club, we also try and serve the wider community. Our footballers should do some charity thing once a week, if time allows.
Offer to pay all family costs for any future Hillsborough enquiries. As long as necessary until justice is finally done and the responsible parties are sentenced and jailed.
Once a month, the fans can get the chance to meet a Committee of people (Chairman, Directors, Manager) and voice their opinion. Food and drink provided at our expense
The Chairman and directors must attend and must answer all quesations
Open more Summer camps in developing football countries (e.g. Japan, USA) to again increase our fan appeal and also possible future players.
I would politiely ask the moderators of lfcreds.com to invest in making new message icons for starting new forum threads. For God sake, Phillip Degen is still thereStadiumA little contraversial but I would suspend the current "stadium situation" and look again at the possibility of a new stadium. I'm not sure how much Anfield can be expanded by. But lets say it could actually go up to 70000-80000, but traffic and other considerations would not make that feasible and would need significant funding. Thats fine, I will put some of my own money to the Council to get the work done. We could fill up 70000 on match days, especially with reduced ticket prices. Again there will possibly be consequences on the wider community (more homes demolished)
If this is not possible, then we would have to look at a new stadium. Again we should be looking at 70000 at the minimum.
This is a sensive issue and a double edged sword
Long Term GoalI would oversee a transition of Liverpool FC becoming a 100% fan-owned club, which could possibly be achieved in a few years once an offer is raised. I would remain a shareholder (about 10%) with hardly any influence. I would value my shares at a reduced price to speed up the "sale".
Well there you have it. Some of it probably makes no sense and I feel some of it was just made up on the spot
But how would you do things? Would you run it like David Moores, DIC, Hicks and Gillett or maybe even the Venkys... Be as serious or funny as you want!