Time for the Mane to step up and buy the Broncos

[Beantown Bronco]

Internet collective buys soccer team

By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer
November 13, 2007

When the fans speak to the coach of Ebbsfleet United, he just might have to listen to them.

An Internet-based collective of soccer fans from more than 70 countries agreed in principle Tuesday to buy a controlling interest in the lower-league English soccer club.

The deal will give them a vote on everything from team lineup selections to which players should be transferred.

The pro club said it was overjoyed by the deal with MyFootballClub, calling it a world first and the start of a new age in soccer club ownership.

"This is a brand new concept, basically a massive trust," said Roland Edwards, a director and club secretary of Ebbsfleet United in Kent, southern England.

"These individuals have bought the team. They will help run it; they will feel part of it," he said in a telephone interview.

Ebbsfleet United is currently in the fifth tier of English soccer, known as the Football Conference, which is the level below the four divisions of professional soccer — the Premier League, League Championship, League One and League Two.

Edwards said he hopes its new owners will help push it up one notch to League Two. Ebbsfleet United is ranked ninth in the Conference, which has 24 teams.

Edwards wouldn't disclose the price MyFootballClub agreed in principle to pay for a 51 percent stake interest in the club. He said the deal would be completed in several weeks.

MyFootballClub, which charges its 20,000 members a $72 annual fee, has a kitty of more than $1.5 million and its money will not only help operate the team but deepen its pockets to buy new players, Edwards said.

MyFC, as it also is known, is the brainchild of former soccer journalist Will Brooks, who launched it in April.

The fans will vote on key decisions on Ebbsfleet United's day-to-day operation, from picking the team to selecting transfer targets and sanctioning moves. Under the deal, manager Liam Daish will see his job title changed to head coach to signify his changed role.

Edwards said the fans obviously will have no role during the matches, when Daish and the players will be making their own decisions.

But during the week, Edwards said, fans will be able to e-mail in their views about who should play in each weekend game.

"There will be a lot of dialogue and the head coach will respond leading up to the games," Edwards said.

The fans also will be able to watch the games worldwide via the Internet.

Supporters Direct, an organization set up to promote democratic ownership of soccer clubs, has its reservations, however.

"This might be seen as a one-off gimmick, and harmless enough by many, however this is a real football club, these are real finances, and real fans," Supporters Direct spokesman Kevin Rye said. "The question needs to be asked what happens to the club finances and its supporters if the novelty starts to wear off?"

But Daish said he was happy the fans would have an input on team matters.

"As a football fan, I think the idea is fantastic," he said. "I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team."

Brooks, MyFootballClub's founder, said: "Nine football clubs approached us, and we believe that Ebbsfleet is the right choice.

"We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet supporters will join forces to make the football club more sustainable and successful."

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

[Orange_Beard]

I wounder if all us combined are worth as much as Bowlen?

[elsid13]

I saw this article this morning. And immediately thought how bad Denver would be if we owned a large piece of the team. We make Bidwell look smart

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by elsid13

I saw this article this morning. And immediately thought how bad Denver would be if we owned a large piece of the team. We make Bidwell look smart

"Chaos" is a word that leaps to mind.

[Kaylore]

Meck had this idea about getting a bunch of people around Denver to give a little bit of money toward a fund to buy the naming rights to Invesco. They should at least take Invesco off of the stadium because the company doesn't exist.

Originally Posted by elsid13

I saw this article this morning. And immediately thought how bad Denver would be if we owned a large piece of the team. We make Bidwell look smart

Can you imagine? We'd fire a coach after every loss. We'd cut every player. We'd draft every glitzy player that came out and would miss on several value sleepers. We'd never make any money because we'd lower prices into the dirt. It would be catastrophe.

[Hotrod]

How about "Mile High HotROD"

[dbfan4life]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Can you imagine? We'd fire a coach after every loss. We'd cut every player. We'd draft every glitzy player that came out and would miss on several value sleepers. We'd never make any money because we'd lower prices into the dirt. It would be catastrophe.

It would certainly bring a whole new meaning to "adopt-a-Bronco"!

[GoHAM]

Utter chaos. And can you imagine how crowded the owner's box would be on Sundays?

[Raidersbane]

I say we pass the hat around and buy the Raiders.........

[Rohirrim]

We'd have to put one person in charge.





I nominate me.

[bronco militia]

I'd get rid of the club level...those cheap bastards can buy a suite

[Man-Goblin]

Pat Bowlen posts here, so in a way we already kinda own the team.

[broncofan2438]

I'm down, do they take monthly payments?

[MileHighMagic]

Imagine the new cheerleaders uniforms.

[Beantown Bronco]

Originally Posted by MileHighMagic

Imagine the new cheerleaders uniforms.

Cost cutting measure #1.....no uniforms.

[Jason in LA]

If we owned the Broncos, we'd finally get our naked Broncos cheerleaders.

(I wonder how many people here knows what that refers to. I'm sure all of the original members know )

[Jason in LA]

Originally Posted by Raidersbane

I say we pass the hat around and buy the Raiders.........

That is actually a great idea. We would be able to make sure they stayed in last place forever.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

If we owned the Broncos, we'd finally get our naked Broncos cheerleaders.

(I wonder how many people here knows what that refers to. I'm sure all of the original members know )

you know we do...

[ScottXray]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

We'd have to put one person in charge.





I nominate me.

Okay ..you can be general manager...
I nominate Mediator for Defensive co-ordinator and Khan as director of scouting.
We'll keep Shanahan as Offensive co-ordinator/Head coach

I get to be in charge of Cheerleaders!

[Orange_Beard]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

How about "Mile High HotROD"

We would be naming a stadium, Not a gay club.

[Raidersbane]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

If we owned the Broncos, we'd finally get our naked Broncos cheerleaders.

(I wonder how many people here knows what that refers to. I'm sure all of the original members know )

Is that anything like the Naked Scottish Weather Girls?

[BroncoMatt]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

If we owned the Broncos, we'd finally get our naked Broncos cheerleaders.

(I wonder how many people here knows what that refers to. I'm sure all of the original members know )

thats why I signed up

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Orange_Beard

We would be naming a stadium, Not a gay club.

You just ruined Hotrod's dream of football and tight ends in same Sunday afternoon.

[RaiderH8r]

I nominate me for sideline walking, fur coat wearing pimp daddy bad a$$. Why? Because I make it look good.

[Raidersbane]

Mandatory cowbells, BYOB, Firetrucks, horses, bagpipes, slip and slides..........summary executions of nutpunchers at halftime.....we could bring back the fun!