Springing into Action

In the past six weeks I have emerged from a winter hibernation working on assignments to spring into a seasoned ground hopper. I have been to Tranmere, Wigan, Everton, Manchester City and Brighton. With standards soaring from the UEFA Champions League to the SkyBet League Two, the quality of football, food and fanfare has been fascinating.

The League Two Reality

Starting from the lower end of the pyramid, the Football Industries MBA cohort took part in an assessment of matchday operations and experience at Prenton Park, home of Tranmere Rovers who are on a promotion quest at the top of League Two. A midweek kick-off didn’t dampen the spirits in the hospitality tent beside the ground. A good local feel to proceedings. Siting with the singing home fans, there was no shortage of passion. There were however some missed opportunities on the commercial front with old sponsors and unused space at a premium. This is life at League Two with such a reliance on matchday income taken away by the pandemic and only recently returning to normal levels.

The Tradition of the Cup and Goodison Park

Next up was a trip to Everton for the FA Cup clash with Brentford in what was Frank Lampard’s first game in charge of ‘The Blues’. There was a real buzz in the air and the compact streets were filled with supporters ready to hopefully turn a corner. The stadium was full of old English charm, wooden seats, tight spaces and that feeling that the whole ground is moving as the crowd sang in full voice.

A Club Rising

I was welcomed to Wigan by FIMBA alumnus and non-executive Director Oliver Gottmann and had the pleasure of experiencing the hospitality side of the game. A warm welcome from former CEO and now Honorary President Brenda Spencer, another FIMBA alumnus Tom Markham and former Dundalk CEO and now at the helm at Wigan, Mal Brannigan.

A strong sense of pride for glory days under the Dave Whelan era when the Latics were ?Premier League regulars and famously clinched the FA Cup in 2013. A strong on-field display with plenty of missed opportunities meaning it was a nervy end to the game for the Latics who have promotion in their own hands. Strange to see the vocal home supporters on the side stand vs behind the goal.

Blue Moon at City

The glitz and glamour of the Champions League was next on the agenda with a FIMBA outing to Manchester. The pre-match build-up, the comfort, the DJ in the corner all were made to drum up a boisterous support. Perhaps unsurprisingly it only came in the form of the away fans. Some of my colleagues and I were baffled by the lack of voice coming from the home supporters. The stage was set but the performance never arrived. It begs the question, how can a club like City create and atmosphere like Liverpool, Celtic etc.?

On the field, it was scintillating at times but an unassailable lead from the first-leg, the home side could bring on youngsters and the veteran Scott Carson who was making his second Champions League appearance after a 17-year hiatus.

Seaside Sunshine

Last up was a trip south thanks to an invitation from Kieran Maguire to watch his beloved Brighton welcome title chasing Liverpool. A morning spent wandering along the beach where there was an abundant number of vegan food options, fish and chips, coffee and ice-cream. Then utilising free trains with our match tickets, it was off to the Amex.

Once again, the seat comfort even in what would be the equivalent of British Airways economy was delightful, the pies exquisite but Brighton’s finishing failed to deliver. Liverpool took a hold of the game following a bright start by the hosts and ran out 2-0 winners.

A feature unseen for me before was the bars remaining open post game, this allowed us all to meet inside the ground and enjoy a beer before catching a train once the crowds died down.

A fantastic few weeks with the experiences equally endearing from League Two to Champions League.

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