Manchester City: a tale of love and money
Manchester City won the Premier League title at the weekend, thanks to £1bn of Sheikh Mansour's money. But it wasn't always like this…Last Sunday, Manchester City, the club I grew up supporting, won the Premier League, 44 years after their...
John W Henry and FSG enjoy the goodwill of Liverpool’s supporters – for now | David Conn
After the optimism of the takeover has come a disappointing league season and the unanswered question of a new groundLiverpool's principal owner, John W Henry, and their chairman, Tom Werner, will be at the FA Cup final for their club's third Wemb...
Liverpool’s wage bill has increased despite Champions League absence
• Total income of £184m lags behind that of main rivals• FSG lent club interest-free £30m to help with cash flowLiverpool's American owners lent the club £30m in 2010-11 as the club's income fell but the wage bill increased significantly during ...
Liverpool blame loss of almost £50m on abandoned stadium plans
• Club wrote off £35m after new stadium plan scrapped• Sacking Roy Hodgson and others cost Liverpool £8.4mLiverpool Football Club made a loss of almost £50m in the year to 31 July 2011, according to the club's managing director, Ian Ayre. Talkin...
Manchester City rise calls United to reflect on life with the Glazers
Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that the Glazers have been good for Manchester United looks questionable after Monday's defeatIn a phrase which sounds authoritative but radiates helplessness, the Premier League declares itself "ownership neutral" meaning...
How Newcastle’s ‘Cockney Mafia’ turned the tide from ordure into order | David Conn
Kevin Keegan's sacking and Newcastle's relegation brought flak for Mike Ashley but Derek Llambias feels the club's controversial business model has been vindicatedNewcastle United's managing director, Derek Llambias, tells a story to illustrate the ord...
Roberto Mancini stays at Manchester City despite man-management issue
• Owners give backing whatever happens on Monday• City have the wealth but Ferguson's experience may countAmid all the dizzying narratives as Manchester faces up to its most momentous of derby matches one central theme is how rapidly sport can chan...
Coventry City dice with death as relegation sets out a bleak future | David Conn
An ill-fated move to a new stadium they could not afford to rent even in the Championship leaves the Sky Blues in dire dangerCoventry City's fall from the Championship on Saturday prompted reflections immediately on the club's 34 years in the top fligh...
Ken Bates denies using Leeds programme to pursue ‘vendetta’
• Melvyn and Carole Levi suing Bates for alleged harassment• Bates claims £190,400 is owed by company connected to LeviThe Leeds United owner, Ken Bates, rejected accusations that he used his column in the matchday programme to pursue a personal "...
Ken Bates’ harassment made ex-Leeds United director ill, court hears
• Melvyn Levi is suing the Leeds chairman• Claims attacks have left his wife living in fearA former Leeds United director told a court on Monday that the club's owner, Ken Bates, had made him and his wife ill by conducting a campaign of harassment ...
You don’t get rich from Champions League alone but it certainly helps
Uefa claims the prize money does not distort domestic football but, as well as offering far more cash than the Europa League directly, the elite competition gives more earning opportunitiesIt is the holy grail for the modern major football club, but th...
Blackburn Rovers facing their nightmare scenario | David Conn