How City’s kit and sponsorship deals compareMay 22nd, 2007

I thought I’d take advantage of the lull in the Thaksin proceedings to look at how City’s recent kit deal compares to other clubs.

Unfortunately figures are hard to come by. Umbro appear to keep details of their Premiership deals a closely guarded secret while yesterday’s announcement that Canterbury are to supply Pompey’s kit next season was typically short on detail. But I did find the figures for Newcastle and Spurs, which show we’re only getting half what they receive.

According to Roy Morgan Research City have 886,000 fans in the UK, Newcastle 1,159,000 and Tottenham 1,240,000, which makes the gap in revenue a bit puzzling, though maybe it just reflects our lack of exposure outside the UK.

The second table shows how our shirt sponsorship deal compares to other Premiership clubs.

Hopefully our sponsorship income will increase when our current deal ends next summer. Fulham, who were getting £1.25m-a-year from Pipex, yesterday signed a £3m-a-year deal with LG electronics which will last for two years. And Liverpool have today signed a new deal with sponsors Carlsberg worth £7.5m-a-year until 2010 - a £2.5m-a-year increase on what they were getting a couple of years ago.

In all City get £4m a year from their shirt and kit sponsorship deals, which is twice as much as Bolton.

If anyone can fill in any of the gaps please email me via the Contact/Contribute button at the bottom of the page. I’ll be putting both tables in the Finances section and updating them whenever there’s a change.

~ You can see a picture of our new away kit, taken from Soccer AM, at Mancityfans.

For the record

Thaksin Shinawatra will press ahead with his takeover plans for City despite concerns over Joey Barton’s human rights record, his lawyer has revealed.

“Obviously Mr Thaksin has a reputation to protect and reports of training ground atrocities, not to mention the well-documented ‘Mendes massacres’, could damage his standing with the Thai people,” Noppadon Pattama told Purelymancity last night. “But we’re definitely going to make a bid anyway. I know I said on Saturday that we’d already made one, but next time I’ll mean it. Honest.”

~ A poll at Bluemoon reveals that 65% of fans are in favour of a Thaksin takeover with 35% against (51 people voted).
~ Over at Wookie’s Lair m25_blue points out that Thaksin’s announcements are worryingly similiar to an infamous email scam.
~ The Times today has a feature about Barton (link) written by Peter Kay, chief executive of the Sporting Chance clinic.

Takeover newsfile

Mon 21st

8pm: BoT reviews Thaksin request (Bangkok Post)
The Bank of Thailand needs one month to consider whether Thaksin can transfer money abroad to buy City.

6.47pm: Thaksin yet to apply for footie funds (The Nation)
Thaksin has not yet submitted his proposal to take money out of Thailand for a City bid, according to a central bank director.

11am: Thaksin, Former Thai Prime Minister, to Bid for Manchester City (Bloomberg)
Thaksin will make a formal bid for City “in the next few days'’, his lawyer said today.

Sat 19th

9pm: ASC asked to probe Thaksin’s Man City bid (Bangkok Post)
The Democrat Party has called on the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) to trace the money trail in Thaksin’s bid to buy City.
‘’The takeover bid should be seen as a lucky strike in the sense that it would provide a lead to his possessions which remain hidden overseas,” said Democrat Party deputy leader, Alongkorn Ponlabutr.
‘’There are signs of unusual movements of his assets,'’ Mr Alongkorn said, adding that if it is proved that the money spent on buying Man City was acquired unscrupulously, the club would no longer belong to Mr Thaksin. It would then become the property of every Thai, he said.

7pm: Thaksin seeks BOT blessings for Bt6.8 bn deal (The Nation)
Thaksin will ask the Bank of Thailand to permit him to withdraw an unspecified sum from the country so he can buy City.
Thaksin’s lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, said the central bank was expected to give the green light because “the money would be used for a good cause”.
“The money isn’t going to be used for any political purpose, and news of the bid to buy the club isn’t politically motivated,” he said.
Noppadon claims Thaksin wants to help promote sports in Thailand via the take-over of City.

1pm: Man City bid ´going well,´ says Thaksin lawyer (AFP)
“Thaksin has officially submitted his bid to buy the football club,” Noppadon Pattama told AFP, confirming the offer for the first time.
“There is no any official conclusion yet at this moment, but everything is proceeding well,” he said, adding that he had spoken to Thaksin earlier in the day.
“By the end of this month, everything will be clear.”

12pm: PM: Thaksin worried as cases given to court (Thai News Agency)
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont says ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is a discredited leader, struggling hard because serious legal cases against him are about to be brought to trial.
“I think that Mr Thaksin is worried the about court cases against his family which are about to start now. His struggling shouldn’t be considered as a political offensive,” Gen. Surayud said.

10.54am:
Several parties remain in City race (PA - Simon Stone)
Manchester City remain in talks with ‘a number’ of different parties over a potential buyout of the Barclays Premiership club.
Erroneous speculation has surfaced in the far east that favoured candidate, former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has already lodged a formal bid for the Eastlands outfit.
Although talks between Shinawatra and the Blues are at an advanced stage - to such an extent he was shown around the club’s Carrington training complex on Monday - as yet there has been no bid.
Any offer would have to be lodged with the Stock Exchange, although with due diligence almost complete Shinawatra is expected to make a move in the next few days.

07.22am: Former Thai PM Thaksin makes formal bid for Man City (Reuters)
“What I can say now is we have tendered a bid for the team,” Thaksin’s lawyer Noppadon Pattama told Reuters by telephone.

12.21am: Ranieri tops City’s list as Thai edges closer to takeover (Independent - Sam Wallace)
Takeover bid from Thaksin likely to arrive as soon as the early part of next week.
City’s executive team would be retained.

Thurs 17th

10.31am: Blues stars in limbo (MEN - Chris Bailey)
Shinawatra’s £130m takeover is regarded within Sportcity as inevitable, and for that reason the current directors are unlikely to take an active part in the crowning of the new boss.
Current directors Boler, Dennis Tueart and Bryan Bodek are not expected to be kept on if and when Shinawatra takes control, though there may be an ambassadorial role for Wardle.
It is believed that the new owners will keep much of the present executive administration at the club, including chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

5am: Thaksin live on Thai airwaves (Bangkok Post)
The ousted premier mentioned buying Manchester City league but refused to give details. He only said it will benefit Thailand if he purchased the Premier League team, without clarifying how.

Wed 16th

6.54pm: Thaksin closes in on Manchester City deal (FT)
Thaksin to make formal bid “within days”.
“The Manchester City deal is going to be a big dilemma for the Thai authorities, for the central bank, and for the military,” said political scientist, Thitinan Pongsudhirak. “If there is a transaction, Manchester City will stand for Thaksin. If the deal falls through, people will have sympathy for him because he is being bullied.”

12.30pm: Thaksin can return to Thailand for court testimony (TNA)
Although the Council for National Security or CNS — the name assumed by the coup makers - has not officially banned Thaksin from returning to the kingdom, it has given clear signals that his presence in the kingdom would be welcome only after elections promised by the end of this year.
“Once he is prosecuted, the decision lies within the court’s jurisdiction, which we must abide by. Neither the political power (of the military council) nor the administration will intervene with the legal procedure,” Prime Minister Surayud said.

11.04am: Thai bank says no request from Thaksin despite Man City reports (AFP)
No request for money transfer of over £25million has been received by Thai central bank.
Thaksin was worth £170million before the £1billion sale of Shin Corp shares, official documents released after the September coup reveal.

10.44am: Ranson still ‘determined’ (Sky - Robin Hackett)
“Ray is 110% determined to make sure Manchester City ends up in the right hands,” said a source close to Ranson. “He believes passionately he is that man.”

8am: Lawyer says Thaksin will quit politics (Bangkok Post)
“Mr Thaksin would like to quit politics,” Taksin’s legal advisor said. “But when he says he will return, that will most likely mean that he wants to come back to fight for justice on charges against him. And no one can stop him from coming.”
Thaksin had earlier been quoted as saying: “I have to stay longer in foreign countries for the unity of the nation. My patience is wearing thin. Don’t pressure me too much.”

Tues 15th

7pm: Man City deal: where will the money come from? (The Nation)
“People wanting to invest in a business worth more than US$50 million, also need central bank approval. If the amount is less, a commercial bank can process the deal on a person’s behalf.
After selling 49 per cent of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore last year, the two and family members collected Bt73.3 billion (£1.1b) in cash. This huge amount of money is still parked in Thai banks inside the country. The central bank has been keeping a watchful eye on Thaksin’s and Pojaman’s money”.

9.40am: Thai Blues! (MEN - Peter Spencer)
Thaksin and party landed in helicopter and given whistle-stop tour of Eastlands Stadium and training grounds.

4.50am: Graft rap sought against Thaksin (Gulf Times)
Thai anti-graft body decided yesterday to ask prosecutors to charge Thaksin and wife Potjaman with criminal corruption for him using influence in wife’s land deal.
Lawyer says Thaksin keen to defend himself in court if prosecutors decide to charge him and Potjaman.

1.25am: Exit Pearce and enter Thaksin as City’s revolution takes shape (Guardian - Daniel Taylor)
Thaksin’s takeover bid progressed more quickly than anticipated with a possible official announcement about next stage of process within 48 hours.

12.57am: City want Sparky as Boss (The Sun - Neil Custis)
Stock market rules mean a gap of 30 days to allow any rival offers before sale goes through.
£58m bid includes £20m in repayments to chairman John Wardle and business partner David Makin for loans they gave City.

12.37am: Van Gaal in the frame after City sack Pearce (The Independent - Sam Wallace)
Among Shinawatra consortium advisors will be Keith Harris from Seymour Pierce, who has advised on number of takeovers, including Randy Lerner’s acquisition of Aston Villa.

Monday 14th

4pm: Tax trial opens for wife of ex-Thai prime minister (Forbes - Rungrawee C. Pinyorat)
Special government committee recommends Thaksin and wife, Pojaman, be prosecuted over her purchase of land in Bangkok at favorable price from semi-official agency.

Not so fast, Mr Bond

I’ve always enjoyed reading David Bond, the Daily Telegraph writer who has an excellent grasp of football finance. But I have to take issue with his piece today headlined City fans still silent over Human Rights wrongs. Here’s an extract:

The lack of dissent from City supporters over Thaksin’s bid for control of Manchester City is surprising when one considers the outcry which accompanied his abortive attempt to buy into Liverpool three years ago.

Bond quotes Supporters’ Club spokesman Kevin Parker to illustrate what he feels is a lack of concern about Thaksin’s human rights record. “If you could hand pick who you wanted to invest in your football club, he wouldn’t be top of your list. But we desperately need investment in the team,” Parker says.

With negotiations at a very sensitive stage, it would be extraordinary if the OSC spokesman waded in with accusations about a prospective new owner, particularly considering how closely the club keep an eye over that organisation. And to suggest that one person can speak for all fans is plainly absurd. Had Bond read some of the many City talkboards he would have found plenty of concern about Thaksin, his human rights record and his business dealings.

But most of all he would have found debate.

Having read all the main talkboards over the last few days it’s clear that a sizable portion of posters are not particularly concerned about Thaksin’s background as long as his money can bring success, while a minority are hostile. But the main bulk of us appear to be somewhere in the middle. We know this guy is a bit dodgy, but we’re not going to rush to judgement with so much spin, allegation and propaganda flying around.


(Mancityfans poster Ben gives his take on the Thaksin situation)

This comment from Gavin, one of the owners of Citymancs, is probably typical of where a large portion of opinion is right now:

“It’s clear that the current leadership of Thailand aren’t particularly keen on him, they wouldn’t have overthrown him otherwise. Therefore it’s difficult to know whether charges coming from there are justified or not. Either way it’s worrying that the government are willing to throw as much mud at him as possible as some might stick to MCFC as well as him personally. It’s a difficult situation and clearly I’d prefer someone with a less murky background but I’m reticent to believe all that is said from there as there are clearly ulterior motives to be considered.”

For Bond to compare ourselves with Liverpool is also unfair. Although there were indeed concerns voiced about Thaksin during his attempt to buy into Liverpool in 2004, these were no doubt amplified by fears over the financial impact it might have on a successful and wealthy club.

City, on the other hand, are a financial basket case whose fans have been starved of success for 31 years. After enduring three years of hope-sapping transfer dealings and a season of garbage football that broke the record for boredom, the idea that we’re going to rush out to condemn the first man who offers some kind of hope is plainly unrealistic.

Bond also quotes Brad Adams, Asian director of Human Rights Watch, who says:

“If I was a Manchester City fan I would be very afraid of where this all might lead. Supporters have to ask themselves the question: do they want a serving Prime Minister with this sort of background and record running their club?”

Brad, you’re not a City fan and we are asking the question.

But right now it feels as though a complex game of chess is being played out, with City a mere pawn. There’s no doubting that organisations such as Human Rights Watch do great work but they, like Thaksin, are now using City to further their political ends.

Few of us had heard of Thaksin a few weeks ago, and the politicial situation in Thailand was hardly a common topic of conversation in pubs. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been archiving information about Thaksin and Thai politics, but I too want to reserve judgement until I have a clearer picture.

All in good time, Mr Bond.

~ I’ve found a couple of things so far worth sharing. The first concerns the role of Thaksin’s wife, Potjaman, who according to this story appointed several cabinet ministers when her husband was PM. There’s also a very funny entry about Thaksin in Wikipedia spoof Uncyclopedia.

New manager newsfile

Claudio Ranieri’s odds have drifted to 17/12, but he’s still way ahead of Gordon Strachan (7/1) and Co Co Adriaanse (43/5) according to Oddschecker.

Parma’s draw at Lazio on Sunday wasn’t enough to guarantee safety, so now their season will go down to the final game on the 27th.

Sun 20th

9.16am: City set to go for Co (Sunday Mirror)
Co Adriaanse has told friends he’s on the brink of becoming Manchester City’s new boss.

4.15pm: City close in on Ranieri appointment (Daily Mail)
Ranieri could be City boss next week if Serie A results secure Parma safety.
Contact believed to have been made through a third party.

08.52am: Ranieri poised to Thai-up City deal (MEN - Chris Bailey)
Ranieri “almost certain” to be the next City manager and will quit Parma after their last game against Empoli on the 27th.

02.51am: City line up Ranieri for Premiership return (Guardian - Daniel Taylor)
“Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager, will be offered a return to the Premiership by Manchester City’s prospective new owners, despite the misgivings of the current board.
Ranieri would not have been on Mackintosh’s personal shortlist but it is a measure of how advanced the takeover discussions are that Thaksin has effectively taken control of the appointment process along with Keith Harris, the football finance expert who has been advising him on his bid.”

Thurs 17th

12.35pm: Ranieri plays down Man City link (BBC - Simon Austin)
“Nobody has contacted me from Manchester City - I don’t know anything at the moment,” Ranieri said.

Wed 16th

23.47: Overseas trio out of running to replace Pearce (Independent - James Ducker)
Koeman, van Gaal and Houllier ruled out.

12:22am: City wait for their chosen man to become free (Independent - Sam Wallace)
Prospective new owners will announce name of new manager as soon as his season ends.
Manager likely to be from Spain, France, Italy or Germany and is “one of the best available”. Van Gaal and Koeman ruled out.
Current City administration being kept in dark over appoinment.

Tues 15th

10:45am: City considering Koeman move (Sky - Robin Hackett)
Former Ajax and Benfica coach has emerged as a leading candidate for the job.
Koeman won Dutch league title with PSV this season.

5.53am: Broken men - Pearce gets boot as City move on Van Gaal (Daily Mirror - Alan Nixon and David McDonnell)
City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh has Dutch legend Louis van Gaal top of his shortlist.
Blues also looking at Koeman, Houllier and Scolari.

1.25am: Exit Pearce and enter Thaksin as City’s revolution takes shape (Guardian - Daniel Taylor)
Gérard Houllier among those considered to replace Pearce, along with Koeman and Ranieri. Sven-Goran Eriksson has already been discounted.
Thaksin and international team of advisers were consulted about Pearce’s sacking in advance.

12.57am: City want Sparky as Boss (The Sun - Neil Custis)
Thaksin believes Mark Hughes is the man to lead City toward top end of Premiership.
Hughes will have £50million to spend once Shinawatra completes £58m takeover in mid-June.

12.37am: Van Gaal in the frame after City sack Pearce (The Independent - Sam Wallace)
City determined to appoint foreign coach to replace Pearce, with Dutchman Louis van Gaal among favourites.
It is understood that Thaksin’s advisers not at all interested in Eriksson, who is known to have admirers at club.
Pearce originally said he would waive any compensation if dismissed but signed rolling two-year deal in March last year which entitles him to one year’s salary as a pay-off.

Monday 14th

6.14pm: Manchester City sack Pearce but are in no rush to appoint successor (Daily Mail)
Wigley almost certainly on his way out.

5.37pm: City manager candidates (MEN)

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