Supporter share schemes - can they deliver?
Alamy | Over the summer Glasgow Rangers raised £4.5 million from 5000 small investors in a share issue. The Rangers scheme, with investment parameters set between £500 and £100,000, gave supporters voting rights and the right to attend annual general meetings. Pictured are Rangers-fans in the sun watching their team play against Hearts at Ibrox.
Supporter share schemes are likely to feature heavily in English football over coming years, with a government review considering technical detail and Manchester United promising “the biggest fans ownership scheme in world sport.”
Technological advances have brought share schemes – previously the preserve of the biggest clubs and stock market listings – into the hands of even the smallest clubs.
Fintech CEO: “The ongoing costs are modest, and it provides the opportunity to transform a business financially, and also its relationship with its fans.”
Chairman who ran successful supporter share issue: “I think a lot a lot of it was driven by an emotional investment in what we're trying to achieve…There's a bit of a kind of halo effect, isn't there?”
14 September 2021 - 7:06 PM
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