by Ben Hughes

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With many clubs facing administration, going into liquidation or struggling for survival from season to season, it must make them sick that at the other end of league pyramid (the Premier League), big money takeovers and investments are often the only things that dominate clubs' future success.

The MyFootballClub scenario started with Ebbsfleet in the Football Conference, just outside the Football League. Faced with the possibility of going out of existence, it seemed a good idea for fans and supporters to buy the club themselves. This would keep the club alive if nothing else.

It would also give fans an input into how the club is run. Although this may cause problems with so many fans, many of whom are probably uneducated in the running of a football club or business, it would also give them a sense of ownership and a desire to succeed.

How will they all agree on appointing a manager? I don't know, but if they do, that manager will have a huge backing.

It's a simple idea but an ingenious one. A small amount of money from a large number of people spreads the risk and can also help with investment. There are no "hated" foreigners like Roman Abramovich, Malcolm Glazer, or George Gillet and Tom Hicks who will alienate fans or disagree with each other. There is freedom to invest and get involved and a band of loyal supporters all the time.

So many fans have opinions on what should happen at their club and many feel they are better than the manager. This scenario gives them a chance to prove it. And if the clubs don't succeed with the fans in control, then it shows that the grassroots approach doesn't work. But at least it's worth a try - better than sitting back and hoping someone else will step in.

In fact, this idea has been so popular, even Liverpool supporters are looking at something similar. Fed up with the internal disputes and boardroom arguments, fans are hoping to take control of the club and be involved in the decision-making process themselves.

If it works with co-operatives (the supermarket and other organizations), why not with football clubs. They are both businesses and if the expertise is available then why not let the fans own and vote on how their club is run. It may not be the easiest journey but it's an exciting experiment which has every chance of success.

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