An essential part of any debate is to make any point you feel is relevant. That's why I made the comparison with out of area supporters and that out of area players are not that different in this context. Manchester United did not begin life as a "global brand" and so at some point must have extended beyond their immediate locality. Good enough for them to grow but not Sunderland eh?
The logic reversed would make more sense, to move training facilities to cheaper areas of the country. Chelsea could train in Dewsbury for example, and sell their current complex and land and make a bucket of profit. The players would be forced to move up north, where the air is fresher and there are less terrorist threats. Although, the result is still the same, a business with no soul, a rancid representation of what football was intended to be.
We haven't grown by selling out mate, trust me, we could up sticks to Hong Kong or Shanghai and probably double our profits. We drew the largest crowd in US 'soccer' history in a pre-season friendly whereby 90% of the crowd were behind United, we were playing Real Madrid! As a fan living in Manchester, this club still makes me feel like I am right at the very top of the club's priorities, by putting us first. The 'M' in MUFC will always mean Manchester. If you expand to become a brand like we are great, but by these means... it certainly wouldn't work.
No problem. We all get busy! my initial thoughts are that this may indeed be feasible and will be tried at some point by one or more clubs. Apart from anything else, it will provide a local presence to help tap more into young talent in the south. The world has become a smaller place and the Premiership requires a club to exploit every avenue to survive and prosper.
All Premiership clubs sold out when they abondoned the other 72 clubs. Manchester United were part of that.Dont kid yourself that they would look after you at all costs. Football is now a business first, and sport second.
What are you talking about? You seem to be clutching at any kind of hope that you may be able to fathom in order to justify your quite ridiculous proposition. How are you even considering that moving your training complex will evolve your club? Do you not see that other clubs would be able to do the same and you'd be again in the same boat, having spent a ridiculous fortune to build a training complex in the world's most expensive city? Only players who choose other countries would then be relevant, then you'd be on here, trying to justify taking your training facilities to Munich and Madrid. Business first, sport second... cliche bullshit pal, how do we grow a brand by abandoning the sport for the sake of the business? I'm out pal, it honestly feels like I'm debating with some sort of farm animal now.
Evidently one sentence is too much for you. You persisted despite the fact that your proposal was ridiculous, eventually you're going to get ridiculed, no matter what you're debating if that's your MO. You won't put your toy down, despite the fact that we've all provided enough evidence to say it's a ridiculous idea, you seem like you're just around for the argument, and your attempt at wit is all too familiar. I'm obviously not a Sunderland fan but I know exactly what your club values are, you're prepared to rip them apart for the sake of a mercenary player or two, clever.
Don't really know why you are having such a fit about it, the guy has only debated the question the same amount of times you have. This does happen in other countries, yes it's Russia, but I bet the people who live in near the Anzhi ground are proud people with heritage too. Secondly with so much money available, planes and eventually HS2 being built journeys between the cities will be a lot quicker. It's not a direction I want to go in but to just say your right and he is wrong and then go all snotty about it isn't really good.
Just what some people are like I'm afraid, they cannot understand that a debate is a two conversation and that other peoples views are just as valid as their own. Then become a tad desperate to justify themselves or try to get the upper hand by resorting to insults or name calling. Sad really.
Evidence you say...where exactly will I find that. Views and opinions most certainly....unfortunately they do not amount to evidence. Why not simply accept that either side of the argument could be right or wrong, rather than make yourself look stupid.
Anzhi were founded in 1991 and had average crowds of less than 400 until a billionaire took over 6 years ago, don't make me laugh. Aside from that, football is not nearly as cultural in Russia, people don't live and die for it.
I'm getting a bit confused by this idea of needing to move the training facilities to London. I don't know how frequently the players train during the week but if it's just a couple of times surely the can live in the South East and fly up for their training sessions can't they? There's nothing that forces them to live near Sunderland if that's a stumbling block to their signing for us. I've seen a post somewhere claiming Michael Owen lived in North Wales while he was at the Mags (might be bullsh!t though).
True mate, he had a helicopter. Owen had a street built in Chester for him and all his family, and didn't wanna live anywhere else in England.
