Do the owners of Clubs listen to the fans, just look at the current owners of Manchester United and Newcastle United. The fans of both these clubs have owners that they don't like but they still go to the matches. Mike Ashley (Newcastle) and the Glazer's (Manchester United) are laughing all the way to the bank, the money is still rolling in. And to show how much they dislike the Glazer family man united fans have suddenly adopted Norwich city scarfs, They would be better advised to boycott the club, but they wont and they think that theyve got it bad. QPR supporters have hadto put up with 15 years of hurt including 2 relegations a spell in administration, boardroom upheaval, ticket prices, manager changes seems like every month. The reason that some clubs are successful are a) Stability try to keep your manager (Ferguson at Man united and Wenger at Arsenal), b) Support your manager in the transfer market (Dave Whelan at Wigan, Ferguson again) and c) keep the match/season ticket prices witihn reason.
Whilst technically business owners can do what they want as far as their markets are concerned, the wise advice says they get best returns where they involve customers at various levels. It's a bit different with football clubs where fans are often lifelong 'addicts' who will attend games regardless of club ownership, policy and practice, manager, players, ground conditions, ticket prices, quality of refreshments etc.. In this case it's a pretty well assured market place where service providers can take the piss and still get a return (vis: QPR and the Goons). However, materially upsetting and then ignoring customers who as a norm congregate in one arena is not bright. The potential for quickly co-ordinated protest is always there with unlimited permutations... Bernie hasn't faced these conditions much before which is why I think he lacks respect and gives it the acid tongue. At the age of 80 plus, it looks like he's about to learn a thing or two about business...
