[Football] Strasbourg / BlueCo / multi-club ownership

[Bozza]

I was just reading about RC Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior and where Valentin Barco is currently playing his football.

They're on a tremendous run, winning again this weekend, to move up to fourth and are now just one point away from Champions League qualification.

I knew they are a BlueCo (Chelsea) club, but I wasn't aware of the strength of feeling of the Strasbourg fans against this relationship...

"Strasbourg doesn't exist from the sporting point of view. We are just Chelsea B team," Strasbourg Supporters' Club member Alexandre Hummel tells BBC Sport. "I don't get why they would buy Strasbourg.​

​

"Strasbourg is the only professional club in Alsace. There is a strong connection to the local identity, a mix of French and Germanic culture.​

​

"We are not in debt to a bank but we are in debt to BlueCo. I would rather be in the fifth tier with our destiny in our hands, not spending someone else's money. When you do that, you belong to them."​

'BlueCo out' - Strasbourg fans protest against Chelsea's parent club

French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg endures fan tension over the perceived 'betrayal' of the club's sale to Chelsea owners BlueCo.

www.bbc.co.uk

I'm not aware of anything similar directed at Tony Bloom - USG would be the obvious source, I guess - perhaps reflective of Tony Bloom being more measured and hands-off in the way he works with the clubs he takes stakes in.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I was just reading about RC Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior and where Valentin Barco is currently playing his football.

They're on a tremendous run, winning again this weekend, to move up to fourth and are now just one point away from Champions League qualification.

I knew they are a BlueCo (Chelsea) club, but I wasn't aware of the strength of feeling of the Strasbourg fans against this relationship...

"Strasbourg doesn't exist from the sporting point of view. We are just Chelsea B team," Strasbourg Supporters' Club member Alexandre Hummel tells BBC Sport. "I don't get why they would buy Strasbourg.​

​

"Strasbourg is the only professional club in Alsace. There is a strong connection to the local identity, a mix of French and Germanic culture.​

​

"We are not in debt to a bank but we are in debt to BlueCo. I would rather be in the fifth tier with our destiny in our hands, not spending someone else's money. When you do that, you belong to them."​

'BlueCo out' - Strasbourg fans protest against Chelsea's parent club

French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg endures fan tension over the perceived 'betrayal' of the club's sale to Chelsea owners BlueCo.

www.bbc.co.uk

I'm not aware of anything similar directed at Tony Bloom - USG would be the obvious source, I guess - perhaps reflective of Tony Bloom being more measured and hands-off in the way he works with the clubs he takes stakes in.

It's all about BlueCo rather than 'foreign' or other ownership per se, isn't it?
I suspect that if The Albion carried on in exactly the same way as we are no, but under BlueCo ownership, the supporters would be up in arms.

 

[jackalbion]

I was just reading about RC Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior and where Valentin Barco is currently playing his football.

They're on a tremendous run, winning again this weekend, to move up to fourth and are now just one point away from Champions League qualification.

I knew they are a BlueCo (Chelsea) club, but I wasn't aware of the strength of feeling of the Strasbourg fans against this relationship...

"Strasbourg doesn't exist from the sporting point of view. We are just Chelsea B team," Strasbourg Supporters' Club member Alexandre Hummel tells BBC Sport. "I don't get why they would buy Strasbourg.​

​

"Strasbourg is the only professional club in Alsace. There is a strong connection to the local identity, a mix of French and Germanic culture.​

​

"We are not in debt to a bank but we are in debt to BlueCo. I would rather be in the fifth tier with our destiny in our hands, not spending someone else's money. When you do that, you belong to them."​

'BlueCo out' - Strasbourg fans protest against Chelsea's parent club

French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg endures fan tension over the perceived 'betrayal' of the club's sale to Chelsea owners BlueCo.

www.bbc.co.uk

I'm not aware of anything similar directed at Tony Bloom - USG would be the obvious source, I guess - perhaps reflective of Tony Bloom being more measured and hands-off in the way he works with the clubs he takes stakes in.

I think Tony has gone about it the right way, with indeed a slightly hands off approach. He also has picked a club of similar (maybe even slightly larger) stature than Brighton. Ultimately though morally I completely disagree with multiple club ownership, but its one of the inevitabilities of modern football. It can't help but seem like all these B-sides are just there for enforcing the scouting network, and player ownership of Premier League sides, and have very little beneficiaries to local football culture or development.

 

[portlock seagull]

Like 2nd homes / houses, I don’t believe in multi club ownership for the reasons cited.

 

[Han Solo]

I'm not aware of anything similar directed at Tony Bloom - USG would be the obvious source, I guess - perhaps reflective of Tony Bloom being more measured and hands-off in the way he works with the clubs he takes stakes in.

Partially that but I think the main thing is that USG had spent 47 years outside of the top division when Tony bought the club. Not the case in Strasbourg.

 

[Han Solo]

I think Tony has gone about it the right way, with indeed a slightly hands off approach. He also has picked a club of similar (maybe even slightly larger) stature than Brighton. Ultimately though morally I completely disagree with multiple club ownership, but its one of the inevitabilities of modern football. It can't help but seem like all these B-sides are just there for enforcing the scouting network, and player ownership of Premier League sides, and have very little beneficiaries to local football culture of development.

He bought a semi-professional Belgian division 2 club playing in front of less than 4k people in a 8k stadium.

 

[jackalbion]

He bought a semi-professional Belgian division 2 club playing in front of less than 4k people in a 8k stadium.

Reminds me of another club who used to play in a 8k stadium. USG have a lot more historical success than Brighton as well.

 

[pigmanovich]

I was just reading about RC Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior and where Valentin Barco is currently playing his football.

They're on a tremendous run, winning again this weekend, to move up to fourth and are now just one point away from Champions League qualification.

Which makes it hilarious that per TS, Southampton want Rosenior in charge at St. Mary's next season

 

[worthingseagull123]

I like the idea of fan ownership rather than clubs being toys for the wealthy.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I read the article the other day. Plays up the relationship between Liam Rosenior and Paul Winstanley. I suspect this means anyone expecting to see LR on our succession list has missed the boat. Straight to Chelsea if Maresca screws up. They really are trying to build Brighton Mark II

 

[AK74]

I read the article the other day. Plays up the relationship between Liam Rosenior and Paul Winstanley. I suspect this means anyone expecting to see LR on our succession list has missed the boat. Straight to Chelsea when Maresca inevitably screws up. They really are trying to build Brighton Mark II

Edited for accuracy.