It has been announced that website MyFootballClub.co.uk has come to a deal with Ebbsfleet United to buy a 51% controlling stake in the club. MyFootballClub.co.uk is a website where users can register for a year at £35, which gives them a say before each match as to what players should be fielded and what formation should be used for the match. Members of the site also have a say in transfers and any major decisions that the club chooses to take. In the 11 weeks that the site has been operating it has already had 50 thousand people register, with 20 thousand of those each paying £35 which creates a takeover pot of £550,000. From this £35, £27.50 from each member going towards the club while the remaining £7.50 contributes to website costs and the upkeep of MyFootballClub.

While the transfer has not yet taken place, it should be finished in a few weeks at which point MyFootballClub will own a 51% stake in the Fleet, with the option to purchase the remaining 49% and gain sole ownership at a later point. Once the takeover takes place the current manager Liam Daish will take on a role outlined by MyFootballClub as “Head Coach,” retaining the same role as currently only with starting line-ups and formations outlined by a vote prior to the match taken on the website. While the Board will retain their roles but as non-executives.

The takeover is a further step for Ebbsfleet in a year which has seen a strong push for the League, a name change to the club after over 60 years of being known as Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. and one of the biggest sponsorship deals in non-league history with Eurostar on board as the Fleet’s main sponsor for three years. The move by MyFootballClub also represents a major landmark in English football and is a drastically different method to manage a club which has only been made possible in the last few years with the rise of the internet.

The Views

“Several weeks ago, the board of directors and myself approached MyFootballClub. MyFootballClub is a not-for-profit organisation, which has been set up with the aim of owning, investing in, and helping a football club to grow. Around 20,000 football supporters in the UK and worldwide have since paid a total of over £700,000 to the trust in the 11 weeks since money started being collected from members. In effect, this money is a donation because the trust has been set up so money from the trust can only go into the club, and cannot be taken out of the club.”

“It’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as increased revenue for Ebbsfleet United is concerned because there should also be increases in sponsorship, merchandise income, gate receipts, advertising revenue and other income the trust and its members will generate. The board unanimously welcomes their funds and expertise and have agreed the trust, subject to approval at a meeting of shareholders to be convened, can buy a controlling stake in the club. The money which is being paid for the club will be used to pay off existing debts and the intention is we will continue in our roles at the club, as will all other staff, and we will continue to help oversee the success of the club.”

“The board, Liam Daish and his coaching staff, club employees and myself are united in believing this is great opportunity for Ebbsfleet United. We are united in believing this is a great opportunity, this extra finance and support will enable our club to progress. This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress up the leagues, and the club will get significantly increased media coverage.”

Jason Botley
Ebbsfleet United Chairman

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“Picking eleven players and formations isn’t a precise science and luck often plays its part. I believe in a strong dressing room and eleven who want to perform are just as important. And I’ll continue to make sure that happens. During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn’t start games. Now they can have their say. My job won’t change that much. As a club, we’ll select the starting 11 players and formation together. But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me. It’s the supporters’ money that finances this club and pays my wages and those of the players. So there’s a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see.”

“Everyone has worked wonders to get this club into the top half of the Conference. We all agree we need something extra to take us to the next step. As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic. As the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team. My assistant Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work.”

Liam Daish
Ebbsfleet United Manager

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“The MyFootballClub ownership model is an innovative way of funding a lower-league club. Reports of having raised over £700,000 in 11 weeks suggests it is viable too. The Sports Business Group at Deloitte has been following its progress with interest, and we’re now looking forward to offering our experience in football finance to assist with advice and guidance during the due diligence process.”

Dan Jones
Partner at Deloitte

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“Nine football clubs approached MyFootballClub and we believe that Ebbsfleet United is the perfect choice. We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet United supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful.”

Will Brooks
Owner of MyFootballClub