" Can a club buy their way to being a big club? "

Heard this debate on a podcast recently and thought I'd get people's opinions..


Can a football club buy their way to being bigger than some of the established "big clubs" under how the game is currently structured?

My opinion is no, which is why teams like Manchester City and Spurs were so keen to enter the so-called Super League.

I don't think Manchester City, for example, will ever be as big as Manchester United.

Clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona and Juventus will always be the biggest in the world.

The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and others may have success, but they'll never be on the same level as those clubs.



Also, what make a club a big club? Is it attendances, success, history?

People often say we are either a big or small club in regards to the Championship, but what is that based on?

No can never buy your way into being big club like man u ect ....
Take man c as example of club but just bought success not made it bigger as was always a big club.......as for city yes we are a big club in context of the championship but there again Sunderland in div 1 are bigger than us because of their history and fan base that as never wained compared to ours which as.... most if not all commentators/pundits will say city are a big club so it's not a city fan bias its more to do with our status and past history that makes them think this. Other clubs like Preston have far better history than ours but certainly not a bigger club? not sure can really quantify what makes a club big considering man u are a big club but so is Sunderland who are poles apart from them... we sit in the middle probably.

Yes definitely but it's not easy, all the big clubs have had financial advantages for many years, once that stops and they drop away other clubs can clearly take their place.

The hardest part is sustaining it, Jack Walker beat the big clubs once but couldn't sustain the revenue required.

Man City could do it and become a massive club if the owners were to continue with the investment and Manu or Liverpool could always drop down the leagues although it would take a massive change in circumstances as they can usually buy their way out of a relegation.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Barcelona if their financial restrictions continue, I love seeing a massive club face some difficulties.

Yes definitely but it's not easy, all the big clubs have had financial advantages for many years, once that stops and they drop away other clubs can clearly take their place.

The hardest part is sustaining it, Jack Walker beat the big clubs once but couldn't sustain the revenue required.

Man City could do it and become a massive club if the owners were to continue with the investment and Manu or Liverpool could always drop down the leagues although it would take a massive change in circumstances as they can usually buy their way out of a relegation.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Barcelona if their financial restrictions continue, I love seeing a massive club face some difficulties.

Man u can drop to div 1 and still be a big club like they did before... man c exception to the rule as their owners have spent billions on team and the infrastructure around club (the training campus) that's bigger than league clubs have in facilities for 1st team ... Barcelona will be ok as they are an institution and religion to their fans .

Yes.

Man City are a prime example of that. Ok some are saying they will never be as big as Man U, Real Madrid, Barcelona etc. but how many club are below them on that score? Man City are now a big club.

This subject always reminds me of Dukla Prague who were the giants of the Communist world and were the only club to challenge the West. Then came along the fall of Communism and the club folded never to be seen again. If your club is well funded you can become a big club.

PSG we’re not considered a big club till about 15 years ago, now they compete with the Man Us and Bacas in the transfer market.

It's a tough question to answer but for me, the answer is yes, a club can buy its was to 'big' status...

But it takes a lot more to be a 'great' club because you cannot buy 'history' and you cannot buy 'tradition'

Some clubs have it and some clubs don't; but that's not to say it can't be achieved over some considerable time

I definitely think so yes. The big clubs are big because they spent the most money and for the most part, money = success. More success means more trophies, more fans, bigger attendances, bigger stadiums, more income to spend again, etc and keeps them as the big teams.

Just look at the top spendsers over the past few decades

50s - Everton, Spurs, Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool
60s - Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton, Spurs, Arsenal
70s - Man U, Arsenal, Everton, Man City, Liverpool
80s - Man U, Liverpool, Everton, Spurs, Arsenal
90s - Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds, Chelsea
00s - Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Man U
10s - Man City, Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal

It;s only 8 different teams and I guess most people would agree that those 8 would be considered in the top 10 "biggest" clubs in England. Man City just arrived to the table a little bit later than the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Utd.

Of course they can! That’s what Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG have done with their multi billionaire owners.
Different in the old days I remember us hammering Liverpool 4-0 in Shankley’s first game but he was the man that made them a big club, same with Matt Busby at Manchester United.We we’re certainly as big as these two in those days and could be again but need a top Manager and Muti Billionaire to get there!

Of course they can! That’s what Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG have done with their multi billionaire owners.
Different in the old days I remember us hammering Liverpool 4-0 in Shankley’s first game but he was the man that made them a big club, same with Matt Busby at Manchester United.We we’re certainly as big as these two in those days and could be again but need a top Manager and Muti Billionaire to get there!

As big as Utd, stone me I'll partake of what ever you're drinking . No comparison then now or ever

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

When Man C were in League one they had home crowds bigger than your Leeds.

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

To be honest, Andy, I think under Bielsa, Leeds have become a team genuine footballers watch with interest and with a different view to the past

I think you have pulled off a great signing in Dan James, who was always a better 'fit' for Leeds than your bitter rivals (IMHO)

Morning lads yes man city may have had bigger crowdd thats good cos it makes sense of my comments ie fans saved them and us tho they didn't have to start new season on -15 points .

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

It’s not about real fans anymore, it’s about pretend fans in Asia, who watch Man U tv and buy strips.

Morning lads yes man city may have had bigger crowdd thats good cos it makes sense of my comments ie fans saved them and us tho they didn't have to start new season on -15 points .

couple of things.... firstly Leeds Uniteds 4 biggest average crowds ever were Ridsdales final 4 years at Elland Rd...
secindly how can you think these attendances below were a saviour ?
ridsdales last season { 02/03 } you averaged 39k
03/04...it was 36k
04/05....29k
05/06...22k
06/07... 21k

like fans of most clubs { including ours } its a case of loving the spending then be fickle and critical of the spending should it not work out.....no different to any club ....

Of course they can! That’s what Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG have done with their multi billionaire owners.
Different in the old days I remember us hammering Liverpool 4-0 in Shankley’s first game but he was the man that made them a big club, same with Matt Busby at Manchester United.We we’re certainly as big as these two in those days and could be again but need a top Manager and Muti Billionaire to get there!

We have never been the size of Man Utd and Liverpool.

They were big clubs before then as well.

The point I was trying to make is there is a difference between being a successful club and a big club.

Manchester City have had great success in recent years, as have Chelsea, but they are still nowhere near the size of Manchester United and Liverpool.


It you went to the US or China and asked them to name Premier League clubs, the vast majority would name United and Liverpool first.

I don't think that will ever change.

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

.

Leeds come into the bracket of being a big club.

Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.

Yes.

Man City are a prime example of that. Ok some are saying they will never be as big as Man U, Real Madrid, Barcelona etc. but how many club are below them on that score? Man City are now a big club.

This subject always reminds me of Dukla Prague who were the giants of the Communist world and were the only club to challenge the West. Then came along the fall of Communism and the club folded never to be seen again. If your club is well funded you can become a big club.

My point is they'll never be as big as United or Liverpool.

They can buy success but they can't buy their way to being as big as those clubs in my opinion.

No can never buy your way into being big club like man u ect ....
Take man c as example of club but just bought success not made it bigger as was always a big club.......as for city yes we are a big club in context of the championship but there again Sunderland in div 1 are bigger than us because of their history and fan base that as never wained compared to ours which as.... most if not all commentators/pundits will say city are a big club so it's not a city fan bias its more to do with our status and past history that makes them think this. Other clubs like Preston have far better history than ours but certainly not a bigger club? not sure can really quantify what makes a club big considering man u are a big club but so is Sunderland who are poles apart from them... we sit in the middle probably.

Agree with a lot of that.

Manchester City and Chelsea have bought success but that doesn't make them as big as Manchester United or Liverpool.

Being a big club is more than success. Arsenal prove that, limited success for a while but are still seen as a big club - although still not on the same level as United and Liverpool.

Some will disagree but I think Manchester United and Liverpool will always be the biggest clubs in England, no matter how much money the other clubs spend.

PSG we’re not considered a big club till about 15 years ago, now they compete with the Man Us and Bacas in the transfer market.

PSG have had success but are they a big club? I'm not so sure.

Their biggest asset, who is French, is desperate to leave for a genuinely big club.

FANS make you a bigger club my leeds were nearly killed because of Ridsdale yes all jokes aside you hate my team etc but we saved us we saved leeds in our darkest days we still turned out with huge crowds we had 2 just 1 player left from the team you beat at Ninians and that was gary Kelly.now look at us yes we've splashed the cash but in the right areas bielsa being the one who was money well spent .in my opinion no you cannot buy or spend and get instant success for me its the fans.
Then again man city . cheatski they bought success so what the fcuk do we do??

.

Leeds come into the bracket of being a big club.

Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.

depends how big this bracket is .{ is big club top 6..top 10 ? or where }...or how big the mallet you have is...crowds...theyve never averaged 40k or more.... their average is 12 th biggest overall and lower than that in recent years.{ last 20 years } ... trophies won they are 15th.....

I think they can but it needs a long period of continued success if City Chelsea are successful for another 15-20yrs than they could be as big as united and Liverpool. I'd already concider them bigger than traditional gaints like Ajax the Glasgow clubs possibly even the Milan clubs.