ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide an introduction to the history of football club ownership in England. The chapter traces the evolution of clubs from their social and philanthropic origins to their contemporary and often complex governance structures. The allure of the English Premier League (EPL) and its global audience ‘reach’ has self-evidently changed the motives for investing in clubs to a more rationalised commercial focus. The allure of the EPL and its branding as the ‘greatest show on earth’ is investigated from both a theoretical and an applied perspective. The personal and professional motives for club ownership are examined within a detailed owner interview. The case study affords privileged insight to the hopes and dreams of an elite EPL club owner.
